First Listen to Steely Dan - Deacon Blues (REACTION)
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- Опубликовано: 22 июл 2020
- The Steely Dan journey continues, this one was far more jazzy:)
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Okay, so I'm going to deviate from my norm when it comes to Steely Dan tunes and interpretation and talk about what this song has meant to me as opposed to what it was intended to be by Fagen and Becker. FWIU, they wrote it as sort of an ode to losers... a song of dreaming of being something more, being jazz musicians, but to me, and for what it means to me, the key line is "I cried when I wrote this song, sue me if I play too long, this brother is free, I'll be who I want to be."
So, to me, this is a song about saying I'm going to be my own man, so screw you! Saying "hey, even if what I do makes me a loser in other people's eyes (whether it be drinking whiskey and dying behind the wheel or being a jazz musician), I'm a winner because I'm my own man " Winning is, in the words of William Ernest Henley being "the master of my fate, the captain of my soul" even if that means being a loser in the eyes of others. I even like the whole "expanding man" portion... of a person being more than the sum of their parts, of no longer sitting back and watching life, but making the decision to get out there an do it themselves! (from the line "I gaze through the glass at ramblers, wild gamblers, that's all in the past").
I 100% know this is not what The Dan intended when they wrote it, but that's how I always took it, and it's still what it means to me today--simply a celebration of living your life for you and not listening to the naysayers.
Art of Free Speech That’s what’s important about lyrics and maybe art in general. We feel different things because we’ve all had different experiences. I like your take as well. Remember Grand Funk Railroad Closer to Home (I’m Your Captain)? I was sure it was about losing a battle to cancer. Then I read an article in which the writer said, no not really. But I still like my view.
@@fukawininetynine5999 Absolutely I remember GFR's Closer to Home. And to me, if it helped you to think of it as a song about losing a battle to cancer (for whatever reason), then that's what the song means, and to hell with anyone who says differently.
I've been lucky enough to know enough to live my life for me, not for what others expect from me for a long time now, and Deacon Blues is kind of my celebration of living my life that way. I'm glad you liked my interpretation of it. As Tom Petty once said "a song means whatever it means to you. What [the writer] intended it to mean doesn't amount to anything, man."
It has meant many different things as I've re-listened to it over the years. I have always thought it was more about an artist's inner doubts. I can do the fast lifestyle, drinking, women, etc. and fool most people, but the real 'greats' of the art form know that I'm a poseur wannabe. And I know it too, but I'm still going to try and maybe/probably fall short, so at least give me a name when i lose. That's the short version of it for me. I was 17 when it came out and it always has resonated with me in so many ways.
Mark Blom Funny how it can change over the years too. The lyrics don’t change, but we do.
That's the beauty of SD. You get what you need from their lyrics
Something that I feel is often lost on younger reactors is the fact that this song was a huge radio hit of the time. Yes, you could turn on the radio in your car and hear masterpieces like this debut. The '70s were the golden age of pop radio, with diversity and quality that will IMHO never be matched simply because of the radical changes to the industry and music production and distribution.
My favorite of all SD cuts. A man letting go of his past and embarking on his dream, which is to be a jazz saxophonist and live that life. Saying goodbye to who or what was holding him back. I was there at age 20, though not with music.
I was 16 when I heard my first Steely Dan tune. Do It Again. They have ever since remained on my short list of go-to bands when not sure of my musical mood. I heard Deacon Blues when in college and immediately loved it. You were correct about the guy going through life crisis and wanting to come out the other side. Steely Dan is forever ironic and bitter sweet.
“That shape is my shame, there where I used to stand.” The shadow of his past...
You are an old soul...I’m enjoying your videos ❤️
I appreciate that my friend:)
I read in an interview where Donald Fagen said the extended fade out on Deacon Blues was intentional. It was done to make it feel more dream like.
This is one of those great albums where you can put on your headphones, lie on the floor, and listen start to finish. Just get transported away for a while.
"Black Cow" is another Steely Dan reaction worth doing.
F*ck yeah! And Dirty Work.
