Rikki Don't Lose That Hotel Number

[The Chairman]

In the past few months, I've read things about two songs that intrigued me.

Rikki Don't Lose That Number - Steely Dan.

I read an interview with Donald Fagen. The interviewer asked him why the band doesn't play that song live anymore, and he responded that people have "forgotten what that song means" and [they] "don't understand the lyrics."

Well I have all the albums and I still don't know what the song "really means" and why the meaning is so important that the band won't play the song anymore.

Hotel California - The Eagles
I have read about this one for a while. Then a few months ago, I read an interview with an author who described what it was like to have writer's block and then said he "woke up one day and the words kept coming, and he was just as excited as when someone explained to me what the lyrics to Hotel California meant."

OK, I'll admit, I though Rikki was about a mongoose and Hotel California was about a Hotel in California.

Does anyone really know why these guys are talking about?

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Chairman of the Message Bored
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[ChrisTheCop]

Not sure about Rikki, but I always heard that Hotel California was slang for the hollywood life style, or fame if you will. I agree with ya that if these songs have stood the test of time even without us understanding them completely, the artists should just shut up and play. Where would the Kingsmen be today if we were supposed to "understand" every song we hear?

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This message was edited by ChrisTheCop on 4-29-03 @ 1:29 AM

[TheMojoPin]

Steely Dan is one of those bland, unremarkable bands who just seem so spectacuarly boring once you get over the fact they have one of the coolest band names known to man.

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2% << December boys got it BAD. >> "You can tell some lies about the good times you've had/But I've kissed your mother twice and now I'm working on your dad..."

[The Chairman]

A dildo is a cool thing to name your band after, and the book's great too.....

Now as far as your sig pic....

Prepare for the Battle of Evermore....

Pb-Zep rocks.

C.O.B.

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[golfcourseguy]

I have a vague memory of reading (in Rolling Stone) some rocker taking great exception to the " we haven't had that spirit since 1969" lyric. I just figured it rhymed with "wine".


" editing posts since day one"

[The Chairman]

Well I have absolutely no clue as to Rikki.

But my take on Hotel California:

It's about the "California" attitude...the lifestyle. You can leave the place but it stays with you...follows you around. It's a mentality. The Eagles did a lot of drugs are were from California. They also traveled a lot...but kept that vibe wherever they went, perhaps. "Checking out", but "never leaving [California."]

Well that's my take.




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[A.J.]

" we haven't had that spirit since 1969"

I remember some time ago reading/hearing that this was a satanic reference. I wish I could remember exactly why. It also supposedly refers to the Manson killings that year.

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A Skidmark production.

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[mikeyboy]

This site has some ideas on Hotel California

http://www.defectiveyeti.com/archives/000594.html

<IMG SRC="http://www.angelfire.com/film/mikeyboy/sig10.jpg">

[blancostupido]

I heard: Rikki = Eric Clapton....number = a joint

[DarkHippie]

I though Rikki was about a mongoose
wow. fuckin' wow.

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[mikeyboy]

I though Rikki was about a mongoose

Rikki Tikki Tavi, perhaps?

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This message was edited by mikeyboy on 4-29-03 @ 12:20 PM

[JerryTaker]

I always look for the inner meaning of songs, the reason I ever liked Hotel California, was because you could tell he was talking about a place that was evil, be it physical or Metaphysical, I usually hate it when people don't "get" songs.

Like those who think "Born in the USA" is patriotic...

Or those who think "Boys of Summer" has anything even remotely to do with baseball...


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<marquee width=300 scrollamount="5">Wet and raving, The needle keeps calling me back.. To bloody my hands forever. Carved my cure with the blade That left me in scars, Now every time I'm weak, Words scream from my arm</marquee>

[TheMojoPin]

"Rikki...a message to YOU, Rikki..."

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2% << December boys got it BAD. >> "You can tell some lies about the good times you've had/But I've kissed your mother twice and now I'm working on your dad..."

[The Chairman]

"Rikki...a message to YOU, Rikki..."



Mojo..glad you changed your sig back..

