Kid Charlemagne

Steely Dan

About Kid Charlemagne

"Kid Charlemagne" is a song by the rock group Steely Dan, which was released as a single from their 1976 album The Royal Scam and reached number 82 in the Billboard charts. It is a fusion of a funk rhythm and jazz harmonies with rock and roll instrumentals and lyrical style. The guitar solo by jazz fusion guitarist Larry Carlton was ranked #80 in the list of the 100 greatest guitar songs by Rolling Stone, stating "In the late seventies, Steely Dan made records by pushing a revolving crew of monster session dudes through take after take, which yielded endless jaw-dropping guitar solos. Larry Carlton's multi-sectioned, cosmic-jazz lead in this cut may be the best of all: It's so complex it's a song in its own right." 


Year:
1993
4:37
708 
#2

 Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer

While the music played, you worked by candlelight 
Those San Francisco nights 
You were the best in town 
Just by chance you crossed the diamond with the pearl 

You turned it on the world 
That's when you turned the world around
(Did you feel like Jesus?)
Did you realize 
That you were a champion in their eyes?

On the hill the stuff was laced with kerosene 
But yours was kitchen-clean 
Everyone stopped to stare at your technicolor motor home 

Every A-Frame had your number on the wall 
You must have had it all 
You'd go to L.A. on a dare and you'd go it alone 
(Could you live forever?)
Could you see the day?
Could you feel your whole world fall apart and fade away?

(Get along, get along, Kid Charlemagne) 
(Get along, Kid Charlemagne)

Now your patrons have all left you in the red 
Your low-rent friends are dead 
This life can be very strange 
All those day-glo freaks who used to paint the face 

They've joined the human race 
Some things will never change 
(Son, you were mistaken)
You are obsolete 
Look at all the white men on the street 

(Get along, get along, Kid Charlemagne)
(Get along, Kid Charlemagne)

Clean this mess up else we'll all end up in jail 
Those test-tubes and the scale 
Just get it all out of here 

Is there gas in the car?
Yes, there's gas in the car 
I think the people down the hall know who you are 

(Careful what you carry) 
'Cause the man is wise 
You are still an outlaw in their eyes 

(Get along, get along, Kid Charlemagne)
(Get along, Kid Charlemagne)

 Become A Better Singer In Only 30 Days, With Easy Video Lessons!


Steely Dan

Steely Dan is an American rock band consisting of core members Donald Fagen and Walter Becker. The band's popularity peaked in the late 1970s, with the release of seven albums blending elements of jazz, rock, funk, R&B, and pop.Rolling Stone has called them "the perfect musical antiheroes for the Seventies." more »

17 fans

Written by: Donald Jay Fagen, Walter Carl Becker

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


12 facts about this song

Song Creation
"Kid Charlemagne" was written by Steely Dan members Donald Fagen and Walter Becker.
Album Release
This song is the opening track on their 1976 album "The Royal Scam."
Inspiration
The song got its inspiration from the life of Augustus Owsley Stanley III, a famous LSD chemist and supplier in the San Francisco Bay Area during the 1960s.
Song Theme
"Kid Charlemagne" tells the story of a drug dealer who enjoyed immense success but ultimately faced decline and capture.
Musical Style
It's one of Steely Dan's funkier songs, characterized by a catchy guitar riff and intricate keyboards.
Guitar Solo
The famous guitar solo, played by session guitarist Larry Carlton, is regarded as one of the best and most memorable guitar solos in the history of rock music.
Lyric Interpretation
The line, "Is there gas in the car?" is interpreted to allude to the logistical challenges of a drug dealer's life.
Critical Acclaim
The song was critically acclaimed for its heavy jazz influence, intricate structure, and sophisticated lyrics.
Sampling
Kanye West sampled the beginning of the song for "Champion," a track on his Graduation album.
Live Performances
Despite its popularity, "Kid Charlemagne" was rarely performed live by Steely Dan until their reunion tours in the 1990s.
Cultural Impact
The song is considered a classic of the '70s and has been covered by various artists over the years. It's also frequently featured in "best of" lists for the band.
Keyboard Sound
The unique and recognisable clavinet sound on "Kid Charlemagne" is produced by a Hohner D6 clavinet run through a MXR Phase 90 phaser pedal, a staple of 70s funk and soul music.

Discuss the Kid Charlemagne Lyrics with the community:

0 Comments

    Citation

    Use the citation below to add these lyrics to your bibliography:

    Style:MLAChicagoAPA

    "Kid Charlemagne Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 28 Mar. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric-lf/353623/Steely+Dan/Kid+Charlemagne>.

    Missing lyrics by Steely Dan?

    Know any other songs by Steely Dan? Don't keep it to yourself!

    Watch the song video

    Kid Charlemagne

    3.2M
    18,401     667

    Top Hot 100 Songs 1976

    Billboard #82


    Browse Lyrics.com

    Quiz

    Are you a music master?

    »
    Which broadway musical has the song “Loud”?
    A Frozen
    B Wicked
    C Matilda
    D Hamilton

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Chrome

    Get instant explanation for any lyrics that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Firefox

    Get instant explanation for any acronym or abbreviation that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Steely Dan tracks

    On Radio Right Now

    Loading...

    Powered by OnRad.io


    Think you know music? Test your MusicIQ here!