| Steely Dan – Dr Wu Lyrics | 9 years ago |
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The song is about drug addiction personified by "Katy" and a drug treatment program personified by Dr Wu (a real man who ran a treatment program). Katy tried [Short for “Katy was tried”. Katy is the addictive drug (heroin? we don't know for sure) Narrator tried the drug and then:] I was halfway crucified I was on the other side Of no tomorrow [Narrator hits rock bottom from drug use] You walked in And my life began again [drug user gets help from Dr Wu who runs a treatment program] Just when I'd spent the last piaster I could borrow [Got help after he hit rock bottom, out of money] All night long We would sing that stupid song And every word we sang I knew was true [Narrator has bought into the treatment telling him self over and over (sing the song) and knows the approach is the way to go, the truth] [The chorus is the narrator questioning himself when he gets cravings. The “you” in the chorus is the narrator questioning himself, not a conversation with Dr. Wu.] Are you with me doctor wu? [Asking himself if he has the will to reject drugs] Are you really just a shadow Of the man that I once knew? Are you crazy are you high Or just an ordinary guy? Have you done all you can do? [You is the narrator questioning himself, you here is the narrator, not a conversation with someone else] Are you with me Doctor? [Dr Wu is a stand in for the treatment program. Is what Dr. Wu taught him still with the narrator?] [Back to being strung out on drugs] Don't seem right I've been strung out here all night I've been waiting for the taste You said you'd bring to me [The "you" in this passage is Katy= the drug, which makes promises but it is not delivering] Biscayne Bay Where the Cuban gentlemen sleep all day I went searching for the song You used to sing to me [This passage is about the warm feelings generated when first taking the drug like a pleasant afternoon on the beach. After addiction sets it, the pleasant feeling is not the same. In this passage, the song is the craving for drugs, not the same “stupid song” in the previous passage. That leads to, "Katy lies". Does not get the feeling Katy promised.] Katy lies You could see it in her eyes [Narrator did not find what katy’s song (=drug addiction) promised] But imagine my surprise When I saw you [Narrator is surprised to find that the treatment program provides what he is seeking. Dr Wu is the help he needs to quit drugs. He learns a new song from Dr Wu, every word of it is true.] [Back to narrator fighting the drug cravings] Are you with me Doctor Wu [Narrator asking himself if he has the will to quit.] Are you really just a shadow Of the man that I once knew [Narrator challenges himself] She is lovely yes she's sly [Narrator still has cravings and addiction is "sly"] And you're an ordinary guy Has she finally got to you? Can you hear me Doctor? [Narrator is fighting internal demons, calls upon Dr. Wu (his treatment] to ward them off. |
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| Steely Dan – Dr Wu Lyrics | 9 years ago |
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@[WritingIsMyReligion:12385] Ummm, no. Katy tried [Katy is the addictive drug (heroin? we don't know) Short for “Katy was tried”. Narrator tried the drug and then:] I was halfway crucified I was on the other side Of no tomorrow [Narrator hits rock bottom from drug use] You walked in And my life began again [drug user gets help from Dr Wu who runs a treatment program] Just when I'd spent the last piaster I could borrow [Got help after he hit rock bottom, out of money] All night long We would sing that stupid song And every word we sang I knew was true [Narrator has bought into the treatment and knows the approach is the way to go, the truth] [The chorus is the narrator questioning himself when he gets cravings. The “you” in the chorus is the narrator questioning himself, not a conversation with Dr. Wu.] Are you with me doctor wu? [Asking himself if he has the will to reject drugs] Are you really just a shadow Of the man that I once knew? Are you crazy are you high Or just an ordinary guy? Have you done all you can do? [You is the narrator questioning himself, you here is the narrator, not a conversation with someone else] Are you with me Doctor? [Dr Wu is a stand in for the treatment program. Is what Dr. Wu taught him still with the narrator] [Back to being strung out on drugs] Don't seem right I've been strung out here all night I've been waiting for the taste You said you'd bring to me [The "you" in this passage is Katy= the drug, which makes promises but it is not delivering] Biscayne Bay Where the Cuban gentlemen sleep all day I went searching for the song You used to sing to me [This passage is about the warm feelings generated when first taking the drug like a pleasant afternoon on the beach. After addiction sets it, the pleasant feeling is not the same. In this passage, the song is the craving for drugs, not the same “stupid song” in the previous passage. That leads to, "Katy lies". Does not get the feeling Katy promised.] Katy lies You could see it in her eyes [Narrator did not find what katy’s song (=drug addiction) promised] But imagine my surprise When I saw you [Narrator is surprised to find that the treatment program provides what he is seeking. Dr Wu is the help he needs to quit drugs. He learns a new song from Dr Wu, every word of it is true.] [Back to narrator fighting the drug cravings] Are you with me Doctor Wu [Narrator asking himself if he has the will to quit.] Are you really just a shadow Of the man that I once knew [Narrator challenges himself] She is lovely yes she's sly [Narrator still has cravings and addiction is "sly"] And you're an ordinary guy Has she finally got to you Can you hear me Doctor [Narrator is fighting internal demons, calls upon Dr. Wu (his treatment] to ward them off. |
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