Miller was born to Dr. George "Sonny" Miller, a pathologist, jazz enthusiast and amateur recording engineer, and Bertha, a jazz-influenced singer. In 1950, the family moved to Dallas, Texas. His first guitar chords were taught to him by the legendary Les Paul, pioneer of the electric guitar and also Miller's godfather. While at St. Mark's School of Texas, Miller formed his first band, The Marksmen. Miller taught classmate Royce Boz Scaggs some guitar chords so he could join the band; Scaggs became better known by his nickname, Boz. Miller attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison during the 1960s, where he formed The Ardells. Scaggs joined the Ardells the next year. Ben Sidran was added to the Ardells as a keyboardist the following year. Miller was only sixteen when he started college, and dropped out six credit hours shy of a literature degree. Les Paul encouraged young Miller to utilize his prodigal talents, and much of Miller's success has been attributed to Paul's tutelage during his childhood and teenage years.
Prior to forming the Steve Miller Band, Miller was in a band with Barry Goldberg called the Goldberg-Miller Blues Band. They formed in 1965, and released one single, before Miller left the band.
In 1968, Miller formed the Steve Miller Band, with Miller handling vocals, and released an album, Children of the Future, the first in a series of discs rooted solidly in the psychedelic blues style that dominated the San Francisco music scene at the time. Scaggs would leave the band after a couple of albums. Sailor, Brave New World, Your Saving Grace and Number 5 followed. These albums performed respectably on the album charts but failed to yield a hit. This first period in Steve Miller's music formed part of double album compilation "Anthology" which includes a guest appearance on drums by the then Beatle Paul McCartney on the song "My Dark Hour".
1973's The Joker marked the start of the second phase of Miller's career: more pop-oriented and simplistic, the album featured a number one hit in the U.S. in the title track as well as several other popular tunes. In fact, "The Joker" hit Number One on the UK singles chart in September 1990 after it was used on a television commercial.
Miller followed up The Joker with Fly Like an Eagle in 1976 and Book of Dreams in 1977. This pair of albums represented the peak of Miller's commercial career, both reaching the top echelons of the album charts and spawning a seemingly-endless series of hit singles, including "Rock'n Me", "Take the Money and Run", "Jet Airliner" and "Jungle Love". While critics lambasted Miller for abandoning his more ambitious approach and socially-aware lyrics for simple pop-rock and derivative blues tunes, fans gravitated towards the catchy, melodic songs in great numbers, and the Steve Miller Band co-headlined a major stadium tour with the Eagles in 1977.
On the heels of this massive success, Miller took a long hiatus from recording and touring, emerging in 1981 with Circle of Love, an ambitious album possibly intended to appease critics of his new style. Sales were disappointing, however, and in 1982 he returned to the pop formula with another hit album, Abracadabra. This was Miller's last great commercial success; a series of collections, live albums and attempts to find a new style appeared sporadically, but after 1993 Miller gave up producing records altogether. However, he collaborated with Paul McCartney on the former Beatle's 1997 Grammy-nominated album, Flaming Pie.
Macho City
Steve Miller Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Macho City
Macho City
Macho City (Macho City)
Welcome to the entertainment
Here now are the facts (Macho City)
Presented by reporters
All around the world
The message is hot and smoking (Macho City)
Would you like to see the future
Nobody's joking (Macho City)
Velcro people with
X-Ray sight (Macho City)
Will be making judgements
About what's wrong and what's right (Macho City)
Politicians and lawyers
All know what it means (Macho City)
They'll be keeping it all legal
With political visquine
Macho City
Macho City
As time marches
Through the ages
Macho men always
Shooting up history's pages
Taking over this (ooh)
Taking over that (ooh)
Macho men always
Where it's at
El Salvador
Afghanistan (Macho City)
Ask those people
About the macho plan (Macho city)
Macho City
Talking about
Zombie servants
Mystic mud
Silver bullets
Head green ton stud
Black cat bone
The heebee-jeebees
John the Conqueroo's personal voodoo keys
Way over yonder
Over on yonder's wall
Looks like Macho Man's
Headed for a big fall
How can Macho Man
Heal his soul
Will powerful root man
Let him go
The song "Macho City" by Steve Miller Band is a commentary on society's preoccupation with machismo and power. At the beginning of the song, the band welcomes listeners to the entertainment, which is presented by reporters wearing "macho slacks." This line is commenting on how the media often perpetuates a need for aggressive and dominant behavior in men. The song goes on to say that people all around the world are sending a message that is hot and smoking, indicating that power and strength are desirable traits in society. The line "politicians and lawyers all know what it means, they'll be keeping it all legal with political visquine" suggests that those in positions of power are aware of this societal desire for machismo and are using it to their advantage.
The song then shifts its focus to the idea of men taking over history's pages, always wanting to be where it's at, and mentions specific locations such as El Salvador and Afghanistan. These references highlight the destructive and harmful outcomes of unchecked masculinity, which can lead to war and violence. The song also references various supernatural and mystical objects and concepts, such as zombie servants and voodoo keys. These allusions further emphasize the idea that the pursuit of power and dominance can be dangerous and have negative consequences.
Overall, "Macho City" is a commentary on how society glorifies and prioritizes traditional masculinity and how that can lead to negative outcomes. The song warns against the dangers of unchecked masculine behavior and how it can lead to conflict and destruction.
