Nice catch! I also like how they frequently label "times" -- "closing time," "stomping time," etc. I think this might especially be a Fagen thing since it's ALL over "Kamakiriad" -- "lantern time," "nervous time," etc.
Yes lyricists have recurring themes they are trying to get “out”, but really great artists of any bent. Like look at the Coen brothers directors (best in my book, I’ve considered the Coen’s as the Becker and Fagen of the movies). It’s often some “loser” in over their head, because “fate”. Circles and things coming around, is also always a theme.
That’s just the closest example to me, but there are countless other artists that have persistent themes. The majority I’d guess.
Love it!
Maybe this one fits, too, from "The Caves of Altamira":
Nothing here but history, can you see what has been done?
Memory rush over me! Now I step into the sun.
Great lyricists seem to have stuff like that in common. Robert Smith from The Cure frequently mentions Christmas, and dread of aging. I believe it’s called a motif. Fascinating.
Definitely a recurring theme.
Also Black Friday: “When Black Friday comes, I’ll stand down by the door”
Gaucho: “Why is he standing in your spangled leather poncho?”
Not technically standing but same vibe, third world man: “He’s been mobilized since dawn, now he’s crouching on the lawn”
Nice catch! I also like how they frequently label "times" -- "closing time," "stomping time," etc. I think this might especially be a Fagen thing since it's ALL over "Kamakiriad" -- "lantern time," "nervous time," etc.
At nervous time, we rolllllll downnnnn town
Shredding time (Tomorrow's Girls), Monkey time (Planet D'Rhonda)
Stopping time.
Great point. I actually think the lyric from King of the World is “used to grow.”
Yup
I believe that would be Walter and Donald who write lyrics.
They use the word “friend” a lot.
It's an important word and concept in a world where the cynic is too often right.
Yes lyricists have recurring themes they are trying to get “out”, but really great artists of any bent. Like look at the Coen brothers directors (best in my book, I’ve considered the Coen’s as the Becker and Fagen of the movies). It’s often some “loser” in over their head, because “fate”. Circles and things coming around, is also always a theme. That’s just the closest example to me, but there are countless other artists that have persistent themes. The majority I’d guess.
Yeah I love those themes, it invites for a lot of fascination for their stories. But now I'm talking more about smaller phrases they repeat, or reuse
Love it! Maybe this one fits, too, from "The Caves of Altamira": Nothing here but history, can you see what has been done? Memory rush over me! Now I step into the sun.
Great lyricists seem to have stuff like that in common. Robert Smith from The Cure frequently mentions Christmas, and dread of aging. I believe it’s called a motif. Fascinating.
i think it's "used to grow" (as in the marigolds)
Definitely a recurring theme. Also Black Friday: “When Black Friday comes, I’ll stand down by the door” Gaucho: “Why is he standing in your spangled leather poncho?” Not technically standing but same vibe, third world man: “He’s been mobilized since dawn, now he’s crouching on the lawn”
Only a fool would say that: imagine your face, there in his space, standing inside his brown shoes
Not overt, but I always visualize the whining stranger as standing when he struck a match against the wall of Anthony's Bar and Grill.
Almost all of SDs lyrics are penned by Walter Becker