Steely Dan - My Old School Lyrics






I remember the thirty-five sweet goodbyes
When you put me on the Wolverine
Up to Annandale
It was still September
When your daddy was quite surprised
To find you with the working girls
In the county jail
I was smoking with the boys upstairs
When I heard about the whole affair
I said oh no
William and Mary won't do

[Chorus:]
Well I did not think the girl
Could be so cruel
And I'm never going back
To my old school

Oleanders growing outside her door
Soon they're gonna be in bloom
Up in Annandale
I can't stand her
Doing what she did before
Living like a gypsy queen
In a fairy tale
Well I hear the whistle but I can't go
I'm gonna take her down to Mexico
She said oh no
Guadalajara won't do

[Chorus]

California tumbles into the sea
That'll be the day I go
Back to Annandale
Tried to warn you
About Chino and Daddy Gee
But I can't seem to get to you
Through the U.S. Mail
Well I hear the whistle but I can't go
I'm gonna take her down to Mexico
She said oh no
Guadalajara won't do

[Chorus]





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  1. P.... ....

    @74sodapop Great song! Was wondering where the picture at 1:25 was taken. A friend thought he recognized the school. Also where is the one-room schoolhouse? Thanks!

  2. E.... J....

    [Deleted scene from "San Andreas"]
    Paul Giamatti: You don't understand what I'm telling you, we have to evacuate the state IMMEDIATELY!
    Governor: This isn't the first time I've seen seismic reports.
    Giamatti: It's far worse than that. Look at these photos.
    Governor: It seems to a man driving a convertible. Wait a second, isn't that the lead singer for Steely Dan?
    Giamatti: Yes, and the evidence is unmistakable. HE'S GOING BACK TO ANNANDALE. HE'S GOING BACK TO HIS OLD SCHOOL!!!!!

  3. r.... b....

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sq8OU-7JDFA

  4. O.... S....

    I like the green elf outfit

  5. A.... 2....

    Where on the earth did this person acquire those old photographs? Lol Lol.

  6. S.... H....

    horror/thriller author at amazon.com books sez: Timeless melancholy, served up with style!

  7. S.... O....

    Im never going back to be high at school....
    I named my daughter
    Steely....

  8. S.... H....

    These guys have always blown me away. They are SO GOOD! Technically superior to most.

  9. n.... ....

    That guitar playing is pure wizardry

  10. S.... R....

    I love this song. My school was like that.

  11. J.... T....

    The chops with the horns is just purley sick,

  12. J.... D....

    This song is just filthy good! 💓

  13. F.... C....

    Wrong album cover, but great song!

  14. D.... E....

    The committee in my head can be crazy, My Old School comes on and they all start groovin. BIG FUN ❤

  15. T.... W....

    The music is slowed down by .5 milliseconds or sumpthin'. The actual zip is gone, or sumpthin'.

  16. J.... M....

    There was a comment from a guy from 6 years ago about the horn riff after cali tumbles to the sea, as his pick for best horn riff. It is absolutely a great one no doubt. Anyone who reads this I'll ask you to check out a one hit wonder band. Bill chase band "get it on" watch the live performances video. 4 trumpets. Hitting outrageous octaves and and so clean and tight. That's live ! Wow

  17. J.... ....

    Seen em live for the first time last year and what a great concert, drummer stole the show IMO. Wish they would come by again

  18. J.... ....

    There will never be a band like the Dan. Nobody could combine lyrics and music like them. Based on hookers and drugs, what more could ya ask for?

  19. D.... S....

    The memories this song brings back!

  20. D.... M....

    My God the harmonies in all there songs are amazing but in this its so damn good....the production,musicianship,writing is so dialed in and amazing its unreal..they were that good

    D.... M....

    I agree. Just below your comment here is "A Steely Dan Bedtime Story." It combines their song titles and lyrics into an amusing tale. If you like it, would you leave a reply onto the story itself? Thank you.