Line by Line Meaning
Welcome to the entertainment
Greetings and salutations to all who have joined us here for our performance
Here now are the facts (Macho City)
We will now present to you the truth about our city of macho, without any exaggeration or fabrications
Presented by reporters
Our sources of information are credible journalists who have provided us with accurate knowledge about our city and its residents
Wearing macho slacks (Macho City)
These journalists are themselves a part of the macho culture, as evident by their clothing, which reflects the style and attitude of our city
All around the world
The phenomenon of macho culture transcends international boundaries and is prevalent globally
The message is hot and smoking (Macho City)
The message about macho city is powerful and impactful, leaving an indelible impression on all who hear it
Would you like to see the future
We will provide you a glimpse of what's to come, related to the growth and impact of macho culture, through our performance
Nobody's joking (Macho City)
We are completely serious and committed to the culture and ideology of macho city, and any doubts about it are unfounded
Velcro people with
Individuals in macho city are always evolving themselves and incorporating new technologies and ideas to stay ahead of the curve
X-Ray sight (Macho City)
They have an ability to see through people and situations with great accuracy, allowing them to make wise determinations
Will be making judgements
Persons with X-Ray sight will evaluate everthing in their environment and reach conclusive solutions
About what's wrong and what's right (Macho City)
They understand the value... and the consequences of all their actions while staying true to their morals
Politicians and lawyers
Elected officials and legal figures are part of the fabric of the city
All know what it means (Macho City)
All the leaders of the city, both political and legal, are fully aware of the power of macho culture and it's inherent meaning
They'll be keeping it all legal
They will avoid illegality in all their dealings while operating within the framework of the law
With political visquine
They will use diplomacy and political nous to ensure that the true meaning of the city is preserved
As time marches
As time advances forward
Through the ages
Throughout the eras of humanity’s existence thus far
Macho men always
Men of great strength and power unite under the banner of macho culture regardless of time and culture
Shooting up history's pages
The macho culture has always been prominent and has always maintained its influence throughout the ages of history
Taking over this (ooh)
Macho men assert their power over areas which they deem important
Taking over that (ooh)
And also grab a snatch of power on issue they are passionate about
Macho men always
Men of power and with the tenacity to lead
Where it's at
The epicenter of macho culture, because it represents leadership and power
El Salvador
Mentioning El Salvador, where war and conflict created an environment of machismo and the subject of war serves as a reflection of a wider aspect of machismo in latino culture
Afghanistan (Macho City)
Fighting and tackling the Taliban head on has become synonymous with machismo and valour in Afghan culture
Ask those people
We invite you to ask the macho men of these places about macho culture and its implications for daily life
About the macho plan (Macho city)
We will reveal to you the strategy of the macho men to maintain their power and position in the world
Talking about
Our discussion shifts to
Zombie servants
People who serve the macho culture, but are more like robots without emotions or intelligence
Mystic mud
The mystical elements that are perceived to hold magical powers in the macho universe
Silver bullets
The weapons of macho men, especially the gun which is valued for its great strength and ability to control
Head green ton stud
The supreme leader of macho culture, who not only holds enormous power but has the charisma to lead and unite followers
Black cat bone
A powerful amulet that brings good luck to macho men, and is a symbol of macho culture
The heebee-jeebees
The sense of euphoria and excitement that comes with being part of the macho culture, akin to a natural high
John the Conqueroo's personal voodoo keys
John the Conqueror root, a popular African-American magical charm or an object that represents control and dominance over others
Way over yonder
In a place far away from this part of the world
Over on yonder's wall
In a distant, uncertain future
Looks like Macho Man's
It appears that the macho men have
Headed for a big fall
A downfall is inevitable for the culture and people of macho city
How can Macho Man
What steps can macho men take to
Heal his soul
Restore the morals and values that have been abandoned in the desire for power
Will powerful root man
Can a powerful and respected leader within macho culture
Let him go
Guide and help the macho men to move away from their obsession with power and control, and instead focus on reaching a balance and being in harmony with nature
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: STEVE MILLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@patmackie3499
Killer tune....1luv 😎...
@chrissimons9733
When this album came out i was 13 got on my bike and rode 6 km to my record store then rode another 4 km to my best mate who had a turn table.....im 53 my son is Miller my Dog is Steve ...ive met Steve miller in person ...wonderful man ....
@JDanielGonzalez
Hell yeah man, this rips
@ronzy566
I knew Steve Miller was talented but man, this song is so relevant in 2022. Long live Steve Miller.
@mrpooroldme
This is a track where dynamics are so important, and the best way to listen to it is on Full Blast when you are just waking up or falling a sleep or both, cause that's how I heard it first time on a very cool radio station that played the full length of it. I was either over worked ill or sleep deprived, but what ever it led to a magic experience. It's nice to listen also to "Another One Bites The Dust"with it.
@algale6414
Saw Steve Miller in '83 Birmingham England, they danced in a circle doing this conga style, fucking awesome.
@asknow88
Saw them Hammersmith Odeon - same thing with strobe.
@2500599
Didnt know the band name from childhood, only today accidently do))). I'm from 1975th. Great sound!!!
@mannypintado8349
This was a True Loft Jam.
@nicolekuiper265
Echt we l. Kicken .... Luister maar goed ...