I listened to Steely Dan's song Josie (from the Aja album) this morning and I have a question: how does one pray like a Roman? I gather that it includes setting one's eyes on fire, but I am a little fuzzy on the details.
My favorite Steely Dan lyric site, "Fever Dreams" (http://cordmeyer.spymac.com/) speculates that it's either a reference to debauchery similar to the burning of Rome while Nero fiddled – suggesting an impious prayer, with the reflection of the burning city in the girl’s eye (implying they’re partying like Roman’s when Josie comes home), or it's a reference to Roman Catholicism – suggesting the image of a sterotypical "fiery eyed Catholic schoolgirl" who pays lip service to the church (in prayer) but is really a party hellion.
The lyric that sticks in my mind from that song is "shine up the battle apple". What the hell does that mean? The speculation on Fever Dream is that it's a reference to the apple the goddess Eris threw among the main Greek Goddesses, which ended up causing the Trojan War (thus making it a "battle apple" perhaps?) That, of course, begs the question if it's somehow related to the Greek mythological undertones of HOME AT LAST from that same album.
My strong suspicion about Steely Dan lyrics is that they are impressionistic - and aren't always necessarily intended to have a specific meaning. Of course, that could be just because I have enough trouble figuring out lyrics in general...
My thoughts on "Josie" Josie is GI Joe. Soldiers returning from the Vietnam war. When asked to fight they never say no The rest of the song makes sense knowing this
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I hope togas are involved
My favorite Steely Dan lyric site, "Fever Dreams" (http://cordmeyer.spymac.com/) speculates that it's either a reference to debauchery similar to the burning of Rome while Nero fiddled – suggesting an impious prayer, with the reflection of the burning city in the girl’s eye (implying they’re partying like Roman’s when Josie comes home), or it's a reference to Roman Catholicism – suggesting the image of a sterotypical "fiery eyed Catholic schoolgirl" who pays lip service to the church (in prayer) but is really a party hellion.
The lyric that sticks in my mind from that song is "shine up the battle apple". What the hell does that mean? The speculation on Fever Dream is that it's a reference to the apple the goddess Eris threw among the main Greek Goddesses, which ended up causing the Trojan War (thus making it a "battle apple" perhaps?) That, of course, begs the question if it's somehow related to the Greek mythological undertones of HOME AT LAST from that same album.
My strong suspicion about Steely Dan lyrics is that they are impressionistic - and aren't always necessarily intended to have a specific meaning. Of course, that could be just because I have enough trouble figuring out lyrics in general...
My thoughts on "Josie"
Josie is GI Joe. Soldiers returning from the Vietnam war.
When asked to fight they never say no
The rest of the song makes sense knowing this
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