@[ManOfChild:22734] Considering neither Becker (RIP) nor Fagen had a child at this time (and so far Fagen still hasn't) this and similar explanations are fanciful in the extreme.
But then I don't get this compulsion to 'know the meaning of songs'. I tend to enjoy lyrics for many reasons, not least that very elusive quality. Seems I'm not that desperate.
@[sheisler51:21956] You're completely wrong about that. The song is very simple (most of Fagen's are simpler than Becker's) and it is the girlfriend first of all reciting all the success stories of their old friends before telling him that 'back in the Eighties' he was going to be the next big thing. I can't imagine that boosted his confidence much.
I'm surprised that so many people here want a watertight 'explanation' - yeah, that's what it's all about, man. This is a case in point: one contributor alludes to Teddy Kennedy and Chappaquidick (Sheena's party), but as far as I'm concerned pop/rock/folk/whatever songs are invariably impressionistic, especially as the lyric writers might often use a line because it fits rhythmically and simply sounds good as much as anything else.
I think everyone who thinks this is a song about a vet with post-traumatic stress disorder is right on the button. In fact, I compile a short video which you can find here along those lines. The line is Italian and was added because I think it sounded good. As for the shift in perspective, well, not every song, or even many of them have to hang together perfectly. After all it's just a song.
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