Gaslighting Abbie Lyrics

Lyric discussion by Minz 

Cover art for Gaslighting Abbie lyrics by Steely Dan

Maybe this seems a bit far-fetched, but the fact that the narrator refers to hands of solitaire so often made me wonder. Why would a one-person game be a way for two antagonists to spend an evening?

My theory is the people gaslighting Abbie are actually just one person. One person with a split personality, sort of like Norman Bates in Psycho. His female side slowly takes over Abbie's identity (and clothes) as the two sides of him/her conspire to destroy her. It lends a nicely subtle kind of madness to the song, and I don't think anything in the lyrics contradicts it.

Just another perspective.

@Minz Love it. It makes the imagery very different for me, now.

@Minz I like it

@Minz That is exactly what I've thought all along! The repeated mention of solitaire makes no sense otherwise. Not far-fetched at all.