Sleeve notes

Songs composed and arranged by Donald Fagen except Ruby Baby by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller and arranged by Donald Fagen.

All songs ©1982 Freejunket Music ASCAP. Ruby Baby © 1955, 1963 Chappell & Co. Inc./Quintet Music, Inc./Bienstock Pub. Co. ASCAP. All rights adm. by Chappell & Co., Inc. (Intersong Music, Publishers). All rights reserved.

Horns arranged by Rob Mounsey and Donald Fagen

Recorded and mixed entirely on 3M digital 32 track and 4 track machines at Soundworks Digital Audio/Video Recording Studios, N.Y., Village Recorders, L.A. and Automated Sound, N.Y.

Chief engineer: Roger Nichols
Overdub engineer: Daniel Lazerus
Tracking and mixdown: Elliot Scheiner
Sequencing, percussion and special effects: Roger Nichols and WENDEL II
Digital maintenance: Wayne Yurgelun, Mike Morongell (Soundworks); Bill Roach and Jiri Donovsky (3M)
Assistant engineers: Wayne Yurgelun, Mike Morongell; also Cheryl Smith and Robin Lane
Original Mastering: Bob Ludwig at Masterdisk, N.Y.C.

Jeff Porcaro courtesy of Columbia Records
Valerie Simpson courtesy of Capitol Records
Greg Phillinganes courtesy of Planet Records

Special thanks to Mary Melia, Jerry Garszva, Valerie Simpson, Jeff Porcaro, Mo Ostin, Clyde Tate, Barbara Schur, Andy Frank, Len Freedman, Irving Azoff, Dick LaPalm, Ernest Caputeo, Irwin Fisch, Joy Askew, Frank Dickinson, Gus Skinas, Linda Bordenet, Rosa Santos, John McHugh, FDigital Keyboards Inc., the staff and management of Soundworks, and to all the musicians for their patience and enthusiasm.

Set design and construction: Gale Sasson, Vern Yenor
Art direction: George Delmerico
Photography: James Hamilton
Sonny Rollins/The Contemporary Leaders LP cover courtesy of Contemporary Records

PRODUCED BY GARY KATZ

Note: The songs on this album represent certain fantasies that might have been entertained by a young man growing up in the remote suburbs of a northeastern city during the late fifties and early sixties, i.e., one of my general height, weight and build.

D.F.

I.G.Y

Standing tough under stars and stripes
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 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

Electric piano: Greg Phillinganes
Guitar: Hugh McCracken
Synthesizers: Rob Mounsey, Donald Fagen
Synth blues harp: Donald Fagen
Percussion: Starz Vanderlocket, Roger Nichols
Drums: James Gadson
Additional drums: Jeff Porcaro
Bass: Anthony Jackson
Trumpet: Randy Brecker
Alto sax: Dave Tofani
Tenor Sax: Michael Brecker
Baritone Sax: Ronnie Cuber
Trombone: Dave Bargeron
Backup vocals: Valerie Simpson, Zack Sanders,
Frank Floyd, Gordon Grody

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Green Flower Street

Uptown
It's murder out in the street
Uptown
It's murder out in the street
That's where I found my mandarin plum
That's where you'd be if you found one

Where the nights are bright
And joy is complete
Keep my squeeze on Green Flower Street

Since May
There's trouble most every night
Since May
There's trouble most every night 
Where once we danced our sweet routine
It reeks of wine and kerosene

Where the nights are bright
And joy is complete
Keep my squeeze on Green Flower Street

There's a special place for lovers
One we understand
There where neon bends in daylight sky
In that sunny room she soothes me
Cools me with her fan
We're drifting
A thousand years roll by

Lou Chang
Her brother he's burning with rage
Lou Chang
Her brother he's burning with rage
I'd like to know what's on his mind
He says hey buddy you're not my kind

Where the nights are bright
And joy is complete
Keep my squeeze on Green Flower Street

Electric piano: Greg Phillinganes
Lead Guitar: Larry Carlton
Guitars: Dean Parks, Rick Derringer
Synthesizers: Rob Mounsey, Donald Fagen
Percussion: Starz Vanderlocket
Drums: Jeff Porcaro
Bass: Chuck Rainey
Backup vocals: Valerie Simpson, Zack Sanders,
Frank Floyd, Daniel Lazerus

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Ruby Baby

I got a girl and Ruby is her name
She don't love me, but I love her just the same
Ruby Baby how I want you
Like a ghost I'm gonna haunt you
Ruby Baby when will you be mine

Each time I see you baby my heart cries
I'm gonna steal you away from all those guys
From the sunny day I met you
Made a bet that I would get you
Ruby Baby when will you be mine

I got a girl and Ruby is her name
I'd give the world just to set her heart aflame
Got some lovin' money too
Gonna give it all to you
Ruby Baby when will you be mine

Piano: Michael Omartian
Piano Solo: Greg Phillinganes
Electric piano, organ, synthesizers: Donald Fagen
Lead guitar: Larry Carlton
Guitar: Hugh McCracken
Drums: Jeff Porcaro
Additional drums: James Gadson
Bass: Anthony Jackson
Trumpet, flugelhorn: Randy Brecker
Tenor Sax: Michael Brecker
Backup vocals: Valerie Simpson, Donald Fagen

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Maxine

Some say that we're reckless
They say we're much too young
Tell us to stop before we've begun
We've got to hold out till graduation
Try to hang on Maxine

While the world is sleeping
We meet at Lincoln Mall
Talk about life the meaning of it all
Try to make sense of the suburban sprawl
Try to hang on Maxine

