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Steely Dan — Don't Take Me Alive
Album: The Royal Scam
Avg rating:
7.5

Your rating:
Total ratings: 3238









Released: 1976
Length: 4:08
Plays (last 30 days): 0
Agents of the law
Luckless pedestrian
I know you're out there
With rage in your eyes
And your megaphones

Saying all is forgiven
Mad Dog surrender
How can I answer
A man of my mind can do anything

I'm a bookkeeper's son
I don't wanna shoot no one
Well, I crossed my old man back in Oregon
Don't take me alive

Got a case of dynamite
I could hold out here all night
Yes, I crossed my old man back in Oregon
Don't take me alive

Can you hear the evil crowd
The lies and the laughter
I hear my inside
The mechanized hum of another world

Where no sun is shining
No red light flashing
Here in this darkness
I know what I've done
I know all at once who I am

I'm a bookkeeper's son
I don't wanna shoot no one
Well, I crossed my old man back in Oregon
Don't take me alive

Got a case of dynamite
I could hold out here all night
Yes, I crossed my old man back in Oregon
Don't take me alive

I'm a bookkeeper's son
I don't wanna shoot no one
Well, I crossed my old man back in Oregon
Don't take me alive

Got a case of dynamite
I could hold out here all night
Yes, I crossed my old man back in Oregon
Don't take me alive
Don't take me alive
Comments (326)add comment
 joejennings wrote:



Too funny!! ...not very hard to upset a book keeper!   PS: I always thought "pool keeper's son"! ...what the hell is a pool keeper?! ...anything is possible with Steely Dan!  

PS: Thank You for the lyrics, RP!  
 pinto wrote:


Check out Rick Beato's interview on YouTube with Larry Carlton re: the intro and overall guitar work for this song.



Thank You for the info!
 Ihatethissong wrote:

Start off a song with a guitar solo?  Why not?



Check out Rick Beato's interview on YouTube with Larry Carlton re: the intro and overall guitar work for this song.
such a great song, from an incredible band and a masterpiece of an album. Right after Aja this is my second favorite of them, great mood, incredible solos and just a very enjoyable experience 
See today’s (April 18)’s NYT for a new book on the Dan’s lyrics. Can’t wait to read it! MM in Or EE gun
 gratefulgator wrote:



Just realized the line is bookkeeper's son.  And being one, I'm wondering if I should worry about my son.

Try to stay away from Origaan
 Zep wrote:
"I'm a goal-keeper's son...."





Just realized the line is bookkeeper's son.  And being one, I'm wondering if I should worry about my son.
 BillG wrote:

Oh, yes. I did the evening shift at KLRB (Carmel) when this came out. Wore out at least one copy...



I wore out at least one copy on my home stereo, unbelievable musicianship on all their albums.
"I'm a goal-keeper's son...."


yikes...that guitar playing

yikes those lyrics

a man of my mind can do anything

except i got a case full of dynamite

go figure
 
 Highlowsel wrote:

The Steely.  These guys always were, and always will be, in a class all their own.  Outstanding thru-out.  

Highlow
American Net'Zen




Very well stated!   
The Steely.  These guys always were, and always will be, in a class all their own.  Outstanding thru-out.  

Highlow
American Net'Zen
 BillG wrote:

Oh, yes. I did the evening shift at KLRB (Carmel) when this came out. Wore out at least one copy...

Carmel?!
Did you get frequent requests for "Misty"?   ; )
take their first six albums and compare to first six albums of Dylan, Beatles,  Mitchell,  Van the man.

Quite outstanding. 
 Exothermic wrote:


I always heard "bull keeper's" son. A book keeper just takes away the edge  of danger in the story for me.



Too funny!! ...not very hard to upset a book keeper!   PS: I always thought "pool keeper's son"! ...what the hell is a pool keeper?! ...anything is possible with Steely Dan!  
 Jelani wrote:

I thought it was "poolkeeper's son"


I always heard "bull keeper's" son. A book keeper just takes away the edge  of danger in the story for me.
Larry Carlton conducts a guitar clinic in this song. So good. 