@@goldilox369 And Gaslighting Abbie!
Their album Royal Scam is my favorite but they have so much great stuff!!
16 going on 100 you a smart one ✌️♥️I'm really loving your mind dude
Wow, you're only 16? I assumed you were college age and somewhere in your early 20s. I mean that's not a huge gap in years, but still, there's a maturity gap there. And you definitely come off as mature for your age. Props for having an open mind towards older music. I first started really getting into music around your age too but most of the other kids back then just cared about whatever was played most on the radio. I don't know if its still like that since your generation has much more direct access to the older stuff. But either way, still good to see the appreciation.
I was 16 when this album was released. It had the same effect on me. Enjoy the best years of life. Oh and don't forget Donald Fagen's solo work.The Nightfly and New Frontier are just a carryover of the Steely Dan sound. They regrouped around 2000 and Two Against Nature is pretty good.
Both Night and New are VERY enjoyable
One of my favorite Steely Dan songs is a song that was released with the first greatest hits album; which came out at a time when I already listened to everything they released a gazillion times, and I just wanted more! It’s called, “Here At The Western World”
Larry Carlton again on guitar, holds the song together with phenomenal chord changes
It’s amazing, that you at 16 can see how clever Becker and Fagan are, and their pure observations of their Americana.
That sax solo is performed by Pete Christlieb, who played in the house band on the Johnny Carson show.
I think it's all a fantasy- not a plan. Someone who is living a mundane life is fantasizing about the imagined freedom of being a jazz musician, and specifically a black jazz musician ("This *brother* is free").
_Any Major Dude Will Tell You_ by Steely Dan, please.
This has always been my favorite Steely track.
Steely Dan's lyrics have always been encrypted and can have many interpretations unrelated. In this however, the protagonist is finally embracing who he is, and the metaphor of a jazz musician is the perfect parallel where you operate within a world of worlds, not quite in the system of society, yet a part of the system that is actually alive. It's a place where losers in actual "life" defined by society can shine as their true artistic selves without hindrances, or judgment from the rest of that said society. Alabama Crimson Tide is a winning football team that sounds regal. To have a name for what the protagonist does even though he may be considered a loser makes him regal as well.
Great to see a young cat like yourself digging on the diversity of 70s music and analyzing the lyrics. If you want fantastic music and lyrics to analyze, react to "Song For America" by Kansas.
It’s about being stuck in the suburbs and wanting more excitement in the city... possibly being a jazz musician.. Playing just what he “feels”
From 'Can't buy a thrill'' to the closing of the band, Steely Dan to me is the perfect anthology of Americana in the '70's. Their albums read like a great American novel and removing one page or one word would destroy the sublime continuity. If I had o pick one of my favorite chapters it would be deep into the plot line at ''Pretzel Logic'' where the gritty city and the street legends are becoming well rounded and very recognizable.
signed: the dolphins off the starboard bow.
Nice.
Enjoying your journey with Steely Dan. I always say my favorite Dan song is the currant one I’m listening to. Another journey, I would recommend, is The Who. “Won’t Get Fooled Again” maybe the best Rock song ever. Then get in the Quadrophenia album. Amazing.
Definitely The Who, beginning with "Won't Get Fooled Again". Not only a great rock song but most appropriate to the times we're living in.
very good band.I like that a 16 year old is willing to listen to this kind of music you were raised right lol
Deacon Blue is a nerd in the song he is board and wonders what life would be as a jazz sax player on the road
They wrote a lot about existential questions of aging. Right on! Best evaluation of this song I’ve heard! This IMO is absolutely a song about feeling like a loser. Deep sadness. Going through the motions of life but feeling detached and alone ironically in a city filled with people you are interacting with, making love to (these women, languid and bittersweet) but without feeling connected to anyone in a real way.