Mexico City is like another world
Nice this year they say
You'll be my senorita
In jeans and pearls
But first let's get off this highway

We'll move up to Manhattan
And fill the place with friends
Drive to the coast and drive right back again
One day we'll wake up, make love but till then
Try to hang on Maxine

Piano: Greg Phillinganes
Electric piano, organ: Donald Fagen
Guitar: Larry Carlton
Drums: Ed Green
Bass: Marcus Miller
Flugelhorn: Randy Brecker
Alto sax: Dave Tofani
Tenor Sax: Michael Brecker
Baritone Sax: Ronnie Cuber
Euphonium: Dave Bargeron

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New Frontier

Yes we're gonna have a wingding
A summer smoker underground
It's just a dugout that my dad built
In case the reds decide to push the button down
We've got provisions and lots of beer
The key word is survival on the new frontier

Introduce me to that big blonde
She's got a touch of Tuesday Weld
She's wearing Ambush and a French twist
She's got us wild and she can tell
She loves to limbo that much is clear
She's got the right dynamics for the new frontier

Well I can't wait 'til I move to the city
Till I finally make up my mind
To learn design and study overseas

Have you got a steady boyfriend
Cause honey I've been watching you
I hear you're mad about Brubeck
I like your eyes I like him too
He's an artist a pioneer
We've got to have some music on the new frontier

Well I can't wait till I move to the city
'Til I finally make up my mind
To learn design and study overseas
Let's pretend that it's the real thing
And stay together all night long
And when I really get to know you
We'll open up the doors and climb into the dawn
Confess your passion your secret fear
Prepare to meet the challenge of the new frontier

Piano, electric piano: Michael Omartian
Lead guitar: Larry Carlton
Harmonica: Hugh McCracken
Percussion: Starz Vanderlocket
Drums: Ed Green
Bass: Abraham Laboriel
Backup vocals: Starz Vanderlocket, Donald Fagen

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The Nightfly

I'm Lester the Nightfly
Hello Baton Rouge
Won't you turn your radio down
Respect the seven second delay we use

So you say there's a race
Of men in the trees
You're for tough legislation
Thanks for calling
I wait all night for calls like these

An independent station
WJAZ
With jazz and conversation
From the foot of Mt. Belzoni
Sweet music
Tonight the night is mine
Late line till the sun comes through the skylight

I've got plenty of java
And Chesterfield Kings
But I feel like crying
I wish I had a heart like ice
Heart like ice

If you want your honey
To look super swell
You must spring for that little blue jar
Patton's Kiss And Tell
Kiss And Tell

An independent station
WJAZ
With jazz and conversation
From the foot of Mt. Belzoni
Sweet music
Tonight the night is mine
Late line till the sun comes through the skylight

You'd never believe it
But once there was a time
When love was in my life
I sometimes wonder
What happened to that flame
The answer's still the same
It was you it was you
Tonight you're still on my mind

An independent station
WJAZ
With jazz and conversation
From the foot of Mt. Belzoni
Sweet music
Tonight the night is mine
Late line till the sun comes through the skylight

Piano: Donald Fagen
Electric piano: Michael Omartian
Lead guitar: Larry Carlton
Guitars: Hugh McCracken, Rick Derringer
Synthesizers: Rob Mounsey, Donald Fagen
Drums: Jeff Porcaro
Bass: Marcus Miller
Backup vocals: Valerie Simpson, Zack Sanders,
Frank Floyd, Donald Fagen

---

The Goodbye Look

The surf was easy on the day I came to stay
On this quiet island in the bay
I remember a line of women all in white
The laughter and the steel bands at night

Now the Americans are gone exept for two
The embassy's been hard to reach
There's been talk and lately a bit of action after dark
Behind the big casino on the beach

The rules are changed
It's not the same
It's all new players in a whole new ball game

Last night I dreamed of an old lover dressed in gray
I've had this fever now since yesterday
Wake up darling they're knocking the Colonel's
  standing in the sun
With his stupid face the glasses and the gun

I know what happens
I read the book
I believe I just got the goodbye look

Won't you pour me a Cuban breeze Gretchen

I know a fellow with a motor launch for hire
A skinny man with two-one shoes
Cause tonight they're arranging a small reception
  just for me
Behind the big casino by the sea

I know what happens
I read the book
I believe I just got the goodbye look

Electric piano, synthesizer: Greg Phillinganes
Lead guitar: Larry Carlton
Guitar: Dean Parks
Acoustic guitar: Steve Kahn
Percussion: Starz Vanderlocket
Drums: Jeff Porcaro
Bass: Marcus Miller
Backup vocals: Valerie Simpson, Donald Fagen

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Walk Between The Raindrops

A shadow crossed the blue Miami sky
As we hit the causeway by the big hotel
We fought
Now I can't remember why
After all the words were said and tears were gone
We vowed we'd never say goodbye

When we kissed we could hear the sound of thunder
As we watched the regulars rush the big hotels
We kissed again as the showers swept the Florida shore
You opened your umbrella
But we walked between the raindrops back to your door

In my dreams I can hear the sound of thunder
I can see the causeway by the big hotels
That happy day we'll find each other on that Florida shore
You'll open your umbrella
And we'll walk between the raindrops back to your door

Electric piano, organ, synthesizer: Donald Fagen
Guitar: Larry Carlton
Drums: Steve Jordan
Synthesizer bass: Greg Phillinganes
Bass: Will Lee
Backup vocals: Leslie Miller, Donald Fagen

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