...a message to you Rikki? I thought the lyrics to THAT song were SPECIAL....about a guy who was a kicker for Notre Dame...I think they even made a movie about him.....


Jerry Talker: you would hate me. I get whooooooshed by song lyrics ALL the time. I think Stairway To Heaven is about the fine gossemery hair line that runs between the belly button and bush of a chick.

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[TheMojoPin]

...a message to you Rikki? I thought the lyrics to THAT song were SPECIAL....about a guy who was a kicker for Notre Dame...I think they even made a movie about him.....

*Wink*

*Winkwink*

*Winkwinkwinkwinkwinkwinkwinkwink*

...

*Wink*

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2% << December boys got it BAD. >> "You can tell some lies about the good times you've had/But I've kissed your mother twice and now I'm working on your dad..."

[DJEvelEd]

I went to St. Joe's High in Metuchen and I had a "Brother" (teacher) who taught a class on backward masking. We listened to Black Sabbath, ACDC, Led Zeppelin AND Hotel California. It refered to the church of Anton Levay. The song was broken down line by line and everything was about satan and evil stuff. He played some of it backwards and satan spoke to us. He explained that the tiny bald figure on the album(in a window?)was indeed Anton Levay too. BURN IN HELL DON HENLEY

I went to St. Joe's High

This is why I'm the way I am.
Ha Ha I quoted myself 2x


O Billy don't you lose my number is better

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Big bird is Ferrall's bitch
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

[guttersnipe]

(doing her best Cary Grant immitation):

"Rudy, Rudy, Rudy!"

~snipe


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[The Chairman]

This site has some ideas on Hotel California


That was a very interesting site. It makes a pretty good case for Hotel California being satanic. Wow.

In any case when I was younger, a few friends and I played Led Zep's Stairway To Heaven backwards (all we did was put the LP on the turntable and moved the record backwards with our hand) and right after the part that goes "there's still times to change the road you're on" IT SAID, WITHOUT A DOUBT..."HERE'S TO MY SWEET SATAN."

I am a cynic at heart, was this was beyond refute.

Interestingly, we also played a few Judas Priest songs backwards..every time we did, Rob Halford's voice said "I want hot butt sex."

Weird



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This message was edited by The Chairman on 4-29-03 @ 7:22 PM

[mikeyboy]

How you get a-rude and a-reckless
Don't you be so crude and a-feckless
You been drinking brew for breakfast
Rikki can't fail


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[The Chairman]

OK, mikeyboy....my hero of heroes....

That is definitely the most amazing sig pic ever...I love it!


"The World would be a better place if America just put down their guns and put on Wilco Records."

Kofi Annan, speaking to Tim Russert, 3.14.03.

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2%
Chairman of the Message Bored
Loved or hated...but never ignored.


slanted and enchanted...
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[A.J.]

In any case when I was younger, a few friends and I played Led Zep's Stairway To Heaven backwards (all we did was put the LP on the turntable and moved the record backwards with our hand) and right after the part that goes "there's still times to change the road you're on" IT SAID, WITHOUT A DOUBT..."HERE'S TO MY SWEET SATAN."


Ah, the infamous "backward masking". I tried that too. It didn't sound very clear. Besides, you can prove/disprove it by doing the same thing with the version of "Stairway" from "The Song Remains The Same" soundtrack LP.

I remember another part of the song where, when the record was played backwards, it said very clearly "I wish it would snow".

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A Skidmark production.

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[DarkHippie]

In any case when I was younger, a few friends and I played Led Zep's Stairway To Heaven backwards (all we did was put the LP on the turntable and moved the record backwards with our hand) and right after the part that goes "there's still times to change the road you're on" IT SAID, WITHOUT A DOUBT..."HERE'S TO MY SWEET SATAN."

I tried that once and it just said "how the fuck are you doing that with a tape?"

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</i><a href=http://www.freeopendiary.com/entrylist.asp?authorcode=A537085>Gonads and Strife: a journal</a>

[Contra]

well the "Rikki" question has plagued me for years. the thing is most of Steely Dans songs are like that. always criptic with that jazzy rock. they are my favorite band of all time. take "The Fez", just about wearing a condom, amazing isnt it?

you want some real questions listen to "Deacon Blues", but i think we all know what "FM" was about...

