This song always takes me back to Mexico City, 1974. I hadn't realized that the song was pretty new then. It has the feeling of a song that had been out for a while. I guess it was popular around the university at that time. For me such a haunting tune. I love it.
You're right it was 1974. I heard while camping in Denver's Cherry Creek Park while I was in Upward bound program@ Black Hills state college back then. so cool
The song is about a real person, a married woman that Donald Fagen met at a college party. Taking the song on its own, it sounds like the singer of the song has a thing for the woman, At first he thinks she likes him "I thought our little wild time had just begun "but she rejects him for whatever reason "we hear your leaving, that's ok" and " you sort of scared yourself, you turned and run. But he still wants her and he's trying to convince her to keep his number and call him.
I remember an interview that Donald Fagen gave about his "obscure" lyrics with so many of his songs. He said that the melody, the arrangement, the over all mood of the piece was more important than the words, and sometimes he just made them up because they sounded good in a phrase. It's just too tempting to say that this song is really about a rolled joint, and what's important is that it doesn't have to be, really.
There has been much speculation about Steely Dan lyrics. Some of their lyrics were inspired by/written about their experiences at Bard College; many of these lyrics being "inside information" that only they would know. Unless you have heard it come from their mouths, anything beyond that is open to your interpretation. Great, original words, tho!
Rikki is a man..and is freaked out to discover that he has "feelings" for his friend..he needs time to digest this new development and so runs away from the situation..Rikki's friend is willing to give him time and is confident that Rikki will accept and come around
From the first time I heard this song as soon as it was released, this has ALWAYS been my interpretation! That's one of the cool things about their music, that you can actually understand what they are singing, if you pay attention. So much music, you really need to look up lyrics to get it all....or have the album cover in hand! Thank you, Beatles!
Wow, I just knew somewhere not long down the line of ideas of what this song is about etc. I too assume(d) that it sounds like somebody(Rikki)had a number for the best Heroin in town or any strong Opiate for that matter.
It happens again and again, not necessarily with a married woman, but with a nubile that still feels undecided... so? the guy has to insist, ya? not a brainer, dah!
It's about Rikki a gay dude.listen to the lyric "you tell yourself your not my kind but you don't even your mind" the dude is saying we're on the same team.
It's a song beseeching Ricky (not Rikki) to come out of the closet and accept himself as gay. The singer urges Ricky to call him, another gay man. It's pretty obvious, really.
This song always takes me back to Mexico City, 1974. I hadn't realized that the song was pretty new then. It has the feeling of a song that had been out for a while. I guess it was popular around the university at that time. For me such a haunting tune. I love it.
One of the best guitar solos of all time. :-)
You're right it was 1974. I heard while camping in Denver's Cherry Creek Park while I was in Upward bound program@ Black Hills state college back then. so cool
Wasn't it called "Outward Bound"?
The song is about a real person, a married woman that Donald Fagen met at a college party. Taking the song on its own, it sounds like the singer of the song has a thing for the woman, At first he thinks she likes him "I thought our little wild time had just begun "but she rejects him for whatever reason "we hear your leaving, that's ok" and " you sort of scared yourself, you turned and run. But he still wants her and he's trying to convince her to keep his number and call him.
Exactly. Romance wasn’t as complicated back then.
I remember an interview that Donald Fagen gave about his "obscure" lyrics with so many of his songs. He said that the melody, the arrangement, the over all mood of the piece was more important than the words, and sometimes he just made them up because they sounded good in a phrase. It's just too tempting to say that this song is really about a rolled joint, and what's important is that it doesn't have to be, really.
There has been much speculation about Steely Dan lyrics. Some of their lyrics were inspired by/written about their experiences at Bard College; many of these lyrics being "inside information" that only they would know. Unless you have heard it come from their mouths, anything beyond that is open to your interpretation. Great, original words, tho!
Rikki is a man..and is freaked out to discover that he has "feelings" for his friend..he needs time to digest this new development and so runs away from the situation..Rikki's friend is willing to give him time and is confident that Rikki will accept and come around
From the first time I heard this song as soon as it was released, this has ALWAYS been my interpretation!
That's one of the cool things about their music, that you can actually understand what they are singing, if you pay attention. So much music, you really need to look up lyrics to get it all....or have the album cover in hand!
Thank you, Beatles!
Wow, I just knew somewhere not long down the line of ideas of what this song is about etc. I too assume(d) that it sounds like somebody(Rikki)had a number for the best Heroin in town or any strong Opiate for that matter.
Well, maybe it's Rikki:"Don't lose that number."
chall get me?
It happens again and again, not necessarily with a married woman, but with a nubile that still feels undecided... so? the guy has to insist, ya? not a brainer, dah!
I thought it was about Rick Derringer when he was leaving the band
Rick Derringer was in Steely Dan? I had no idea!
who cares what its about guys !, its a tuuuuuuune, i think they borrowed the jazz intro, still good though
sorry girls aren't that lonely... hold the # "Ricky"
It's about Rikki a gay dude.listen to the lyric "you tell yourself your not my kind but you don't even your mind" the dude is saying we're on the same team.
Are you and I the only people who see this as a gay man with a crush on Ricky? I always saw it that way.
@@bonnierussell4549 Me too.
cool reply lmao - mostly wishful thinking though - could not thru her head or something like that - takes bk to HS dayz 1975
It's a song beseeching Ricky (not Rikki) to come out of the closet and accept himself as gay. The singer urges Ricky to call him, another gay man. It's pretty obvious, really.
That's what I hear as well.