When this song was new, I was only a couple of years older than you are now. I don't think I knew what to make of it at first - it was way jazzier that anything I was listening to at the time (and more so than previous SD music I'd heard), but somehow was getting lots of mainstream radio play. Took a few listens before sinking in, but it quickly became one of my favorite tunes by them. Steely Dan's sound was always brilliant but it evolved over time. I'd suggest going back and listening to some more of their earlier tunes (for context, but yeah, they're also great) from Can't Buy a Thrill (Do It Again was their breakout hit). I'll also throw out a couple of songs that aren't typically "reaction songs", but I think you're gonna like 'em - Fire in the Hole (some awesome piano licks and solos) and Turn that Heartbeat Over Again (more cryptic lyrics and some interesting change-ups). I'm having fun watching your journey!
Yea same here.. i was 19 first time i HEARD Steely Dan in 1979. So had heard this song before but interestingly enough in 75,76 Steely Dan got played on the pop stations specifically in Seattle/Tacoma area.. like what was called top 40 at the time.. with a lot of crap like disco, Village People, Hall and Oates, Lionel Richie and a ton of Lep Sayer/Air Supply/Cris Cross.. so anyway yeah AM was the only option quite a few times for my friends and myself turning 16 in 1976,which was 85 KTAC out of Tacoma KJR 95 out of Seattle. Yeah it is so weird now to think that they got airplay on those stations none of cool kids listened to.. KISW in Seattle and KZOK. Eventually You would hear lots of Steely Dan on those stations but they were not widespread.. not any of my stoner friends were into Steely Dan they liked Aerosmith, Led Zep, Pink Floyd, ACDC, Judas Priest, Styx, Blue Oyster Cult, Rush, Sabbath, Van Halen and even Boston , Cars, Steve Miller ,Heart, Foghat, 38 Special, Bad Company...But not the masterful Steely Dan.. it was weird ad the years went by and i realized how good they are.. My Old School, Show Biz Kids, Haitian Divorce , Josie, Hey Nineteen, Do it Again, Reelin in the Years, Dirty Work are all MASTERPIECES WHEN IT COMES DOWN TO IT. Show Biz Kids got to be in top 100 rock songs, Reelin in The Years is top 250 and Haitian Divorce and Josie top 500 all time
Maybe react to Hey Nineteen...could be fitting 😉
I predict you are going to do your future Master's thesis on your interpretation of rock lyrics 😀
Night by Night is a gem!
Yes, a must do song!
+1 That one is often overlooked, but it a great funky jam!
Another great song...another great reaction video.. so many viewers......sub to this kids channel..?what other 16 year old kids enjoys these great cuts.....sub to his channel guys....show him your love! He is listening and enjoying these 40 plus year old master piece's! Great job young man....keep up the great work and keep these reactions coming...I for one am loving them! BEST GUARD'S!
Be the first reactor to do YES "Yours Is No Disgrace" from YESSONGS. Steely Dan creates unique moods in a way no other musicians have achieved. Kid Charlemagne, the story of
how LSD came into the culture in the 60's
You are correct, saxophone is a great instrument
I’ll just keep suggesting Time out of mind or Josie, but you cannot go wrong with The Dan 😎
Lol For some reason that video is 8 seconds longer than the song really is. Official song length is 7:37. Good reaction. Glad you’re enjoying the music. I recommend “King of the World”. Good lyrics and guitar work in that one.
Beautiful gorgeous song. Reminds me of my teen years. I couldn't find a song I didn't like. Great reaction!
I think of it as a humorous memory, reflecting upon feelings in his teenage years, long before he was famous. I heard them talk about it in an interview once.
FYI - This song is used often by audiophiles
That's what I used to use checking out sound systems. Before Gaucho came along. Best. Leo.
Back in the 70 I was a huge hifi nut and we always used this album to demo your system.
so smooth
To me there is no bad SD song, but this is one of my top 5 for sure, i just love how just musically perfect they are when they play, used to be you went to buy a new sound system whether if it was for your car or home, the salesman would slip in a SD tape or record and let it play, nothing sounds better coming out of a high end system than these guys. Keep on with the journey man, so much great music to expose yourself to. 😎
Nice! This is a prime example of their film noir storytelling. Another great one like that is glamour profession, I think it’s about drug dealing or something but it has great lines like “ Jive Miguel, he's in from Bogota
Meet me at midnight at Mr. Chow's
Szechuan dumplings
Now that the deal has been done”
Focus Studios Speaking of film noir: Now we dolly back, now we fade to black. 😎
I always loved this band ❤ Hey Nineteen is my favorite.
