Fun Music Information -> Steely Dan
Parody album cover
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This is the most recent information about Steely Dan that has been submitted to amIright. If we have more information about Steely Dan, then we provide a link to the section where it appears (the actual page whenever possible).
Our newest site, amIwrong has an albums order quiz where you need to put this performer's albums in order of release.
Band Name Origins:
- I was watching this 70's action movie on TV once. I don't remember the name of the movie, but I do remember that the main character wielded a big gun called the Steely Dan. So, that's most likey where the name came from. [Ed.'s note: but it more likely came from the steel vibrator from the novel "Naked Lunch".] Submitted by: Mr. X
- The band's name (like a number of others) is derived from the works of William S. Burroughs: Steely Dan is the name of a giant flying steam-powered dildo that appeared in Burroughs' book Naked Lunch. Fagen once explained, "We just wanted to give the band a little more thrust than most other bands." Submitted by: GF
Vainity Songs:
Song Name | Comments & Submitter Name |
| "Show Biz Kids" | "They got the shapely bods They got the Steely Dan T-shirt". - from Countdown to Ecstasy (1973) - Andy |
Better Off Solo?:
Name | New Career | Comments & Submitter Name |
| "Walter Becker" | "During a 15-Year Hiatus from Steely Dan, Walter Becker made a Minor hit called 'Book of Lies'." | - Paul Warren |
| "Donald Fagen" | "During a 15-Year Hiatus from Steely Dan, Donald Fagen wrote songs for the movies 'Heavy Metal' and 'Bright Lights, Big City'. And one of his videos was seen in 'Beavis and Butt-Head'." | - Paul Warren |
Song Titles Not Used as Lyrics:
Song Name | Comments & Submitter Name |
| "Pretzel Logic" | Though this is the song that's also the album title, it should be known as "Those Days are gone forever over a long time ago". - Paul Warren |
New Song Names:
Original Song Name | New Song Name | Submitter Name |
| "Rikki, Don't Compute That Number" | "Rikki, Don’t Lose That Number" | jgm87 |
| "Groucho Marx" | "Gaucho" | Paul Warren |
| "King Charlemange" | "Kid Charlemange" | Paul Warren |
| "XM" | "FM" | Paul Warren |
| "Black Fly Day" | "Black Friday" | softrock |
There are additional new song names available. | ||
Literally Impossible Song Titles:
Song/Performer | Comment | Submitter Name |
| "Black Friday," | Days of the week don't have color. | Lynne O'Leahy-Cassid |
| "Pretzel Logic," | Pretzels don't have brains or think. | oldiesfan |
| "Reeling In The Years," | You can't catch years with a fishing pole. ;-D | Lisa Cohead |
| "Reeling In The Years," | I didn't know you could go fishing for years! | Larcen Tyler |
Use a Song Title to Answer a Different Song:
Song & Band Name | Song & Band Name | |
| "On The Radio," Donna Summer | "FM (No Static At All)," Steely Dan | |
| "My Radio Sure Sounds Good To Me," Graham Central Station | "FM (No Static At All)," Steely Dan | |
| "I Love The Dead," Alice Cooper | "Don't Take Me Alive," Steely Dan | |
| "I Put A Spell On You," Screamin' Jay Hawkins | "Do It Again," Steely Dan | |
| There are additional songs titles that answer other songs available. | ||
Remove a Letter From a Song Title:
"Back Friday" originally "Black Friday"
Some Person
"Lack Friday " originally "Black Friday"
Does that mean that we lost the weekend?
Some Person
"Rikki Don't Lose That Umber" originally "Rikki Don't Lose That Number"
Antiques like those don't grow on trees.
Fiona Apple Cider
"Reeling In The Ears" originally "Reeling In The Years"
Naomi Swanson
"Jose" originally "Josie"
A sex-change just by removing a letter.
MOR
Add a Letter to a Song Title:
"Ajax" originally "Aja"
Sutch
"Kind Charlemagne" originally "Kid Charlemagne"
Pam Tabor
"Rikki Don't Louse That Number" originally "Rikki Don't Lose That Number"
Jen
"My Mold School" originally "My Old School"
Peter
"My Cold School" originally "My Old School"
Peter
There are additional song titles with a letter added available.
