Lyrics for the album "Pretzel Logic" by Steely Dan

Rikki Don't Lose That Number

We hear you're leaving, that's okay
I thought our little wild time had just begun,
I guess you kind of scared yourself, you turn and run
But if you have a change of heart.

Rikki don't lose that number; you don't wanna call nobody else.
Send it off in a letter to yourself.
Rikki don't lose that number; it's the only one you own.
You might use it if you feel better, when you get home.

I have a friend in town, he's heard your name.
We can out driving on Slow Hand Row
We could stay inside and play games I don't know.
And you could have a change of heart.

[chorus]

[solo]

You tell yourself your not my kind,
But you don't even know your mind.
And you could have a change of heart.

[chorus]

Rikki don't lose that number
[Rikki don't lose that number]
Rikki don't lose that number

Night By Night

"It's a beggars life, " said the Queen of Spades
"But dont tell it to the poor man
'Cause he's got to kill for every  thrill, the best he can"

Everywhere around me, I see Jealousy and Mayhem
Because no men have all their peace of mind, to carry them,
Well I don't really care, if its wrong or if its right
But until my Ship comes in, I live night by night

When the joker tried to tell me,
I could cut it in this rube town,
When he tried to hang that sign on me, I said "take it down"

When the dawn patrol got to tell you twice
They don't do it with a shotgun
Yes, I'm cashin' in this ten-cent life, for another one
Well I ain't got the heart, to lose another fight,
So until my ship comes in, I live night by night

[instrumental solo]

Well I don't really care if it's wrong or if it's right
But until my ship comes in, I live night by night.

Any Major Dude Will Tell You

I never seen you looking so bad my funky one;
You tell me that your super fine mind has come undone.

Any major dude with half a heart surely will tell you my friend;
Any minor world that breaks apart falls together again.
When the demon is at your door, in the mornin' it won't be there no more.
Any major dude will tell you; any major dude will tell you.

Have you ever seen a squonks tears? Well, look at mine.
The people on the street have all seen better times.

[chorus]

I can tell you all I know: there where to go, the what to do.
You can try to run but you can't hide from what's inside of you.

[solo]

[chorus]

Any major dude will tell you; any major dude will tell you.

Barry Town

I'm not one to look behind, I know that times must change;
But over there in Barry town they do things very strange.
And though you're not my enemy, I like things like they used to be;
And though you'd like some company I'm standing by myself
Go play with someone else.

I can see by what you carry that you came from Barry Town

Don't believe I'm taken in by stories I have heard;
I just read the Daily News and swear by every word.
And don't think that I'm out of line for speaking out for what is mine;
I'd like to see you do just fine, but look at what you wear
And the way you cut your hair

I can see by what you carry that you came from Barry Town

In the beginning we recall that the world was hurled;
Barry Town people got tobe from another world.

Leave me or I'll be just like the others you will meet;
They won't act as kindly if they see you on the street.
And don't you scream or make a shout, it's nothing you can do about;
It was where you came out, it's a special lack of grace,
I can see it in your face.

I can see by what you carry that you came from Barry Town

East St Louis Toodle-oo

[Instrumental]

Parkers Band

Savoy Sides presents a new saxaphone sensation;
It's Parker's band with a smooth style of syncopation.
Kansas born and growin', you won't believe what the boys are blowin'.

You got to come on, man, and take a piece of Mister Parker's band.

You'll be ridin' by bareback on your armadillo;
You'll be groovin' high or relaxin' at Camarillo.
Suddenly the music hits you; it's a bird in flight that just can't quit you.

You got to come on, man, and take a piece of Mister Parker's band.

We will spend a dizzy weekend smacked into a trance.
Me and you will listen to a little bit of what made the preacher dance.

Bring your horn along and you can add to the pure confection;
And if you can't fly you'll have to move in with the rhythm section.
Either way you're bound to function; Fifty-Second Street's the junction.

You got to come on, man, and take a piece of Mister Parker's,
Clap your hands and take a piece of Mister Parker's,
Come on, man, and take a piece of Mister Parker's band.

Through With Buzz

He takes all my money;
You know, I'm through with Buzz.
Yes, I'm through with Buzz,
All right, oh yeah, uh huh.

He's very funny;
You know, I'm through with Buzz.
Yes, I'm through with Buzz,
All right, oh yeah, uh huh.

I remember when he stole my girl,
Drug her all around the world.
You know I'm cool, yes, I feel alright
'Cept when I'm in my room and it's late at night.

Maybe he's a fairy;
You know, I'm through with Buzz.
Yes, I'm through with Buzz,
All right, oh yeah, uh huh, all right.

Pretzel Logic

I would love to tour the Southland in a trav'ling minstrel show;
Yes, I'd love to tour the Southland in a trav'ling minstrel show.
Yes, I'm dying to be a star and make them laugh,
Sound just like the record on the phonograph.
Those days are gone forever, over a long time ago, oh, yeah.

I have never met Napoleon, but I plan to find the time;
I have never met Napoleon, but I plan to find the time.
'Cause he looks so fine upon that hill;
They tell me he was lonely, he's lonely still.
Those days are gone forever, over a long time ago, oh, yeah.

[solo -- over verse and chorus progression]

I stepped up on the platform, a man gave me the news.
He said, "You must be joking son; where did you get those shoes?
Where did you get those shoes?"
Well, I seen him on the T.V., the movie show;
They say the times are changin' but I just don't know.
These things are gone forever, over a long time ago, oh, yeah.

fade with ad lib lyrics

With A Gun

I could be wrong but I have seen your face before;
You were the man that I saw running from this door.
You owed him money, but you gave him something more with a gun.

With a gun you will be what you are just the same.
Did you pay the other man with the piece in your hand
And leave him lyin' in the rain?

You were the founders of the clinic on the hill
Until he caught you with your fingers in the till.
He slapped your hand so you settled up your bill with a gun.

[chorus]

When you're born to play the fool
And you've seen all the western movies,
Woe to the one who does you wrong.
You'll hide in the bushes,
Murder the man with luger in hand.

I understood that you will soon be leavin' town;
Don't try to call me when they fin'lly run you down.
Just give fair warning any time you come around with a gun.

[chorus]

Charlie Freak

Charlie Freak had but one thing to call his own:
Three weight ounce pure golden ring, no precious stone.
Five nights without a bite, no place to lay his head.
And if nobody takes him in he'll soon be dead.

On the street he spied my face, I heard him hail;
In our plot of frozen space he told his tale.
Poor man, he showed his hand, so righteous was his need.
And me so wise, I bought his prize for chicken feed.

New found cash soon begs to smash a state of mind;
Close inspection fast revealed his favourite kind.
Poor kid, he overdid, embraced the spreading haze.
And while he sighed his body died in fifteen ways.

When I heard I grabbed a cab to where he lay;
'Round his arm the plastic tag read D.O.A.
Yes, Jack, I gave it back, the ring I could not own.
Now come, my friend, I'll take your hand and lead you home.

Monkey In Your Soul

I got one and you want four;
It's so hard to help you.
I can't keep up with you no more;
And you treat me like it's a sin
But you can't look me in.
You want me here with you right to the end;
No thankyou my friend.

I fear the monkey in your soul.

Won't you turn that bebop down;
I can't hear my heartbeat.
Where's that fatback chord I found;
Honey don't you think it was wrong
To interrupt my song?
I'll pack my things and run so far from here;
Goodbye, dear.

I fear the monkey in your soul.