  21. E.... S....

    "A Steely Dan Bedtime Story"
    Once upon a time, there was a king, named Richard, who ruled Mizar. He fell madly in love with his darling, Rose. After a short engagement, they were married by a Deacon in a blue suit. They honeymooned near the caves of Altamira and did it again quite frequently without a fez. Night after night, it was a countdown to ecstasy. Soon, they were home at last, and Rose and King Richard, in the months and years to follow, would have a castle full of show biz kids. Their first kid, a boy, was named Charlemagne. Later, daughters, Josie and Peg, would beautify the castle with their French twists. Rikki, their youngest, was a mathematics prodigy who never lost track of her numbers. The parents were strict with their daughters, but the girls didn't seem to care. The family would vacation by carriage to the sea, and when the children got too loud, King Richard would say, "keep it down, just until we get out of town." During their holiday, the family would sit under a banyan tree and watch the sun go down on the crimson tide. They let the children play up on the hill near the black cows. The king, however, had a mistress at this seaside Eldorado resort. When confronted by Rose, Katy lied and said there was nothing to it. Katy was only nineteen at the time. Rose knew the fix was in. Later, Rose told King Richard that she knew of the affair and was planning on a trip to Haiti for a divorce. She said, "I can't çry anymore while you run around." Upon hearing this news, King Richard summoned his therapist, Dr. Wu. After a lengthy discussion about the king's infidelity, Dr. Wu responded, "the things you think are useless I can't understand." Rose, still reelin' from this news demanded, "I want to know everything you did." King Richard confessed to an affair with Katy's sister, Pearl. He defended himself by saying, "it was just a fling with a couple of skinny girls." King Richard hastily had his family return to Castle Bravo, coincidentally, at the changing of the guard. He met with his generals to discuss the expansion of his kingdom to new frontiers. He said he wanted to be king of the world. Rose, however, took a gift from the king, a pair of green earrings, and threw them in the moat. She realized that she had been royally scammed. King Richard went to Rose's bedroom and told her it would never happen again, but she replied, "after what you've done, only a fool would say that." She gave him the goodbye look before she lit the candle and put a lock upon the door. King Richard, in a rage, threatened harm to their children by drowning them in the moat when he said, "I'll throw back the little ones." At that very moment, there was fire in the hole as the castle came under ambush by battle apples! King Richard became suicidal and thought about taking his life with a gun. His last words were, "Don't Take Me Alive!" The day after the king's demise, Rose had lunch with Gina, her best friend. They drank kirschwasser from a shell. Gina advised Rose to sell her home and move to a place called the Custerdome. The next day, Rose put a sign in front of the castle that read: Everything Must Go.

  22. J.... P....

    791 people need to tumble into the sea....

    J.... P....

    I agree. Just above your comment here is "A Steely Dan Bedtime Story." It combines their song titles and lyrics into an amusing tale. If you like it, would you leave a reply onto the story itself? Thank you.

  23. B.... B....

    Thanks Jim Gaddi sp? Rolla, Mo for turning me on to Steely Dan! 1977 lol

  24. M.... ....

    If you wanted to hear guitar solos played with just a hint of sarcasm, well here ya go!!!!

  25. C.... F....

    This song fits Can’t Buy a Thrill so much I actually think it was cut to make room for the others

    C.... F....

    This is from Countdown to Ecstasy.

  26. M.... C....

    Might be my favorite SD song. Horns! Love horns

  27. m.... h....

    2020 anyone?

  28. T.... ....

    Donald Fagen – piano, lead vocals, backup vocals
    Walter Becker – bass
    Denny Dias – rhythm guitar
    Jeff Baxter – lead guitar
    Jim Hodder – drums, percussion
    Sherlie Matthews, Myrna Matthews, Patricia Hall, Royce Jones – backup vocals
    Ernie Watts – saxophone
    Johnny Rotella – saxophone
    Lanny Morgan – saxophone
    Bill Perkins – saxophone

  29. M.... ....

    How was this not a 52 week #1 smash hit? RIP WB.

  30. S.... B....

    Lyrics
    I remember the thirty-five sweet goodbyes
    When you put me on the Wolverine up to Annandale
    It was still September
    When your daddy was quite surprised
    To find you with the working girls in the county jail
    I was smoking with the boys upstairs when I
    Heard about the whole affair, I said oh no
    William and Mary won't do
    Well, I did not think the girl
    Could be so cruel
    And I'm never going back
    To my old school
    Oleanders growing outside her door
    Soon they're gonna be in bloom up in Annandale
    I can't stand her
    Doing what she did before
    Living like a gypsy queen in a fairy tale
    Well, I hear the whistle but I can't go, I'm gonna
    Take her down to Mexico, she said oh no
    Guadalajara won't do
    Well, I did not think the girl
    Could be so cruel
    And I'm never going back
    To my old school
    California tumbles into the sea
    That'll be the day I go back to Annandale
    Tried to warn you
    About Chino and Daddy Gee
    But I can't seem to get to you through the U.S. Mail
    Well I hear the whistle but I can't go, I'm gonna
    Take her down to Mexico, she said oh no
    Guadalajara won't do
    Well, I did not think the girl
    Could be so cruel
    And I'm never going back
    To my old school

  31. S.... V....

    Royal professionals. Every single album is a monumental discovery and a standard work for contemporary music.

