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Green Earrings Lyrics

Cold, daring
No flies on me
Sorry angel,
I must take what I see

Green earrings, I remember
The rings of rare design
I remember the look in your eye
I don't mind

Greek medallion
Sparkles when you smile
Sorry angel,
I get hungry like a child

Green earrings, I remember
The rings of rare design
I remember the look in your eye
I don't mind, I don't mind

Green earrings, I remember
The rings of rare design
I remember the look in your eye
I don't mind, I don't mind
Song Info
Submitted by
w4nn4b3p07h34d On Feb 04, 2006
19 Meanings

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Cover art for Green Earrings lyrics by Steely Dan

This dude is caught up in a total moment: Sparkly earrings, a smile, lust and impulse. At that moment, she turns and gives him a look: I don't mind! Yes, I know you are consumed at this point, but I don't mind. That's all.. It happened in a split second. He's looking at her, and she's looking through him.

Cover art for Green Earrings lyrics by Steely Dan

this song is about a jewel thief who will even steal from his lover.

@aic22 Not a jewel thief - a junkie who steals the earrings and then shows no remorse (just like addicts do). How do I know? This line: Sorry, angel I get hungry like a child. Who else gets hungry like a child than a junkie needing a fix?

Cover art for Green Earrings lyrics by Steely Dan

ummmm....no really it's about a jewel thief

Definately about a klepto of some sort. The jewelry mentioned could just be an example.

Look up the word "double entendre" in the dictionary. This song is one of Dan's classic examples of it.

Cover art for Green Earrings lyrics by Steely Dan

It's not a jewel thief as jewel thieves don't have conversations with their marks. This is a theft by someone the victim knows, and knows well. DF gives us a clue that's usually overlooked. The line is: "Sorry, angel I get hungry like a child" Who gets hungry like a child? A junkie! This song is about a junkie stealing his girlfriend's earrings for a hit and has no remorse when she confronts him about it. Drugs are the subject of about 50% of all first generation SD songs, so it certainly fits that pattern.

Song Meaning
Cover art for Green Earrings lyrics by Steely Dan

I absolutely love this song. And my true soulmate actually brought me a pair of green earrings, rings of a rare design!!!! Great song!!!!

[Edit: dVdU]

Cover art for Green Earrings lyrics by Steely Dan

"No flies on me...." really sticks out as a lyric. As a lifelong fan of The Dan (since 19 or so), and as a published poet, I really have learned to appreciate the subtle power of the written word.

No flies on me is a blunt statement about how the "thief" mentioned in the previous posts knows he's full of crap with the half-hearted apologies, and as stated, shows/has no remorse about theft. Flies are attracted to feces, just as he is attracted to the items referenced. He doesn't see the feminine ANGEL as a person with feelings, only as a mark. In today's terms, I think this is congruent to the slang term "BAE".

The Greek medallion is symbolic of him telling us he has robbed her before, possibly made of ivory. Ivory is symbolic of elegance, sophistication, and purity. It's obvious that he's done it before, and he believes he's made of Teflon. I would assume that the green earrings are made of Jade, which according to most cultures is indicative of good fortune.

I can see where people would think the song is about rape as well, but it's most likely only about theft. Also, some thieves are dreamers. Metaphorically, they all have dreams they would like to accomplish but they don't have the means or drive to achieve them, so they look for the easy route - the "green" light so to speak.

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Cover art for Green Earrings lyrics by Steely Dan

This may be taking it wayyy too far, but it could be about rape. The look in your eye BUT I don't mind, means it's something that he should mind.

Rapists have often used metaphors of raping people to being like a child and getting hungry, where there is no self control.

Maybe the chick's name is Angel?

Cover art for Green Earrings lyrics by Steely Dan

If you follow the Dan you know what the song is about. I must take what i see.The rings of rare design. You figure out the rest.Some of you people took one too many acid trips!! A jewel thief.

@mrsagfly if he takes what he wants, might he want the girl instead? And the earrings are simply what he remembered the most about her after the fact? (prolly never asked her name! 🤣)

“No flies on me” he is very high on himself

Cover art for Green Earrings lyrics by Steely Dan

Love this song; it has plenty of memories since I first heard it on RS. Playing it in my Mini to my girlfriend led me to buy her some but I never stole from her like this song. But she stole something from me... Poignant and yet murky as usual with BnF, someone coveting I presume his GF's jewelry to pawn. He must be desperate so he takes them knowing their worth. Maybe he gave them to her as a present? He wants them back maybe because they split up... maybe he has also taken some other things from her like a medallion (or is that another Dan euphemism?) but the "look in your eyes" likely means she knows what he is up to... what price a relationship eh folks?

Cover art for Green Earrings lyrics by Steely Dan

This has nothing to do with actual jewels or theft or anything material. The lyrics speak to a \'love lost\' and what takes away or has left from the affair or relationship.\n "I must take what I see..." - I remember, The look in your eyes\nI don\'t mind"\n\nThe GREEN EARRINGS are a metaphor for the bitter-sweet parting and loss. It\'s the tangible memory piece in the protagonist\'s mind. \n\n\nThis fits with the Steely Dan oeuvre and vibes dealing with love\'s lost and remembrance. --> "I must take what I see"

Song Meaning
 
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