from: Can't Buy A Thrill (1972)


One of the short gems of the '70's. The three hits on the debut ("Reelin' In The Years," "Do It Again," "Dirty Work") get the mainstream attention while Danatics praise tracks like "Midnight Cruiser," "Brooklyn (Owes the Charmer Under Me)" and "Turn That Heartbeat Over Again." But this 2:55 tune is one of the most direct and honest tracks the Dan cut and shows they can be effective with just a modicum of smarm.

B-side to "Reelin' In The Years." Covered very nicely by Ivy on the Me, Myself & Irene soundtrack (and on their covers album).


ONLY A FOOL WOULD SAY THAT

A world become one
Of salads and sun
Only a fool would say that
A boy with a plan
A natural man
Wearing a white stetson hat
Unhand that gun begone
There's no one to fire upon
If he's holding it high
He's telling a lie

I heard it was you
Talkin' 'bout a world
Where all is free
It just couldn't be
And only a fool would say that

The man in the street
Draggin' his feet
Don't wanna hear the bad news
Imagine your face
There is his place
Standing inside his brown shoes
You do his nine to five
Drag yourself home half alive
And there on the screen
A man with a dream

I heard it was you
Talkin' 'bout a world
Where all is free
It just couldn't be
And only a fool would say that

Anybody on the street
Has murder in his eyes
You feel no pain
And you're younger
Then you realize

I heard it was you
Talkin' 'bout a world
Where all is free
It just couldn't be
And only a fool would say that

pretty good song, but there are so many Dan songs I like better

like "Any World That I'm Welcome To" for example

I'd have to agree.

But thanks for the "Unhand that gun begone" line. I've always wondered what he was saying.

And what's he saying at the end en espanol?

Thing about Steely Dan is there's so many good songs that the not-my-favorite argument can be applied to a number of very good songs.

"Any World" is indeed awesome.

I guess I'm a Danatic.

Life is full of surprises isn't it? No, of course, is the answer.

Irish guy I used to work with at a carnival called himself a "steelywanker"

i love this song so much.

up there with "any major dude" as my favorite snappy pop songs that they wrote.

any major jewels will tell ya

When I get home, I'll post "Any Major Dude Will Tell You" and "Any World I'm Welcome To" in this thread. The three songs are kind of companions.

Fun thing to do when drunk:

sing "Through With Buzz" really loud, but like a New Edition song.

Maybe it was just me thought that was funny that time.