  32. R.... M....

    Probably my favorite song of theirs - tells a great story and love the laid back vibe throughout.

  33. M.... G....

    3 Words: Jeff Skunk Baxter.

  34. K.... ....

    Why does everyone keep asking if we're still listening?

    Hell yes WE are.! 😘

    K.... ....

    They are desperate for attention children.

  35. J.... S....

    Class of '87.Kingsbury.Never been to a reunion.No big success story to tell.No wife or big waterheaded baby pictures to fan out of my wallet.I do construction.Whats to eat?Surely not just these Mickey Mouse finger sandwiches.

  36. L.... P....

    the bari sax really adds a lot to this song........ sometimes there isn't one at all.......

  37. s.... ....

    Wow! skunk Baxter tore up that lead guitar groove,

  38. D.... S....

    I’m not head)

  39. m.... ....

    "Daddy G" was G. Gordon Liddy.

    m.... ....

    ?????????

  40. C.... W....

    🏘️ Music!

  41. S.... M....

    Timeless!

  42. G.... P....

    1:40 :Johnny Joestar

  43. j.... ....

    I've always been in thrall of the line "California tumbles into the sea..." Why? I've always thought that it referred to the idea that, in millions of years, the coast of California would separate from the continent due to the motion of the plates and the Gulf of California would run all the way up to Point Reyes. But it just occurred to me: Steely Dan recorded part of this album (as well as their previous one, "Can't Buy a Thrilll," at the Village Recrding Studio in West Los Angeles and guess what was (and still is, but very faded) painted at its South wall? Yep, you guessed it, it is "Isle of California" by The LA Fine Arts Squad (Victor Henderson, Terry Schoonhoven and Jim Frazin). Check it out at http://www.experiencingla.com/2010/04/faded-glory-of-california-mural-capital.html I first saw the mural in its glory days, when it wasn't so faded. So, yes, California does indeed become an island after "the Big One" and breaks Interstate 10 just west of Blythe. Anyway, maybe that is where Fagen and Becker got the idea for the line. Hey, it could have happened!

  44. P.... T....

    the Musicians Musicians...

  45. D.... O....

    That looks like my son’s high school.😂

  46. t.... ....

    Simply incredible music!Thank you very much!

  47. M.... H....

    73 great year first Zep concert first doobie first woo woo Way to much fun! Hate to look back but dam there was a lot to learn and enjoy.

  48. d.... c....

    icant wait to go back this summer its dec now I am 63 but I will raise hell till I go home to the lord

  49. J.... M....

    had the real priviledge of seeing them play... not a very intimate gig though at the giant ass rose bowl... still a great show

  50. J.... M....

    you put me on the wolverine up to annandale.... i see where tarrantino got some of his inspirations

  51. J.... M....

    oh no!.. guadalajara wont do!😂

  52. h.... ....

    1973? This song is so ahead of its time!

  53. M.... ....

    I went to medical school in Guadalajara.....I know what this song means!

  54. D.... M....

    20/20 vision

  55. D.... B....

    Love this,what a groove!

  56. s.... ....

    PERFECTION

  57. m.... s....

    Jeff Skunk Baxter played most all of the lead guitar on Can't Buy a Thrill.

    m.... s....

    This is from Countdown to Ecstasy.

  58. J.... H....

    Still love this tune

  59. n.... M....

    I cannot hear this song without remembering my days at Bard College where these guys, and the back story of the song, remain legend. I attended Bard on the heels after them. For me the heart of Annandale-On-Hudson where most lived just off campus was a no-stoplight intersection where the now-defunct Annandale Hotel sat. The hotel was actually a large multi-story house really and was the only bar for miles. I always wondered if they hung out there or which off-campus house was theirs (If I recall, some were arrested on campus and some off-campus). I know they played on-campus while at Bard in the Manor House (Ward Manor) with Chevy Chase as their drummer (they called themselves the Leather Canary's). Before I left Bard I led a small group of students and resurrected the college radio station (WXBC) in the basement of the Manor House that had been absent for decades. Still, Bard remains an enigma and returning is bitter-sweet for many that attended.

