Steely Dan Haitian Divorce on Vinyl with Lyrics in Description

Track 7, and one of the best from their classic fifth album, “The Royal Scam” released in 1976 copyright ABC Records. Recorded from the original vinyl. This album received high sales and critical acclaim on its release, and saw the band nearing their creative peak. It was the second album where the band was reduced to the writing duo of Walter Becker & Donald Fagen, after they stopped touring, backed up by L.A.’s best session musicians, who were all exceptional contributors. Written by Walter Becker & Donald Fagen and produced by Gary Katz. RIP Walter Becker. Featuring:

Donald Fagen – Lead vocals, keyboards, background vocals
Walter Becker – Bass, lead & rhythm guitars
Special guests:
Victor Feldman – Keyboards & percussion
Paul Griffin – Keyboards
Don Grolnick - Keyboards
Dennis Dias – Lead guitars
Larry Carlton – Lead guitars
Dean Parks – Lead guitars
Elliott Randall – Lead guitars
Chuck Rainey – Bass
Rick Marotta – Drums
Bernard “Pretty” Purdie – Drums
Gary Coleman – Percussion
Chuck Findley – Trumpet
Bob Findley - Horn
Dick “Slyde” Hyde – Horn & trombone
Jim Horn – Sax
Plas Johnson – Sax
John Klemmer – Sax
Venetta Fields – Background vocals
Clydie King – Background vocals
Sherlie Matthews – Background vocals
Michael McDonald – Background vocals
Timothy B. Schmit – Background vocals

Babs and Clean Willie were in love they said
So in love, the preacher's face turned red
Soon everybody knew the thing was dead
He shouts, she bites, they wrangle through the night, yeah
She go crazy, got to make a getaway, Papa say

Oh-ho, no hesitation, no tears and no hearts breakin', no remorse
Oh-ho, congratulations, this is your Haitian Divorce

She takes the taxi to the good hotel
Bon marche, as far as she can tell
She drinks the zombie from the cocoa shell
She feels alright, she get it on tonight, yeah
Mister driver, take me where the music play, Papa say

Oh-ho, no hesitation, no tears and no hearts breakin', no remorse
Oh-ho, congratulations, this is your Haitian Divorce

At the Grotto in the greasy chair
Sits the Charlie with the lotion and the kinky hair
When she smiled, she said it all
The band was hot so they danced the famous Merango
Now we dolly back, now we fade to black

Tearful reunion in the USA
Day by day, those memories fade away
Some babies grow in a peculiar way
It changed, it grew, and everybody knew, yeah
Semi-mojo, who's this kinky so-and-so? Papa go

Oh-ho, no hesitation, no tears and no hearts breakin', no remorse
Ah-ha, congratulations, this is your Haitian Divorce

[patrickwalker]

In my opinion, this is the greatest album of all time. In my opinion, this is the greatest group of all time. RIP Mr. Becker & Mr. Katz. You will be back one

[SouthernRocker]

Walter Becker was a true artist. His technical ability and proficiency on the guitar, in particular, as well as other instruments, was as good as anyone I've ever heard. He knew how to use dynamics, when to hold back and when to let it rip, to make the song that much more touching and meaningful. He completely expressed himself so well through his instrument, and that emotion coupled with his expertise was something to behold. With Donald Fagen,  he found his perfect partner and co-creator, and I'm so grateful for the awesome music they provided over my formative years and beyond, that I'll always love . RIP Walter, you will be greatly missed.

[davebarr]

thanks for the info sr. i have been a dan junkie since 73 and have owned and lost all of their albums. thing is they never put out a song i did not love. some a bit more than others but they were way ahead of their time. or maybe they were right on time all along. their music seems to hold it;s value. it is it's own genre a lot of this and a lot of that. if that makes since'

[gilbertestrada]

Love the lyrics “He shouts she bites they wrangle through the night” .🎶🎵

[TheHamburgler]

That outro is so outrageous. I love it.

[stevenfimmel]

Some of the most soulful and creative guitar soloing I've heard is in this tune (and I've heard many guitar solos).
Dean Parks takes the honors here I believe, complete with his 'voice box'.

[knolletje]

Very well said, Southern Rocker! Cheers on Walter, bro!

[MrBill]

and "Haitian Divorce" still one of my favorites.

[davebarr]

would like to know who played the wah wah on this, one of my favorites along with third world man, razor boy, caves of altamira, ect ect.

[davebarr]

very tasty guitar. don't think they ever used wah wah agaon

[veramclaughlin]

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