"Turkish union dues" is a reference to the overt corruption among the principal labor unions in Turkey during the 50s and 60s, some of which had greater annual revenue than the government, at the time. Union dues were often extorted, and often had nothing to do with membership. Union officials could get away with practically anything, with no consequences.
"Pepe's got a scar from ear to ear. He will make your mug shot disappear." Pepe is dead. He's had his throat slashed, and his body will be a stand-in for yours, so if anyone asks, you're dead (wink, wink). Case closed. This is also what "zombie" (and the chorus) refers to: You're dead, but you're not dead. Get it?
"Do you like to take a yo-yo for a ride? Zombie I can see you're qualified." Ratfinkabooboo (I like the handle -- seen the movie) has it nailed, and I'll add: If you want to execute the little creep, no one will come looking for you, 'cause you're dead. Pepe took care of that (see above), remember?
The lyrics are quite brutal, and very well written. Anyway, that's my interpretation.
my take on "scar from ear to ear" is that this is a criminal who committed a crime and can be identified by his mug shot. a scar is often a recognizable feature in identification used by law enforcement. a" scar from ear to ear" is his FACE, now that someone has i.d.ed him. making your mug shot disappear may refer to actually getting the mug shot removed from the files, but i like to think it refers to getting plastic surgery to make the mug shot no longer useful. fits in with the line "dark spot on your...
my take on "scar from ear to ear" is that this is a criminal who committed a crime and can be identified by his mug shot. a scar is often a recognizable feature in identification used by law enforcement. a" scar from ear to ear" is his FACE, now that someone has i.d.ed him. making your mug shot disappear may refer to actually getting the mug shot removed from the files, but i like to think it refers to getting plastic surgery to make the mug shot no longer useful. fits in with the line "dark spot on your past" as well. just my 2 cents. steely dan are my all time favorite artists.
@reagan0 Both good takes. I always simply assumed that Pepe was the guy in charge of identity laundering, and the scar was his underworld cred (i.e., he's not the Witness Protection Program).
@reagan0 Both good takes. I always simply assumed that Pepe was the guy in charge of identity laundering, and the scar was his underworld cred (i.e., he's not the Witness Protection Program).
@reagan0 By the way, I bumped you one for explaining "Turkish union dues." Although its meaning is somewhat evident from the context, I've looked for a source for that phrase for a long time and yours is the first I've ever found.
@reagan0 By the way, I bumped you one for explaining "Turkish union dues." Although its meaning is somewhat evident from the context, I've looked for a source for that phrase for a long time and yours is the first I've ever found.
I've also never seen an official derivation of "Spanish kissin'," (I've Got The News) though again the context suggests its own answer.
I've also never seen an official derivation of "Spanish kissin'," (I've Got The News) though again the context suggests its own answer.
My take on the lyrics of this song:
"Turkish union dues" is a reference to the overt corruption among the principal labor unions in Turkey during the 50s and 60s, some of which had greater annual revenue than the government, at the time. Union dues were often extorted, and often had nothing to do with membership. Union officials could get away with practically anything, with no consequences.
"Pepe's got a scar from ear to ear. He will make your mug shot disappear." Pepe is dead. He's had his throat slashed, and his body will be a stand-in for yours, so if anyone asks, you're dead (wink, wink). Case closed. This is also what "zombie" (and the chorus) refers to: You're dead, but you're not dead. Get it?
"Do you like to take a yo-yo for a ride? Zombie I can see you're qualified." Ratfinkabooboo (I like the handle -- seen the movie) has it nailed, and I'll add: If you want to execute the little creep, no one will come looking for you, 'cause you're dead. Pepe took care of that (see above), remember?
The lyrics are quite brutal, and very well written. Anyway, that's my interpretation.
my take on "scar from ear to ear" is that this is a criminal who committed a crime and can be identified by his mug shot. a scar is often a recognizable feature in identification used by law enforcement. a" scar from ear to ear" is his FACE, now that someone has i.d.ed him. making your mug shot disappear may refer to actually getting the mug shot removed from the files, but i like to think it refers to getting plastic surgery to make the mug shot no longer useful. fits in with the line "dark spot on your...
my take on "scar from ear to ear" is that this is a criminal who committed a crime and can be identified by his mug shot. a scar is often a recognizable feature in identification used by law enforcement. a" scar from ear to ear" is his FACE, now that someone has i.d.ed him. making your mug shot disappear may refer to actually getting the mug shot removed from the files, but i like to think it refers to getting plastic surgery to make the mug shot no longer useful. fits in with the line "dark spot on your past" as well. just my 2 cents. steely dan are my all time favorite artists.
@reagan0 Both good takes. I always simply assumed that Pepe was the guy in charge of identity laundering, and the scar was his underworld cred (i.e., he's not the Witness Protection Program).
@reagan0 Both good takes. I always simply assumed that Pepe was the guy in charge of identity laundering, and the scar was his underworld cred (i.e., he's not the Witness Protection Program).
@reagan0 By the way, I bumped you one for explaining "Turkish union dues." Although its meaning is somewhat evident from the context, I've looked for a source for that phrase for a long time and yours is the first I've ever found.
@reagan0 By the way, I bumped you one for explaining "Turkish union dues." Although its meaning is somewhat evident from the context, I've looked for a source for that phrase for a long time and yours is the first I've ever found.
I've also never seen an official derivation of "Spanish kissin'," (I've Got The News) though again the context suggests its own answer.
I've also never seen an official derivation of "Spanish kissin'," (I've Got The News) though again the context suggests its own answer.