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Steely Dan - Greatest Hits Album Lyrics



Steely Dan - Greatest Hits Lyrics






Do It Again

In the mornin' you go gunnin' for the man who stole your water
And you fire 'til he is done in but they catch you at the border
And the mourners are all singin' as they drag you by your feet
But the hangman isn't hangin' and they put you on the street

You go back, Jack, do it again, wheel turnin' 'round and 'round
You go back, Jack, do it again

When you know she's no high climber then you find your only friend
In a room with your two-timer, and you're sure you're near the end
Then you love a little wild one and she brings you only sorrow
All the time you know she's smilin' you'll be on your knees tomorrow, yeah

You go back, Jack, do it again, wheel turnin' 'round and 'round
You go back, Jack, do it again

Now you swear and kick and beg us that you're not a gamblin' man
Then you find you're back in Vegas with a handle in your hand
Your black cards can make you money so you hide them when you're able
In the land of milk and honey, you must put them on the table, yeah

You go back, Jack, do it again, wheel turnin' 'round and 'round
You go back, Jack, do it again
[ Correct these Lyrics ]

Writer: Donald Jay Fagen, Walter Carl Becker, Donald Fagen
Copyright: Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network




Reelin In The Years

Your everlasting summer you can see it fading fast
So you grab a piece of something that you think is gonna last
You wouldn't know a diamond if you held it in your hand
The things you think are precious I can't understand

Are you reelin' in the years
Stowin' away the time
Are you gatherin' up the tears
Have you had enough of mine

Are you reelin' in the years
Stowin' away the time
Are you gatherin' up the tears
Have you had enough of mine

You been tellin' me you're a genius since you were seventeen
In all the time I've known you I still don't know what you mean
The weekend at the college didn't turn out like you planned
The things that pass for knowledge I can't understand

Are you reelin' in the years
Stowin' away the time
Are you gatherin' up the tears
Have you had enough of mine

Are you reelin' in the years
Stowin' away the time
Are you gatherin' up the tears
Have you had enough of mine

I spend a lot of money and I spent a lot of time
The trip we made in Hollywood is etched upon my mind
After all the things we've done and seen you find another man
The things you think are useless I can't understand

Are you reelin' in the years
Stowin' away the time
Are you gatherin' up the tears
Have you had enough of mine

Are you reelin' in the years
Stowin' away the time
Are you gatherin' up the tears
Have you had enough of mine
[ Correct these Lyrics ]

Copyright: Lyrics © Original Writer and Publisher




My Old School

I remember the thirty-five sweet goodbyes

When you put me on the Wolverine up to Annandale

It was still September

When your daddy was quite surprised

To find you with the working girls in the county jail

I was smoking with the boys upstairs when I

Heard about the whole affair, I said oh no

William and Mary won't do



Well, I did not think the girl

Could be so cruel

And I'm never going back

To my old school



Oleanders growing outside her door

Soon they're gonna be in bloom up in Annandale

I can't stand her

Doing what she did before

Living like a gypsy queen in a fairy tale

Well, I hear the whistle but I can't go, I'm gonna

Take her down to Mexico, she said oh no

Guadalajara won't do



Well, I did not think the girl

Could be so cruel

And I'm never going back

To my old school



California tumbles into the sea

That'll be the day I go back to Annandale

Tried to warn you

About Chino and Daddy Gee

But I can't seem to get to you through the U.S. Mail

Well I hear the whistle but I can't go, I'm gonna

Take her down to Mexico, she said oh no

Guadalajara won't do



Well, I did not think the girl

Could be so cruel

And I'm never going back

To my old school
[ Correct these Lyrics ]

Writer: DONALD JAY FAGEN, WALTER CARL BECKER
Copyright: Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group




Bodhisattva

Bodhisattva
Would you take me by the hand
Bodhisattva
Would you take me by the hand
Can you show me
The shine of your Japan
The sparkle of your china
Can you show me
Bodhisattva
Bodhisattva
I'm gonna sell my house in town
Bodhisattva
I'm gonna sell my house in town
And I'll be there
To shine in your Japan
To sparkle in your China
Yes I'll be there
Bodhisattva
[ Correct these Lyrics ]

Writer: DONALD JAY FAGEN, WALTER CARL BECKER
Copyright: Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group




