naldo Posted April 21, 2004 Report Share Posted April 21, 2004 i want to know the meaning of the song Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sara Posted April 22, 2004 Report Share Posted April 22, 2004 I haven't been able to find anything online about what Steely Dan intended this song to mean - nor even someone else's opinion on it! I did find this list of links that may lead to something if you have time to dig through them: Steely Dan Links After reading the lyrics myself, my interpretation is Charlie was a man with a sad ending to his life. Maybe the ring is a wedding ring - from a failed marriage, or a spouse who died? I think he dies from drugs or alcohol bought with the money from selling his only possession of value (both monetary and personal value) - but I don't know what the "in fifteen ways" means in reference to his death. Maybe his heart was breaking? Anyone else have an interpretation or info from another source? CHARLIE FREAK Charlie Freak had but one thing to call his own Three weight ounce pure golden ring no precious stone Five nights without a bite No place to lay his head And if nobody takes him in He'll soon be dead On the street he spied my face I heard him hail In our plot of frozen space he told his tale Poor man, he showed his hand So righteous was his need And me so wise I bought his prize For chicken feed Newfound cash soon begs to smash a state of mind Close inspection fast revealed his favorite kind Poor kid, he overdid Embraced the spreading haze And while he sighed his body died In fifteen ways When I heard I grabbed a cab to where he lay 'Round his arm the plastic tag read D.O.A. Yes Jack, I gave it back The ring I could not own Now come my friend I'll take your hand And lead you home Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maxcaffein Posted May 2, 2004 Report Share Posted May 2, 2004 You're thoughts on the song are right on. The fifteen ways I believe is a reference to perhaps 15 years of a marriage that he remembers as he slips away. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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