I own Donald Fagen’s The Nightfly, another critically-acclaimed 1982 album, but I can’t say I’ve ever listened to it in full.
I digitally borrowed this record from frequent commenter Dana, who counts it among his favorites. I expect we’ll get an illuminating treatise on the album from him sometime Thursday morning.
I’ve never been a huge Steely Dan fan, which might be why I’ve put off listening to this album. But the heaps of praise it has received from all corners make me realize I need to remedy that immediately.
The Nightfly‘s production, in particular, has been hailed as groundbreaking. Sound engineers apparently use this album to test their systems.
I think I’ll do the same in my car this week.
We can tell
This dream’s in sight
You’ve got to admit it
At this point in time that it’s clear
The future looks bright
On that train all graphite and glitter
Undersea by rail
Ninety minutes from New York to Paris
Well by seventy-six we’ll be A.O.K.
What a beautiful world this will be
What a glorious time to be free
Get your ticket to that wheel in space
While there’s time
The fix is in
You’ll be a witness to that game of chance in the sky
You know we’ve got to win
Here at home we’ll play in the city
Powered by the sun
Perfect weather for a streamlined world
There’ll be spandex jackets one for everyone
What a beautiful world this will be
What a glorious time to be free
On that train all graphite and glitter
Undersea by rail
Ninety minutes from New York to Paris
(More leisure time for artists everywhere)
A just machine to make big decisions
Programmed by fellows with compassion and vision
We’ll be clean when their work is done
We’ll be eternally free yes and eternally young
What a beautiful world this will be
What a glorious time to be free
Meet Me In Montauk 
Well, I do count myself as a casual fan of Steely Dan and Donald Fegan. I suppose if you have a soft spot for 80s British pop, my soft spot is for jazzy pop and Fagan delivers masterfully on this record. Steely Dan was just here with Elvis Costello as the opener and I’m kinda kicking myself for not going, though I really don’t like that amphitheater way the hell out in the western area of Palm Beach.
Anyway, fun fact about Steely Dan: the band took its name from a steam powered dildo that was referenced in the novel “Naked Lunch” by William S. Burroughs. 😀
That was an interesting bit of trivia Dana 🙂 I’m familiar with this song for a change but I don’t remember where or when