As a former meth user, I can confirm Jack of Speed is about a woman dating a crystal user, and it's one of Steely Dan's clearest and most obvious drug use songs. I get chills listening to the final chorus, where Fagen warns the girl, "He'll be calling out your name... don't stop." Ironic a cokehead like him criticizing us - but oh well. Here's the deal:
I was lucky in that I don't possess the addiction gene and was able to quit meth cold turkey the moment I noticed it was buying up a little too much of my time and self-control. Haven't touched it in four months and absolutely clean so far, as well as frankly uninterested. Having danced with this particular devil, though, I do want to contribute the opinion that Donald Fagen must have been in close observation of a meth user while composing this single, because his statements and conclusions are absolutely 100 percent spot-on.
I've heard here and there that "God invented meth users to teach cocaine users a much needed lesson", and it seems valid. Meth is Better Coke with a Stronger Effect for Far Less Money, which at the onset makes meth users seem pennywise and smarter. Not true. The substance is the devil - and if you don't lack the gene, it WILL destroy you. Fagen's commentary is vague but smart, and if you listen to him, you'll be wise. Even if you're using, take his advice given to the nameless girl in the song and run, and run fast, from this drug.
Crystal meth delivers every high coke promises, and 90 times cheaper and easier. That's the danger. Soon Tina will control every decision you make. I am the one member of my family who, for whatever genetic reasons, didn't inherit the addiction gene. I was able to drop it in a single hour and walk away.
YOU WILL NOT BE THAT LUCKY.
Take the song's advice. This drug will transform you into a monster. Walk away.
Walk away NOW.
Signed,
A Steely Dan Fan who yes danced with this devil
As a former meth user, I can confirm Jack of Speed is about a woman dating a crystal user, and it's one of Steely Dan's clearest and most obvious drug use songs. I get chills listening to the final chorus, where Fagen warns the girl, "He'll be calling out your name... don't stop." Ironic a cokehead like him criticizing us - but oh well. Here's the deal:
I was lucky in that I don't possess the addiction gene and was able to quit meth cold turkey the moment I noticed it was buying up a little too much of my time and self-control. Haven't touched it in four months and absolutely clean so far, as well as frankly uninterested. Having danced with this particular devil, though, I do want to contribute the opinion that Donald Fagen must have been in close observation of a meth user while composing this single, because his statements and conclusions are absolutely 100 percent spot-on.
I've heard here and there that "God invented meth users to teach cocaine users a much needed lesson", and it seems valid. Meth is Better Coke with a Stronger Effect for Far Less Money, which at the onset makes meth users seem pennywise and smarter. Not true. The substance is the devil - and if you don't lack the gene, it WILL destroy you. Fagen's commentary is vague but smart, and if you listen to him, you'll be wise. Even if you're using, take his advice given to the nameless girl in the song and run, and run fast, from this drug.
Crystal meth delivers every high coke promises, and 90 times cheaper and easier. That's the danger. Soon Tina will control every decision you make. I am the one member of my family who, for whatever genetic reasons, didn't inherit the addiction gene. I was able to drop it in a single hour and walk away.
YOU WILL NOT BE THAT LUCKY.
Take the song's advice. This drug will transform you into a monster. Walk away.
Walk away NOW.
Signed, A Steely Dan Fan who yes danced with this devil
@fuzzbox22
@fuzzbox22
Verse you had better pay close fucking attention to:
Verse you had better pay close fucking attention to:
"You maybe got lucky for a few good years But there's no way back from there to here"
"You maybe got lucky for a few good years But there's no way back from there to here"
No further commentary needed on that one. Fagen is preaching truth on it.
No further commentary needed on that one. Fagen is preaching truth on it.
Final note here: Donald uses coke. If he, a coke user, is warning you not to touch meth, perhaps the wise among you HAD BETTER PAY ATTENTION.
Final note here: Donald uses coke. If he, a coke user, is warning you not to touch meth, perhaps the wise among you HAD BETTER PAY ATTENTION.
Tina makes coke feel like baby powder.
Tina makes coke feel like baby powder.
BEWARE AND STAY AWAY
BEWARE AND STAY AWAY
That's what this song means The End
That's what this song means The End