  60. P.... J....

    0.06 - Wrong Album- It's from Countdown to Ecstasy

  61. t.... g....

    There tearing down my old school right now. So many memories of falling in love with my now wife. I will miss stopping by the bike rack where our first kiss was, the auditorium where we had our first dance and so so much more.

    t.... g....

    So, I would assume that this is your favorite Steely Dan song?

  62. M.... ....

    This is one of the best videos on youtube... loud through some nice speakers it is an audio masterpiece - watching is not required!

    M.... ....

    How long have you been a Steely Dan fan?

  63. E.... ....

    never goin...i worked at Universal Studios i know circa FM set

  64. c.... ....

    Great song.....but Doctor Wu is their best

    c.... ....

    Where would you put Steely Dan on the list of greatest bands ever?

    c.... ....

    I think somewhere in the top 30.
    There 7 albums from the 1970’s were just so good

  65. a.... w....

    I read an article by Jeff Baxter years ago when he told the story of how he was working at Valley Arts when he was invited to the session where this was recorded and as he waited in the car park he was still routing out a pick up cavity with a penknife because it didn`t sit right.

    a.... w....

    That's an amazing story. Is this your favorite Steely Dan song?

  66. N.... K....

    Kicks ass at about 3 min in, watch out, its awesome, dudes

  67. e.... ....

    Was introduced to Steely Dan & this song at the old School!... I'm not going back either!

    Master song!

    e.... ....

    Do you know the story behind this song?

    e.... ....

    do you???? why not tell it?????@Edward Sholar

  68. P.... C....

    Not bad

    P.... C....

    Steely Dan has been described as an "aesthetic." Would you agree?

  69. T.... B....

    Love Skunk Baxter's Guitar solo on this.....Great Tune!

    T.... B....

    Jeff was a master musician. Is this your favorite Steely Dan song?

    T.... B....

    @Edward Sholar One of them.....The whole Royal Scam record is great. Starting with the record Pretzel Logic ..they used the best studio musicians in the world..also Lyrics that made you think...complex chord changes. See what happens when you are a genius and perfectionist. Happy Holidays from Hollywood CA!

    T.... B....

    @Tony Brophy
    I believe Steely Dan has no equal for these reasons:
    1. They could do it all- rock, jazz, blues, funk, reggae, soul, pop, Latin, R&B, metal and even classical, if you throw in the string arrangement on "FM."
    2. Everyone wanted to record with them. Over 100 different musicians and singers recorded with Steely Dan.
    3. They sold over 40 million albums.
    4. They have been described, not just as a band, but as an "aesthetic."

  70. K.... R....

    when they played this live last year everyone danced :)

    K.... R....

    I got to see them in Boston and in Connecticut a few weeks ago. They played this song at both shows. Is this your favorite?

    K.... R....

    @Edward Sholar I love so many songs as most people on these boards do. I'm particularly fond of the slow songs like third world man, but this one is so fun to listen to, it's better than drugs 😁

    K.... R....

    @Kevin Robert
    My favorite Steely Dan song changes from day to day.

  71. 6.... p....

    16 in 73 a great time lets go back

  72. b.... ....

    Steely Dan is like a fine cigar & Brandy... you don't quickly acquire its' taste, but once you do... there's nothing finer. Tight melodies and smart/witty/insightful lyrics.

  73. T.... J....

    Well done! Thanks for posting this.

  74. J.... E....

    I have been obsessed with Guadalajara ever since! Finally taking a trip there next May! :)

  75. D.... N....

    Listen to this every week, every day even. Watch your quality of life just go up tenfold!

    D.... N....

    @Dan Niles
    I just watched The Tonight Show clip. It was funny and correct. I went to see Steely Dan in Boston and Connecticut a few weeks ago. Almost everyone at those two shows was fifty or older. Just as an aside, where would you put Steely Dan on the list of greatest bands ever?

    D.... N....

    @Edward Sholar that's great haha.would have been an awesome show! Nothing wrong with that, many young people should be fans I feel though too. That's a tough question but top 25 no question in my opinion. Not many bands can use these horns, lyrics and puts it all into a tight package like this and it never gets old.

    D.... N....

