Steely Dan - Don't Take Me Alive Lyrics






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

[Chorus:]
I'm a bookkeeper's son
I don't want to 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

[Chorus]





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Steely Dan Don't Take Me Alive Comments
  1. P.... G....

    Stunning😍

  2. R.... a....

    Few people seem to mention just how unbelievably perfect Fagen's voice is for this (and all of Steely Dan's) song.

  3. M.... B....

    When I hear this song it makes want to get in my 1970 GTO and hit 140mph!!!

  4. M.... B....

    Badass song. If you like the 70’s checkout some Emerson Lake & Palmer

  5. R.... G....

    Four decades on, and I'm still curious about just what went down in the Beaver State!

  6. C.... M....

    I grew up in the '70's (class of '78!) and Steeley Dan really taught me how to listen to music; the subtle textures, nuances, chord changes and progressions, etc...It's been a priceless gift! They were just so fucking good.

  7. D.... U....

    Larry Carlton is officially the best unknown {by the masses} guitarist of all time. One of the best studio musicians heard on hundreds of albums. Check out Mr 335, a tribute to his gibby semi hollow. Dude is a legend

    D.... U....

    Yes, Larry is the greatest guitarist on the planet. Is this your favorite Steely Dan song?

  8. B.... G....

    It really is better than anything out there today. The shear creativity, energy, and complexity that deliverers such a cold picture of a mind pushed too far behind a background of music that paints such a desperate stage so perfectly. Masterpiece. IMHO

    B.... G....

    Donald Fagen and Walter Becker were lyrical and musical geniuses. Is this your favorite Steely Dan song?

    B.... G....

    @Edward Sholar I'm afraid I learned Razor Boy on keys first, so that's up there, My wife was Rosie, so I learned Rose Darlin' on guitar, and that became a favorite for a while. all around, i think the solos on My Old school draw my in every time, but I'm still haunted by King of the World

    B.... G....

    @Beach Goat
    Also, if you want a little chuckle, I wrote, "A Steely Dan Bedtime Story." You can find it on the first "Do it Again" video on YouTube.

  9. D.... D....

    I live in Oregon

  10. K.... C....

    The WONDERFUL Larry Carlton

  11. B.... M....

    As soon as this jam was over, I would need to friggin wake up!

  12. R.... S....

    No better guitar intro in modern rock music.

    R.... S....

    Guitar courtesy of the legendary Larry Carlton. Is this your favorite Steely Dan song?

  13. W.... M....

    OMG............564 thumbs down! WHAT-THE-WHAT. Why are deaf people trying to listen to this?

    W.... M....

    Steely Dan is a thinking man's band. Not everyone gets them. Do you have any other favorites of theirs?

  14. D.... A....

    Violence is the search for identity. "I know all at once who I am."

    D.... A....

    Pretty scary, isn't it?

  15. k.... h....

    Their songs are really cryptic, can someone tell me what this song is about?

    k.... h....

    @kevin hasch
    Would you like to hear the story behind their song, "My Old School?"

    k.... h....

    @Edward Sholar Yeah I would like to

    k.... h....

    @kevin hasch
    There was a drug raid at Bard College, and Donald Fagen and Walter Becker were arrested with others. I think this was around 1969. Fagen was so angry that he didn't graduate and vowed never to go back to "My Old School."

  16. B.... S....

    And tell Walter's wife to get a job !

  17. J.... L....

    So funny seeing Teller speak in the premercial.  On with the show!

  18. P.... B....

    What's your favorite Steely Dan song ? whatever's playing now.

  19. h.... w....

    My understanding is they recorded many of their songs as a band , in the same room. Unbelievable

    h.... w....

    Quite a feat.

  20. s.... s....

    i am buddas son, i am close to see if i can stay that way

    s.... s....

    So, are you also a Steely Dan fan?

  21. d.... ....

    One if not the most underrated song by the Dan. How can you not love this song. The lyrics and the vibe are outrageous. Donald Fagen and Walter Becker are unmatched. Larry Carlton playing guitar is unreal just listen to it. Agents of the law and luckless pedestrians. Love this song and I Love the Dan. :)

    d.... ....

    Would you agree with me that Donald Fagen, Walter Becker and Larry Carlton should be on Mount Rushmore?

    d.... ....

    @Edward Sholar I totally agree.

    d.... ....

    @delta9779
    And maybe add Elliott Randall too.

