I think it is basicaly about his (Fagen) life in LA that he bacame bitter about and fearsome of success that would change him. He is talking to Becker about going insane and wants to get back to Manhattan, probably because of to much work with the band and big pressure ('Five names that I can hardly stand to hear' being the inner band and Chimp being the producer) and unexpected success ('Fearsome excavation on Magnolia Boulevard' - big house he is building in elite neighbourhood). Even bad things about NYC look good now: frozen rain, bad sneakers (way too casual dresscode and behaving of New Yorkers - With a transistor and a large sum of money to spend).
Wearing white tuxedos probably means that his partner accustomed to this new life and he hasn't.
I tend to agree with FrailGrasp. I think the singer is wistful about being in NYC as suggested by the tone of the music in that section. I always imagined the guys in the white tuxedos were simply construction workers.
I tend to agree with FrailGrasp. I think the singer is wistful about being in NYC as suggested by the tone of the music in that section. I always imagined the guys in the white tuxedos were simply construction workers.
I think it is basicaly about his (Fagen) life in LA that he bacame bitter about and fearsome of success that would change him. He is talking to Becker about going insane and wants to get back to Manhattan, probably because of to much work with the band and big pressure ('Five names that I can hardly stand to hear' being the inner band and Chimp being the producer) and unexpected success ('Fearsome excavation on Magnolia Boulevard' - big house he is building in elite neighbourhood). Even bad things about NYC look good now: frozen rain, bad sneakers (way too casual dresscode and behaving of New Yorkers - With a transistor and a large sum of money to spend). Wearing white tuxedos probably means that his partner accustomed to this new life and he hasn't.
Something like that.
I tend to agree with FrailGrasp. I think the singer is wistful about being in NYC as suggested by the tone of the music in that section. I always imagined the guys in the white tuxedos were simply construction workers.
I tend to agree with FrailGrasp. I think the singer is wistful about being in NYC as suggested by the tone of the music in that section. I always imagined the guys in the white tuxedos were simply construction workers.
@FrailGrasp I like this interpretation.
@FrailGrasp I like this interpretation.