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Everyone's Gone to the Movies Lyrics

Kids if you want some fun
Mr. LaPage is your man
He's always laughing, having fun
Showing his films in the den
Come on, come on
Soon you will be eighteen
I think you know what I mean
Don't tell your mama
Your daddy or mama
They'll never know where you been
CHORUS:
Everyone's gone to the movies
Now we're alone at last

Listen to what I say
He wants to show you the way
Right down the hallway with open arms
To teach you a new game to play
Come on, come on
Soon it will be too late
Bobbing for apples can wait
We know you're used to sixteen or more
Sorry we only have eight
Song Info
Submitted by
qseep On Jan 28, 2005
33 Meanings

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Cover art for Everyone's Gone to the Movies lyrics by Steely Dan

Nope it's "cheaters" - got it from lyrics posted at the Steely Dan official site - http://www.steelydan.com/lyrkaty.html

Fagen and Becker once said in an interview that its about sniffing glue... but then again we know how cagey the guys can be with interviewers.

Cover art for Everyone's Gone to the Movies lyrics by Steely Dan

To me, this is one of the creepiest songs ever written. Not just for the subject matter, which is obviously a mass child molester doing his business, but for the pairing of this with seemingly light-hearted music. I'm always fascinated by songs that do that: mix lyrics with a music style that does not seem to match.

Then you will like Steely Dan.

@Nightvoice glad I'm not the only one who found this an odd pairing of lyrics & musical style

Cover art for Everyone's Gone to the Movies lyrics by Steely Dan

It's about a dirty old man that would have kids over to watch dirty movies, so he could show them how to masturbate and/or have sex. 16/8 is a reference to the size of the film. At time 16mm film was new and big, and the theaters played 16mm films. But most home movies (and underground porn/snuff/kiddieporn) were on 8mm.

Also, that last verse says "Take off your chinos and set right down". Chinos are pants.

@rainwalk I know Donald Fagen's New Jersey accent can be difficult to decipher, but he says "cheaters" not chinos. Cheaters are eyeglasses or sunglasses.

@rainwalk it doesn’t mean pants it means glasses. My Dad is not a dirty old mad. It was about when my mom and Dad were dating...she was about to turn 18. They have been married for 17 years and have 6 children. Get facts right. Go straight to someone who knows the facts.

Cover art for Everyone's Gone to the Movies lyrics by Steely Dan

It's definitely 'cheaters', not 'chinos'. Which is short for windcheaters, ie your jumper or jacket or top.

@Dask Jeez. I wondered how long before somebody got it. Windcheaters - usually zip-up jackets often worn by teenagers in the 50s/60s/70s.

Cover art for Everyone's Gone to the Movies lyrics by Steely Dan

Oh, and the refrain is from the point of view of the parents, who are under the impression that the kids have gone over the their friends to 'watch movies'.... but little do they know.... they're glad they finally have a chance to be alone.

Cover art for Everyone's Gone to the Movies lyrics by Steely Dan

Regardless of meaning, when I listen to the original demo from 71 and then this one, it’s clear they tried to make the music seem more innocent so that the lyrics could be come more open to broad interpretation. The hysterical thing is the album version chorus sounds strikingly like the Partridge Family…which was popular at that time. So it wouldn’t suprise me if they made it sound like them to make the whole thing somewhat of a parody and harder to ridicule as a song such a seedy meaning

Cover art for Everyone's Gone to the Movies lyrics by Steely Dan

Now this song is about a pervert! God love the sickies!

Cover art for Everyone's Gone to the Movies lyrics by Steely Dan

Yes, this song does give off a lot of pervy vibes. God bless Becker and Fagen!

Cover art for Everyone's Gone to the Movies lyrics by Steely Dan

Wait, the last verse is missing from the lyrics posted:

"Kids if you want some fun See what you never have seen Take off your cheaters and sit right down Start the projection machine CHORUS"

@snarkout21 it was the band, my dad, and my mom. Since she wasn’t 18 yet, she was the only so called child there. My dad told her she shouldn’t see them, yet she was a bit of a smarty pants.

Cover art for Everyone's Gone to the Movies lyrics by Steely Dan

Sounds to me like it's about child molestation.

 
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