9
 Jelani wrote:

I thought it was "poolkeeper's son"



Me too!! I always thought the same thing!! ...Until I read the lyrics here!   
 Steely_D wrote:

I know you're out there, with rage in your eyes and your megaphones.




Words for today.
Of their big six albums, this is probably their most under-rated. 

And it's a freakin great album!!!  
 bluematrix wrote:

From Songfacts.com
Leaving no mystery to the lyrics, "Don't Take Me Alive" is about a violent criminal holed up with "a case of dynamite" telling the cops to shoot him, in the tradition of playing "suicide by cop." He also appears to have committed patricide. That's our Steely Dan - the darkest lyrics sung to the most cheerful tunes in rock 'n' roll!
Long before O. J. Simpson led police on a slow-speed chase through its streets, Los Angeles had been host to a number of unusual crimes and high-profile apprehensions - flipping on the TV in LA, you can often see a crime unfolding in real time. Natives of the city are used to it, but Becker and Fagen were transplants from New York, so to them it was really bizarre. In writing this song, they drew on some of these stories that inundated the city.
That's Larry Carlton doing the guitar solo.



"Leaving no Mystery to the Lyrics " certainly a rare occasion for   "The Dan"!
Sonically beautiful tune that paints a cinematic picture!
 Greyerwrit wrote:

No wonder he's on the lam, after that pronunciation of Or e Gone.

hahaha i get crapped on for that by OR-A-Gone relatives!

GREAT TUNE!!! ICONIC!!!
No wonder he's on the lam, after that pronunciation of Or e Gone.
 Steely_D wrote:
Everyone's panties in a bunch about Oregon, but no one freaking out about 

 Mr Walker is currently on TV shilling for some Medicare part A/B/C/D
insurance program where the benefits are (what else?-) "DYN-O-MITE!"
Tony in NJ
W.A.S.T.E.


 pcicatar wrote:

Two words: Larry Carlton!


Rick Beato interviewed him recently. Great stuff for music nerds! 
Agree
 Montreal_Mort wrote:

What a song! These guys were Dyno mite. A four min song w all those meter and key changes - yikes they were real musicians. This could be a 20 min classic. And it ends up a 4 min pop hit. I’m in awe



Not to mention the awesome four minutes of storytelling of someone gone crazy.
Other than the typical east coast mispronouncement of Oregon, a killer tune as are all SD compositions.  No offence, I went to public school in New England and we were taught to say it the same way.   
Donald Fagan has had an incredible career.  One of the most recognizable voices in rock.
I bought the Royal Scam in the summer of 1976 - I Still Love It
What a song! These guys were Dyno mite. A four min song w all those meter and key changes - yikes they were real musicians. This could be a 20 min classic. And it ends up a 4 min pop hit. I’m in awe
Oregon? I always thought he was singing about the Aragon Brawlroom in Chicago.
Two words: Larry Carlton!
WTF?

Oh...its Steely Dan.

Makes sense to me.


"Agents of the law
Luckless pedestrian
I know you're out there
With rage in your eyes
And your megaphones"

 Jelani wrote:

I thought it was "poolkeeper's son"
 
Talk about "yacht rock"!
 Sam_Hill wrote:
I always thought it was, "I'm a goalkeeper's son."
 
I thought it was "poolkeeper's son"
 uksminas wrote:
 
I think these people were expecting Yo Yo Ma. But what I want to know is what's up with that girl on the left with all the mascara smeared under her eyes as if  she'd been reading a really sad book that made her cry and she just looked up from all the (Steely Dan) commotion.
Sometimes I feel like a "luckless pedestrian". Love SD.
I freaking love Steely Dan.
Out...fucking (can I say that here?)...standing....go ahead....lie to me....tell me you didn't break out in an air guitar stance when that guitar sounded out?  Go ahead....lie to me.   I dare ya!  

