Jack of Speed

The "Jack of Speed" is an addict under the influence of speed, meth, crystal, etc. Very popular these days, and the downfall of many a good man and woman. Unlike many other drugs which are anti-social right from the beginning, speed seems to fool people into thinking they are productive, initially. Then, one day they're at a party, and spewing political hogwash (speed addicts often come across as arrogant, pompous blow-hards), or intimidating their loved-ones, or simply skating backwards at the speed of light socially, losing friends, property and time in the process. The shreik express represents the swift and unwavering progression of one's demise when under the drug's spell, as fast and predicatable as a speeding locomotive, and with his "new best friend at the throttle", Jack won't be the one deciding when the ride is over .

The last verse is a warning to the loved ones to save yourselves, before it's too late. The attraction as well as the sure destruction of the drugs are so strong and bewitching, that anyone wishing to make it had better just plug their ears and run, as fast as you can, in the other direction.

"Teddy's rolling now most every night" - this is just straight up, no metaphors or anything. rolling is slang for on MDMA or uppers.

"Skating backward at the speed of light" - I would guess this is talking about devolving socially as a result of a drug habit.

"He's changed - in a thousand little ways He's changed - yes indeed You know he's movin' on metal, yes he's Hanging tight with the Jack of Speed" The addiction has changed him subtly, and hugely. Moving on metal just kinda reminds me of someone who's wired. Jack of Speed = drug

"one way rider" theres no coming back "new best friend is at the throttle more or less" the drugs has control

"don't stop, he'll be calling out your name but dont stop" -he will try to convince or reason with you but you can't trust a word of it.

"Moving on metal" may refer to the metal of railroad rails.

"Shriek express" to me refers to quickly becoming a laughingstock.

"Trading fours" refers to music, mainly jazz. The "fours" refers to common time, i.e. 4/4 (four quarter notes per measure). When two soloists trade fours, they alternate soloing for a measure (playing off each other so to speak). But metaphorically, "trading fours" refers to two people arguing pointlessly. So they're saying it's pointless to try to argue with a speed addict.

thedurable1 is right

"Trading fours" is a music slang for when two soloists battle on stage, taking turns playing short, improvised, four measure solos each, attempting to get one up on the other performer every time. It's a frenetic, competitive point in the concert. Conversely, there is usually a time during the concert for relaxing or playing ballads. Using a performance metaphor, if you are going to leave an addict, it's best to get out during the ballads (quiet times), than to "trade fours" or battle with the addict.

moving on metal means moving on rails like a train car. he's on a set course that can't be altered

Like any good lyric poetry, there is no singular meaning to a narrative like this.

On its face, yes; it's easy to point to the drug aspect/addiction/change of personality/loss of individuality of the antagonist.

In a larger sense, this song suggests that people can throw themselves & their lives away in service to any malicious slave driver, be it drugs, religion, authoritarians, exploiters or any manner of self-defeating ideas, people or things to which they sacrifice themselves.

Don't have to look far to witness this kind of widespread depravity these days.

As a former meth user, I can confirm Jack of Speed is about a woman dating a crystal user, and it's one of Steely Dan's clearest and most obvious drug use songs. I get chills listening to the final chorus, where Fagen warns the girl, "He'll be calling out your name... don't stop." Ironic a cokehead like him criticizing us - but oh well. Here's the deal:

I was lucky in that I don't possess the addiction gene and was able to quit meth cold turkey the moment I noticed it was buying up a little too much of my time and self-control. Haven't touched it in four months and absolutely clean so far, as well as frankly uninterested. Having danced with this particular devil, though, I do want to contribute the opinion that Donald Fagen must have been in close observation of a meth user while composing this single, because his statements and conclusions are absolutely 100 percent spot-on.

I've heard here and there that "God invented meth users to teach cocaine users a much needed lesson", and it seems valid. Meth is Better Coke with a Stronger Effect for Far Less Money, which at the onset makes meth users seem pennywise and smarter. Not true. The substance is the devil - and if you don't lack the gene, it WILL destroy you. Fagen's commentary is vague but smart, and if you listen to him, you'll be wise. Even if you're using, take his advice given to the nameless girl in the song and run, and run fast, from this drug.

Crystal meth delivers every high coke promises, and 90 times cheaper and easier. That's the danger. Soon Tina will control every decision you make. I am the one member of my family who, for whatever genetic reasons, didn't inherit the addiction gene. I was able to drop it in a single hour and walk away.

YOU WILL NOT BE THAT LUCKY.

Take the song's advice. This drug will transform you into a monster. Walk away.

Walk away NOW.

Signed, A Steely Dan Fan who yes danced with this devil

I think the song is about MDMA (rolling) which is a stimulant.

its a friend telling a woman to move on from her junkie ex-boyfriend.