"Throw Back The Little Ones" as written by Walter Carl Becker and Donald Jay Fagen....
Lost in the Barrio I walk like an Injun
So Carlo won't suspect something's wrong here
I dance in place
And paint my face
And act like I belong here
[Chorus]
Throw back the little ones
And pan-fry the big ones
Use tact, poise and reason
And gently squeeze them
Hot licks and rhetoric
Don't count much for nothing
Be glad if you can use what you borrow
So I pawn my crown
For a ride uptown
And buy it back tomorrow
[Chorus]
Done like a matador I pray for the weekend
And hope the little girls still throw roses
Else I'll change my bait
And move upstate
Before the season closes
[Chorus]
So Carlo won't suspect something's wrong here
I dance in place
And paint my face
And act like I belong here
[Chorus]
Throw back the little ones
And pan-fry the big ones
Use tact, poise and reason
And gently squeeze them
Hot licks and rhetoric
Don't count much for nothing
Be glad if you can use what you borrow
So I pawn my crown
For a ride uptown
And buy it back tomorrow
[Chorus]
Done like a matador I pray for the weekend
And hope the little girls still throw roses
Else I'll change my bait
And move upstate
Before the season closes
[Chorus]
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"& act like I belong here" (in the whole pop star world)
the 2nd verse for me gives the biggest clue, "hot licks & rhetoric don't count much for nothing be glad if you can use what you borrow". Like a comment on the music industry's way of saying to them, 'you don't have to go above & beyond musically & lyrically like you guys are starting to do with this more jazz rock poetry stuff, just be glad if you can ride on the success of previous rock n' rollers.'
Then 'I pawned my crown for a ride uptown, & buy it back tomorrow' would be their response to that of saying, "yeah I wrote a couple of big hits that went against my ideals. But with that big success, i'm gonna use it for more artistic freedom" (which they obviously did with the next couple albums, taking longer to produce them, even more experimental music etc.)
I think you've cracked it. Other interpretations fit to some extent but every line works with your interpretation.
eg - throw back the little ones (get rid of half written or unoriginal songs)
Pan fry the big ones (use the best musicians and production techniques)
This is probably my least favourite Dan song - but now that the lyrics make sense to me, I'll listen with renewed interest.
They release the little dealers they arrest, but grill the big guys, and "squeeze them" for more info/to turn on other dealers. "Pawning his crown" is taking off the uniform/policeman's pointed cap before he goes uptown to go to 'work.'
Praying for the weekend is getting the job done, nailing the kingpin, and being able to put back on the uniform for a parade (the little girls throwing roses.) Being able to take off his disguise and be normal again.
Or... he will have to move to a different town "upstate", go undercover again, and hunt another drug dealer.
The chorus:
Throw back the little ones. The police don't really want the buyers. They arrest them, negotiate deals with them, and/or threaten to take their freedom away, so they will snitch. "Use tact, poise, and reason and gently squeeze them." Throw them back in their own water to bait the big fish..So they can "Pan fry the big ones." Big ones are dealers. Little ones act as though everything is cool like always, big fish bite, business as usual. Oops! Done.
The lyric listed above as: "So Carlo won't suspect something's wrong here" is incorrect, The actual lyric is "So Karla won't suspect something's wrong here". Karla is Russia top agent and George Smiley's nemesis.
When they "Throw back the little ones and pan fry the big ones. Use tact, poise and reason and gently squeeze them." they are talking about interrogating and getting information from opposing spies. If you don't believe me, read the Smiley books. As an alternative, you can watch the excellent PBS series (online) starring Alec Guinness as George Smiley.
Also note that "Here in the western world is also about John LeCarre's spy world. Read the books and it all makes sense. It will make your hair stand on end.
Lost in the Barrio I walk like an Injun
So Carlo won't suspect something's wrong here
I dance in place
And paint my face
And act like I belong here
he's not worried about the junkies, because they are little fish.
Throw back the little ones
And pan-fry the big ones
Use tact, poise and reason
And gently squeeze them(for info)
Verse one: play the game even if it's not who you really are
Verse two: it's a trite game anyway. perhaps you do sell out to make it, the ride is worth it if you can keep your dignity intact.
Verse three: you must put on a good show and please the crowd. If it doesn't take there's always the borscht belt circuit.
Chorus: small fry or big fish - you're at the mercy of a system that's going to exploit you.