Another Contra and LSP joint production
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The Fate Of Destruction Is Also The Joy Of Rebirth

[Zipgun]

To the best of my knowledge, and remembrance of lore, "Rikki Don't Lose That Number" was about a homosexual proposition that didn't really pan out.

We hear you're leaving, that's OK
I thought our little wild time had just begun
I guess you kind of scared yourself, you turn and run
But if you have a change of heart

CHORUS:
Rikki don't lose that number
You don't wanna call nobody else
Send it off in a letter to yourself
Rikki don't lose that number
It's the only one you own
You might use it if you feel better
When you get home

I have a friend in town, he's heard your name
We can go out driving on Slow Hand Row
We could stay inside and play games, I don't know
And you could have a change of heart

CHORUS

You tell yourself you're not my kind
But you don't even know your mind
And you could have a change of heart

CHORUS

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[The Chairman]

To the best of my knowledge, and remembrance of lore, "Rikki Don't Lose That Number" was about a homosexual proposition that didn't really pan out.




Wow...

Reading the lyrics it makes so much sense...

wow..

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2%
Chairman of the Message Bored
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slanted and enchanted...
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[reeshy]

Now I feel dirty!!!!

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DR. SPOCK!!!

[high fly]

RIKKI--- sugar coated sacharin from a pablum-pushing buncha phonies with no soul.
HOTEL CALIFORNIA--- I always kinda liked the Eagles on the sly, but this song was ruined for me when I heard it thousands of times during extended trips to europe where it seems every busker over there has it in his repertoire.
Every time I hear it now I am reminded of some Greek guy who could barely speak English singing it with a heavy accent.

" and they ask me why I drink"

[JerryTaker]

Every time I hear it now I am reminded of some Greek guy who could barely speak English singing it with a heavy accent.


Hotel California will always be accompanied in my mind with an image of John Tuturo bowling in purple and a hairnet....

Thanks, Cohens!! ugh...



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<marquee width=300 scrollamount="5">Wet and raving, The needle keeps calling me back.. To bloody my hands forever. Carved my cure with the blade That left me in scars, Now every time I'm weak, Words scream from my arm</marquee>

[East Side Dave]

I can't be with you on Steely Dan, Chairman. I hate them. They are the Don & Mike's of rock & roll.

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Big Ass Mafia

[The Chairman]

I can't be with you on Steely Dan, Chairman.


I never said I loved them. I have their stuff. You never know when a chick wants to hear some Steely Dan while using a Steely Dan...

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2%
Chairman of the Message Bored
Loved or hated...but never ignored.

The Chairman uses Zildjian cymbals, Vic Firth sticks and skidmark sigpics.

[TheMojoPin]

God bless steam.

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2% << December boys got it BAD. >> "You can tell some lies about the good times you've had/But I've kissed your mother twice and now I'm working on your dad..."

[Thebazile78]

Where would the Kingsmen be today if we were supposed to "understand" every song we hear?

Still on J. Edgar Hoover's most-wanted list.

I personally have issues with people who analyse song lyrics. I find it pretentious and pointless, but, then again, that's just me. Of course, this could also be why I'm such a big fan of musicals. The songs are what they are - narratives or monologues - and there's nothing that I have to "get".

Whatever happened to just rhyming words because they sounded cool together?

Oh yeah. . . that's called "scat" and, in my opinion, nobody does it right anymore since Ella Fitzgerald and Cab Calloway died.

And anyone who puts the Gypsy Kings down obviously hasn't heard their cover of I Got No Strings from Pinocchio.

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[TheMojoPin]

Oh yeah. . . that's called "scat"

One of the "greats" was lost...*sniff*...

<img src=http://user.online.be/~gd33907/scatman1.gif>

And if you write lyrics that rhyme JUST because they rhyme, I'm sorry, but then you've simply become Oasis.

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2% << December boys got it BAD. >> "You can tell some lies about the good times you've had/But I've kissed your mother twice and now I'm working on your dad..."