Change a Letter:
"Beg" originally "Peg"
Serafina
"Pen" originally "Peg"
Serafina
"I Got The Newt" originally "I Got The News"
Yvette Bristle
"I Got The Nets" originally "I Got The News"
Yvette Bristle
"I Got The Pews" originally "I Got The News"
Yvette Bristle
There are additional song titles with a letter changed available.
Song Parody Lyrics:
Original Song Name | Parody Song Name | Parody Author |
| "The Boston Rag" | "Mitt Romney" | Paul Warren |
| "Rikki, Don't Lose That Number" | "Mitty, Whoa! Dude’s That Number" | John A. Barry |
| "Rikki, Don't Lose That Number" | "Ricky, Gross Ooze from Bummer" | John A. Barry |
| "Rikki, Don't Lose That Number" | "Rick P.’s Woe: Losing Numbers" | John A. Barry |
| "Rikki, Don't Lose That Number" | "Ms. B. Goes: Losing Numbers" | John A. Barry |
| "Rikki Don't Lose That Number" | ""Rick": Something Not To Google" | Hu's On First |
| "Do It Again" | "Jack in the Box" | Porfle Popnecker |
| "Rikki, Don't Lose That Number" | "Rick P., Down Go Your Numbers" | John A. Barry |
| "Rikki, Don't Lose That Number" | "Rikki, Don't Use That Plumber" | Jonathan Caws-Elwitt |
| "Rikki, Don't Lose That Number" | "Rikki, Don't Lose My Luggage" | Jonathan Caws-Elwitt |
There are additional song parodies available. | ||
Songs for Commercials, That Haven't Been Done Yet:
Song Name | Product | Submittor |
| Pretzel Logic | Rold Gold or other pretzel company | MOR |
| Black Friday | Any store's Black Friday sale | MOR |
| Throw Back The Little Ones | Fish And Wildlife Conservation | Tim Hall |
Bad Choices for On Hold Music:
Song Name | Company/Organization | Submittor |
| Pretzel Logic | George W. Bush Presidential Library | Rosie Finch |
| My Old School | Any School | Paul Warren |
| The Boston Rag | New York Yankees ticket purchasing | Mike Spessard |
| Here At The Western World | Iraqi Government | Mike Spessard |
| Deacon Blues | Wake Forest University Athletic Department | Daniel Gordon |
| There are additional on hold music ideas available. | ||
Songs for Duets, That Haven't Been Done Yet:
First Band/Song Name | Second Band/Song Name | New Song Name | Submittor |
| Riki Tiki Tavi Donovan | Rikki Don't Lose That Number Steely Dan | Rikki Tikki Tavi Don't Lose That Number | KL Fan |
| Get 'Em Out By Friday Genesis | Your Gold Teeth Steely Dan | Get Your Gold Teeth Out By Friday | neptunevsmars |
| Inner Logic Bad Religion | Pretzel Logic Steely Dan | Inner Pretzel Logic It has Cheese in it! | Paul Warren |
| My Name Is Eminem | Peg Steely Dan | My Name Is Peg | crazydon |
| There are additional duets that haven't been done yet available. | |||
If Groups Combined, Their Names Might Be:
Steely Dan's Drivers
Steely Dan combined with Steeldrivers
Submitted By: Sutch
Steely Dan Hartman
Steely Dan combined with Dan Hartman
Phil's lesser-known brother? Probably not...
Submitted By: Captain Irk
Steely Dan Fogelberg
Steely Dan combined with Dan Fogelberg
Submitted By: Sutch
Steely Danzig
Steely Dan combined with Danzig
Submitted By: TomW
There are additional Steely Dan Combined Groups that haven't been done yet available.
Misheard Lyrics:
"Glamour Profession"
Misheard Lyrics: Hollywood I know you're waiting.
