The wind was driving in my face
The smell of prickly pear
[My rival - show me my rival]
The milk truck eased into my space
Somebody screamed somewhere
I struck a match against the door
Of Anthony's Bar and Grill
I was the whining stranger
A fool in love
With time to kill

I've got detectives on his case
They filmed the whole charade
[My rival - show me my rival]
He's got a scar across his face
He wears a hearing aid

Sure he's a jolly roger
Until he answers for his crime
Yes I'll match him whim for whim now

I still recall when I first held
Your tiny hand in mine
[My rival, show me my rival]
I loved you more than I can tell
But now it's stomping time

Sure he's a jolly roger
Until he answers for his crime
Yes I'll match him whim for whim now


Lyrics submitted by AVB100

My Rival Lyrics as written by Walter Carl Becker Donald Fagen

Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing

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My Rival song meanings
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  • -1
    General Comment

    I tend to agree with the one who called the possible Jewish fiance connection (stompin' time). But I think it could be that the father, the milk truck driver, is also Jewish and he's just resigned to the fact. It's the guy's daughter, getting married now and her dad doesn't care for it (or maybe him). I've been in the same position, nobody seems good enough for my daughter. But I think the detective angle is pure hyperbole. He's just telling his daughter that he's been watching her grow up, and it seems more a joke between the two of them. He's telling the story from the POV of a dad who's worked all his adult life to raise his girl. And I think the "noir" touch is just to give the song color, as is the prickly pear smell, letting us know that it's southern California, and he, being from New Jersey, notices all the differences. There's more, but this is the stuff that sticks for me

    saturnx311on August 08, 2016   Link

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