Steely Dan may be more recognized by the very unique jazz and rock infused musical hooks that have permeated classic rock stations for over 30 years; but, to look closer, is to observe some very fine and challenging lyrics, as written by the duo that is Steely Dan: Donald Fagen and Walter Becker.
Who could expect anything less, from a band that takes its name from William S. Burroughs' great epic Naked Lunch. Steely Dan's lyrics are heavily influenced by the beat poets and writers, flushed with heavy symbolism and myth-making phraseology.
Breaking down the songs from Pretzel Logic, one by one, a pattern does emerge, albeit somewhat scattered, in the sense that each song is a puzzle piece, and when placed together in the mind, presents a picture of hard-living and heartbreak. A sort of rock n roll Don Quixote, whose romantic notions about life and love, are continually broken by harsh realities.
Rikki Don't Lose That Number
The band’s first big hit, on the surface of things, is easily interpreted to be a bubble gum ditty about teen angst; but, the lyrics read much deeper; as an urgent plea to stay connected; to deny the dangerous desire to sever ties from someone who cares. Conceivably, coming around full-circle, to insinuate a certain teenage mentality regarding runaways.
Night by Night
Quickly leaping to a more mature, adult theme; about living hand-to-mouth; and building personal armor in pursuit of a better life:
Well I don't really care
If it's wrong or if it's right
But until my ship comes in
I'll live night by night
Any Major Dude Will Tell You
Easily the prettiest song, melodically speaking; and the most blatantly obvious homage to street living: ...people on the street have all seen better times..., presenting a streetwise character imparting pearls:
Any minor world that breaks apart falls together again.
Barrytown
Politically charged song dissecting class warfare and prejudice:
Leave me or I'll be just like the others you will meet
They won't act as kindly if they see you on the street
East St. Louis Toodle-Oo and Parker's Band
Toodle-Oo, written by Duke Ellington and Bubber Miley, represents a certain instrumental interlude. And Parker's Band pays respect to Ellington with their own ragtime inspired experiment.
Through with Buzz
Dramatically returning with dour piano keys, leading to a sad, tragic tone, to tell the story of friendship dissolved by jealousy, envy, and self-pride.
Pretzel Logic
Schizophrenic fantasy about a Quixote like character with romantic notions of fame and fortune:
I stepped up on the platform
The man gave me the news
He said, You must be joking son
Where did you get those shoes?
With a Gun
Little need to elaborate any further past the title itself.
Charlie Freak
A stunningly well written story told within a such a short song. A heart-breaking character study about a homeless man with one single possession of value:
Charlie Freak had but one thing to call his own
Three weight ounce pure golden ring no precious stone
The singer sings about his taking advantage of the destitute man, by buying the ring for chicken feed. After the homeless man dies of a drug overdose, the guilty soul attempts to redeem himself by returning the man’s gold ring to his finger:
Yes Jack, I gave it back
The ring I could not own
Now come my friend I'll take your hand
And lead you home
Monkey in Your Soul
Finishing Pretzel Logic with Charlie Freak would seem the most fitting finale; but, one supposes the band concluded such an ending may be a little too dark for a mainstream record album. So, Monkey is an up tempo meditation on racism, tied in with the older generation’s fear of music.
Summation
The band Steely Dan could have actually been called a duo; as all the music and lyrics were written and composed by guitarist Walter Becker and keyboardist Donald Fagen; with a large and talented ensemble group of studio musicians playing back-up on the recorded tracks.
And like all very talented, and very successful duos in music history, the duo fought constantly over creative control, ultimately and predictably bringing about the demise of the band for nearly two decades.
The rift began with Pretzel Logic; and it's evident in the rather uneven tone, musically; a battle between the songs with new found pop sensibility and the more genuine jazz instinct; Pretzel Logic fluctuates between manic moments of histrionic genius, and lighter, flightier comic bits of playfulness. But, the overall effect, is one of melancholy and authentic emotional depth.
Label: MCA
ASIN: B00000IPAC
Martin G. Wood - M.G. Wood is a writer of screenplays, film and literary reviews, and poetry. M.G. Wood can often be found ...
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