Original Lyrics: Hollywood I know your middle name.
| "Reelin' In The Years"
Misheard Lyrics: Are you reeling in the yeast
Stowing away the thyme? Are you gathering up the cheese? Have you had enough of mine? Original Lyrics: Are you reeling in the years?
Stowing away the time Are you gathering up the tears? Have you had enough of mine? |
"Reelin' In The Years"
Misheard Lyrics: And all the time I've known you, I still don't know what you mean.
Original Lyrics: In all the time I've known you, I still don't know what you mean.
| "Deacon Blues"
Misheard Lyrics: They got a name for the women in the world
Original Lyrics: They got a name for the winners in the world.
|
| There are additional misheard lyrics available. | |
Misheard Lyrics Stories:
|
"Reeling in the Years"
Misheard Lyrics: Are you reeling in the yeast
Stowing away the thyme Are you gathering up the cheese? Have you had enough of mine? Original Lyrics: Are you reeling in the years?
Stowing away the time Are you gathering up the tears? Have you had enough of mine? |
Story about this misheard lyric by: Keith Howell I've been singing it this way since jr.high. I finally decided to look online to see what it meant and discovered I was very wrong. :D |
| There are additional misheard stories available. | |
Song Parody Fragments:
"Hey Nineteen"
Better Lyrics:
I was a dandy glamour guy
Original Lyrics:
I was a dandy Gamma Chi
Submitted by: Carlos R. Zapata
Funniest Song Lyrics:
"Show Biz Kids"
The Funny Lyrics: They got the shapèly bodies/they got the Steely Dan T-Shirt/and for the coupe de grace, they're outrageous
Why They're Funny: Only the Dan would insert a reference to themselves in a song about Hollywood cultural decadence and/or wild parties.
Submitted by: Ben Kalafut
| "Cousin Dupree"
The Funny Lyrics: When I see my little cousin Jenine walk in
Well all I could say was ouch! Why They're Funny: The entire song is a hoot relating the angst of a loser infatuated with his hot young cousin.
Submitted by: Joe
|
| There are additional Funny lyrics available. | |
Repetitive Song Lyrics:
"Kid Charlemagne"
The Repetitive Lyrics: Is there gas in the car?
Yes there's gas in the car Why They're Repetitive: That one gets *everybody's* attention...
Submitted by: Ben Kalafut
| "Doctor Wu"
The Repetitive Lyrics: Doctor Wu
Why They're Repetitive: This story is about meeting a Chinese doctor who was originally from China and they're in love with each other. note: The doctor is a woman
Submitted by: wxyztv
|
| There are additional repetitive lyrics available. | |
Nonsensical Song Lyrics:
"Glamour Profession"
The Nonsensical Lyrics: On the town we dress for action.
Celluloid bikers is Friday's theme. Why They're Nonsensical: What the hell is a celluloid biker? And if they exist, how do you dress for a party as a celluloid biker?
Submitted by: someguynamedbob
| "Kid Charlemagne"
The Nonsensical Lyrics: Is there gas in the car?
Yes there's gas in the car. Why They're Nonsensical: ok, I guess it makes sense, but...Well, even Walter Becker said in an interview that he was roasted by a cabbie who realized during the cab ride who he was, and asked if he was the one who wrote those 'ridiculous' lyrics.
Submitted by: Jim
|
| There are additional nonsensical lyrics available. | |
Insulting Song Lyrics:
"Hey Nineteen"
The Insulting Lyrics: Hey nineteen That's 'retha Franklin
She dont remember The queen of soul Why They're Insulting: I know it's not meant to be insulting, and it was directed at a potential groupie, but I was 14 when that song came out, and I knew who Aretha Franklin was even before then. If Donald Fagen is suggesting that somebody five years older wouldn't have a clue who she is it almost sounds to me like he's slamming all teenagers.
Submitted by: The Skuz
| "Reeling in the Years"
The Insulting Lyrics: Well, you wouldn't know a diamond if you held it in your hand
The things you think are precious I can't understand Why They're Insulting: The song is sung from the point of view of a man who's broken up with his girlfriend; he questions her ability to determine what is good in life.
