In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
Some turnout, a hundred grand
Get with it we'll shake his hand
Don't bother to understand
Don't question the little man
Be part of the brotherhood
Yes it's chain lightning
It feels so good
Hush brother, we cross the square
Act natural like you don't care
Turn slowly and comb your hair
Don't trouble the midnight air
We're standing just where he stood
It was chain lightning
It feels so good
Get with it we'll shake his hand
Don't bother to understand
Don't question the little man
Be part of the brotherhood
Yes it's chain lightning
It feels so good
Hush brother, we cross the square
Act natural like you don't care
Turn slowly and comb your hair
Don't trouble the midnight air
We're standing just where he stood
It was chain lightning
It feels so good
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Wow... between the daisy chain rape allusion and Hitler references, y'all some dark mtherfckers, lol.
I always thought it was a description of Fagen, Becker and their musicians passing a marijuana joint amongst each other in deep satisfaction after a massive, 100,000+ turnout live show, and that chain lightning was a visual meditation on what the haze of smoke in the room looked like.
"We're standing just where he stood", to me, was always a reference to someplace Charlie Parker or one of their heroes who influenced them, once stood. Whereas Fagen and Becker, writing the tune, had once been in the audience worshiping and in awe of older jazz and rock gods, now THEY are the rock gods being worshiped and viewed with awe by hundreds of thousands.
Becker, to Fagen: "Man. Awesome, can you believe it? And now it's us!" Fagen, to Becker: "Right on. (Grin) Pass the dutchie."
Just kind of a smug, leaned-back "ain't life awesome?" realizing that they are now living the dream, enjoying the life of rock gods.
If you're looking for Steely Dan Nazi references, listen no further than "Western World": THAT is where they are.
@heatherfer you’re forgetting that. Fagan and Becker were sick fucks too. Fagan was born to Jewish parents so I doubt there is any glorification. Just using the ills of the real world as song motivation, and even to remind people there we still plenty of those people left. This was only 3 years after the Munich olympics