Kid Charlemagne
Steely Dan
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While the music played, you worked by candlelight Those San Francisco nights You were the best in town Just by chance you crossed the diamond with the pearl You turned it on the world That's when you turned the world around (Did you feel like Jesus?) Did you realize That you were a champion in their eyes? On the hill the stuff was laced with kerosene But yours was kitchen-clean Everyone stopped to stare at your technicolor motor home Every A-Frame had your number on the wall You must have had it all You'd go to L.A. on a dare and you'd go it alone (Could you live forever?) Could you see the day? Could you feel your whole world fall apart and fade away? (Get along, get along, Kid Charlemagne) (Get along, Kid Charlemagne) Now your patrons have all left you in the red Your low-rent friends are dead This life can be very strange All those day-glo freaks who used to paint the face They've joined the human race Some things will never change (Son, you were mistaken) You are obsolete Look at all the white men on the street (Get along, get along, Kid Charlemagne) (Get along, Kid Charlemagne) Clean this mess up else we'll all end up in jail Those test-tubes and the scale Just get it all out of here Is there gas in the car? Yes, there's gas in the car I think the people down the hall know who you are (Careful what you carry) 'Cause the man is wise You are still an outlaw in their eyes (Get along, get along, Kid Charlemagne) (Get along, Kid Charlemagne)
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Written by: Donald Jay Fagen, Walter Carl Becker
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
12 facts about this song
Song Creation"Kid Charlemagne" was written by Steely Dan members Donald Fagen and Walter Becker.
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Album ReleaseThis song is the opening track on their 1976 album "The Royal Scam."
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InspirationThe song got its inspiration from the life of Augustus Owsley Stanley III, a famous LSD chemist and supplier in the San Francisco Bay Area during the 1960s.
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Song Theme"Kid Charlemagne" tells the story of a drug dealer who enjoyed immense success but ultimately faced decline and capture.
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Musical StyleIt's one of Steely Dan's funkier songs, characterized by a catchy guitar riff and intricate keyboards.
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Guitar SoloThe famous guitar solo, played by session guitarist Larry Carlton, is regarded as one of the best and most memorable guitar solos in the history of rock music.
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Lyric InterpretationThe line, "Is there gas in the car?" is interpreted to allude to the logistical challenges of a drug dealer's life.
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Critical AcclaimThe song was critically acclaimed for its heavy jazz influence, intricate structure, and sophisticated lyrics.
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SamplingKanye West sampled the beginning of the song for "Champion," a track on his Graduation album.
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Live PerformancesDespite its popularity, "Kid Charlemagne" was rarely performed live by Steely Dan until their reunion tours in the 1990s.
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Cultural ImpactThe song is considered a classic of the '70s and has been covered by various artists over the years. It's also frequently featured in "best of" lists for the band.
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Keyboard SoundThe unique and recognisable clavinet sound on "Kid Charlemagne" is produced by a Hohner D6 clavinet run through a MXR Phase 90 phaser pedal, a staple of 70s funk and soul music.
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Citation
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"Kid Charlemagne Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 4 May 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/3208401/Steely+Dan/Kid+Charlemagne>.
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