Highlow
American Net'Zen
 BillG wrote:

Oh, yes. I did the evening shift at KLRB (Carmel) when this came out. Wore out at least one copy...
 

 easmann wrote:

Ah, so Clint patterned himself after you? Makes sense. ; p

"Play Misty for Me"
 
Just be sure to watch out for Evelyn!  ; )
 MrStatenIsle wrote:

Yeah, and how about opening a song by ripping a killer guitar solo in your face! :D
 
Aye, what a solo!
 Ihatethissong wrote:
Start off a song with a guitar solo?  Why not?
 

NOW WE'RE TALKIN'
Life is beautiful, who will take that I even dont like
 One of the very best rock bands from any decade  ...
.....oh, the song, Outstanding..."9"
 keller1 wrote:
Yacht Rock at its best. 👍
 

This is the antithesis of yacht rock
 keller1 wrote:
Yacht Rock at its best. 👍
 

 patrickagermann9147 wrote:
Went to a boring wedding back in the 70's and would sneak out to listen to this throughout the evening. It was my latest 8 track purchase. Love it!
 
I thought you were going to say this was playing at the boring wedding.
 frisbeepilot wrote:
I sure do love all them funny chords they use.
 
Yeah, and how about opening a song by ripping a killer guitar solo in your face! :D
I sure do love all them funny chords they use.
It's just that nobody but nobody wrote such strange but catchy and cryptic lyrics for fantastic musicianship.  
I’ve always disliked them singing oreeeegon since I moved out west (40 years). 😹
 keller1 wrote:
Yacht Rock at its best. 👍
 
I just heard that term for the 1st time last week during an NPR interview with Michael McDonald.  He was humorously grateful for the creation of that genre, which has kept his career going.
 dxnerd86 wrote:
I still get irritated at the way Fagen mispronounces ‘Oregon’. A foretelling of the Bundy saga, perhaps? A top tune, though.
 

Dang, I thought he was singing about the guy from Lord Of The Rings! I getcha. Well, he is Donald Fagen, I think he has demonstrated enough excellence'0'plenty to take some creative liberty here. Such a great album.
 youngers wrote:
Why someone has not made an opera based on this tune is beyond me.
 
Get to work on it; Wagner and Verdi are busy doing other things these days.
no he's saying 'or I gone' not 'or I gun' like we do in the PNW
 dxnerd86 wrote:
I still get irritated at the way Fagen mispronounces ‘Oregon’. A foretelling of the Bundy saga, perhaps? A top tune, though.
 
Uh, he pronounces it correctly.
Yacht Rock at its best. 👍
I still get irritated at the way Fagen mispronounces ‘Oregon’. A foretelling of the Bundy saga, perhaps? A top tune, though.
 drewd wrote:
Oh Man!! All of these years I've been singing "I'm a pool keeper's son".


 

Even knowing the "correct" lyric, I see no reason to sing it any other way.

Pool keeper forever, man!
I always thought it was, "I'm a goalkeeper's son."
 patrickagermann9147 wrote:
Went to a boring wedding back in the 70's and would sneak out to listen to this throughout the evening. It was my latest 8 track purchase. Love it!
 
I always associate Steely Dan with the 70s!  The sound just says 70s to me.
Ahhhhhh!  Schweetnesh!

On the other hand, does this song foretell the 21st Century?
Went to a boring wedding back in the 70's and would sneak out to listen to this throughout the evening. It was my latest 8 track purchase. Love it!
Love the multiple languages thank you, especially the Aussie.
This will never be removed from my iTunes playlist and I was so happy to hear it on RP.
I've never had a Steely Dan album, but there are some songs that cannot be ignored.
 bluematrix wrote:

From Songfacts.com
Leaving no mystery to the lyrics, "Don't Take Me Alive" is about a violent criminal holed up with "a case of dynamite" telling the cops to shoot him, in the tradition of playing "suicide by cop." He also appears to have committed patricide. That's our Steely Dan - the darkest lyrics sung to the most cheerful tunes in rock 'n' roll!
Long before O. J. Simpson led police on a slow-speed chase through its streets, Los Angeles had been host to a number of unusual crimes and high-profile apprehensions - flipping on the TV in LA, you can often see a crime unfolding in real time. Natives of the city are used to it, but Becker and Fagen were transplants from New York, so to them it was really bizarre. In writing this song, they drew on some of these stories that inundated the city.
That's Larry Carlton doing the guitar solo.