Many of the musicians that played on Aja (1977) also played on Joni Mitchell"s great seventies jazzy period. Wayne Shorter (sax solo on the title track) handled all sax work on her albums 'til the 00's. There are few better lyricists than Mitchell. Maybe you'd like The Hissing of Summer Lawns (1975) - you should check out Harry's House/Centerpiece on this one -, and if you like great bassists, then you can't ignore Jaco Pastorius' work on her albums. Try Talk To Me, or Jericho for starters, off of Don Juan's Reckless Daughter (1977).
I want to suggest a song to you, since you are 16, that was written by another 16 year old by the name of Jackson Browne back around '64/'65. It's called, "These Days", and was probably done best by Gregg Allman, but others have done nice versions, including JB himself, although HIS favorite is Allman's..When you said you were 16 I immediately thought of that song..The reason, aside from that, is I was always amazed that it came from the mind of someone so young. The lyrics do not connote that..Not that they (the Lyrics), in themselves, are terribly cryptic; just that you would imagine them to come from a more experienced, and mature soul...Hope you give it a listen, and tell us what you think. Thanks...Btw, I have been playing, and singing it myself for years.
Have you heard Peg from Steely Dan? It is also from the Aja album. That would be a great next choice! Keep up the good work!
Everybody's right about the meaning. It's brilliantly obscure yet straightforward. Whatever it means it's been one of my favorite songs since first hearing it....shout out to NOVA 104 out of Lake Charles.
Hey Daniel, just found myself on your channel and enjoyed your Steely Dan reaction. I'm a big Steely Dan fan and thought you did a real good job on it. Most of their lyrics are very complex. As for suggestions, it looks to me that haven't done any progressive rock yet. I'll just throw a song out there that could be interesting. KANSAS song "Carry On Wayward Son" is interesting both lyrically and musically. It was a big hit in 1976 and is still played a lot on Classic Rock Radio. I feel that it is an easily accessible entry point as some prog is too complex or heavy. They have many really good albums from the 70's and are still active, in fact they just released a cd and were still touring before the lockdown. Good Luck with your channel. M
"Jets Overhead" would be an excellent intro to "Absence of Presence" era Kansas music!
If you want to go more jazz/boogie-woogie try Hugh Laurie (the live version of St. James Infirmary and Swanee River are absolute musts) , for more rock/blues try Humble Pie (Black Coffee) or for prog try Jethro Tull (Aqualung and Locomotive Breath)
Hey, awesome:) We just did Locomotive Breath, I freaking loved it!
Also you have to check out Lynyrd Skynyrd
You lucked out in discovering the Dan
"Deacon" has a meaning outside of church...it's just an honorific, a distinguished man, a person of note. Like they call Elvis, "The King."
More Steely Dan: Razor Boy, Here at the Western World, Any Major Dude Will Tell You, Charlie Freak, FM
Any Major Dude is one of my top favorites!
@@Spazzmatazzz ANY MAJOR DUDE! Love it.
Just simply a great mainstream pop/jazz song to kick back and listen. Great to hear in your car on the road. Sing along.
I think he is saying that his ambitions have changed as he ages, he is now pursuing a different dream, when his end comes he does not want to feel that anything important to him was left out or undone. He is moving on.
I just hope people like you live long enough to become dinosaurs like us and teach your children to appreciate the really important things in Life 🙏🙌🥰
Give a listen to the song "Pretzel Logic" by Steely Dan. You'll like it.
As you know EVERY song on this album is a GEM. All on my to 20 Dan list
Alabama Crimson Tide basically the winners and in the 70s Wake Forest Deacons football seasons were losers. A bit of a connection.
This guys put together incredible session bands. Amazing they got a lot of work done even though they were separated for years.
