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Hey Nineteen Lyrics
Way back when
In Sixty-seven
I was the dandy
Of Gamma Chi
Sweet things from Boston
So young and willing
Moved down to Scarsdale
Where the hell am I
Hey Nineteen
No we can't dance together
No we can't talk at all
Please take me along
When you slide on down
Hey Nineteen
That's 'Retha Franklin
She don't remember
The Queen of Soul
It's hard times befallen
The sole survivors
She thinks I'm crazy
But I'm just growing old
Hey Nineteen
No we got nothing in common
No we can't talk at all
Please take me along
When you slide on down
The Cuervo Gold
The fine Colombian
Make tonight a wonderful thing
No we can't dance together
No we can't talk at all
The 'Colombian' they refer to in the song was actually about marijuana, not cocaine, as popularly believed. Back in the 60's/70's most cocaine still came from Peru, while a whole hell of a lot of marijuana came from Colombia. It wasn't until the mid 80's that Colombia became known for it's cocaine, at least in the United States.
I think the song's about me and my pathetic midlife.
@kyhangdog Nice mm mm mm
@kyhangdog Nice mm mm mm
No, your life isn't pathetic. It's the people who reach midlife - and don't realize it - who are pathetic!
No, your life isn't pathetic. It's the people who reach midlife - and don't realize it - who are pathetic!
“Skate a little lower now” is the key line. The song is the internal monologue of the protagonist. Out and about, he’s watching “nineteen,” a lovely stranger, and coming to the realization of some hard truths. All men 30 plus began to have these moments.
@panzer4963\r\n\r\nJust heard this song the other day, and took note of how Aretha Franklin\'s career came back after this song was released, such that even a lot of younger people today know who she was - the irony of that made me want to see if anyone else thought the same, which is why I\'m here.\r\n\r\nIn the process of satisfying that bit of curiosity, I have been amused by a lot of the commentary regarding word/phrase choice in the lyrics. And in yet another twist of irony, most of those words being debated here, are of the era; someone who...
@panzer4963\r\n\r\nJust heard this song the other day, and took note of how Aretha Franklin\'s career came back after this song was released, such that even a lot of younger people today know who she was - the irony of that made me want to see if anyone else thought the same, which is why I\'m here.\r\n\r\nIn the process of satisfying that bit of curiosity, I have been amused by a lot of the commentary regarding word/phrase choice in the lyrics. And in yet another twist of irony, most of those words being debated here, are of the era; someone who lived through the time will know what they mean, but the younger commenters - the \'19s\' - won\'t get the reference, just like in the song itself.\r\n\r\nKeep in mind that Steely Dan delves into double entendre a LOT in their lyrics, so even when the song came out, people debated what some of the words/phrases meant, because they can be taken multiple ways. Purely intentional, they do it all the time in their lyrics.\r\n\r\nAll of that said, this song is very simple - I will borrow this description from some guy named Ronald Kinchion, who posted this on YouTube: "its a trip when you get a little older and go to a club, young ladies will politely let you know how old you really are, you have kids their age, but they still talk to you, and make you feel real old, steely dan captured all that awkwardness in this jam, great song, makes you want to go out and have a midlife crisis."\r\n\r\nThat\'s it really - not a \'creepy old man\' as so many want it to be. Just, as you said, the moment many guys might feel at some age, when it suddenly feels odd to be in a bar surrounded by distinctly younger people, of whom you are no longer a part.\r\n\r\nThat said, it isn\'t even clear to me if the older dude is hitting on the younger girl, or if she slid on down the bar to start the conversation with him ("slide on down" is another double entendre, of course, but the primary meaning is simply to move down the bar to sit next to someone... do people not say that anymore?). I\'m pushing 60 now, but well into my 40s, I had \'19s\' slide on the down the bar to test the water... and yeah, sometimes I would bite, but "Ain\'t nothin\' wrong with that" (which of course, ages me too - Robert Randolph is my \'Retha Franklin).\r\n\r\nA few other things, because I\'m old and remember...\r\n\r\nFine Colombian is 100% weed, NOT coke - specifically Colombian Gold. There was no ambiguity of meaning intended here, as EVERYONE of the era knew what \'fine Colombian\' was - no one here is debating what Cuervo means, and this is in the same category.\r\n\r\nGamma Chi is not a frat, it is a sorority reference (specifically, sorority recruiters), hence the next line of the song.\r\n\r\nSole survivor has double meaning, referencing the R&B band of his \'dandy\' era, when Franklin reigned as Queen of Soul.\r\n\r\nSkate a little lower is double entendre again: \'skate\' was popular slang of the time, which could mean many things, but broadly meant \'get.\' In this context, it is metaphorical - this is in a bar, not a skating rink - but basically means he is open to getting it on with the younger woman, and getting increasingly turned on by her. Call it creepy if you will, I will call it human physiology at work.\r\n\r\nIn the end, it\'s all just about "growing old."\r\n\r\nI read some tripe elsewhere from some joker trying to argue the song is all about wealthy white privilege - subconsciously no less. What a bunch of laughable crap!\r\n\r\nYes, Steely Dan intentionally uses ambiguous language, in many of their songs, but this one is not murky.\r\n\r\nit is simply about the awkwardness of realizing that we all grow old, and perhaps consensually enjoying a youthful moment or two while still on the edge of that divide: no longer in the light of youth, nor darkness of senescence, but in the penumbral shadows of fading twilight.\r\n\r\nPeople try to make more of it than is there, but there is enough. Maybe you have to have experienced this process of aging, to see this for what it is - it\'s not creepy, it\'s more just wistfully sad.
