Meaning of “Reelin’ in the Years” by Steely Dan
It has been ascertained that the singer of “Reelin’ in the Years” is addressing a romantic interest or more specifically his ex. This is especially discernible via the lyrical nature of the third verse and chorus. As for the first two verses, they can also be theoretically taken as if Donald Fagen is speaking to a friend, i.e. having more of a general applicability in terms of how the singer perceives the fickleness of love.
It is the first verse in particular which seems to allude to the notion that all it takes is for one party to change, if you will, in order for a romance to fall apart. Or put otherwise, it appears as if as the relationship at hand has progressed, it has become increasingly obvious that the parties involved don’t think alike.
And this is underlined by the idea that during the early, euphoria stages of romance, participants tend to fool themselves into believing that the magic will never end.
The Other Verses of “Reelin’ in the Years”
The second verse seems to be sentimentally similar to the first, though relayed more personally and poetically.
And again, it can also be taken that Fagen is singing to the same person, i.e. his ex, throughout. For a breakup song, these lyrics are relatively complex. But to make a long story short, eventually, i.e. halfway through the third verse, we are made privy to the fact that the addressee has ‘found another man’.
Each of the three verses end with the vocalist having a hard time ‘understanding’ her. In that regard what’s being implied throughout, besides the two of them not seeing eye-to-eye, is apparently the notion he’s content in this relationship, while she is not. Or explained from a different angle, they value different, contrasting things, with the other party also being more inclined to see other people.
The Chorus
As for the chorus, it may be that this is one of those cases where, sometime after the breakup has transpired, the narrator is assuming or imagining that his ex is in her feelings. That is to say that Donald asking her, in context, “are you reeling in the years” reads like another way of questioning whether or not she regrets, all lyrics considered, dumping him.
“Are you reelin’ in the years?
Stowin’ away the time?
Are you gatherin’ up the tears?
Have you had enough of mine?
Are you reelin’ in the years?
Stowin’ away the time?
Are you gatherin’ up the tears?
Have you had enough of mine?”
To reiterate, from a lyrical perspective, this song is relatively complex. In writing it, Donald Fagen and Walter Becker intermix metaphors and literal expressions in such a way where you can’t really tell one from the other.
Indeed, it may be that the entirety of this song, with the exception of chorus, is literal and along those lines presumably based on a real-life experience. But let’s conclude by saying that what can be gathered, conclusively, is that the vocalist never wanted to break up with the addressee in the first place, and he is now seemingly assuming that she has come to realize that doing so was a mistake.
When was “Reelin’ in the Years” released?
“Reelin’ in the Years” is one of two singles released from the “Can’t Buy a Thrill” project. Said project serves as the debut studio album of Steely Dan. This song, which is also the sixth track on the album’s playlist, was put out during the month of November 1972.
Writers and Producers
“Reelin’ in the Years” was authored by frontman Donald Fagen. He was assisted by his fellow bandmate Walter Becker, who passed away in 2017 after battling esophageal cancer.
The production work for this track was accomplished by the sole effort of an American record producer named Gary Katz.
Album
As mentioned above, “Can’t Buy a Thrill” represents Steely Dan’s first official release in terms of studio albums. ABC Records is the record company that officially launched this project.
The song “Do It Again” is the other single released from this project. It was actually issued as the first single from the “Can’t Buy a Thrill” album on November 1 of 1972.
