| Steely Dan – Kid Charlemagne Lyrics | 10 years ago |
|
I have a slightly different take on this. It seems to me that this song is pretty obviously about Owsley Stanley, but on the surface only. There are plenty of drug references for those who think that's the only meaning. I believe it's actually a song about Wernher Von Braun, disguised as a song about Owsley Stanley and I'll explain why. Firstly, Charlemagne was an ancient 'King of Europe'. A more recent pretender to that throne was Hitler and his pet project was the V2 rocket program, headed by Von Braun, which was hellbent on gaining control over Europe for the third Reich. The allied and particularly the American rocket programs were many years behind Von Braun's technology. Kerosene and its derivatives were initially used as rocket fuel. Following the Nazi defeat, Von Braun was expatriated to America with a 'clean slate' (Operation Paperclip) where he became head of NASA and the Appollo space program. 'Get along, get along Kid Charlemagne.' Given Fagen's familial heritage, it seems to me that he's hiding this controversial subject matter (America's expatriation of Nazi scientists like Von Braun) behind yet another of his faded hipsters (Owsley Stanley). |
|
| Steely Dan – Kid Charlemagne Lyrics | 10 years ago |
|
I have a slightly different take on this. It seems to me that this song is pretty obviously about Owsley Stanley, but on the surface only. There are plenty of drug references for those who think that's the only meaning. I believe it's actually a song about Wernher Von Braun, disguised as a song about Owsley Stanley and I'll explain why. Firstly, Charlemagne was an ancient 'King of Europe'. A more recent pretender to that throne was Hitler and his pet project was the V2 rocket program, headed by Von Braun, which was hellbent on gaining control over Europe for the third Reich. The allied and particularly the American rocket programs were many years behind Von Braun's technology. Kerosene and its derivatives were initially used as rocket fuel. Following the Nazi defeat, Von Braun was expatriated to America with a 'clean slate' (Operation Paperclip) where he became head of NASA and the Appollo space program. 'Get along, get along Kid Charlemagne.' Given Fagen's familial heritage, it seems to me that he's hiding this controversial subject matter (America's expatriation of Nazi scientists like Von Braun) behind yet another of his faded hipsters (Owsley Stanley). |
|
| Donald Fagen – I.G.Y. (International Geophysical Year) Lyrics | 10 years ago |
| The interpretations here are great. I see Donald as a pretty sardonic fellow and I'm sure this song is not all sweetness and light as it first appears to be. The space race is central and one important line I think many commenters have missed is 'The fix is in'. I believe this is Fagen's knowing wink to, let's call them 'shenanigans in space' and on the moon. A view demonstrably held by Stanley Kubrick, Ian Fleming (Watch Diamonds are Forever 1971), Bill Clinton and other luminaries. It's well known but often forgotten that NASA was developed from the ashes of the Nazi V2 rocket program with Werner Von Braun, an ex-Nazi at the helm during the Appollo space program (see operation paperlip). Remembering Fagen's Jewish roots, What a glorious time to be free - is not pollyanna-esque doting on a fabulous future, but more likely an ironic warning against impending fascism. | |
* This information can be up to 15 minutes delayed.