Jack of Speed Lyrics

Lyric discussion by Nerodesign 

Cover art for Jack of Speed lyrics by Steely Dan

"Teddy's rolling now most every night" - this is just straight up, no metaphors or anything. rolling is slang for on MDMA or uppers.

"Skating backward at the speed of light" - I would guess this is talking about devolving socially as a result of a drug habit.

"He's changed - in a thousand little ways He's changed - yes indeed You know he's movin' on metal, yes he's Hanging tight with the Jack of Speed" The addiction has changed him subtly, and hugely. Moving on metal just kinda reminds me of someone who's wired. Jack of Speed = drug

"one way rider" theres no coming back "new best friend is at the throttle more or less" the drugs has control

"don't stop, he'll be calling out your name but dont stop" -he will try to convince or reason with you but you can't trust a word of it.

Song Meaning