Great reaction!
Other bands that I think it'd be really interesting if you reacted to are Genesis, King Crimson, and Emerson, Lake & Palmer.
King Crimson was done, then taken down after a week. I plan to do more, but it will likely get taken down as well. If you enjoy the videos enough to want this, there is a patreon link in my newer videos where I take priority suggestions and post exclusive videos (aka videos which got blocked:). So you can find the KC 21st century schizoid man in there if you want.
And the rest will hopefully be gotten too soon! Thanks for watching:)
In this song deacon refers to deacan demon football team btw
I'm pretty sure that the sax take was a super great sax player they got in and he was noodling while he was warming g up to the track. Before they were even supposed to be doing it for real, Fagan looked to the engineer and said "did you get that? Ok were done. Use that one."
Try Josie or FM....both are great!😊🇺🇸👍hi from NORTH CAROLINA💜
Demon deacons and the crimson tide
6 yrs. ago I hit that point . Singing though a do love the sounds of a sad . Peace .
I ...sax .
I've played this song a million times and I never get tired of it.
There is a Deacon Hill in Boston.
The coolest band in rock history
Learns, this Padawan does ;-)
Great comments, to which I will just add this: Steely Dan was NOT a band. Rather, it was the best collection of musicians the Becker and Fagan could assemble to play their sublime tunes; they used musicians with specific skill sets and riffs to play specific parts to give the music the vibe they sought. Fagan and Becker were compositional geniuses and, more importantly, perfectionists, and their search for perfection in the studio is reflected in their amazing music. In this album, and in Royal Scam and Gaucho, SD were at the zenith of their prodigious skills, and the musicians with which they played - - Bernard Purdie, Mick McDonald, Larry Carlton, Wayne Shorter, Steve Gadd, and more - - it is all studio all-stars.
If you want some early Steely Dan with a Reggae type beat, try "Do it again" and it also has some great guitar solos.
Good one, get back Jack!
Wake Forest University Demon Deacons, not Deacon Jones. In the interview they speak of needing an opposite to Crimson Tide, that being a loser. Deacon Jones was not a loser. Perhaps Deacon's (Jones) name is why they chose Wake Forest rather than some other losing football team. But again, Deacon Jones was not a loser. Wake Forest was a loser. Them's the facts. You decide.
On the origin of the song's name, Fagen says, it was inspired by football player Deacon Jones, as they like the sound of his name: "It also had two syllables, which was convenient, like 'Crimson.'"[1] The song, however, is really about "the ultimate outsider, the flip side of the dream, boy-o . . . call me Deacon Blues.
The song is about a football team,
Decon Blues = Wake Forest Demon Decons
I just came across your video, I applaud you for listening to old school, I grew up on Stelly Dan, enjoy!
How did I miss this???!!
It's about a long time Wake Forest Demon Deacons football fan talking about his team always losing & how it has affected his life. 😎
Deacons in the Church are based on Acts ch 7 where Stephen is said to serve or “diaconate” so the Apostles could be free to preach. It’s only modern churches that eschew the historical character of the Church.
Even though I am more of a lyrics person, I always just had this one in the background and never paid attention to the lyrics. At least I don't think I ever considered them because most of them seem brand new to my brain. Well, that's cool!
This song is about a recovering acholic, whose had a hard time with it and now he's moving forward he had a bunch of hard times.. He's reach the stage where he's good now...This bother is free he can be what he wans to be..
And you do a fantastic job.
Great jazz/rock fusion band! 😎👏👏👏👏👏
Donald fagan said there is always tension between the lyrics and music .. there are buried literary references and pop culture references -‘home agin ‘ is based on Ulysses strapped to the mast in the Iliad
I had no idea you were only 16. Take that as a compliment. I’m interested to hear such a young person’s impressions of the lyrics. I’m only worried you might not get some of the more “adult” themes right away (sex, drugs, etc). A lot of steely dan songs have drug references.
