“Kid Charlemagne”—first song, side one of The Royal Scam (1976)

Maybe the most catchy, funky, danceable Steely Dan song ever—why wasn’t it the biggest hit of 1976? Could it have something to do with the rock record buying audience finding European political history from the Early Middle Ages somewhat dry—as I did, as a 16-year-old? I wanted to drive around and party, not try to decipher lyrics—too bad, though, because the drug references are right there. I was afraid of microdot, blotter, etc.—acid, where I grew up—Bumfuck, Iowa/Ohio/Idaho—as well as the more pedestrian drugs (pot, PCP, Quaaludes, jimsonweed). Personally, I was good with beer. What I’m saying, though—if the song had been titled “Party On Down” it probably would have been a bigger hit—but ultimately Steely Dan’s weakness for being literary is what makes them interesting. It was years later before I heard that the song was about Owsley Stanley, the legendary audio technician and LSD manufacturer. By that time I had come to realize the synonymous nature of “soundman” and “drug dealer.” I knew nothing about Owsley at the time, but he was an interesting character, who incidentally shares a birthday with Janis Joplin, Edgar Allan Poe, and me! Anyway, it’s a great song—music and lyrics. It’s a great example of good writing that you could use in teaching. In the fourth verse, when things get hot (“people down the hall know who you are”)—rather than using that most overused bit of movie dialogue—“Let’s get out of here!”—the lyric goes: “Is there gas in the car? Yes, there’s gas in the car.” I love that.

—Randy Russell 1.31.21