Their music is characterized by dark, witty lyrical narratives, obscure lyrical allusions and complex, jazz-influenced instrumentation and chord sequences, overlying more ordinary popular song structures. Their fastidious standards in the studio and use of world-class sessions players has also been a hallmark of their work. For this, special credit should be given to their long-time producer Gary Katz and engineer Roger Nichols.
The band was originally a six-piece consisting of Fagen, Becker, David Palmer (vocals), Jeff "Skunk" Baxter (guitar), Denny Dias (guitar) and Jim Hodder (drums), but by 1975, only Fagen and Becker remained.
The band's history can be divided into three stages. In its original conception, the group was a relatively conventional rock band that toured from 1972 to 1974, releasing the singles-chart successes, 'Do It Again', 'Reelin' in the Years', 'My Old School' and 'Rikki Don't Lose That Number'. The group's name was derived from a series of dildos in the 1959 novel, 'Naked Lunch' by the avant-garde writer, William S. Burroughs; the phrase first used in the lyrics of an early, pre-Steely Dan Fagen/Becker song, Soul Ram.
In its second stage (1975 - 1980) the group, now consisting solely of Fagen and Becker, became a purely studio-based act, their album releases showing a growing obsession with polished production values, and whose output became increasingly jazz-orientated, culminating in the highly successful 'Aja' (1977) and 'Gaucho' (1980). The two split in 1981 following a tumultuous recording process for the latter album, and personal problems for both members.
In the Eighties, Fagen released his seminal debut album, 'The Nightfly', and took time away from the music industry, whilst Becker, after recovering from drug dependence, was in frequent work as a producer.
The third stage came when Fagen and Becker reunited in 1993, followed by a world tour (their first touring dates in 20 years). In 2000, the Grammy-award-winning 'Two Against Nature' was released to critical and surprising commercial success. Its successor followed swiftly, 'Everything Must Go' being released in 2003. The two albums show a more relaxed attitude to production, less morbid lyrical themes and an upbeat jazz pop sound, but with the characteristic wit and musical complexity of their 20th century work remaining.
Walter Becker passed away on September 3, 2017. This was followed by legal action between Becker's estate and Fagen over ownership of material. Fagen with additional bandmates continues to tour as Steely Dan.
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What a Shame About Me
Steely Dan Lyrics
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Stackin' cutouts at the Strand
When in walks Franny from NYU
We were quite an item back then
We talked about her films and shows and CDs
And I don't know what else
She said yeah Hollywood's been good to me
[Chorus]
I'm still working on that novel
But I'm just about to quit
Cause I'm worrying about the future now
Or maybe this is it
It's not all that I thought it would be
What a shame about me
She said, talk to me, do you ever see
Anybody else from our old crew
Bobby Dakine won the Bunsen Prize
Now he's coming out with something new
Alan owns a chain of Steamer Heavens
And Barry is the software king
And somebody told me in the early 80's
You were gonna be the 'next big thing'
[Chorus]
Well now that was just a rumor
But I guess I'm doin' fine
Three weeks out of the rehab
Living one day at a time
Sneaking up on the new century
What a shame about me
What a shame about me
I'm thinking of a major Jane Street sunrise
And the goddess on the fire escape was you
We both ran out of small talk
The connection seemed to go dead
I was about to say, hey, have a nice life
When she touched my hand and said:
You know I just had this great idea
This could be very cool
Why don't we grab a cab to my hotel
And make believe we're back at our old school
[Chorus]
I said babe you look delicious
And you're standing very close
But like this is Lower Broadway
And you're talking to a ghost
Take a good look it's easy to see
What a shame about me
What a shame about me
The song 'What a Shame About Me' by Steely Dan tells the story of a chance encounter between two former lovers. The singer is working at his day gig when Franny walks in, and they begin to catch up on old times. Franny has found success in Hollywood, but the singer is struggling to finish writing a novel and worrying about his future. Franny asks if he still sees anyone from their old crew, and the singer tells her about their successes including Bobby Dakine's Bunsen Prize and Alan's chain of Steamer Heavens. Franny then reveals that there was a rumor that the singer was going to be the 'next big thing' in the early 80s.
The chorus of the song repeats the line "I'm still working on that novel, but I'm just about to quit, cause I'm worrying about the future now, or maybe this is it" which shows the singer's sense of despair and frustration with his life. The song also features a dream-like sequence where the singer thinks about a major Jane Street sunrise and his former lover on the fire escape. In the end, Franny suggests they pretend to be back at their old school, but the singer declines, feeling like he is a ghost of his former self.
Overall, the song explores themes of nostalgia, missed opportunities, and regret. The singer is struggling to find his place in the world, while Franny seems to have moved on and found success. The lyrics hint at a feeling of jealousy and inadequacy on the singer's part, while also acknowledging the successes of his old friends.
Line by Line Meaning
I was grinding through my day gig
I was working hard at my normal job
Stackin' cutouts at the Strand
I was putting things in order at the Strand
When in walks Franny from NYU
Franny from NYU showed up suddenly
We were quite an item back then
We had been romantically involved before
We talked about her films and shows and CDs
We discussed Franny's entertainment projects
And I don't know what else
And other things I don't recall
She said yeah Hollywood's been good to me
Franny mentioned her success in Hollywood
But tell me how about yourself
But she wanted to know about me
[Chorus]
The chorus of the song:
I'm still working on that novel
I'm still trying to finish my book
But I'm just about to quit
I'm close to giving up
Cause I'm worrying about the future now
I'm concerned about what's next for me
Or maybe this is it
Or maybe this is all there is for me
It's not all that I thought it would be
Life hasn't turned out exactly how I hoped
What a shame about me
It's regrettable for me
She said, talk to me, do you ever see
Franny asked if I ever saw our old crew
Anybody else from our old crew
Anyone else from our previous group of friends
Bobby Dakine won the Bunsen Prize
Bobby Dakine was recognized for his achievements
Now he's coming out with something new
He's releasing a new project
Alan owns a chain of Steamer Heavens
Alan is the owner of a group of steam rooms
And Barry is the software king
Barry is a successful software expert
And somebody told me in the early 80's
I heard a rumor about myself in the 80's
You were gonna be the 'next big thing'
Someone said I was going to become very successful
[Chorus]
The chorus again:
Well now that was just a rumor
That rumor wasn't true
But I guess I'm doin' fine
But I'm doing okay
Three weeks out of the rehab
I recently left rehab
Living one day at a time
Taking life one day at a time
Sneaking up on the new century
Approaching the year 2000
What a shame about me
Still regretting things in my life
What a shame about me
Regrettable for me
I'm thinking of a major Jane Street sunrise
Remembering a beautiful sunrise on Jane Street
And the goddess on the fire escape was you
And I remember you as the stunning figure on the fire escape
We both ran out of small talk
Our conversation became empty
The connection seemed to go dead
The conversation felt like it was over
I was about to say, hey, have a nice life
I almost said goodbye
When she touched my hand and said:
But then she touched me and said:
You know I just had this great idea
She had a great idea
This could be very cool
It could be a great experience
Why don't we grab a cab to my hotel
She suggested we go to her hotel
And make believe we're back at our old school
And reminisce as if we were back in school
[Chorus]
The chorus one last time:
I said babe you look delicious
I complimented her appearance
And you're standing very close
And she was standing near me
But like this is Lower Broadway
Reminding her of our present location
And you're talking to a ghost
And that I feel like a ghost of my former self
Take a good look it's easy to see
It's easy to see what I have become
What a shame about me
Again, regrettable for me
What a shame about me
To me, it's a shame what has become of me
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DONALD FAGEN, WALTER BECKER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind