Steely Dan Deacon Blues T Shirt

Written by Walter Becker and Donald Fagen in 1976 and recorded by Steely Dan on their 1977 album Aja. It peaked at number 19 on the Billboard charts in June 1978. In Canada it spent two weeks at #14. The song was largely written at Fagen's house in Malibu and was prompted by his observation that "... if a college football team like the University of Alabama could have a grandiose name like the 'Crimson Tide' the nerds and losers should be entitled to a grandiose name as well." The song's protagonist has been described by Fagen as "autobiographical in that it reflected the dreams of both Fagen and Becker about becoming jazz musicians while they were living in the suburbs". Characterized as a "loser" by Fagen, the song's subject was meant to reflect "... a broken dream of a broken man living a broken life." It is classic Steely Dan, widescreen, cinematic and yet intimate and poetic. The work of geniuses.