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1. |
gaslighting abbie ( mp3 ) |
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2. | what a shame about me ( mp3 ) | |
3. | two against nature ( mp3 ) | |
4. | janie runaway ( mp3 ) | |
5. | almost gothic ( mp3 ) | |
6. | jack of speed ( mp3 ) | |
7. | cousin dupree ( mp3 ) | |
8. | negative girl ( mp3 ) | |
9. | west of hollywood ( mp3 ) | |
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| BACK TO TWO AGAINST NATURE |
| BACK TO THE TOP |
gaslighting abbie (5:54)
One plush summer you come to me ripe and ready| BACK TO THE TOP |
And bad through and through
With that deep mystical soul synergy pumping steady
Between me and you
Lovin' all the beautiful work we've done, cara mia
And it's barely July
If we keep on boppin' until Labor Day
Li'l miz Abbie - bye bye
What will it be - some soothing herb tea?
That might be just the thing
Let's say we spike it with Deludin
Or else - maybe tonight a hand of solitaire
CHORUS:
Flame is the game
The game we call gaslighting Abbie
It's a luscious invention for three
One summer by the sea
With the long weekend that's comin' up fast
Let's get busy
There's just too much to do
That black mini looks just like the one she's been missin'
Feels good on you
There's a few items we need in town - allez-vous girl
There's no time to waste
Such as fresh cable and fifteen watt bulbs
Couple dozen - it's a big old place
Let's keep it light - we'll do a fright night
With blood and everything
Some punky laughter from the kitchen
And then - a nice relaxing hand of solitaire
CHORUS
You can choose the music
I'll set up my gear
Later on we'll chill and watch the fireworks from here
How can you knock this mighty spitelock
Check out the work itself
A mix of elegance and function
That's right - a tweak or two and then she's out of here
CHORUS
Drums: Ricky Lawson
Bass: Tom Barney
Guitars: Walter Becker
Rhodes/clavinet: Donald Fagen
Tenor sax solo: Chris Potter
Backup vocals: Carolyn Leonhart, Cynthia Calhoun, Michael Harvey
Trumpet: Michael Leonhart
Clarinet: Lawrence Feldman
Tenor sax: Dave Tofani
Bass clarinet: Roger Rosenberg
Trombone: Jim Pugh
Horns arranged by Michael Leonhart, Donald Fagen, and Walter Becker
what a shame about me (5:15)
I was grinding through my day gig| BACK TO THE TOP |
Stackin' cutouts at the Strand
When in walks Franny from NYU
We were quite an item back then
We talked about her films and shows and CDs
And I don't know what else
She said, yeah, Hollywood's been good to me
But tell me - how about yourself
CHORUS:
I'm still working on that novel
But I'm just about to quit
'Cause I'm worrying about the future now
Or maybe this is it
It's not all that I thought it would be
What a shame about me
She said, talk to me, do you ever see
Anybody else from our old crew
Bobby Dakine won the Bunsen Prize
Now he's coming out with something new
Alan owns a chain of Steamer Heavens
And Barry is the software king
And somebody told me in the early 80's
You were gonna be the Next Big Thing
CHORUS:
Well now that was just a rumor
But I guess I'm doin' fine
Three weeks out of the rehab
Living one day at a time
Sneaking up on the new century
What a shame about me
What a shame about me
I'm thinking of a major Jane Street sunrise
And the goddess on the fire escape was you
We both ran out of small talk
The connection seemed to go dead
I was about to say, hey, have a nice life
When she touched my hand and said:
You know I just had this great idea
This could be very cool
Why don't we grab a cab to my hotel
And make believe we're back at our old school
CHORUS:
I said babe you look delicious
And you're standing very close
But like this is Lower Broadway
And you're talking to a ghost
Take a good look it's easy to see
What a shame about me
What a shame about me
Drums: Michael White
Bass/guitars: Walter Becker
Rhodes/piano: Donald Fagen
Percussion: Gordon Gottlieb
Backup vocals: Carolyn Leonhart, Cynthia Calhoun, Michael Harvey
Trumpet: Michael Leonhart
Tenor sax: Lou Marini
Trombone: Jim Pugh
Baritone sax: Roger Rosenberg
Horns arranged by Donald Fagen
two against nature (6:18)
Bad news breaking in 18A| BACK TO THE TOP |
Missy's kitty turn inside out she say
Spider queen demon and that whole crew
Across the lobby the wicker wing chair flew
All the nice people those goodly souls
Quaking in their respective hidey-holes
Everyone's wasted in this gruesome dream
Not a one of them left to hear you scream
CHORUS:
Two against nature don't you know
Who's gonna grok the shape of things to go
Two against nature make them groan
Who's gonna break the shape of things unknown
Madame Erzulie she come last night
