| Steely Dan – Dont Take Me Alive Lyrics | 16 years ago |
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Agents of the law Luckless pedestrian I know you're out there With rage in your eyes and your megaphones Saying all is forgiven Mad Dog surrender How can I answer A man of my mind can do anything This is a man (the so called Mad Dog) who has done something wrong. I don't think the song reveals the nature of the crime, but instead tries to share the psychological experience of the perpatrator. He is holed up with the law trying to talk him out of his barricade. He knows that although they say all is forgiven, they want to bring him to justice. But, he believes that he can think his way out of the situation. I am Not sure if the luckless pedestrian represents a victim or someone lucklessly caught up in the situation. CHORUS: I'm a bookkeeper's son I don't want to shoot no one Well I crossed my old man back in Oregon Don't take me alive Got a case of dynamite I could hold out here all night Yes I crossed my old man back in Oregon Don't take me alive The question here is, who is the old man? His father or the law perhaps? I'm leaning toward it representing the law because that ties the whole story together as a violation of the law. He has made up his mind that he will not surrender and has enough resources to make his stand. He regretfully reflects on his ordinary life and pleads that he does not really want to hurt anyone. However, he has made up his mind that this will be his last stand and he won't be taken alive. (chorus) Can you hear the evil crowd The lies and the laughter I hear my inside The mechanized hum of another world Where no sun is shining No red light flashing Here in this darkness I know what I've done I know all at once who I am A crowd has gathered and he knows they are enjoying his precarious situation. The mob is merciless and assuming about his guilt. The hopelessness of his situation is sinking in and he's losing his grip on sanity as his state of mind is changing to solitude. The mechanized hum of another world represents the mormal lives of others and society which he is no longer a part of. He is outside of society now, and his world is growing dark. However, in spite of his lonliness and his crime, he is finally in touch with his true self. It is the irony of the story that the evil deed is the thing that brings him to self realization. What a killer tune. (intended). I wonder if it was written about a real person / criminal from Oregon that ended up in this situation. Or maybe some other person that crossed the law in this fashion. In summary, the lyrics are the thoughts of a fugitive and they reveal something sinister about self realization when the end is emminent. Steely Dan created some really great and timeless music. I will listen to them for the rest of my life. |
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