Submitted by: Martha Hankins
|
| There are additional Insulting lyrics available. | |
Dirty Song Lyrics:
"Black Cow"
The Dirty Lyrics: Drink your big black cow, and get out of here.
Why They're Dirty: When I first heard the song, I immediately thought of the scene in 'Freddy Got Fingered' where Tom Green was 'milking' a male cow. Plus, the lyrics sound like they allude to somebody performing oral sex on an obese black woman. That's why the lyrics sounds dirty to me.
Submitted by: Darth Chaos
|
Song Lyrics That Name Check Celebrities:
"Show Biz Kids"
The Lyrics: They got the shapely bodies They got the Steely Dan t-shirt
Who They Mention: Steely Dan
Submitted by: KarenHlly
| "Everything You Did"
The Lyrics: I never knew you, you were a roller skater You gonna show me later Turn up the Eagles, the neighbors are listening
Who They Mention: The Eagles
Submitted by: KarenHlly
|
| There are additional celebrity lyrics available. | |
Song Lyrics That Mention Brand Name Products:
"Glamour Profession"
The Lyrics: I drove the Chrysler
Product Brand Name: Chrysler
Submitted by: Hank Kiosk
| "Hey Nineteen"
The Lyrics: The Cuervo Gold, the fine Columbian
Product Brand Name: Cuervo Gold
Submitted by: rocky
|
Songs That Open With Their Titles:
"Black Friday"
Opening Lines: When Black Friday comes, I'll stand down by the door
Comments: Submitted by: Candy Welty
| "Bodhisattva"
Opening Lines: Bodhisattva, would you take me by the hand?
Comments: Submitted by: Larcen Tyler
|
Song Title Space Change:
"FM (No Static A Tall)" originally "FM (No Static At All)"
No static for tall persons at that radio station
Submitted by: Peter
"FM (No Stat I Cat All)" originally "FM (No Static At All)"
They didn't go to the ER at that radio station.
Submitted by: Peter
"Green Ear Rings" originally "Green Earrings"
Submitted by: Sutch
Bad Grammar in Song Lyrics:
"Hey Nineteen"
The Lyrics: She don't remember the queen of soul
Why: It should be "she doesn't remember" but Steely Dan very rarely did this sort of thing.
Submitted by: Rich Braham
|
Band Name Anagrams:
Leaden Sty Submitted by: Condoleezza Rice Pilaf
Let Ned Say Submitted by: George Straitjacket
What does Ned want to say?
Ten Delays Submitted by: Josh
Ten Slay Ed Submitted by: Lydia Helton
Song Title Anagrams:
"Rare Green Sign" originally "Green Earrings"
Submitted by: Becky Bright
"Sir Gene Garner" originally "Green Earrings"
Submitted by: Becky Bright
"Ring Near Serge" originally "Green Earrings"
Submitted by: Becky Bright
"Sear Green Ring" originally "Green Earrings"
Submitted by: Becky Bright
"Grin Near Serge" originally "Green Earrings"
Submitted by: Becky Bright
There are additional Song Title Anagrams available.
Super Long Pop Songs:
"Deacon Blues" Length: 7:36
It's 20 seconds shorter than 'Aja' which is on the same album "Aja".
Submitted by: Paul Warren
"Bodhisattva" Length: 7:41
Submitted by: jdizzy
Super Short Pop Songs:
"Through With Buzz" Length: 1:34
The song is taken off from 1974's "Pretzel Logic."
Submitted by: Mickey D.
Song Title Acrostics:
WAG: "With A Gun"
Submitted by: Candy Welty
Song Title Spoonerisms:
"I Scold Mule" originally "My Old School"
Submitted by: Cynthia Avery
Foreign Language in English Songs:
"Third World Man"
The Lyrics: E l'era del trezo mondo.
Why: This is Italian for "And it was of the Third World".
Submitted by: Paul Warren
|
Band Name Spoonerisms:
Dealy Stan originally "Steely Dan"
Submitted by: Herculina Alencar
Movies Named After Song Titles:
"Dirty Work"
This film was directed by Bob Saget
Submitted by: Paul Warren
