15CentsMedia is a video and film production company created by Christian Nichols in 2014 for his show he made for his high school morning announcements. Since then he and the few that associate themselves with 15CentsMedia have been making movies and shorts and other skits, bits, stuff, n' things since 2014. Please, do feel free to check some of them out on this webzone. Based in Middle Tennessee.
First time hearing it was at the end of the decade, in boot camp for the Air Force, on a quiet Sunday when someone's radio was playin, and I hear this song with all these chords jumping all over the place; sounding like IGY on steroids! When it gets tot he chorus, I recognize it as one of those strange titles I had seen on the albums. Yesh, this is perennially them, and like the culmination of where they had gone with Aja
I’ve loved and followed SD since the 70’s, many of my friends just didn’t “get them” and unfortunately still don’t. The complaint was usually they couldn’t classify what kind of music it was; Was it Rock n Roll, or Smooth Jazz, or just what was it? I think that’s the beauty of their music, it’s just really complex, yet masterful arrangements. The sounds Fagen and Becker put together are beautiful technical music that still wow me today when I listen to their music from 50 years ago! I’m sad that I will never again see Walter and Don on the same stage, but so glad they got to do what they loved. They’re a one of a kind band and at least in my opinion, their music will live forever.
Hey I really enjoyed this as well as your other video on Babylon Sisters. I’m interested to know if you came to this interpretation on your own or through some Dan centric reading/investigation? I ask that because in the early days of the internet, maybe 2002ish, I remember posting on one of the Steely Dan forums where people were discussing this very song. Most people came to the conclusion that it was about a man hiring a private investigator to track his wife because he suspects she’s cheating on him. I chimed into the conversation with my interpretation that the narrator was jealous of his new son who was taking his wife’s time away from him. Now I’m not the first person to think of this interpretation of course but I do believe I was the first to comment in that discussion with this thought. I remember specifically pointing out that the term “milk truck” in this context was a sly metaphor for his wife’s breast. Her breasts were a good symbol of something that previously “belonged” to him but is now of course being used for its intended purpose of feeding the baby. As with any Dan song, we could be totally off base and we’ll probably never know specifically what they wrote it about or if they left it somewhat vague on purpose so the listener could make up what they wanted (we know for a fact that they would do that sometimes so it’s not a stretch to assume that at all). Anyway, I clicked on this video all excited to comment, thinking I was gonna blow your mind with my interpretation of the “new baby” angle and then much to my surprise, you came to the same conclusion so that’s very cool. I wish I could remember what forum I posted to all those years ago. I would assume it was “the bluebook” which is still up and running today and where most hardcore Dan fans chat but it was almost 25 years ago and I really have no idea, I’m not even certain that the bluebook was up and running back then but I’m pretty sure it was. What can we expect for your next Dan related video? I would go out on a limb and assume it’s either “Everyone’s Gone to the Movies” or “Cousin Dupree” based on you saying their songs get even darker than this one, which they certainly do. I look forward to the next installment.
I think Gaucho is the perfect “send off” album for the Dan. With bleak to start and bleak to end, the feelings of your body shutting down are merely the inbetween, the endorphins being released in the old, burnt out loser trying to pick up barely legal chicks and scowling at his work friend for his choices. Third World Man was the masterfully tailored end of a lifetime.
This commentary is exceptionally insightful. By 1980 Steely Dan had indeed come to the end of the line in LA and they pretty much skewered the place in this song as their farewell. Many listeners don't fully grasp the subtlety of their message, but their musicianship and production standards come through with the usual Steely Dan brilliance. A real masterpiece.
Babylon Sisters has way more chords than Black Cow . Great review but you got that bit wrong, Babylon Sisters has more chord changes than just about any other Steely Dan song!
Dear Christian: There are many things in your critique of the music on the video that I never knew. Thank you. I'm a 69 year old smooth jazz/funk/worship/gospel and Steely Dan fan and really enjoy much of their music and songs. The music, all the parts and different instruments and improvisation along with the funky lyrics is sheer brilliance. If someone asks me if I like rock, I tell them that I like and listen to Steely Dan who has used some of the most talented men and women on their albums. Great stuff. I don't like the song with "drink scotch whiskey and die behind the wheel!" Thats not good. Its sad. no one needs to hear that.
One of my favorite songs by one of my favorite bands. Thanks for the backstory. It was really interesting. And will make all future listening that much more fun
To me Steely Dans albums are very much like stages of the Beatles. Pretzel logic (rubber soul), Royal scam (revolver), Aja (sgt Peppers ), Gaucho (white album or Abbey road)
What a trip bands of talents collected by Becker n Fagen over centuries of time have made the sound so damn good with selection of worlds talent musicians,u just can’t get it all in one session you’ll have ta fumble through yrs to really get the piece your hung on then they’ll put up something better to attach to ,then it’s gone or at least half , Please RIP Walter you’ll have an after life forever through tones of gray sound to bright skyline tunes
nobody puts roots down in LA & Babylon Sisters shows the doubt of living in such a transitory area.the best part of the song is driving west to the Santa Monica pier...
What is your favorite Steely Dan song, not easy. Better to go with best on each album, yet mine won't be yours. It's why the Dan is so great, it's personal. If I was only given one choice it would have to be Babylon Sisters. A playlist of obscure gems is a listening joy, so here are my 'best of' picks before Gaucho: 'Only a Fool Would Say That', 'Razor Boy', "Any Major Dude Would Tell You', 'Your Gold Teeth II', 'The Caves of Altamira', and finally 'Home at Last'.
That was because of Roger Nichols, and Ben Schnee. Aja is the finest engineered album ever created on vinyl. It is as close to sound perfection as you can get.