 
One of the few groups that I really love to listen to and read the lyrics at the same time.  Try it - they are just brilliant!
 danielharrigan wrote:
can't believe this song didn't make it on their greatest hits package.
 
It made it on "Showbiz Kids: The Steely Dan Story [Disk 2]
Well, I crossed my old man back in Oregon
Don't take me alive
 bluematrix wrote:

From Songfacts.com
Leaving no mystery to the lyrics, "Don't Take Me Alive" is about a violent criminal holed up with "a case of dynamite" telling the cops to shoot him, in the tradition of playing "suicide by cop." He also appears to have committed patricide. That's our Steely Dan - the darkest lyrics sung to the most cheerful tunes in rock 'n' roll!
Long before O. J. Simpson led police on a slow-speed chase through its streets, Los Angeles had been host to a number of unusual crimes and high-profile apprehensions - flipping on the TV in LA, you can often see a crime unfolding in real time. Natives of the city are used to it, but Becker and Fagen were transplants from New York, so to them it was really bizarre. In writing this song, they drew on some of these stories that inundated the city.
That's Larry Carlton doing the guitar solo.

 


OK, knew I'd come around to song lyrics being so prominent now on the new RP player. I really get this one a lot better 'n deeper. And the whole LA in the 70s thing too, for frosting on the cupcake, LA being a terrific source of all things best served really noir, of course. 

"... back in ARE-EE-GONE..."
Why someone has not made an opera based on this tune is beyond me.
Larry Carlton, Donald Fagan, Walter Becker Magic!
can't believe this song didn't make it on their greatest hits package.
The guitar intro gets my vote for one of the best in rock- give it another listen.
Start off a song with a guitar solo?  Why not?
 idiot_wind wrote:
Thelonious, my friend, 
Step on in, and let me shake your hand. 

Ahhhhhhhhhhh................I get the thread from previous song. 

 
I always heard it as Polonius.
Yacht Rock?  Had never even heard the term (see the Wikipedia info on the new RP site).  Apropos, and, based on the Wikipedia definition, perfectly defines why I don't enjoy Steely Dan.
To paraphrase the great Spinal Tap - " these guys go to 11"

Bliss
Sublime.  Countdown to Ecstasy is my favorite, but there is no bad Steely Dan Album. 
A promotion (7 to 8) based half on musical/song-writing skill, half on raw sentimental recollections of when the song was new, and how the world was then.
I would even dare to say: this is the perfect music.
Thelonious, my friend, 
Step on in, and let me shake your hand. 

Ahhhhhhhhhhh................I get the thread from previous song. 
I go with this as the best Steely Dan album. Multiple reasons, but this song is high on the list.  Maybe the best electric lead intro in rock?  And the angst in the lyrics is so perfectly expressed.
 pinto wrote:

As a big fan of the Dan I have to recommend Countdown to Ecstasy as their best album.

 
I'm partial to Katy Lied, which was repeated in a more mature way by Aja.
 pinto wrote:
As a big fan of the Dan I have to recommend Countdown to Ecstasy as their best album.
 
I agree, pinto!
 idiot_wind wrote:
One of their best albums. People need to realize how good of a "guitar band" this was with Becker, Skunk, Larry Coryell, etc.

You can hear it  in EVERY song.   And always...the goofy, cryptic lyrics.  

 
As a big fan of the Dan I have to recommend Countdown to Ecstasy as their best album.
 oldviolin wrote:
Soundtrack to a time machine, Monterey CA 1976
 
Oh, yes. I did the evening shift at KLRB (Carmel) when this came out. Wore out at least one copy...
 idiot_wind wrote:
You should really consider playing an album side or two as tribute to these guys. They were really good. Really. And good luck in trying to figure out this crazy-ass lyrics.   