Thanks to some of my other favorite music I can pick up on most adulty themes pretty quick, but it's true that with Kid Charlemagne, I did not figure out "LSD Mixer going out of business because of cocaine dealers and being chased by the police", I just came out with "Hmmm... Is it about drugs and those living on the edge?"
Dicon Dissectional Reactions you’ve been pretty much right on with your interpretations and either way, the song is about whatever you think it’s about. Once it’s released, it doesn’t really matter what the songwriters had in their minds, it become up for interpretation for whatever people want it to be about.
I heard they were trying to emulate the sound of Oliver Nelson, Stolen Moments is the song I'm familiar with ruclips.net/video/RbaGDDbpcQ4/видео.html.
Thanks for the share never heard of O.Nelson...but that song takes me to a time before now. The end gives me chills!
Wayne Shorter was asked to play Sax and was not keen. Mot liking to be directed, but they said just play what you feel.
Iy’s hearsay that Fagin said “the expanding man was a character ( hero or villain?} in a comic ?
“ Alabama the Crimson Tide”is a football team.
Given their taste for the macabre Deacon may be the Scots murderer priest who was executed (Robie?).
My bad
DescriptionWilliam Brodie, often known by his title of Deacon Brodie, was a Scottish cabinet-maker, deacon of a trades guild, and Edinburgh city councillor, who maintained a secret life as a housebreaker, partly for the thrill, and partly to fund his gambling. Wikipedia
The song meaning of the word "Deacon" is a reference to Demon Deacons the mascot of the Wake Forest team. The Crimson Tide is the University of Alabama team. Crimson would destroy Wake Forest for as long as anyone wanted to remember.
Perfect record best song on it every song on it is very good 19 and Black cow Aja great album
Deacon in this song was taken from football player Deacon Jones simply because Donald Fagen and Walter Becker like the name. No catholic significance to the name, simply random. The protagonist just wanted a name when he loses.
That's interesting. I took it as a reference to Wake Forest because their football program was horrible back then, haha.
BTSpr0 a ton of people think that same thing but there is an interview with Becker and Fagen where they explain it.
Wake Forest Demon Deacons would be correct here... Deacon Jones, NEVER a loser!!!!
Jeff Marder www.google.com/amp/s/www.wsj.com/amp/articles/how-steely-dan-created-deacon-blues-1441727645
@@mikewritz Outstanding article. Cheers
Deacon Blues is the nickname of the Wake Forest football team who had perennial losing seasons as opposed to the Alabama Crimson Tide who had winning seasons !!!
An explanation to the song's lyrics...en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deacon_Blues
A deacon only deals with the menial tasks in the church like keeping the place presentable.
Please listen to Everything Must Go. The last song on the last album Steely Dan made. Very relevant.
Acute lyrical analysis. I just
"Take Five" Dave Brubeck.
Especially recommend watching/listening to the live video performance.Dave Brubeck:
Take Five:
ruclips.net/video/tT9Eh8wNMkw/видео.html
Phenomenal jazz composition with intricate solos from each musician. Mind blowing.
This is a required iconic piece of music to add to your list.
@@justathought88 It's one of my favorites! Thanks for the link!
Demon Deacons is the mascot name of the Wake Forest team. The crimson Tide is the name of the University of Alabama team.
This band is so close to getting in the room of one; that is pink floyd. But no one gets in that room.
I think you'd be interested in a ween album called 'the mollusk'.
Love Deacon Blues - this song inspired me to move to LA. Well, partly, anyway. Dont get caught up in religion to interpret. Deacon is a position in church but also a man's name. this guy left behind the straight life and career to be an artist/sax player. He obviously has romantic notions about the life of a jazz/blues musician. If you're doing Steely Dan i recommend Dirty Work, but every song on album, Cant Buy a Thrill, is great.
by shade I'm pretty sure they meant ghost
ego is your shade .
Never had a life - addicted to gambling and addicted to losing
😍😍😍
When you listen to Steely Dan, you have to envision a particular type of 70s seediness. Things like Studio 54 (which had a really creepy vibe) and too many drugs (I was surprised there was such a thing, too). These guys are quite contentedly louche.
damnnnn girl