‘Deacon Blues’: Steely Dan’s Most Autobiographical Song

Far Out Magazine ^ | Sat 21 September 2024 | Ben Forrest

[BenLurkin]

Did he really make love to the women, languid and bitter-sweet?

[Az Joe]

Ahhhhhh.... my youth, my youth

[Cletus.D.Yokel]

Walter Becker’s private life was written into “Everyone’s Gone to the Movies”
Katy Lied

[dfwgator]

So is it “Soon you will be eighteen” or “Soon you will be a teen”?

[SamAdams76]

Steely Dan is one of those bands that get better with age.

I grew up during the 1970s and didn't think much of Steely Dan. Usually flipped the station when they came on the radio.

I don't think many teenagers usually "get" Steely Dan.

My appreciation for them started accelerating when I hit my 30s and even now, they age like fine wine.

I am a little tired of their radio hits like "Do It Again" and "Reelin' In The Years" but songs like "Kid Charlemagne" and "Don't Take Me Alive" never get tired.

[God luvs America]

“They call Alabama the Crimson Tide”...

Enjoyed their music- hate Felder’s politics.

[God luvs America]

I meant Fagan, not Felder

[Snowybear]

Before they made it famous, Chevy Chase played drums for them in college.

-SB

[Cletus.D.Yokel]

“Officially”?
😉😂

[nickcarraway]

Felder?

[Dr. Sivana]

I thought “My Old School” MUST be at least semi-autobiographical.

The Leonid and Friends version with the Roxx bros. matches the original musicianship. I am going to take my wife to see them this November.

[God luvs America]

see post #8

[Fledermaus]

Very pretentious article.

They are just songs.

[BobL]

“Did he really make love to the women, languid and bitter-sweet?”

Sometimes you have to take what you can get, dude.

[Shqipo]

“Dr. Wu” and “Josie” are two underappreciated gems, among many.

[Salamander]

Speaking of, his Heavy Metal ( Takin A Ride) was the best song for a Harley ride on some lonely midnight curvy back road.

I’m going to miss that.

[dfwgator]

Taught guitar to a young Tom Petty in Gainesville.

[Eccl 10:2]

Named a cat after that song.

[Tired of Taxes]

I loved Steely Dan’s music, even when I was a kid in the 1970s. Maybe I was a strange kid.

Back then, I especially loved Black Friday, Josie, and FM (No Static At All).

Of course, Deacon Blues, Ricki Don’t Lose That Number, and Peg were favorites, too, but those songs were overplayed.

Luckily, Steely Dan made so much good music that there’s plenty more to choose from.

Every track on The Royal Scam is practically a masterpiece.

Other favorites:

Night by Night
Midnight Cruiser
Kings