Show Biz Kids

[Chorus:]
While the poor people sleepin'
With the shade on the light
While the poor people sleepin'
All the stars come out at night
After closing time
At the Guernsey Fair
I detect the El Supremo
From the room at the top of the stairs
Well I've been around the world
And I've been in the Washington Zoo
And in all my travels
As the facts unravel
I've found this to be true

[Chorus]

They got the house on the corner
With the rug inside
They got the booze they need
All that money can buy
They got the shapely bods
They got the Steely Dan T-shirt
And for the coup-de-gras
They're outrageous

[Chorus]

Show biz kids making movies
Of themselves you know they
Don't give a f*ck about anybody else

[Chorus]
[ Correct these Lyrics ]

Writer: DONALD JAY FAGEN, WALTER CARL BECKER
Copyright: Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group




East St. Louis Toodle-oo


[Instrumental]
[ Correct these Lyrics ]

Copyright: Lyrics © Original Writer and Publisher




Rikki Dont Lose That Number

We hear you're leaving, that's OK
I thought our little wild time had just begun
I guess you kind of scared yourself, you turn and run
But if you have a change of heart

[Chorus:]
Rikki don't lose that number
You don't wanna call nobody else
Send it off in a letter to yourself
Rikki don't lose that number
It's the only one you own
You might use it if you feel better
When you get home

I have a friend in town, he's heard your name
We can go out driving on Slow Hand Row
We could stay inside and play games, I don't know
And you could have a change of heart

[Chorus]

You tell yourself you're not my kind
But you don't even know your mind
And you could have a change of heart

[Chorus]
[ Correct these Lyrics ]

Writer: DONALD JAY FAGEN, WALTER CARL BECKER
Copyright: Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group




Pretzel Logic

I would love to tour the Southland
In a travelling minstrel show
Yes I'd love to tour the Southland
In a traveling minstrel show
Yes I'm dying to be a star and make them laugh
Sound just like a record on the phonograph
Those days are gone forever
Over a long time ago, oh yeah
I have never met Napoleon
But I plan to find the time
I have never met Napoleon
But I plan to find the time
'Cause he looks so fine upon that hill
They tell me he was lonely, he's lonely still
Those days are gone forever
Over a long time ago, oh yeah

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?
Where did you get those shoes?

Well, I've seen 'em on the TV, the movie show
They say the times are changing but I just don't know
These things are gone forever
Over a long time ago, oh yeah
[ Correct these Lyrics ]

Writer: DONALD JAY FAGEN, WALTER CARL BECKER
Copyright: Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group




Any Major Dude

I never seen you looking so bad my funky one
You tell me that your superfine mind has come undone

[Chorus]
Any major dude with half a heart surely will tell you my friend
Any minor world that breaks apart falls together again
When the demon is at your door
In the morning it won't be there no more
Any major dude will tell you

Have you ever seen a squonk's tears? Well, look at mine
The people on the street have all seen better times

[Chorus]

I can tell you all I know, the where to go, the what to do
You can try to run but you can't hide from what's inside of you

[Chorus]
[ Correct these Lyrics ]

Writer: DONALD JAY FAGEN, WALTER CARL BECKER
Copyright: Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group




Here At The Western World

Down at the Lido they welcome you
With sausage and beer
Klaus and The Rooster have been there too
But lately he spends his time here

Hangin' with the Mayor and all his friends
And nobody cares
Where the sailor shuts out the sunrise
Blacked out on the stairs

[Chorus:]
Knock twice, rap with your cane
Feels nice, you're out of the rain
We got your skinny girl
Here at the Western World

Ruthie will give you the silver key
To open the red door
Lay down your Jackson and you will see
The sweetness you've been cryin' for

In the night you hide from the madman
You're longing to be
But it all comes out on the inside
Eventually

[Chorus]

In the night you hide from the madman
You're longing to be
But it all comes out on the inside
Eventually

[Chorus]
[ Correct these Lyrics ]

Writer: D. FAGEN, W. BECKER
Copyright: Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group