  22. D.... H....

    I'm a 2,000 year old time traveler from the Delta Quadrant and I came here for the Steely Dan.

  23. N.... C....

    Been listening to this song daily for the last month, along with many other SD songs the richness and depth each musician brings gets more interesting everyday.

    N.... C....

    My best friend turned me on to them back in the early 80s and I've been loving them ever since

  24. M.... C....

    Oh man, it'd be so cool if Marty Scorsese decided to put some Steely Dan music on his films.

  25. e.... M....

    I don't get people who don't get the Dan. It's OK. More for us! 😉😁

    e.... M....

    The people who don't get Steely Dan are largely uneducated, not just musically, but on so many levels. Donald Fagen and Walter Becker were lyrical and musical geniuses, and this is an understatement. Fagen and Becker were perfectionists, and most people are satisfied with ordinary.

  26. M.... W....

    I may or may not have blasted this out my stereo while shooting targets in my backyard with a .44 revolver. The neighbors have yet to thank me.

    M.... W....

    Dirty Harry would be proud. That's a funny story though. Maybe you made your neighbors into Steely Dan fans. Is this your favorite song?

  27. m.... ....

    Saw this on Q-1043 NY's top 1,043 of 2019 already played list. This title grabbed my attention. Then i listened and remembered that i DO know this song! Didn't know the title!

    m.... ....

    The man on the lead guitar is the legendary Larry Carlton. He also played the lead guitar on "Kid Charlemagne." His face should be on Mount Rushmore.

  28. L.... C....

    Larry, and his Gibson 335, going through a Fender Deluxe Reverb. Classic!!

    L.... C....

    Larry Carlton said you might not know my name but you've heard my guitar.

  29. T.... C....

    All these many years later and I still love the Dan. Even if Fagen pronounces "Oregon" like it's "Aragon," which happens to be in Spain.

    T.... C....

    Even perfectionists make mistakes sometimes. Is this your favorite Steely Dan song?

  30. C.... M....

    Carlton classic Guitar Playing, this was my introduction to Steely Dan, I had heard the hits but this full album was something else.

    C.... M....

    Do you think his solo here is better than Elliott Randall's on Reelin' in the Years or Dean Parks' solo on Haitian Divorce?

    C.... M....

    @Edward Sholar There is no better, Steely Dan always picked the right guys for the songs, for awhile Carlton was the prince of the LA session players

    C.... M....

    @Christopher Mooney
    Donald Fagen and Walter Becker should be on Mount Rushmore.

  31. s.... s....

    love is so close here,to the supersoul,s hum in space,

  32. s.... s....

    angent laws, you are just as good now as then, i aint going to shoot noone

  33. B.... M....

    How good is Larry Carlton on this? Perfect! 🎸

  34. A.... L....

    "I crossed my old man back in Oregon, Don't take me alive" - no idea what this refers to, but somehow it evokes such powerful imagery and sense of nostalgia in me

  35. T.... B....

    got a case of dynamite, I could hold out here all night

    T.... B....

    Larry Carlton is the star of the show on lead guitar here.

    T.... B....

    Steely Dan wasn't afraid to let other musicians share the limelight like Larry Carlton playing lead guitar on this song.

  36. D.... M....

    Still.....so good!🎉

    D.... M....

    Steely Dan wasn't afraid to let other musicians share the limelight like letting Larry Carlton play lead guitar on this song.

    D.... M....

    He wasn't afraid because he was mature. When folks are not power-tripping, they are sharing. It's a world of difference.

    D.... M....

    @Deirdre Morris
    That's true.

    D.... M....

    @Deirdre Morris
    I created a Christmas present for Steely Dan fans called "A Steely Dan Bedtime Story." It combines their song titles and lyrics into an amusing tale. You can find it on the first "Do it Again" video on YouTube in the newest comments about 24 replies down from the newest reply. I hope you laugh as much as I did writing it.

  37. A.... G....

    groovy bliss , what a cool vibe

    A.... G....

    The man on the lead guitar is the legendary Larry Carlton.

    A.... G....

    Steely Dan wasn't afraid to let other musicians share the limelight like letting Larry Carlton play lead guitar on this song.

  38. s.... s....

    angent of the law, luckyless pedestrians. a man of my kind can do anything,

    s.... s....

    Larry Carlton is the star of the show with his guitar work on this song.

    s.... s....

    Steely Dan wasn't afraid to let other musicians share the limelight like letting Larry Carlton play lead guitar on this song.

  39. K.... N....

    553 idiots out there...probably rap and hip hop merps

    K.... N....

    Steely Dan wasn't afraid to let other musicians share the limelight like letting Larry Carlton play lead guitar on this song.

  40. R.... C....

    Mitici Steely

  41. A.... L....

    I love SD . It was an acquired taste, but well worth the effort

  42. T.... H....

    A friend sent this yesterday and I just laughed out loud. Joy. My father dove to my college in 1988 on my 21st birthday with a CD player and all the Steely Dan albums on disc. This song is amazing. Larry Carlton is one of my favorites.

  43. E.... T....

    Larry Carton’s guitar intro is absolute perfection!

    E.... T....

    Larry Carlton, one of the best guitarists ever.

  44. N.... F....

    Unbelievable !!! Genius

    N.... F....

    You are right many times over.

    N.... F....

    Larry Carlton is the one on lead guitar.

  45. G.... C....

    Still awesome in 2019, liked in 70s

    G.... C....

    It never gets old.

    G.... C....

    Larry Carlton is the one on lead guitar.

  46. S.... S....

    548 thumbs down? you suck

    S.... S....

    Larry Carlton is the legendary lead guitarist on this song.

  47. J.... N....

    When Chevy Chase was the drummer they were called ‘A really bad jazz band.’

    J.... N....

    Larry Carlton is on lead guitar here.

  48. C.... B....

    Heard this tonite driving.I had to pull over,listen further,find the title and it brought me here.Havent heard this in years and its a very under the radar Steely Gem
    Sounds amazing after all the years.Steely Dan music just gets better and better.

    C.... B....

    Good story.

    C.... B....

    Larry Carlton is on lead guitar here.

  49. S.... C....

    That chorus is directly in the middle of the intersection between classy and badass. I used to think this was grandpa music but it actually rules.

    S.... C....

    @Edward Sholar I'm actually learning the leads to Bodhisattva right now, and completely humbled that a mere mortal composed that stuff.

    S.... C....

    @Social Credit Score: Critical
    If you want a good laugh, I wrote "A Steely Dan Bedtime Story." You can read it on the first YouTube video of "Do it Again in the newest comments.

  50. J.... S....

    Brother,if I had a case of dynomite xx x.The shits and giggles I would have.

    J.... S....

    Larry Carlton is the amazing guitarist on this song.

  51. A.... ....

    like larry carlton once said " you might never heard of me.....but you have heard my guitar !!!"

  52. B.... G....

    Awesome song by these great musicians.

  53. L.... A....

    What a beautiful song . makes my spirit dance with the wind.

  54. C.... D....

    Bravo ⚘

  55. R.... L....

    The intro guitar solo(!) is epic. Larry Carlton at the fretboard on this one.

  56. E.... S....

    Donald Fagen and Walter Becker had a propensity for writing songs in minor keys. This song was written in C minor.

  57. F.... P....

    Steely Dan still keep me alive.....

  58. M.... K....

    "Agents of the law! Luckless pedestrians!" Sweet Jeebus, this cut is prophetic!

    M.... K....

    Larry Carlton is the lead guitarist on this song.

  59. D.... B....

    From a musical and artistic standpoint, that first 45-seconds has to be one of the most masterful 45-seconds in all of music history. Kudos to the lead guitarist. Every lick scorches with perfection.

  60. E.... S....

    Saw them at the Mohegan Sun Arena Saturday night.

  61. p.... ....

    That is some fantastic guitar work.

  62. M.... M....

    Cecil ! Steely Dan got me through some hard times as a teenager in the 70s, I subscribed today bro

    M.... M....

    Larry Carlton on lead guitar here.

  63. M.... M....

    Nice job Cecil

    M.... M....

    Larry Carlton on lead guitar here.

  64. L.... ....

    ......The LIES, and the laughter....I hear my insides- the mechanized hum of another world.....where no sun is shining, no red lights flashing....here in this darkness, i know what i've done - I know all at once who I am......

    L.... ....

    Larry Carlton on lead guitar here.

  65. C.... B....

    That's Mr. Larry "335" Carlton on lead guitar. Such intensity in playing and you will appreciate how he weaves and makes magic with the melody and the chord progressions in this hit of Steely Dan. Kudos to Steely Dan's Walter Becker and Donald Fagen, both master's and musical geniuses of their time.

    C.... B....

    Larry Carlton was a master.

  66. G.... B....

    If you wrote "Steely Dan" off early in their career and labeled their music as TOO different.....you missed a whole lot of life ! Almost unparalleled musical talent and a search for perfection in this group that I don't believed is matched in spite of the great musical talent that exists....passed or present.

    G.... B....

    Larry Carlton on lead guitar here.

  67. D.... D....

    Tremendous.to those steely dan haters....listen!

  68. s.... G....

    https://youtu.be/X0upuBbxDGs

  69. P.... M....

    Catchy tunes and the lyrics fit the melody, but I always saw that these guys could sing about anything and make it top of the charts crazy.

  70. S.... O....

    hørte denne og mange flere kutt av STEEY DAN DA JEG VAR I MILLETERET .Nede på krokodillen i Stavanger .OG JEG BLE FRELST MED EN GANG og nå vekker det mange gode minner.

  71. r.... l....

    my favourite guitar intro of all time...

  72. a.... ....

    Beginning of this song is like a big ol bong hit 💥💥💪💪

  73. w.... s....

    Once I listen to any Steely Dan song I end up listening to about 7 or 8... 😎

  74. T.... R....

    Still listening 10/16/2019. Never gets old to me. Lost in my thoughts while I look out into the desert here in southwest Arizona.

  75. J.... ....

    2:19-2:24 - I'm getting a Toto feel there with the vocal harmonies. Something off of "Falling In Between."

  76. M.... R....

    Walter Becker didn't get the recognition he so richly deserved in my opinion

  77. M.... R....

    Donald Fagens voice is steller

  78. M.... R....

    Ooooo shit!!!!!

  79. J.... V....

    Mike this one is for you, .. ur the best, .. for the roses

  80. E.... ....

    I don't do favorites, but I'd be hard pressed to think of a finer lyric from the Dan. They always had this irreverent brilliance.

  81. j.... ....

    This song invokes feelings of melancholy and sadness in the first part. Is that just me ?

  82. p.... ....

    Like oxygen, Steely Dan is necessary for existence!

  83. B.... G....

    I'm a zookeeeper's son, I don't want to shoot no one
    Well I lost my old man, name was Aragorn
    Don't take me alive

  84. J.... V....

    I always identify myself with the bass player, .. who in this case is no longer with us, ,. ... I whish he was still here, ..

    J.... V....

    Thank goodness the lead guitarist, Larry Carlton, is still with us.

  85. s.... ....

    great album

  86. w.... s....

    A unique and innovative band there will never be another one like them 😎

  87. W.... w....

    The Royal Scam is one of the greatest albums ever made...period.

  88. D.... ....

    Iconic intro riff

  89. s.... ....

    Donald and Walter: Larry can you play a solo that sounds like you're surrounded by the cops?
    Larry:

    s.... ....

    Sure, you want the mechanised hum of another world too?

  90. M.... B....

    Hey millennial's this is real music, real talent no computers here to make them sound better, nothing but skill

    M.... B....

    and working brains and musicianship!!!!!!!!!

  91. C.... 8....

    The song that introduced me to Steely Dan.

  92. R.... W....

    Another sick album! No such thing as a nothing song!

  93. S.... S....

    ignore the wanna be musicians with the thumbs down.

  94. P.... T....

    I agree with all these comments on SD. If you really listen, you’ll hear mesmerizing songs. Don’t Take Me Alive’s theme is one that is darker. Fagen’s words depict sadness and life’s end while Carlton’s guitar perfectly sets the mood. One of my SD favorites along with Rikki Don’t Lose That Number. Musical perfection.

  95. m.... q....

    Best band ever......Love them and ALL their music

  96. N.... D....

    Just for the record, it's pronounced Orygun, not Orygone. That's probably why his old man was p.o.'d...

    N.... D....

    ????????

  97. D.... S....

    Question at 1:53 "Can you hear the eagle cry." Do Steely Dan deliberately sound, for just a second or two like they're doing Witchy Woman? Guitars have the same grungy Glen Frey/Bernie Leadon sound.

    D.... S....

    Duncan Stuart “can you hear the evil crowd” is what he’s saying.

  98. T.... ....

    Damn that was a good song!! Just started listening to them. Totally missed out on these guys. Better late than never.

  99. K.... J....

    Take the top off the Jeep and cruise out.

  100. 6.... ....

    long live the Dan !! ✌️