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Your Gold Teeth II Lyrics
Who are these children
Who scheme and run wild
Who speak with their wings
And the way that they smile
What are the secrets
They trace in the sky
And why do you tremble
Each time they ride by
Throw out your gold teeth
And see how they roll
The answer they reveal
Life is unreal
Who are these strangers
Who pass through the door
Who cover your action
And go you one more
If you're feeling lucky
You best not refuse
It's your game the rules
Are your own win or lose
Throw out your gold teeth
And see how they roll
The answer they reveal
Life is unreal
Who scheme and run wild
Who speak with their wings
And the way that they smile
What are the secrets
They trace in the sky
And why do you tremble
Each time they ride by
And see how they roll
The answer they reveal
Life is unreal
Who pass through the door
Who cover your action
And go you one more
If you're feeling lucky
You best not refuse
It's your game the rules
Are your own win or lose
And see how they roll
The answer they reveal
Life is unreal
Add your song meanings, interpretations, facts, memories & more to the community.
One of Steely Dan's more positive and uplifting songs, uncharacteristically devoid of cynicism and irony. An expression of the joys of musical discovery, both as fans and as creators.
The first verse seems like a description of discovering a new scene and being excited and a little scared by it. Think of an older dude going to a jazz club and having some young musicians just melt his face off with what they're playing. "Who are these children?"
That they "speak with their wings" is probably more jazz slang; players who are really hot are said to "fly" as in "if you can't fly you'll have to move in with the rhythm section." Of course they were huge fans of Charlie "Bird" Parker.
The chorus is just taking what you have, "your gold teeth" and tossing them out to see what happens. "Unreal" was a common hipster superlative in the '60's. Something or other is great, it's freaking unreal. Take your chances, put your stuff out there and you'll find that life is just UNREAL!
Another possible reference is to Buddhism, and the illusion of existence. Life is unreal.
The second verse is a straightforward (by Steely Dan standards) reference to their enthusiasm about starting to use the session musician talent pool.
The "strangers who pass through the door" are the cats who come in to record their parts. The door is the door to the studio, Steely Dan's native habitat.
That they "cover your action and go you one more" means that they not only play the part as written, but bring something of their own to the song.
They had jettisoned the original band on the previous album, and discovered the talents of players like Jeff Porcaro and Michael McDonald.
"If you're feeling lucky you best not refuse" suggests that if you have a good feeling about what a musician might bring to the song, give them a shot at it. Don't ignore how their contribution may improve the song, even if it is not what the composer originally envisioned.
Supposedly, during the recording of the guitar solo by band founder Denny Dias, (paradoxically the farthest from a "stranger" they could get), he was "flying" so high that they extended it. It's an amazing piece of bebop improvisation on electric guitar.
The "rules" and the "game" were Fagen and Becker's, to "win or lose." In the final cut, they and Katz would decide what takes to include and how to use them, and if the record sold or failed to sell, it was all on them.
@Euthymia I think you are spot on with this interpretation. It fits Donald and Walter like a nice glove. If not exact, gotta be pretty damn close.
@Euthymia I think you are spot on with this interpretation. It fits Donald and Walter like a nice glove. If not exact, gotta be pretty damn close.
What the hell do these lyrics mean? What time signature is this song? Was Jeff Porcaro 20 or 21 when he played on this? Is it Denny Dias that plays that lovely guitar solo? How did Steely Dan become to be so amazing?! So many questions! One of the top 5 bands ever!
I'm afraid it's not 6/4, 4/4 or 2/4, nor does it meander between numerous time signatures. The whole song is in 3/4, played in triplets.
I'm afraid it's not 6/4, 4/4 or 2/4, nor does it meander between numerous time signatures. The whole song is in 3/4, played in triplets.
That's wrong. It is a mixture of 6/8, 9/8 and 12/8, absolutely not 3/4.
That's wrong. It is a mixture of 6/8, 9/8 and 12/8, absolutely not 3/4.
@Danfan lhlenam is correct. A mixture of 6/8, 9/8, and 12/8.
@Danfan lhlenam is correct. A mixture of 6/8, 9/8, and 12/8.
@Danfan Whoops, correction on my last comment. I have the sheet music and I checked. The intro is in 4/4, the return to the intro in the middle of the song is in 9/8 and 6/8. The lyrical sections are 6/8 with a few 3/8 measures thrown in.
@Danfan Whoops, correction on my last comment. I have the sheet music and I checked. The intro is in 4/4, the return to the intro in the middle of the song is in 9/8 and 6/8. The lyrical sections are 6/8 with a few 3/8 measures thrown in.
For 1975....way ahead of its time. The complexity is a precursor to Asia. There is no doubt in my mind that once Jeff Porcaro joined in these sessions it moved the band in direction of more complicated time signatures which are still difficult to figure out. Essentially 6/8 with cut off 6ths in this chart to drive the beat and keep the listener off focus...looking for the next point. The driving beat is a hallmark of TOTO...without the intricate lyrics. I can listen to this album for hours...as I am doing now enjoying a a nice cigar. I would imagine Fagan was enjoying something else during the composition process.