Bang you silly but leave a nasty bite
There on your nightstand much worse than that
Panatela and old black derby hat
Call your doctor - call your shrink
Western science she strictly rinkydink
They all masissi but we hang tough
Apsatively gonna help you beat that stuff
CHORUS:
Two against nature tan and lean
Puttin' big heat on skanky things unseen
Two against nature slinging dread
These boys wanna bang the skulls of things undead
T-Bone Angie she champion liar
Sew the mouth shut with rusty chicken wire
Brother Lou Garue and the Jerry Garry
Sprinkling chicken water gonna hush all three
Beautiful housewife in deep distress
'Specially you deserve our very best
Two against nature they got that stuff
Good things happening when you see about us
CHORUS:
Two against nature love this gig
Pull up the weeds before they're too damn big
Two against nature stand alone
Who's gonna chase the shape of things unknown
Two against nature don't you know
Who's gonna drop the boom on things to go
Two against nature make them groan
Gonna go bang-zoom to the moon on things unknown
Scrape the wallboards the whole damn batch
Catch the maggoty eggs before they hatch
Pepper and ratbone make damn sure
Shake the rubbish out on the patio floor
Soak the timber with special spray
Nuke the itty bitty ones right where they lay
Whip the bastards while they still green
Take the firemop - sweep it kissing clean
Drums: Keith Carlock
Bass/lead guitar: Walter Becker
Rhythm guitar: Jon Herington
Wurlitzer: Michael Leonhart
Piano/Rhodes: Donald Fagen
Vibes: Steve Shapiro
Timbales/percussion: Daniel Sadownick
Percussion: Gordon Gottlieb
Backup vocals: Carolyn Leonhart, Cynthia Calhoun, Michael Harvey
Bass clarinet: Roger Rosenberg
Saxophone: Dave Tofani
Saxophone: Lawrence Feldman
Clarinet: Ken Hitchcock
Trumpet: Michael Leonhart
Trombone: Jim Pugh
Horns arranged by Michael Leonhart
janie runaway (4:08)
It must have been my lucky Thursday| BACK TO THE TOP |
Your dad went on that spree
Before the crew could put out the fires
You hopped a bus for NYC
Down in Tampa the future looked desperate and dark
Now you're the wonderwaif of Gramercy Park
CHORUS:
Who makes the morning fabulous
Who says today's a fun day
Why do I feel like sailing again
Honey it's you - Janie Runaway
Let's grab some takeout from Dean and Deluca
A hearty gulping wine
You be the showgirl and I'll be Sinatra
Way back in '59
Sweetness in heels - look at you - in long black gloves
Come to old blue eyes tell me - who do you love
CHORUS:
Who makes the traffic interesting
Rescues a dreary Sunday
Who makes me feel like painting again
Honey it's you - Janie Runaway
Let's plan a weekend alone together
Drive out to Binky's place
The sugar shack in Pennsylvania
Or would that be a federal case?
We'll take the Big Red - the Blazer - it's nice inside
And guess who's coming along for the ride
CHORUS:
Who has a friend named Melanie
Who's not afraid to try new things
Who gets to spend her birthday in Spain
Possibly you - Janie Runaway
Drums: Leroy Clouden
Bass/guitars: Walter Becker
Rhodes: Ted Baker
Wurlitzer: Donald Fagen
Alto sax solo: Chris Potter
Backup vocal: Carolyn Leonhart
Trumpet: Michael Leonhart
Alto sax: Lou Marini
Tenor sax: Lawrence Feldman
Bass clarinet: Roger Rosenberg
Horns arranged by Donald Fagen
almost gothic (4:10)
I'm working on gospel time these days| BACK TO THE TOP |
(The summer - this could be the cool part of the summer)
The sloe-eyed creature in the reckless room she's so severe
A wise child walks right out of here
I'm so excited I can barely cope
I'm sizzling like an isotope
I'm on fire so cut me some slack
CHORUS:
First she's way gone then she comes back
She's all business then she's ready to play
She's almost gothic in a natural way
This house of desire is built foursquare
(The city - the cleanest kitten in the city)
When she speaks it's like the slickest song I ever heard
I'm hanging on her every word
As if I'm not already blazed enough
She hits me with the cryptic stuff
That's her style - to jerk me around
CHORUS:
First she's all feel then she cools down
She's pure science with a splash of black cat
She's almost gothic and I like it like that
This dark place so thrilling and new
It's kind of like the opposite of an aerial view
Unless I'm totally wrong
I hear her rap and brother it's strong
I'm pretty sure that what she's telling me is mostly lies
But I just stand there hypnotized
I'll just have to make it work somehow
I'm in the amen corner now
It's called love - I spell L -U- V
CHORUS:
First she's all buzz then she's noise-free
She's bubbling over then there's nothing to say
She's almost gothic in a natural way
She's old school then she's like young