    @Dan Niles
    Dan, by the way, I am fifty-six. So, I was was one of the "old folks" at those two shows. But I believe there are four reasons why Steely Dan has no equal.
    1. They could do it all: rock, jazz, blues, funk, reggae, R&B, soul, metal, Latin, pop and even classical, if you throw in the string arrangement on "FM."
    2. Everyone wanted to record with them. Over 100 different musicians and singers recorded with them.
    3. They sold over 40 million albums.
    4. They have been described, not just as a band, but an "aesthetic."

    D.... N....

    @Edward Sholar nothing wrong with that! I'm 28 myself. I definitely feel you and timeless would be the word for this band. Also this band makes the most feel good music for my money other than maybe Van Morrison. Always makes me feel better!

  76. D.... M....

    Still love this in 2019.

  77. R.... K....

    “35 sweet goodbyes” (BJ’s)
    Half of 69=35

  78. L.... B....

    ❤💔💙❌⭕❌⭕

  79. D.... 1....

    I didn't really appreciate Steely Dan in the 70's. Maybe I was too young. I do now. Fantastic stuff.

  80. M.... L....

    I'm listening 11/20191

  81. N.... W....

    Can't Buy a Thrill's album cover at the start of this makes me uncomfortable, it should be Countdown to Ecstasy

    N.... W....

    Niall Wood
    Good point !
    I agree

  82. R.... K....

    i can say that i was 13 when i first heard this. no sound like it other than wblk buffalo.

    R.... K....

    proudly, i made it thru the 70,s.

  83. M.... W....

    Would've loved to have seen what John, Paul, Donald and Walter could've slapped together. Holy moly!!

  84. m.... t....

    Love love love steely D, timeless,,,,, oleander, growing outside her door soon it'll be in bloom up in annindale..🌺. 🎵🎶🎷🎸🎹🎺🎤

  85. m.... p....

    yeah...fuck you Sophie...you're in my way

  86. R.... K....

    “Tried to warn you about Daddy G...” is G Gordon Liddy. He was the city prosecutor that busted them at William and Mary

    R.... K....

    Rob Karp
    Becker and Fagen went to
    Bard College not William and Mary.

    Bard is where they got busted.

    R.... K....

    countdown2xstacy you’re right!

  87. T.... K....

    You might think this song is your favorite SD song, but then you hear "Pearl of the Quarter" and you can't get it out of your head, and you say to yourself, no, that's the best SD song. But the next day you spin "Pretzel Logic" and you hear the song, "Ricky Don't Lose that Number" and you realize it's one of the most beautiful love songs ever written. Then you put the Aja album on and listen to the climactic song with headphones. You get goose bumps and even cry a little during Steve Gadd's back and forth with Wayne Shorter. When the song ends, you feel like you just had a life experience (if you listen to it loud enough), and no matter how many x you listen to Aja, the goosebumps never go away. A week later you'll hear another song from another album and suddenly it hits you like a ton of bricks.... you are a Steely Dan addict. Their unique brand of jazz/funk/rock and harmony has altered your musical intelligence forever. No one else will ever write the kind of songs Don and Walter wrote. Songs that tickle the part of your brain music loves most.

    T.... K....

    My favorite Steely Dan song changes from day to day,

  88. T.... L....

    Heard this song in my neighbors house in the 70's in Columbia Heights, MN. A small city that has a city in it. It was a great song then and a great song now. I went to Fancy Colors to buy the album the next day. Saw them last in Hinckley, MN on Sept 6th 2019 with good friends.

    T.... L....

    I got to see them in Boston and Connecticut in the last few weeks.

  89. O.... M....

    let's talk about why they grow this poison OLEANDER on many schoolyards

  90. a.... ....

    I love the guitar at the end of this song...

    a.... ....

    It is good.

  91. g.... l....

    Look,man,idk how or where you got these photographs from...I'm the little girl on the left of my big sister as I'm trying to make her hold me to carry me. I wasn't born until 1975. All these places different and the same. Yeah,old man,you ain't getting out of this shit fer real now.

  92. S.... V....

    I really like all their songs. Been a fan for 40+yrs

    S.... V....

    Started listening in '72.

  93. O.... S....

    Thanks for the pictures.Miss you guys and gals

  94. D.... H....

    at the time 25 yrs old

    D.... H....

    I was ten.

  95. P.... R....

    What album is Haitian Divorce off it's my favourite track

    P.... R....

    The Royal Scam.

  96. P.... L....

    Think Larry Carleton was in on this one....classic horns and guitar....badass!

  97. V.... L....

    Love this song. I graduated HS in 1973.