Artist: Steely Dan Album: Pretzel Logic {1974}

We hear you're leaving, that's okay
I thought our little wild time had just begun
I guess you kind of scared yourself, you turn and run
But if you have a change of heart

Rikki don't lose that number
You don't wanna call nobody else
Send it off in a letter to yourself
Rikki don't lose that number
It's the only one you own
You might use it if you feel better when you get home

I have a friend in town, he's heard your name
We can go out driving on Slow Hand Row
We could stay inside and play games, I don't know
And you could have a change of heart

Rikki don't lose that number
You don't wanna call nobody else
Send it off in a letter to yourself
Rikki don't lose that number
It's the only one you own
You might use it if you feel better when you get home

You tell yourself you're not my kind
But you don't even know your mind
And you could have a change of heart

Rikki don't lose that number
You don't wanna call nobody else
Send it off in a letter to yourself
Rikki don't lose that number
It's the only one you own
You might use it if you feel better when you get home

Rikki don't lose that number
Rikki don't lose that number
Rikki don't lose that number

It's a beggars life, said the Queen of Spain but don't tell it to a poor man
Cos he's got to kill for every thrill the best he can
Everywhere around me I see jealousy and mayhem
Because no men have all their peace of mind to carry them
Well I don't really care if it's wrong or if it's right
But until my ship comes in I'll live night by night

When the joker tried to tell me I could cut it in this rube town
When he tried to hang that sign on me I said, "Take it down."
When the dawn patrol got to tell you twice they're gonna do it with a shotgun
Yes, I'm cashing in this ten-cent life for another one
Well I ain't got the heart to lose another fight
So until my ship comes in I'll live night by night

Well I don't really care if it's wrong or if it's right
But until my ship comes in I'll live night by night

Night by night, night by night
Night by night, night by night

I never seen you looking so bad my funky one
You tell me that your superfine mind has come undone
Any major dude with half a heart surely will tell you my friend
Any minor world that breaks apart falls together again
When the demon is at your door
In the morning it won't be there no more
Any major dude will tell you
Any major dude will tell you

Have you ever seen a squonk's tears - well, look at mine
The people on the street have all seen better times
Any major dude with half a heart surely will tell you my friend
Any minor world that breaks apart falls together again
When the demon is at your door
In the morning it won't be there no more
Any major dude will tell you
Any major dude will tell you

I can tell you all I know, the where to go, the what to do
You can try to run but you can't hide from what's inside of you

Any major dude with half a heart surely will tell you my friend
Any minor world that breaks apart falls together again
When the demon is at your door
In the morning it won't be there no more
Any major dude will tell you
Any major dude will tell you
Any major dude will tell you

I'm not one to look behind I know that times must change
But over there in Barrytown they do things very strange
And though you're not my enemy
I like things like they used to be
And though you'd like some company I'm standing by myself
Go play with someone else
I can see by what you carry that you come from Barrytown

Don't believe I'm taken in by stories I have heard 
I just read the Daily News and swear by every word 
And don't think that I'm out of line 
For speaking out for what is mine 
I'd like to see you do just fine but look at what you wear 
And the way you cut your hair 
I can see by what you carry that you come from Barrytown

In the beginning we recall that the word was hurled 
Barrytown people got to be from another world

Leave me or I'll be just like the others you will meet
They won't act as kindly if they see you on the street
And don't you scream or make a shout
It's nothing you can do about
It was there where you came out, it's a special lack of grace
I can see it in your face
I can see by what you carry that you come from Barrytown

INSTRUMENTAL

Savoy Sides presents a new saxophone sensation
It's Parker's band with a smooth style of syncopation
Kansas City born and growing
You won't believe what the boys are blowing
You got to come on man and take a piece of Mister Parker's band

You'll be riding by, bareback on your armadillo
You'll be grooving high or relaxing at Camarillo
Suddenly the music hits you
It's a bird in flight that just can't quit you
You got to come on man and take a piece of Mister Parker's band