Little Eva meets the Bleecker Street brat
She's almost gothic but it's better than that
Drums: Leroy Clouden
Bass: Walter Becker
Guitar: Hugh McCracken
Acoustic Guitar: Jon Herington
Rhodes: Ted Baker
Wurlitzer: Donald Fagen
Percussion: Gordon Gottlieb
Backup vocals: Carolyn Leonhart, Michael Harvey
Trumpet: Michael Leonhart
Clarinet: Lawrence Feldman
Alto sax: Lawrence Feldman
Bass clarinet: Roger Rosenberg
Trombone: Jim Pugh
Horns arranged by Donald Fagen
jack of speed (6:19)
Teddy's rolling now most every night| BACK TO THE TOP |
Skatin' backwards at the speed of light
He's changed - in a thousand little ways
He's changed - yes indeed
You know he's movin' on metal, yes he's
Hanging tight with the Jack of Speed
Sheena's party - there's a case in point
That right-wing hooey sure stunk up the joint
He's gone - he walks through the old routines
But he's gone - guaranteed
He may be sittin' in the kitchen, but he's
Steppin' out with the Jack of Speed
You maybe got lucky for a few good years
But there's no way back from there to here
He's a one way rider
On the shriek express
And his new best friend is at the throttle more or less
He can't hear you honey - that's alright
Pack some things and head up into the light
Don't stop - he'll be callin' out your name
But don't stop when you hear him plead
You better move now little darlin' or you'll be
Trading fours with the Jack of Speed
Drums: Michael White
Bass/guitars: Walter Becker
Wurlitzer: Donald Fagen
Percussion: Gordon Gottlieb, Will Lee
Backup vocals: Cynthia Calhoun, Michael Harvey
Trumpet: Michael Leonhart
Alto sax: Lou Marini
Tenor sax: Lawrence Feldman
Baritone sax: Roger Rosenberg
Trombone: Jim Pugh
Horns arranged by Donald Fagen
cousin dupree (5:28)
Well I've kicked around a lot since high school| BACK TO THE TOP |
I've worked a lot of nowhere gigs
From keyboard man in a rock'n ska band
To haulin' boss crude in the big rigs
Now I've come back home to plan my next move
From the comfort of my Aunt Faye's couch
When I see my little cousin Janine walk in
All I could say was ow-ow-ouch
CHORUS:
Honey how you've grown
Like a rose
Well we used to play
When we were three
How about a kiss for your cousin Dupree
She turned my life into a living hell
In those little tops and tight capris
I pretended to be readin' the National Probe
As I was watchin' her wax her skis
On Saturday night she walked in with her date
And backs him up against the wall
I tumbled off the couch and heard myself sing
In a voice I never knew I had before
CHORUS
I'll teach you everything I know
If you teach me how to do that dance
Life is short and quid pro quo
And what's so strange about a down-home family romance?
One night we're playin' gin by a cracklin' fire
And I decided to make my play
I said babe with my boyish charm and good looks
How can you stand it for one more day
She said maybe its the skeevy look in your eyes
Or that your mind has turned to applesauce
The dreary architecture of your soul
I said - but what is it exactly turns you off?
CHORUS
Drums: Leroy Clouden
Bass/guitars: Walter Becker
Rhythm guitar: Jon Herington
Rhodes: Ted Baker
Wurlitzer: Donald Fagen
Whistler: Amy Helm
Backup vocal: Carolyn Leonhart
negative girl (5:35)
She's lost - she's late| BACK TO THE TOP |
She's zooming on a couch somewhere
Or high - or home
I'm not supposed to call her there
I wait - I smoke
I stare into my coke
It's happening again
I tell myself that it's over and done, amen
Her skin - like milk
It's like she's never seen the sun
Some hearts to crunch
Is more like her idea of fun
I know - she's ill
I'm cruising for a spill
I'm hanging just the same
I need to be in the heat
Of her cold white flame
CHORUS:
Another negative girl
At the edge of the frame
Deliciously toxic
The original classic thing - more of the same
She's in the zone
Crying on the phone
I need you here
I'm on the street again
Staggering out into the burn of the brain dead dawn
To arrive in time to find her gone
She's on the train
To somewhere up by Fordham Road
Her reptile brain
Locked down and ready in combat mode
Some cash - a key
This guy she has to see
A doctor friend uptown
And maybe she gets to me when she comes back down
CHORUS:
Another negative girl
Spinning out of the frame
Exquisitely limpid
The original classic thing - more of the same
A goof - a buzz
If that is what it was
Then how do you explain
The way she looks when she's
Dragging me out to dance with her
In the summer rain
CHORUS:
Another negative girl
At the edge of the frame
Exhausting and luscious
The original classic thing - more of the same
Drums: Vinnie Colaiuta
Bass: Tom Barney
Guitars: Dean Parks, Paul Jackson Jr.
