My Old School
Steely Dan
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I remember the thirty-five sweet goodbyes When you put me on the Wolverine up to Annandale It was still September When your daddy was quite surprised To find you with the working girls in the county jail I was smoking with the boys upstairs when I Heard about the whole affair, I said oh no William and Mary won't do Well, I did not think the girl Could be so cruel And I'm never going back To my old school Oleanders growing outside her door Soon they're gonna be in bloom up in Annandale I can't stand her Doing what she did before Living like a gypsy queen in a fairy tale Well, I hear the whistle but I can't go, I'm gonna Take her down to Mexico, she said oh no Guadalajara won't do Well, I did not think the girl Could be so cruel And I'm never going back To my old school California tumbles into the sea That'll be the day I go back to Annandale Tried to warn you About Chino and Daddy Gee But I can't seem to get to you through the U.S. Mail Well I hear the whistle but I can't go, I'm gonna Take her down to Mexico, she said oh no Guadalajara won't do Well, I did not think the girl Could be so cruel And I'm never going back To my old school
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17 fans
Written by: DONALD JAY FAGEN, WALTER CARL BECKER
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
10 facts about this song
Song Background"My Old School" is one of the most popular songs by rock band, Steely Dan. Released in 1973, the song became an imperative part of their second album, “Countdown To Ecstasy.”
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Song OriginThe song revolves around a drug bust at Bard College, attended by the band's co-founders Donald Fagen and Walter Becker, which resulted in a handful of students, including their friend and future actor, Chevy Chase, getting expelled.
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Songwriters"My Old School” was penned by the band's co-founders Donald Fagen and Walter Becker. As is the case with most Steely Dan songs, they are the sole writers on this track.
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Chart PerformanceDespite the captivating story and memorable tunes, the song didn’t chart when it was first released. But its popularity and recognition grew over the years as Steely Dan gained fame and popularity.
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Musical Style"My Old School" is notable for its fusion of jazz and rock elements, a trademark of Steely Dan's music. It also features an impressive horn section, which became a hallmark of the band's sound.
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Lyrics MessageThe lyrics of the song reflect Fagen and Becker’s distaste for Bard College, as evident in lines like “California tumbles into the sea, that'll be the day I go back to Annandale." Annandale-on-Hudson being the location of Bard.
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Band's RevisitAccording to Fagen and Becker, they were so upset with the college after the incident that they vowed never to go back to Bard - a sentiment expressly conveyed in this song. They did, however, return in 2009 to accept honorary doctorates.
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Iconic SolosGuitarist Jeff Baxter and drummer Jim Hodder deliver stunning solo performances on this track, making it a classic and memorable part of Steely Dan's repertoire.
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Role in Steely Dan CareerAlthough it didn't become a major hit, "My Old School" significantly contributed to Steely Dan's career trajectory as it combined a memorable story with their unique musical style, setting them apart from other bands of the era.
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Critical OpinionToday, "My Old School" is often cited as one of Steely Dan's most iconic songs and is a staple in classic rock radio. Critics frequently hail the combination of storytelling and musicianship in the song as exemplary of the band's signature style.
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"My Old School Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 24 Apr. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/27757989/Steely+Dan/My+Old+School>.
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