Lyrics for the album "Aja" by Steely Dan

Black Cow

In the corner of my eye, I saw you in Rudy's
You were very high
You were high,
It was a cryin' disgrace, They saw your face
On the counter, by your keys,
Was a book of numbers, and your remedies
One one of these, surely will screen out the sorrow
But where are you tomorrow

I cant cry anymore, while you run around
Break away, just when it seems so clear,
That it's over now,
Drink your big black cow and get out of here

Down to Greene Street, there you go,
Looking so outrageous, and they tell you so
You should know, how all the pros play the game,
You change your name
Like a gangster, on the run,
You will stagger homeward, to your precious one
I'm the one
Who must make everything right, talk it out till daylight

I dont care anymore, why you run around
Break away, just when it seems so clear,
That it's over now,
Drink your big black cow and get out of here.

so outrageous, so outrageous

Aja

Up on the hill,
People never stare,
They just dont care,
Chinese music under banyan trees
Here at the dude ranch
Above the sea,

Aja,
When all my dime dancin' is through
I run to you

Up on the hill,
They've got time to burn,
There's no return
Double helix in the sky tonight
Throw out the hardware, lets do it right,

[chorus]

Up on the hill
They think I'm OK
Or so they say
Chinese music always sets me free
Angular banjoes
Sound good to me

[chorus]

Deacon Blues

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

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]

Peg

I've seen your picture your name in lights above it.
This is your big debut, it's like a dream come true.
So, won't you smile for the cam'ra? I know they're gonna love it, Peg.

I've got your pin shot I keep it with your letter,
Done up in blue print blue, It sure looks good on you.
So, won't you smile for the cam'ra? I know I'll love you better.

Peg, it will come back to you.
Peg, it will come back to you.
Then the shutter falls
You see it all in "Three-D."
It's your favourite foreign movie.

[solo]

I've got your pin shot I keep it with your letter,
Done up in blue print blue, It sure looks good on you.
So, won't you smile for the cam'ra? I know I'll love you better.

[chorus] x 5 and fade

Home at Last

I know this super highway, this bright familiar sun
I guess that I'm the lucky one
Who wrote that tired sea song, set on this peaceful shore
You think you've heard this one before

Well the danger on the rocks is surely past
Still I remain tied to the mast
Could it be that I have found my home at last
Home at last

She serves the smooth retsina, she keeps me safe and warm
It's just the calm before the storm
Call in my reservation, so long hey thanks my friend
I guess I'll try my luck again

[chorus]

[solo]

[chorus]

I Got The News

You in your Lark, you're a mark, you're a screamer
You know how to hustle
Daddy is a rare millionaire, I don't care
Yeah, you got the muscle, I got the news.

Yes dear, how did you know?
Can't you see our love will grow.

Take it in your hand, all the sirens and the band
Get to bendin' my ear
How was I to know about the warm soulful secret
You been keepin' for years, I got the news

Broadway Duchess darling if you only knew
Half as much as everybody thinks you do
What I hear may be true
I would still be proud to know you

[solo]

Spanish kissin', see it glisten
You came ragin', love rampagin'

Slow down, I'll tell you when,
I may never walk again,

Josie

We're gonna break out the hats and hooters
When Josie comes home
We're gonna rev up the motor scooters
When Josie comes home to stay
We're gonna park in the street
Sleep on the beach and make it
Throw down the Jam till the girls say when
Lay down the law and break it, when Josie comes home

When Josie comes home, so good
Shes the pride of the neighborhood
She's the raw flame, the live wire
She prays like a Roman, with her eyes on fire

Jo would you love to scrapple
She'll never say no
Shine up the battle apple
We'll shake 'em all down the street
Strike at the stroke of midnight
Dance on the bones 'till the girls say when
Pick up what's left by daylight
When Josie comes home

When Josie comes home, so bad
She's the best friend we never had
She's the raw flame, the live wire
She prays like a Roman with her eyes on fire

[solo]

[1st chorus]