Black Friday

When Black Friday comes
I'll stand down by the door
And catch the grey men when they
Dive from the fourteenth floor
When Black Friday comes
I'll collect everything I'm owed
And before my friends find out
I'll be on the road
When Black Friday falls you know it's got to be
Don't let it fall on me
When Black Friday comes
I'll fly down to Muswellbrook
Gonna strike all the big red words
From my little black book
Gonna do just what I please
Gonna wear no socks and shoes
With nothing to do but feed
All the kangaroos
When Black Friday comes I'll be on that hill
You know I will

When Black Friday comes
I'm gonna dig myself a hole
Gonna lay down in it 'til
I satisfy my soul
Gonna let the world pass by me
The Archbishop's gonna sanctify me
And if he don't come across
I'm gonna let it roll
When Black Friday comes
I'm gonna stake my claim
I'll guess I'll change my name
[ Correct these Lyrics ]

Writer: DONALD JAY FAGEN, WALTER CARL BECKER
Copyright: Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group




Bad Sneakers

Five names that I can hardly
Stand to hear
Including yours and mine
And one more chimp who isn't here
I can see the ladies talking
How the times are getting hard
And that fearsome excavation
On Magnolia Boulevard

[Chorus:]
And I'm going insane
And I'm laughing at the frozen rain
And I'm so alone
Honey when they gonna send me home
Bad sneakers and a Pina Colada
My friend
Stompin' on the avenue
By Radio City with a
Transistor and a large
Sum of money to spend

You fellah, you tearin' up the street
You wear that white tuxedo
How you gonna beat the heat
Do you take me for a fool
Do you think that I don't see
That ditch out in the valley
That they're digging just for me

[Chorus]
[ Correct these Lyrics ]

Writer: DONALD JAY FAGEN, WALTER CARL BECKER
Copyright: Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group




Doctor Wu

Katy tried
I was halfway crucified
I was on the other side
Of no tomorrow
You walked in
And my life began again
Just when I'd spent the last piaster
I could borrow
All night long
We would sing that stupid song
And every word we sang
I knew was true
Are you with me Doctor Wu
Are you really just a shadow
Of the man that I once knew
Are you crazy are you high
Or just an ordinary guy
Have you done all you can do
Are you with me Doctor

Don't seem right
I've been strung out here all night
I've been waiting for the taste
You said you'd bring to me
Biscayne Bay
Where the Cuban gentlemen sleep all day
I went searching for the song
You used to sing to me
Katy lies
You could see it in her eyes
But imagine my surprise
When I saw you

Are you with me Doctor Wu
Are you really just a shadow
Of the man that I once knew
She is lovely yes she's sly
And you're an ordinary guy
Has she finally got to you
Can you hear me Doctor
[ Correct these Lyrics ]

Writer: DONALD JAY FAGEN, WALTER CARL BECKER
Copyright: Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group




Haitian Divorce

Babs and Clean Willie were in love they said
So in love the preacher's face turned red
Soon everybody knew the thing was dead
He shouts, she bites, they wrangle through the night
She go crazy
Got to make a getaway
Papa say

[Chorus:]
Oh - no hesitation
No tears and no hearts breakin'
No remorse
Oh - congratulations
This is your Haitian Divorce

She takes the taxi to the good hotel
Bon marche as far as she can tell
She drinks the zombie from the cocoa shell
She feels alright, she get it on tonight
Mister driver
Take me where the music play
Papa say

[Chorus]

At the Grotto
In the greasy chair
Sits the Charlie with the lotion and the kinky hair
When she smiled, she said it all
The band was hot so
They danced the famous Merengue
Now we dolly back
Now we fade to black

Tearful reunion in the USA
Day by day those memories fade away
Some babies grow in a peculiar way
It changed, it grew, and everybody knew
Semi-mojo
Who's this kinky so-and-so?
Papa go

[Chorus]


[ Correct these Lyrics ]

Writer: DONALD JAY FAGEN, WALTER CARL BECKER
Copyright: Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group




Kid Charlemagne

While the music played you worked by candlelight
Those San Francisco nights
You were the best in town
Just by chance you crossed the diamond with the pearl
You turned it on the world
That's when you turned the world around
Did you feel like Jesus
Did you realize
That you were a champion in their eyes
On the hill the stuff was laced with kerosene
But yours was kitchen clean
Everyone stopped to stare at your technicolor motor home
Every A-Frame had your number on the wall
You must have had it all
You'd go to L.A. on a dare
And you'd go it alone
Could you live forever
Could you see the day
Could you feel your whole world fall apart and fade away

