A Puerto Rican couple, or perhaps young family, leave San Juan to NYC in hopes of the American Dream.
End up living in or near a black ghetto in overcrowded conditions
One of them begins a heroin addiction.
Ashamed to tell the truth, they write home with the same lies of riches that brought them there, perpeutating the cycle.
This is the most transparent and simple song on The Royal Scam album -- both lyrically and musically.
The first six songs on the Royal Scam album bounce between phenomenal and timeless -- the last three songs taper off, reaching mediocrity with this tune. But I gotta say there is not a bad song on any Steely Dan album before Gaucho.
Mediocrity? I would have to strongly disagree. I have never heard any chord progression like that before - the chords are simple, but it's quirky to say the least, and it makes for a very unsettling and driving effect. I've only ever heard a few other songs with such hidden anger and outrage as this.
Mediocrity? I would have to strongly disagree. I have never heard any chord progression like that before - the chords are simple, but it's quirky to say the least, and it makes for a very unsettling and driving effect. I've only ever heard a few other songs with such hidden anger and outrage as this.
@bnk87 Totally agree with SeeBread. This is a powerful song. The harmonies in the chorus are exquisite and the whole effect of the song is that of a forced march. The repetitions have a lot to do with that effect. If somebody claims this is the best song on the album, I would not object; there are many strong songs on this album.
@bnk87 Totally agree with SeeBread. This is a powerful song. The harmonies in the chorus are exquisite and the whole effect of the song is that of a forced march. The repetitions have a lot to do with that effect. If somebody claims this is the best song on the album, I would not object; there are many strong songs on this album.
A Puerto Rican couple, or perhaps young family, leave San Juan to NYC in hopes of the American Dream. End up living in or near a black ghetto in overcrowded conditions One of them begins a heroin addiction. Ashamed to tell the truth, they write home with the same lies of riches that brought them there, perpeutating the cycle.
This is the most transparent and simple song on The Royal Scam album -- both lyrically and musically.
The first six songs on the Royal Scam album bounce between phenomenal and timeless -- the last three songs taper off, reaching mediocrity with this tune. But I gotta say there is not a bad song on any Steely Dan album before Gaucho.
Mediocrity? I would have to strongly disagree. I have never heard any chord progression like that before - the chords are simple, but it's quirky to say the least, and it makes for a very unsettling and driving effect. I've only ever heard a few other songs with such hidden anger and outrage as this.
Mediocrity? I would have to strongly disagree. I have never heard any chord progression like that before - the chords are simple, but it's quirky to say the least, and it makes for a very unsettling and driving effect. I've only ever heard a few other songs with such hidden anger and outrage as this.
You think 'Haitian Divorce' is mediocre??
You think 'Haitian Divorce' is mediocre??
Haitian Divorce is easily one of their best songs
Haitian Divorce is easily one of their best songs
@bnk87 Totally agree with SeeBread. This is a powerful song. The harmonies in the chorus are exquisite and the whole effect of the song is that of a forced march. The repetitions have a lot to do with that effect. If somebody claims this is the best song on the album, I would not object; there are many strong songs on this album.
@bnk87 Totally agree with SeeBread. This is a powerful song. The harmonies in the chorus are exquisite and the whole effect of the song is that of a forced march. The repetitions have a lot to do with that effect. If somebody claims this is the best song on the album, I would not object; there are many strong songs on this album.
@bnk87 it’s hard to call it mediocre as well as they deliver that depressed ghetto sound with the guitar and muted trumpet like a movie of that era.
@bnk87 it’s hard to call it mediocre as well as they deliver that depressed ghetto sound with the guitar and muted trumpet like a movie of that era.