Question About the Steely Dan Song

[Bama_197]

I was listening to the radio the other day and the song Deacon Blues came on. Y'all know that part that talks about how they call Alabama the Crimson Tide, are they downing them in that song? The verse goes:

"They got it made for the winners
in the world,
And I want a name when I lose.
They call Alabama the Crimson Tide."

Are they calling them losers? I need a little help on this.

 

[BAMAMAN]

We're getting major props on that song. I believe the lead singer attended Bama, or has major connections.

 

[BammaNFla]

The lead singer was Donald Fagan, from metro NYC area, went to Bard College (up the Hudson River from NYC) and has no connection to Alabama that I have ever heard about--other than he knew that the Crimson Tide is the name for a winner.

The actual lyrics:

"They got a name for the winners in the world
I want a name when I lose
They call Alabama the Crimson Tide
Call me Deacon Blues"

 

[pluckngrit]

listen a little closer, ain't nuthin' but love.

RTR!

 

[chris]

it pays the ultimate compliment. at the time of it's release Bama was kicking the crap outta everyone! ***!!!

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"you'd better pass" -Marty Lyons

 

[Bamalaw92]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Bama_197:
I was listening to the radio the other day and the song Deacon Blues came on. Y'all know that part that talks about how they call Alabama the Crimson Tide, are they downing them in that song? The verse goes:

"They got it made for the winners
in the world,
And I want a name when I lose.
They call Alabama the Crimson Tide."

Are they calling them losers? I need a little help on this.</font>

No....He is definitely NOT calling Alabama losers. He is saying winners, like Alabama, have a name, like the Crimson Tide. He wants a colorful name for when he loses, Deacon Blues. Remember, the song was written in 1977. in the 16 years before it was written, Alabama had won 4 National Championships and were headed to a fifth in '77 before being robbed of it. No one in their right mind during this period of time could conceive of referring to Alabama as "losers".

Here are the complete Lyrics:
This is the day of the expanding man,
That shape is my shade, there where I used to stand,
It seems like only yesterday, I gazed through the glass
at Ramblers, wild gamblers, that's all in the past.

You call me a fool, you say its a crazy scheme.
This one's for real, I already bought the dream.
So useless to ask me why, throw a kiss and say goodbye.
I'll make it this time, I'm ready to cross that fine line

{CHORUS}I'll learn to work the saxophone
I'll play just what I feel,
Drink scotch whisky, all night long,
And die behind the wheel.
They got a name for the winners in the world,
I want a name when I lose.
They call Alabama the Crimson Tide.
Call me Deacon Blues,
Deacon Blues

My back to the wall, a victim of laughing chance.
This is for me, the essence of true romance.
Sharing the things we know and love
With those of my kind,
Libations, sensations, that stagger the mind.
I crawl like a viper, through the suburban streets.
Make love to these women, languid and bitter sweet.
I rise when the sun goes down,
Cover every game in town, a world of my own,
I'll make it my home sweet home.

[chorus]

This is the night of the expanding the man.
I take one last drag, as I approach the stand.
I cried when I wrote this song.
Sue me if I play too long.
This brother is free.
I'll be what I want to be.

[chorus]


[This message has been edited by Bamalaw92 (edited 07-01-2004).]

 

[bamandenver]

Being a lifelong bama fan and Ttown native who attended Wake Forest (Demon Deacons) rumor was that Deacon Blues referred to Wake. In '78 bama won the NC and Wake was 0-11 or something like that. Don't know if that is rumor or truth though.

 

[toddhsv]

Steely Dan's Deacon Blues does have a great reference to the Crimson Tide. . .

BUT. . .

Mike Price has an affection for Riki Don't Lose That Number. . .I think he met her at Arety's Angels along with his "Destiny"



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RTMF

 

[TIDE-HSV]

"Riki Don't Lose That Number" is frequently misunderstood by you youngsters. At that time, "number" was slang for a joint... The song makes no sense unless one knows that...

 

[toddhsv]

Sorry TIDE-HSV. . .so just so I get this straight. . .

On a previous post of yours you were trying to get across that Brodie needs to work his. . ."numbers"!! Thanks for the clarification!

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RTMF

 

[bona fide tide]

Just don't do it without your fez on!

 

[TIDE-HSV]

Jeez, I forgot that there might be those that also don't know what "joint" is slang for...

 

[CnW]

O.K. I heard another song last week and don't know the name or the singer, but it caught my attention when they said "Sweet home Alabama" "Roll Tide Roll". Anyone know the title and the singer?

 

[GAMEFACE]

Major props. That was during the time when BAMA couldnt be stopped by anybody. I remeber a quote after one of the super bowls the coach of the winning team was ask how it felt to be the best team and he replied " I dont know we havent played ALABAMA yet". Now if that aint a compliment to a college football power house I aint never heard one. No other school in history has been mentioned and went down in history with the lyrics of song than the TIDE. Ive not heard many songs mentioning a college football team or university come to think of it.

 

[toddhsv]

CnW,

Sweet Southern Comfort by Buddy Jewell

It's a country music song and the "roll tide roll" version is the real version but rumor has it that Buddy recorded a ton of versions to fit in elsewhere with other parts of the country.

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RTMF

 

[RollTideinGA]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by toddhsv:
CnW,

Sweet Southern Comfort by Buddy Jewell

It's a country music song and the "roll tide roll" version is the real version but rumor has it that Buddy recorded a ton of versions to fit in elsewhere with other parts of the country.

</font>

The "altered" version they play here in Georgia just has one chorus that says Roll Tide Roll. And on ethat Says Go Dawgs Go. But the full version off the album only says Roll Tide Roll on each chorus. Of course whenever my daughter hears it she automatically sings the correct chorus.... ROLL TIDE ROLL!

 

[TIDETilliDie]

What's funny about this is that uga doesn't have ANY songs that credit their school. The TIDE has 3 that i count..(the TIDE is High, Deacon Blues, and now Sweet Southern Comfort and there may be more). Maybe if they could win a NC in this decade that would change, but i doubt it.

ROLL TIDE ROLL

 

[Spot Dailey]

So, does anybody know what a Steely Dan is? I'll give you a hint: Tenn Studd shorted his out in the jacuzzi. There' s been lots of songs about Alabama. One you might check out is "Shout Bama Lama". There's an Otis Redding version and an Eddie Hinton version which is really cool. What about "Flaggin' That Train To Tuscaloosa". I just saw the old Hitchcock movie The Trouble With Harry the other night. I'd forgotten that song was in that movie. "Alabammy Bound" is another one from the old days. So don't limit yourselves to the current generation. People been writing songs about Alabama forever. I even wrote a few myself.

 

[rizolltizide]

Even Sublime, a CA surf/ska/punk band makes a reference to Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

Can't say I've ever heard any reference to Opelika.

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"I'm in the midst of a trauma...leave a message I'll call you back"---Perry Farrell

 

[BamaZone]

Clint Eastwood's movie, "Outlaw Josie Wales".

'Rose of Alabamey'