Rhodes: Ted Baker
Vibes: Dave Shank
Backup vocals: Carolyn Leonhart, Cynthia Calhoun
west of hollywood (8:21)
Brother in tears| BACK TO THE TOP |
Look at this chain of sorrows
Stretching all the way from here and now to hell and gone
I was Kid Clean
She was Anne de Siecle
Just a thrill away from punching through to the cosmic wow
It started out good
Then it got lots better
Makin' up the rules as we went along
But with a business like this
There's an gnarly downside
CHORUS:
I'm way deep into nothing special
Riding the crest of a wave breaking just west of Hollywood
Swingin' so hard
We burned right through the summer
Till the axis of pain/pleasure sheared the arc of desire
From the Rebus affair
To the streets of Culver City
Places and events slip below the horizon line
Now at this time
Into our pretty story
The truth compels us
To bring a certain name
Meet if you will
Doctor Warren Kruger
CHORUS
She reached out for my hand
While I watched myself lurch across the room
And I almost got there
Look in my eyes
Can't you see the core is frozen?
You can't ask me to access the dreams I don't have now
Sadly for us
Our little talk is over
So together we'll endure the tyranny of the disallowed
Don't you love Port Blanc
When Hooterie is over
When the girls get easy and the crowds are gone
A weekend of bliss
Then the rainy season
CHORUS
Drums: Sonny Emory
Bass: Tom Barney
Lead Guitar: Walter Becker
Rhythm guitars: Jon Herington
Piano/Rhodes: Ted Baker
Organ: Donald Fagen
Tenor sax solo: Chris Potter
Percussion: Gordon Gottlieb
Backup vocals: Carolyn Leonhart, Cynthia Calhoun, Michael Harvey
Lyrics Reprinted by Permission.
All Rights Reserved.Songs composed and arranged by Walter Becker and Donald Fagen
Published by Zeon Music/Freejunket Music - Adm. by Len Freedman Music, Inc. ASCAP
Chart copyist: Gary Blu
Horn section conductor/copyist/consultant: Michael LeonhartRecorded at River Sound, NYC; Clinton Sound, NYC; Hyperbolic Sound, Maui; and Electric Lady, NYC
Executive engineer: Roger Nichols
Engineers: Phil Burnett, Roger Nichols, Elliot Scheiner, Dave Russell
Second engineers: Per Christian Nielsen, Johan Edlund, Jay Ryan, Anthony Gorman, Ken Ross, Pete Scriba, Mark Faunfelder
ProTools technician: Roger Nichols
Additional editing: Jan Folkson
Piano tuning/maintenance: Sam Berd
Electric piano maintenance: Ed Kolakowski
River Sound staff:
Manager: Phil Burnett
Assistants: Devon Wendell, Raeann Zschokke, Suzy Barros, Ron Trapasso, Linda BurnettCartage: Rock-It Cargo, Sound Moves, Artie Smith
Hyperbolic Sound staff:
Manager: Dave Russell
Mastering: Scott Hull at Classic Sound
Project manager: Jill Dell'aBate
Project coordination: Suzana Haugh
Management: Craig Fruin/ HK Management
Technical Support:
Paul Melnychuck and Toussaint Celestin/DigiDesign
Mark Johnson/Meyer Sound;
Paul Debenedictus/Opcode Systems,
Sean Beresford/Mesa/Boogie,
John Legrou/Millenia Media,
Reinhart Bogner/Bogner Amplification,
Top Hat Amplifiers,
Avalon, GMI.
Leroy Clouden uses Paiste cymbals and Yamaha drums
Design: Carol Bobolts/ Red Herring Design
Photography: Michael Northrop, Jason Fulford, Annalisa, Donald Fagen
Steely Dan thanks
Irving Azoff, Kathy Schenker, Luke Burland, Ed Rack, Melanie and Matthew
Donald Fagen thanks
Leonard Freedman, Eric Seiff, Suzette Loh, Bob Weinstein, Stuart Nathanson, Christine Hermanek, Howard Kaufman, Tom Kipphut, Lizzie Doon, Rita Meed, Roger Cambor, Marianne, Justin, Joseph & Elinor Fagen, Susan, Michael & Emily Pfaff, Amy Helm, Ezra Titus and Libby Titus Fagen
Walter Becker thanks
Uncle K, Surfgal, the incomparable SD WebDrone, Scottie McN, Hyperbolic D; the loyal fandom, who keep coming back for more; and the entire staff of Ikeno Hana Restaurant, without whose help etc. Also - Roger Sadowsky and his wonderful "Electric Guitar"
Produced by Walter Becker and Donald Fagen
© 2000 Giant Records.
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