[Chorus:]
Get along, get along Kid Charlemagne
Get along Kid Charlemagne

Now your patrons have all left you in the red
Your low rent friends are dead
This life can be very strange
All those dayglow freaks who used to paint the face
They've joined the human race
Some things will never change
Son you were mistaken
You are obsolete
Look at all the white men on the street

[Chorus]

Clean this mess up else we'll all end up in jail
Those test tubes and the scale
Just get them all out of here
Is there gas in the car
Yes, there's gas in the car
I think the people down the hall
Know who you are

Careful what you carry
'Cause the man is wise
You are still an outlaw in their eyes

[Chorus]
[ Correct these Lyrics ]

Writer: DONALD JAY FAGEN, WALTER CARL BECKER
Copyright: Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group




The Fez

No I'm never gonna do it without the fez on
Oh no
No I'm never gonna do it without the fez on
Oh no
That's what I am
Please understand
I wanna be your holy man
No I'm never gonna do it without the fez on
Oh no
Ain't never gonna do it without the fez on
Oh no
That's what I am
Please understand
I wanna be your holy man

No I'm never gonna do it without the fez on
Oh no
Don't make me do it without the fez on
Oh no
That's what I am please understand
[ Correct these Lyrics ]

Writer: DONALD JAY FAGEN, PAUL LAWRENCE GRIFFIN, WALTER CARL BECKER
Copyright: Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group




Peg

I've seen your picture
Your name in lights above it
This is your big debut
It's like a dream come true
So won't you smile for the camera
I know they're gonna love it, Peg

I like your pin shot
I keep it with your letter
Done up in blueprint blue
It sure looks good on you
And when you smile for the camera
I know I'll love you better

Peg
It will come back to you
Peg
It will come back to you
Then the shutter falls
You see it all in 3D
It's your favorite foreign movie

I like your pin shot
I keep it with your letter
Done up in blueprint blue
It sure looks good on you
And when you smile for the camera
I know I'll love you better

Peg
It will come back to you
Peg
It will come back to you
Then the shutter falls
You see it all in 3D
It's your favorite foreign movie

Peg
It will come back to you
Peg
It will come back to you
Then the shutter falls
You see it all in 3D
It's your favorite foreign movie

Peg
It will come back to you
Peg
It will come back to you
Then the shutter falls
You see it all in 3D
It's your favorite foreign movie

Peg
It will come back to you
Peg
It will come back to you
Then the shutter falls
You see it all in 3D
It's your favorite foreign movie
[ Correct these Lyrics ]

Writer: Donald Jay Fagen, Walter Carl Becker
Copyright: Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network




Josie

We're gonna break out the hats and hooters
When Josie comes home
We're gonna rev up the motor scooters
When Josie comes home to stay
We're gonna park in the street
Sleep on the beach and make it
Throw down the jam till the girls say when
Lay down the law and break it
When Josie comes home

When Josie comes home
So good
She's the pride of the neighborhood
She's the raw flame
The live wire
She prays like a Roman
With her eyes on fire

Jo would you love to scrapple
She'll never say no
Shine up the battle apple
We'll shake 'em all down tonight
We're gonna mix in the street
Strike at the stroke of midnight
Dance on the bones till the girls say when
Pick up what's left by daylight
When Josie comes home

When Josie comes home
So bad
She's the best friend we ever had
She's the raw flame
The live wire
She prays like a Roman
With her eyes on fire

When Josie comes home
So good
She's the pride of the neighborhood
She's the raw flame
The live wire
She prays like a Roman
With her eyes on fire
[ Correct these Lyrics ]

Writer: DONALD JAY FAGEN, WALTER CARL BECKER
Copyright: Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group




Back to: Steely Dan


Greatest Hits is a compilation album by the American rock band Steely Dan, released in 1978 by ABC Records. The double album includes tracks from the band's first six studio albums, as well as a previously unreleased song, "Here at the Western World", recorded during sessions for The Royal Scam (1976). Greatest Hits was certified platinum in the U.S., with sales of over one million units.
Performed By: Steely Dan
Genre(s): Rock, Classic Rock
Producer(s): Gary Katz
Length: 79:17
Released: November 30th, 1978
Year: 1978

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