Everyone's Gone To The Movies by Steely Dan

Album: Katy Lied (1975)

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Songfacts®:

This song tells the story of a man who shows 8mm adult films to underage boys, but with its lilting melody and catchy chorus, it's easy to misinterpret the track as a playful kids' song about going to the movies. A frequently circulated story claims that at least one theater operator in the United States played the chorus of this song on the speakers prior to the coming attractions.
"Everyone's Gone To The Movies" was one of the first songs Steely Dan recorded, but it wasn't released until 1975 when it showed up on Katy Lied, their fourth album. They first put it to tape in 1971 in a version with backing vocals by Flo and Eddie (Howard Kaylan and Mark Volman) of The Turtles. This demo version was first released on the 1993 boxed set Citizen Steely Dan. The original recording has more of a funky rock feel than the one appearing on Katy Lied, which boasts a Caribbean vibe and is highlighted by a vibraphone part by prolific jazz session musician Victor Feldman.

Comments: 17

Linda Lapage from UsaThe men viewing the movies were the members of Steely Dan, not young boys. The film was a comical film from the 50’s with pointy bras, that type of thing. Not hard porn. Theme of the song is about a man dating a 17 year old (almost 18). This is not about child abuse at all. I was the 17 year old and believe me I chose the very handsome Mr. LaPage.
Doug from MarylandThis song is CLEARLY meant to sound like the Partridge Family….which I find uproariously funny. Its the teenage sex reference up against the whole Partridge Family sound.
Alanforcongress from MichiganLePage is a brand of glue. Even today kids describe the experience as "like watching cartoons" but funky, like 8MM cartoons. When you turn 18 you can drink alcohol, but for now, this is what you have to do to get a buzz on. Prolly changed to LApage to avoid a lawsuit. And if you had ever sniffed glue you would understand why the music sounds like that. If you really need a song about molestation, you can get a quick fix from "Fiddle About" from "Tommy" by The Who.
PS. "Cheaters" ARE eyeglasses which you won't need to wear because THE MOVIES ARE IN YOUR HEAD.
Ludd from AustraliaCheaters? We called light zippered jackets "wind cheaters".
Jodepi from From Boston'Cheetah's' refers to a popular, kids, slip-on shoe that has a Cheetah print on it. 'Take off your Cheetahs and sit right down....'
Stev4 from Nyc Cheaters = under garments.
Why would you take off your glasses to watch a movie?
Scott from Little ElmAs for cheaters: The demo from 1971 says "take out your cheaters..." This original lyric would appear to eliminate pants, bras, shoes, but may indicate glasses.
Steve from New York, Ny"Cheaters" definitely refers to glasses; it's mentioned in the OED (link below). I couldn't find any online mention of "Cheetas" being a brand of shoes, and while some people may call padded bras "cheaters", it doesn't make sense in context, since the kids involved are boys.
http://www.oed.com/oed2/00037413
Bill from El Paso TxAs a child of the late 50's and early 60's I can state without fear of retribution that 'cheaters' does NOT refer to shoes, eye glasses, or pants. It refers to the 'cheaters' aka padded brassieres (bras?) that were popular at the time among the younger female types that were just starting to 'bloom'... as it were. