“Hey Nineteen” is the squalid centerpiece of the concept album that is Gaucho.
Steely’s protagonist here is a pathetic aging dude attempting to put the moves on a 19-year old by bragging about his frat exploits in trying to set the mood with a sweet thing reminiscent of a young Aretha Franklin.
Th...
[Verse 1]
Way back when, in '67
I was the dandy of Gamma Chi
Sweet things from Boston
So young and willing
Moved down to Scarsdale
Where the hell am I?
[Chorus]
Hey Nineteen
No, we can't dance together
(We can’t dance together)
No, we can't talk at all
Please take me along
When you slide on down
[Verse 2]
Hey Nineteen
That's 'Retha Franklin
She don't remember the Queen of Soul
It’s hard times befallen
The sole survivors
She thinks I'm crazy
But I'm just growing old
[Chorus]
Hey Nineteen
No, we got nothing in common
(We can’t dance together)
No, we can't talk at all
Please take me along
When you slide on down
[Interlude]
Nice!
Sure looks good!
Mmm, mmm, mmm
Skate a little lower, now
[Bridge]
The Cuervo Gold
The fine Colombian
Make tonight a wonderful thing
(Say it again)
The Cuervo Gold
The fine Colombian
Make tonight a wonderful thing
The Cuervo Gold
The fine Colombian
Make tonight a wonderful thing
[Chorus]
No, we can't dance together
No, we can't talk at all
Hey Nineteen was written by Donald Fagen & Walter Becker.
Hey Nineteen was produced by Gary Katz.
Steely Dan released Hey Nineteen on Fri Nov 21 1980.
Jazzwax: You seem to take special pleasure in singing Hey Nineteen. Why?
DF: I know the audience likes it, and also it’s maybe a little simpler than our other stuff. It’s easy to sing. I don’t have to think about it that much. By the way—getting back to something you said earlier—if I seem uncomfort...