 
From Songfacts.com
Leaving no mystery to the lyrics, "Don't Take Me Alive" is about a violent criminal holed up with "a case of dynamite" telling the cops to shoot him, in the tradition of playing "suicide by cop." He also appears to have committed patricide. That's our Steely Dan - the darkest lyrics sung to the most cheerful tunes in rock 'n' roll!
Long before O. J. Simpson led police on a slow-speed chase through its streets, Los Angeles had been host to a number of unusual crimes and high-profile apprehensions - flipping on the TV in LA, you can often see a crime unfolding in real time. Natives of the city are used to it, but Becker and Fagen were transplants from New York, so to them it was really bizarre. In writing this song, they drew on some of these stories that inundated the city.
That's Larry Carlton doing the guitar solo.

 Steely_D wrote:
I know you're out there, with rage in your eyes and your megaphones.

Can you hear the evil crowd?

The lies and the laughter
I hear my inside, the mechanized hum of another world
Where no sun is shining, no red light flashing
Here in this darkness, I know what I've done
I know all at once who I am
I know you're out there, with rage in your eyes and your megaphones.
Soundtrack to a time machine, Monterey CA 1976
Always loved the guitar on this, yet another awesome Dan tune.
Popular opinion (including Wiki) is that Larry Carlton did the solos, but several other guitarists played on the album, including Elliot Randall (probably would have been my guess), Denny Dias, Walter Becker, and Dean Parks.
{#Guitarist} rip walter ! always enjoyed the tuneage
You should really consider playing an album side or two as tribute to these guys. They were really good. Really. And good luck in trying to figure out this crazy-ass lyrics.   
 sfyi2001 wrote:

                              Crossed his old man and has dynamite don't take him alive.
                               - repeat 17 times -




 
Absolutely! Love it, don't you?  R.I.P. Walter



                              Crossed his old man and has dynamite don't take him alive.
                               - repeat 17 times -



Wow, going from Monk to SD.

Very Nice.

Please consider playing from the Pretzel Logic album.  
Timeless!!! Man I love this station. Nice segue from "Destination". Smooth, snarky wit and jazzy stylin'. Solid 70s Am Gold..... Loves me tha S_d!! Then and NOW.
 BaileyCat88 wrote:
Outstanding song. Guns in Oregon, not so much.

 
I bet the folks at Malheur National Wildlife Refuge would be relieved to hear that.
Not a huge Steely Dan fan, but this has always been on my playlist.
 Steely_D wrote:
The name of my next band is "Luckless Pedestrians."

 
I like it.
Yeah. Nice stuff. Being a 70's kid, this takes me back. Waaaayyy back.

{#Bananajam}On of my absolute favourite bands. 

Ready to here more of these guys here on rp (is welcome at the same dosage as the cadence of  cowboy junkies, rem, spoon etc)

smart, slick and very groovy

 
Everyone's panties in a bunch about Oregon, but no one freaking out about 

 
The name of my next band is "Luckless Pedestrians."
Somehow—this is still their most memorable/greatest song.  Or is it "My Old School"?  
Steely Dan songs always make me feel good.   No explanation
Bill is kicking it today with a great playlist.  One of SD better albums.
Outstanding song. Guns in Oregon, not so much.
And I thought I heard them sing "Katy Lied".  But it appears to be "Don't take me alive".
 
One of their best albums. People need to realize how good of a "guitar band" this was with Becker, Skunk, Larry Coryell, etc.

You can hear it  in EVERY song.   And always...the goofy, cryptic lyrics.  
To me, it's OK that they mispronounce Oregon.  After all, they also mispronounce dynamite.  I chalk it up to poetic license.
 drewd wrote:

Oh Man!! All of these years I've been singing "I'm a pool keeper's son".



 
Bwahahahaha.....what did we do before the internet and lyric searches.
I know what I used to do, hope the inner note linings of the LP had the lyrics.
Amazing, they are touring with Elvis Costello right now!
My youngest daughter starts in September at their Alma Mater in Annandale.