Steely Dan ~ Deacon Blues ~ Aja (Official Remaster) HQ Audio

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 it's 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

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 these suburban streets
Make love to these women
Languid and bittersweet
I'll 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

Walter Becker – bass
Donald Fagen – synthesizer, vocals
Larry Carlton, Lee Ritenour – guitar
Dean Parks – acoustic guitar
Pete Christlieb – tenor saxophone
Victor Feldman – electric piano
Bernard "Pretty" Purdie – drums
Venetta Fields – backup vocals
Clydie King – backup vocals
Sherlie Matthews – backup vocals

[The song was released in 1977, and although it’s credited to Walter Becker and Donald Fagen, the track is thought to be Fagen’s almost entirely alone. Written in his house in Malibu, the song offered Fagen a chance to create something grander and more truthful than many of his past efforts had afforded him to do. “‘Deacon Blues’ is about as close to autobiography as our tunes get,” Fagen recalled. “We were both kids who grew up in the suburbs, we both felt fairly alienated. Like a lot of kids in the ’50s, we were looking for some kind of alternative culture, an escape from where we found ourselves.”] ~ Far Out magazine (2022).

[steelyman]

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 it's 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

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 these suburban streets
Make love to these women
Languid and bittersweet
I'll 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

Donald Fagen – lead vocals, synthesizer
Bernard Purdie – drums
Walter Becker – bass guitar
Larry Carlton, Lee Ritenour – guitars
Victor Feldman – Fender Rhodes
Pete Christlieb – tenor saxophone
Clydie King, Sherlie Matthews, Venetta Fields – backing vocals
Dean Parks - acoustic guitar

[fantasyguru]

My God this album is a masterclass of musicianship.

[gmfraizer]

One of my favorite cats loved this song, he would tap his tail in time with the music and you could tell he loved the song. I played this song for him while he was suffering at the end of his life. The morning he died I had just played this song for him and a few minutes later he passed. For me it will always be Maxwell Smart's song.

[bobdobalina]

I'm 15 again. Hallelulja! Thanks guys for the time machine. Just a few minutes going back is worth it, away from this horrible world that we now find ourselves in. Peace out to kids of the 70s.

[lancerx]

One of the greatest records ever made best spun with headphones and a glass or two of Scotch whiskey

[rhondarostrickland]

Aja Album... Steely Dan... Michael McDonald... Deacon Blues... Peg... Black Cow... Yep! Ima 53 yr old old soul, blessed with the best.

[frankwilson]

ONE Of THE BEST GROUPS, OF THE '70S. THAT'S REAL, MUSIC.

[davefawcett]

The older you get the more you appreciate the music, you understand it more, and such an intelligent band, and some of the greatest players in the world, Cheers to all who listen to Steely Dan, music that stands the test of time..

[JVoidy]

just spectacular. i just got out of prison after 5 months and the biggest thing i missed was music. this just sounds wonderful with a glass a cider and my freedom back. don't take life for granted!

[raybro]

AJA, one of the greatest albums EVER. The music is perfect. The song Aja easily a top 10 ever.

[debbiedillon]

When I was a teen I just loved the groove and etc....but now omg!!! I see what genius they were. PERFECT!!

[sailingsam]

That sax solo by Wayne Shorter on Aja is historical, phenomenal.

[neillflate]

I love this song. We bought a house n Garland, TX in 1977. My wife was working, and I was in the house all by myself. I was cleaning up after the cleaners. This song came on the radio and got me through that day. Have especially loved Steely Dan all these years. We had the pleasure of hearing them in concert at Fiddler's Green in Denver, where we live now. Aja is one off the greatest albums I have in my collection.

[deborahchrysler]

This album was my soundtrack to my falling out of love with my second husband. I was 30 with a new baby. With my third husband now for 38 years.🥰

[caroldemoss]

The thinking mans rock and roll 🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🎷🎷🎷🎷🎤🎤🎤🎤

[culvercity]

I was 17 when this album was released I am glad that our music teacher introduced us to Steely Dan I am blessed to say that I saw them in concert 3 times and now that i have grand kid's I am going to introduce them to Steely Dan and Rush and other groups

[User_vfjp__baltimore_sc]

Haven't heard this one in a while !! More great lyrics ...❤

[alflazz]

Uuufff q Feeling, para mi Obra maestra de la música contemporánea de los últimos 60 años. Grandes

[Thadmotor]

This song was a part of the Soundtrack to our Lives ....

[marksprunger]

This song has such a wonderfully complex medley of sounds and instruments that compliment equally intelligent lyrics! Everytime I listen to it, I pick up some nuance that I never appreciated previously. You can tell that these guys were having a hell of good time putting this song together. The creativity of it all blows me away everytime.