Steely Dan "Black Cow" - he's in HER apartment, thumbing through her shit

[Taverner]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pJ2iw9xieo

Dude, seriously this guy is a stalker...

In the corner
Of my eye
I saw you in Rudy's
You were very high
You were high
It was a cryin' disgrace
They saw on your face

On the counter
By your keys
Was a book of numbers
And your remedies
One of these
Surely will screen out the sorrow
But where are you tomorrow

I can't cry anymore
While you run around
Break away
Just when it
Seems so clear
That it's
Over now
Drink your big black cow
And get out of here

Down to Green Street
There you go
Lookin' so outrageous
And they tell you so
You should know
How all the pros play the game
You change your name

Like a GANGSTER
On the run
You will stagger homeward
To your precious one
I'm the one
Who must make everything right
Talk it out till daylight

I don't care anymore
Why you run around
Break away
Just when it
Seems so clear
That it's
Over now
Drink your big black cow
And get out of here

[ThatsMyBarack]

1. This song makes me thirsty!

Because it's from the 70s, it reminds me of when my sister and I used to drink homemade black cows out of big Bugs Bunny glass root beer mugs! :9

[Taverner]

2. Is a Black Cow anything like a Black/White Russian?

[PassingFair]

4. They used to serve them at Howard Johnson's Restaurant.

I never had a bad moment with a Black Cow!

[ThatsMyBarack]

3. No!

It's just chocolate ice cream and root beer. This was my sister and my childhood I was talking about. ;)

[pacalo]

5. Or, maybe they're living together & she's stepping out on him?

Nice music.

My favorite SD: Daddy Don't Live in That New York City No More

This is a drum-enhanced version.

[gratuitous]

6. What?

Rudy's sounds like an upscale bistro, where the woman in question is sitting at the bar, intoxicated (Drugs? Alcohol?) and crying over the poor choices she's made in life. He notices that on the counter of the bar, next to her keys is her little black book and a bottle of medications. "One of these" refers to either one of the boyfriends in her little black book, or one of the pills she takes to cope with her shitty life. She will screen out the sorrow by hooking up or by taking another pill, but that come tomorrow, she will find herself in the same shitty life.

Meanwhile, the narrator, who is either involved with the woman or just her "good friend" in whom she confides, is sick and tired of picking up the pieces when she shatters her life again.

At least, that's my take on the song.

[deutsey]

8. That's pretty much how I've always interpreted it

[Taverner]

12. This is Steely Dan we are talking about. Expect the most cynical!

[Enthusiast]

7. I appreciate this.

Sometimes I forget to listen to this.

[MilesColtrane]

9. They live together.

You will stagger homeward
To your precious one
I'm the one
Who must make everything right
Talk it out till daylight

Now, if you want real intrigue, try "Gaucho".


Just when I say
'boy we can't miss
You are golden'
Then you do this
You say this guy is so cool
Snapping his fingers like a fool
One more expensive kiss-off
Who do you think I am
Lord I know you're a special friend
But you don't seem to understand
We got heavy rollers
I think you should know
Try again tomorrow

Can't you see they're laughing at me
Get rid off him
I don't care what you do at home
Would you care to explain

Who is the gaucho amigo
Why is he standing
In your spangled leather poncho
And your elevator shoes
Bodacious cowboys
Such as your friend
Will never be welcome here
High in the custerdome

What I tell you
Back down the line
I'll scratch your back
You can scratch mine
No he can't sleep on the floor
What do you think I'm yelling for
I'll drop him near the freeway
Doesn't he have a home

Lord I know you're a special friend
But you refuse to understand
You're a nasty schoolboy
With no place to go
Try again tomorrow

Don't tell me he'll wait in the car
Look at you
Holding hands with the man from rio
Would you care to explain

Who is the gaucho amigo
Why is he standing
In your spangled leather poncho
With the studs that match your eyes
Bodacious cowboys
Such as your friend
Will never be welcome here
High in the custerdome

[gratuitous]

10. They probably live together

Though staggering homeward could also be interpreted in the Robert Frost aphorism of Home being the place that when you go there, they have to take you in. In that case, the narrator could be the friend who takes in the prodigal daughter when she comes knocking.

[Taverner]

11. "Gaucho" is about a man, his boyfriend, and a twink he brought home

I can see no other interpretation