@coach87 I was always under the impression that in Gold Teeth I the gold teeth meant dice and the some was about some sorta casino prostitute who possibly takes advantage (either alone or in combination…with a partner) and the character had been burned by one before.
@coach87 I was always under the impression that in Gold Teeth I the gold teeth meant dice and the some was about some sorta casino prostitute who possibly takes advantage (either alone or in combination…with a partner) and the character had been burned by one before.
So I still see the gold teeth here as dice, and he is simply suggesting you throw them out….as in take your chances at life. Take your risks. A couple gambling references are there , “cover your action” and “feeling lucky”. First verse is probably a slightly older person whose been “sitting on...
So I still see the gold teeth here as dice, and he is simply suggesting you throw them out….as in take your chances at life. Take your risks. A couple gambling references are there , “cover your action” and “feeling lucky”. First verse is probably a slightly older person whose been “sitting on the bench” for awhile and is confused and slightly intimidated by the younger generation. So the beauty there, for me, is that scenario applies over and over as time goes by.
Sounds to me like a man who was once the epitome of cool, and part of the scene; who now looks around and sees a younger generation taking over, maybe even doing it better. Could be talking about the music scene, the lifestyle scene, or even spirituality.
There's a bright note though - if you're feeling lucky you best not refuse. Seieze the day - the rules are your own. Almost an homage to the law of thelema.
Great song.
Gold teeth I & II are so different, I love the music in this song, But I love Gold Teeth I lyrics
I suppose the Charlie-Brown-esque main part of the song is nice, but it's the power chords in the intro that got me hooked.
Danfan: it could be analyzed as 6/4 or 4/4 alternating with 2/4 during the verses, but it meanders in and out of several time signatures.
The solo section (I believe Denny Diaz on guitar) is incredible in this song. I have an outtakes version on cassette that has Donald Fagan talking in the studio during the solo and after one chorus (of the solo) he yells, "holy fuck, take another one. And thus the second chorus of the solo is born!
The solo section (I believe Denny Diaz on guitar) is incredible in this song. I have an outtakes version on cassette that has Donald Fagan talking in the studio during the solo and after one chorus (of the solo) he yells, "holy fuck, take another one. And thus the second chorus of the solo is born!
I'd say 6/8 with a few two-count measures thrown in to keep it interesting. The main tune is all basic chords in that rambling triplet feel.
I'd say 6/8 with a few two-count measures thrown in to keep it interesting. The main tune is all basic chords in that rambling triplet feel.
The intro is jazz...beyond me, bu cool in an avant-garde way.
The intro is jazz...beyond me, bu cool in an avant-garde way.
Great tune.
Great tune.
'throw out your teeth' means go ahead and gamble w/your life, and see what happens. i think about that 'dumb cowboy' joe buck in the movie 'midnight cowboy' everytime i hear this song.
correction: 'throw out your GOLD teeth' means gamble with your life.
I get a very western ...Cowboy in saloon Gambling feeling when i listen to this. Its almost Subtly Confrontational. As if the Chorus was signifying a Challenge to a duel, or gun fight. I ALSO get A biker gang feeling as well.'' speak with their wings '' , A gangs emblem usually has wings...which pretty much speaks for their reputation....IDK...then again I also get a ''gangs of newyork'' feeling as well. I cant call it....But i damn sure love when my mind drifts whilst zoning to that denny dias solo !
Well, I hate to burst your bubble, but this song has a very heavy jazz influence. . . as far from country western as you can get. Secondly, the children in the sky with wings are angels (tracing secrets in the sky). Throwing out your gold teeth and seeing how they roll, is taking a gamble with your life. The game is your own win or lose is the fact that you make your life's choices and the consequences are your own ("win or lose")
Well, I hate to burst your bubble, but this song has a very heavy jazz influence. . . as far from country western as you can get. Secondly, the children in the sky with wings are angels (tracing secrets in the sky). Throwing out your gold teeth and seeing how they roll, is taking a gamble with your life. The game is your own win or lose is the fact that you make your life's choices and the consequences are your own ("win or lose")
I wasnt exactly stating I knew what the meaning of the song was. I was simply exploring the many possibilities based on my own personal feeling while listening. You sound as if you KNOW what the song is about. If you do...thats one thing, but if you dont, then are you really bursting my bubble ? If you know anything about Steely Dan, youde know that they stylize their music for a certain song and juxtapoze it against the lyrics to throw the listener off. Sure its Jazz heavy..but that doesnt neccesarily mean that the theme cant be western. Im...
I wasnt exactly stating I knew what the meaning of the song was. I was simply exploring the many possibilities based on my own personal feeling while listening. You sound as if you KNOW what the song is about. If you do...thats one thing, but if you dont, then are you really bursting my bubble ? If you know anything about Steely Dan, youde know that they stylize their music for a certain song and juxtapoze it against the lyrics to throw the listener off. Sure its Jazz heavy..but that doesnt neccesarily mean that the theme cant be western. Im just saying.
@EN1GMA For sure, there is one piano fill at the end that has a western feel, that being juxtaposed with the overall definite jazz feel.
@EN1GMA For sure, there is one piano fill at the end that has a western feel, that being juxtaposed with the overall definite jazz feel.