I’ve always thought that the “fine Colombian” referred to marijuana, not cocaine. This is back in the days before domestic pot and before “Sinsemilia” or “Green bud” was invented (discovered?). The best pot came out of Colombia (Colombian Gold), and the best cocaine came out of Peru (Peruvian flake) : )
I also think “Gamma Ki” is a college fraternity, which would put his age at early to mid 20’s. “Nineteen” would be a college freshman ..not illegal, just embarrassing : )
Peace/JB
I am as confident as I can be that you are correct. I am old enough to remember partying in the 70's and "Colombian" would have most likely referred to pot, not coke, at the time. Plus, in the context of the song, he's trying to get mellow and forget his problems, to which people usually turn to drugs like alcohol and pot, not coke. If it were a song about getting amped-up, a reference to coke might be in order, but pot fits the theme of the song.
I am as confident as I can be that you are correct. I am old enough to remember partying in the 70's and "Colombian" would have most likely referred to pot, not coke, at the time. Plus, in the context of the song, he's trying to get mellow and forget his problems, to which people usually turn to drugs like alcohol and pot, not coke. If it were a song about getting amped-up, a reference to coke might be in order, but pot fits the theme of the song.
@jbecan Where'd you learn that Cheech? Drug school?
@jbecan Where'd you learn that Cheech? Drug school?
@ZacaroniNcheese
@ZacaroniNcheese
That's where I learned it, Zac. Your mom taught classes between tricks.
That's where I learned it, Zac. Your mom taught classes between tricks.
@jbecan agree that it's mj, not coke. But, re: Gamma Chi, the song writer is describing the distant past in that verse, "Way back when..." The "now" of the song is presumably when it was written, late 70's, so the guy is more likely in his 30's. I think that's the premise for the whole song: older guy noticing (at least) MUCH younger girl.
@jbecan agree that it's mj, not coke. But, re: Gamma Chi, the song writer is describing the distant past in that verse, "Way back when..." The "now" of the song is presumably when it was written, late 70's, so the guy is more likely in his 30's. I think that's the premise for the whole song: older guy noticing (at least) MUCH younger girl.
First I'd like to say that I can't believe they play this at Walgreens drug stores. I know I'm going out on a limb, this song is about a guy dating a MUCH younger girl. He says she doesn't know any of the stuff he knows from his growing up. They have nothing in common and with that the only thing they can really do is drink hard liquor, do cocaine, and ...what comes after tequila and coke? Great song, slightly disturbing subject.
Played daily at your neighborhood Walgreens.
You're lucky -- my Walgreen's plays instrumental elevator music. I think this song is hilarious and I would sing along loudly if it came on when I was in a store.
You're lucky -- my Walgreen's plays instrumental elevator music. I think this song is hilarious and I would sing along loudly if it came on when I was in a store.
@Brokenflow I worked for Toys R Us in the early 90's. Not only did they play this song, they played T Tubuler Bells, which is the Exorcist theme song.
@Brokenflow I worked for Toys R Us in the early 90's. Not only did they play this song, they played T Tubuler Bells, which is the Exorcist theme song.
@Brokenflow I worked for Toys R Us in the early 90's. Not only did they play this song, they played T Tubuler Bells, which is the Exorcist theme song.
@Brokenflow I worked for Toys R Us in the early 90's. Not only did they play this song, they played T Tubuler Bells, which is the Exorcist theme song.
@Brokenflow I worked for Toys R Us in the early 90's. Not only did they play this song, they played T Tubuler Bells, which is the Exorcist theme song.
@Brokenflow I worked for Toys R Us in the early 90's. Not only did they play this song, they played T Tubuler Bells, which is the Exorcist theme song.
@Brokenflow I worked for Toys R Us in the early 90's. Not only did they play this song, they played T Tubuler Bells, which is the Exorcist theme song.
@Brokenflow I worked for Toys R Us in the early 90's. Not only did they play this song, they played T Tubuler Bells, which is the Exorcist theme song.
@Brokenflow IMO,Cuervo Gold is tequila and the fine Columbian is pot. It's about a guy who's being seduced by a much younger girl. Since he was the dandy of Gamma Chi back in 1967 he's a little over forty I'd guess due to when this album was released. She roller skates and he likes it when she gets low on her skates, possibly by spreading her legs wide. As much as she turns him on he has to deny her advances.
@Brokenflow IMO,Cuervo Gold is tequila and the fine Columbian is pot. It's about a guy who's being seduced by a much younger girl. Since he was the dandy of Gamma Chi back in 1967 he's a little over forty I'd guess due to when this album was released. She roller skates and he likes it when she gets low on her skates, possibly by spreading her legs wide. As much as she turns him on he has to deny her advances.
