Jack of Speed Lyrics

Lyric discussion by R_Chandra 

Cover art for Jack of Speed lyrics by Steely Dan

"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.

Hmm... "rails," huh?

Trading fours I buy. Shriek express is close, but it's more like a downhill roller-coaster reference, I think. The rail thing don't wash, though. See my reply to vigilant ear, above.