Steely Dan’s “Hey Nineteen” Lyrics Meaning

It’s pretty much common knowledge that older men tend to be attracted to younger women. But what isn’t as widely acknowledged is the fact that said attraction tends to be solely of the physical variety. And that’s the fundamental implication being emitted through this song (“Hey Nineteen”). At the time this song was dropped, the Steely Dan boys would have been in their early thirties. 

This piece commences with Donald Fagen reminiscing on his college years, back in the late 1960s, when women of a similar age thought he was hot. And the reason he’s recalling such memories is because in the here and now, in his thirties, he’s still apparently attracted to the likes of 19 year olds. So what the featured storyline is based on, most simply put, is him trying to pick up a girl of such an age.

And the thing is that, it’s never directly implied that she’s rejecting him. Instead, when Donald makes statements like “no, we got nothing in common”, and “no, we can’t talk at all”, all lyrics he is doing so from his own perspective, not hers.

Thesis Sentiment of “Hey Nineteen”

In other words, half of the thesis sentiment of this piece revolves around the idea that yes, she cannot relate to him. But even more notably, since the lyrics are being relayed from his perspective, he likewise cannot relate to her. It is made abundantly clear that this is due to their age gap, such as the fact that homegirl has no knowledge of Aretha Franklin, who historically was like the hottest artist in the music industry from the late 1960s and into the 1970s.

But again, that’s only half of the song’s thesis sentiment. The other half centers on Donald making a straight-up horndog musing like desiring that the addressee would “skate a little lower”. This would imply that his interaction with her is taking place in a roller-skating rink, which, at this point in time, were actually considered poppin’ venues. 

Presumably, the apple of his eye is wearing something like a short skirt or short-shorts. So what that above statement indicates, most frankly put, is that he’s desiring to get a cheap look at her more-private parts.

It’s never actually revealed how this all turns out. What is insinuated is that the vocalist proceeds to ease the tension between the two of them via the utilization of drugs basically, i.e. a certain brand of tequila as well as presumably weed.

In Conclusion

Conclusively we say that yes, Donald does consider the addressee an ideal partner from a physical perspective. But as far as actually striking up any type of relationship that may lead to what he’s after, which is obviously sex, that’s proving challenging enough. It is so challenging to the point where he has to rely on external factors or intoxicants even to achieve that goal.

Facts about “Hey Nineteen”

Steely Dan is a band whose discography is not replete with hit singles, but their albums have performed really well. Thus “Hey Nineteen”, a song which most notably peaked at 10 on the Billboard Hot 100, marks one of their bigger successes as far as individual tracks are concerned. 

This song also appears to be an enduring fan favorite, considering for instance that there is a Steely Dan tribute band named after this song. But to note the album this piece is derived from, Steely Dan’s “Gaucho”, which MCA Records issued on 21 November 1980, itself has gone platinum in the US and Australia.

This song came about at a time when computerization was sort of a new thing in the music industry, or let’s say definitely not as highly utilized as it is today. So it has been pointed out that in making this song Roger Nichols (1944-2011), one of the executive producers behind “Gaucho”, actually created a drum machine. This drum machine, which is used on this track, is considered one of the first drum machines ever made.

Steely Dan, i.e. Donald Fagen and the late Walter Becker (1950-2017), are credited with writing this song.  And its producer is one the act’s regular collaborators from their early goings, that being Gary Katz.

Usage in TV Shows and Movies

“Hey Nineteen” was featured in a few American films and TV shows, including these:

• Season 3 of the comedy-drama series titled “Entourage”. The song which appears in the 16 episode titled “Gotcha!” can be heard when Mr. and Mrs. Ari (Jeremy Piven and Perrey Reeves) meet Scott’s fiancé, Lori (Kelly Kruger).
• 2013 action-comedy movie “R.I.P.D.: Rest in Peace Department”, which stars Jeff Bridges and Ryan Reynolds as officers of R.I.P.D. who searches for and captures souls who escaped judgement after their death.
• Season 2, Episode 9 of crime drama “Mindhunter”.

Chart Performance