"Hey Nineteen " Steely Dan (1980)

"She thinks I'm crazy, but I'm just growing old."

For my friends and those with enough energy to pay attention, there is a lot going on as Winter makes its approach. Let me preface this video segment by giving you the non-linear logic which led me to post this piece.

At first, I thought of something from the group Exile, rather than Steely Dan. Unfortunately, there was no way I could put up a vid of their only top song. It would have been really inappropriate. Frankly, broadcasting "I Want to Kiss You All Over," over the internet didn't quite fully or accurately encapsulate my own interpretation of today's current political climate. Really though, Exile should put the band back together so they can do something for Marco Rubio's 2012 run.

Hey, just kidding.

Then, I wanted to talk about the politics of antidisestablishmentarianism. Boy, was it fun to say that word back in middle school (ooh, it's soo long) but, Roger Kimball pretty much covered it (so to speak), as of two months ago.

For some real incredulity, I commend to you a CBS piece headlined:

"GOP Leaders: Sarah Palin Must Be Stopped"

Really?  Are you f***ing kidding?  That's not funny.  That headline is beyond out of touch.  It's beyond silly.  It's just out of order.  That's right, out of order.  I tell you, Brian Montopoli, you're out of order.  CBS is out of order.  You're all out of order.  Attica!  Attica! 

"Hey Nineteen," on the other hand, means more than the number 19, so I went for it. Plus, it makes for the lucky 7th post using Becker and Fagan.  The number applies if you have ever partaken of the fine Columbian. It would definitely apply if you live and vote in California, where the cathechism of Prohibition maintains its supposedly overwhelming sphere of artistic, social, political, cultural, and prurient influence, having no redeeming value when considered in light of community standards.

Clearly, the paradigm has not shifted in toto in CA.

"Hey, Nineteen's" lyrics suggest the speaker is someone looking back in time, a disturbing lamentation on the innocence of young girls, with the depressing possibility that his social status is now diminished in comparison to his college years as a "dandy of Gamma Chi." They can't dance together.  They can't talk at all.  In a broader, modern context, that communication gap is not merely between genders, it is between generations. "She don't remember the Queen of Soul."

Nonetheless, the speaker seems to have passed the stages Grief, and reached Acceptance.  Tonight is "a wonderful thing." You can't deny the unabashedly American theme: exile and subsequent redemption are wonderful things.

This seven-minute live version is cool for many reasons.  Highlights include the "political debate" between Mike Leonhart and Jim Pugh at 2:45, Fagen's ad lib before the chorus, the good resolution, unique product placement, and of course, the hot back-up singers (including Mike's sister).


© 2010 Roy Barin Santonil



Way back when in '67
I was the dandy of Gamma Chi
Sweet things from Boston so young and willing
Moved down to Scarsdale where the hell am I?

Hey Nineteen
No we can't dance together
No we can't talk at all
Please take me along when you slide on down

Hey Nineteen that's 'Retha Franklin
She don't remember the Queen of Soul
It's hard times befallen the sole survivors
She thinks I'm crazy I'm just growing old

Hey Nineteen
No we got nothin' in common
No we can't talk at all
Please take me along when you slide on down

--ad libbed lines--
(well-rehearsed)

The Cuervo Gold
The fine Columbian
Make tonight a wonderful thing
[say it again]

The Cuervo Gold
The fine Columbian
Make tonight a wonderful thing

The Cuervo Gold
The fine Columbian
Make tonight a wonderful thing

We can't dance together
No we can't talk at all.

Performed @ Charlotte, NY 8/12/2006

Donald Fagen - Keyboards and Vocals
Walter Becker - Guitar
Keith Carlock - Drums
Jon Herington - Guitar
Carolyn Leonhart-Escoffery - Backing Vocals
Michael Leonhart - Trumpet
Cindy Mizelle - Backing Vocals
Jim Pugh - Trombone
Roger Rosenberg - Baritone Sax
Freddie Washington - Bass
Walt Weiskopf - Sax
Jeff Young - Keyboards and Backing Vocals