@Brokenflow Slightly disturbing? Maybe although 19 is legal of course. Thankfully the song is not "Hey 13" ???? And anyway what seems creepy now was less of an issue in 1980 it seems but still weird enough for the guy to self reflect on it. Doesnt stop him though...
@Brokenflow Slightly disturbing? Maybe although 19 is legal of course. Thankfully the song is not "Hey 13" ???? And anyway what seems creepy now was less of an issue in 1980 it seems but still weird enough for the guy to self reflect on it. Doesnt stop him though...
Actually, I thought this is the LEAST cryptic S.D. song.
Actually, I thought this is the LEAST cryptic S.D. song.
@Brokenflow
@Brokenflow
Compared to many of the songs from this era, I’d say this is pretty mild. The song was originally recorded in 1978, just 11 years after “way back in ‘67”, which he was likely in his early 20’s., if this is a true story That would imply he’s in his early 30’s at the time, and her being 19, is not unrealistic. Still, there’s a good separation in age, and he realizes it, hence the words “no, we can’t dance together, no, we can’t talk at all”. In sayin “ please take me along when you slide on down”,...
Compared to many of the songs from this era, I’d say this is pretty mild. The song was originally recorded in 1978, just 11 years after “way back in ‘67”, which he was likely in his early 20’s., if this is a true story That would imply he’s in his early 30’s at the time, and her being 19, is not unrealistic. Still, there’s a good separation in age, and he realizes it, hence the words “no, we can’t dance together, no, we can’t talk at all”. In sayin “ please take me along when you slide on down”, is him saying, when you get a little older, perhaps more mature, and we have more in common. It’s a very well composed and catchy song, obviously a hit, and probably why they play it at Walgreens. Just my thoughts.
I feel studpid I had to look this up now that i read the lyrics with the song.
He's older and sees a pretty, young, girl. They cannot relate. She doesn't get the old music like him, he dances differently then the kids are dancing now. They can't talk, they cannot dance. Slide on down I see as slide on down the bar to him. Skate a little lower towards his end of the bar. He knows they don't have anything in common, but what a night it would be if they got drunk and blown and he had a night with her that would take him back to his past a little.
Definitley not about an older woman he tapped.
Aretha Franklin and the Soul Survivors were big hits in 1967. It's just a song about the generation gap.
Columbian is not cocaine it is pot. Back in the day it was known as "Lumbo" and was the "good stuff" as opposed to Mexican. Every once in a while Thai Stick would show up, and that stuff was good. Home grown was still off in the future and not widely available.
"Dandy of Gamma Chi". The greek letters for Gamma Chi resemble "rx", which of course is the symbol for "prescription" or "pharmacy". Always wondered if he was saying he was the "dandy of drugs" or that he was that guy who always had good stuff on hand.
Created an account just to reply to this. If it wasn't intentional it's still brilliant. Well done.
Created an account just to reply to this. If it wasn't intentional it's still brilliant. Well done.
Dandy: A man unduly devoted to style, neatness and fashion in dress and appearance. He may have been that way when he was in a fraternity, I don't know. But I think it's referring to drugs. Maybe being the "dandy of drugs" would mean that, in the way a sharp dresser thinks his appearance will help him with the ladies, he uses the drugs to help him make time.
Dandy: A man unduly devoted to style, neatness and fashion in dress and appearance. He may have been that way when he was in a fraternity, I don't know. But I think it's referring to drugs. Maybe being the "dandy of drugs" would mean that, in the way a sharp dresser thinks his appearance will help him with the ladies, he uses the drugs to help him make time.
@bigdc67 I'm sorry but no. For one thing, Gamma looks nothing like "R," but for another thing, Gamma Chi are the alpha-female sorority girls who help other (lower) sorority girls through their orientation into Greek life. Being the Dandy of Gamma Chi would then mean that he features himself the pimp king, lording it over the hottest of the hot girls on campus, the Gamma Chi's. Look it up on the urban dictionary if you don't believe me.
@bigdc67 I'm sorry but no. For one thing, Gamma looks nothing like "R," but for another thing, Gamma Chi are the alpha-female sorority girls who help other (lower) sorority girls through their orientation into Greek life. Being the Dandy of Gamma Chi would then mean that he features himself the pimp king, lording it over the hottest of the hot girls on campus, the Gamma Chi's. Look it up on the urban dictionary if you don't believe me.
@bigdc67 Gamma Chi absolutely does look like "rx". Of course the actual symbol for prescription uses a capital "R", so there is that discrepancy but it's still there, the sort of sneaky double-entendre that's Donald Fagen's stock in trade. I agree that for storyline purposes, he's looking back on his days as the big man on campus, but I like the "rx" angle to it.
@bigdc67 Gamma Chi absolutely does look like "rx". Of course the actual symbol for prescription uses a capital "R", so there is that discrepancy but it's still there, the sort of sneaky double-entendre that's Donald Fagen's stock in trade. I agree that for storyline purposes, he's looking back on his days as the big man on campus, but I like the "rx" angle to it.
@bigdc67 interesting thought!
@bigdc67 interesting thought!
Unless they know what the song means.