We will spend a dizzy weekend smacked into a trance
Me and you will listen to a little bit of what made the preacher dance

Bring your horn along and you can add to the pure confection
And if you can't fly you'll have to move in with the rhythm section
Either way you're bound to function
Fifty-Second Street's the junction
You got to come on man and take a piece of Mister Parker's
Clap your hands and take a piece of Mister Parker's
Come on man and take a piece of Mister Parker's band

He takes all my money
You know I'm through with Buzz
Yes, I'm through with Buzz
All right, oh yeah, uh huh

He's not very funny
You know I'm through with Buzz
Yes, I'm through with Buzz
All right, oh yeah, uh huh

I remember when he stole my girl
Drug her all around the world
You know I'm cool, yes, I feel alright
Cept when I'm in my room and it's late at night

Maybe he's a fairy
You know I'm through with Buzz
Yes, I'm through with Buzz
All right, oh yeah, uh huh, all right

I would love to tour the southland in a travelling minstrel show
Yes, I'd love to tour the southland in a traveling minstrel show
Yes, I'm dying to be a star and make them laugh
Sound just like a record on the phonograph
Those days are gone forever, over a long time ago, oh yeah, hey, hey

I have never met Napoleon but I plan to find the time
I have never met Napoleon but I plan to find the time, yes I do
Cos he looks so fine upon that hill
They tell me he was lonely, he's lonely still
Those days are gone forever, over a long time ago, oh yeah

I stepped up on the platform, the man gave me the news
He said, "You must be joking son, where did you get those shoes
Where did you get those shoes?"

Well, I've seen 'em on the TV, the movie show
They say the times are changing but I just don't know
These things are gone forever, over a long time ago, oh yeah
Oh yeah, hey, hey

I could be wrong but I have seen your face before
You were the man that I saw running from his door
You owed him money but you gave him something more
With a gun, with a gun
You will be what you are just the same
Did you pay the other man with the piece in your hand
And leave him lying in the rain

You were the founders of the clinic on the hill
Until he caught you with your fingers in the till
He slapped your hand so you settled up your bill
With a gun, with a gun
You will be what you are just the same
Did you pay the other man with the piece in your hand
And leave him lying in the rain

When you're born to play the fool and you've seen all the western movies
Woe to the one who does you wrong
You hide in the bushes, murder the man with Luger in hand

I understand that you will soon be leavin' town
Don't try to call me when they finally run you down
Just give fair warning any time you come around
With a gun, with a gun
You will be what you are just the same
Did you pay the other man with the piece in your hand
And leave him lying in the rain

Charlie Freak had but one thing to call his own
Three weight ounce pure golden ring, no precious stone
Five nights without a bite, no place to lay his head
And if nobody takes him in he'll soon be dead

On the street he spied my face I heard him hail
In our plot of frozen space he told his tale
Poor man, he showed his hand, so righteous was his need
And me so wise I bought his prize for chicken feed

Newfound cash soon begs to smash a state of mind
Close inspection fast revealed his favorite kind
Poor kid, he overdid it, embraced the spreading haze
And while he sighed his body died in fifteen ways

When I heard I grabbed a cab to where he lay
Round his arm the plastic tag read D.O.A.
Yes Jack, I gave it back, the ring I could not own
Now come my friend I'll take your hand and lead you home

I got one and you want four
It's so hard to help you
I can't keep up with you no more
And you treat me like it's a sin
But you can't lock me in
You want me here with you right to the end
No thank you my friend
I fear the monkey in your soul

Won't you turn that bebop down
I can't hear my heart beat
Where's that fatback chord I found
But honey don't you think it was wrong
To interrupt my song
I'll pack my things and run so far from here
Goodbye dear
I fear the monkey in your soul

Don't you think it was wrong to interrupt my song
I'll pack my things and run so far from here, goodbye dear
I fear the monkey in your soul
I fear the monkey in your soul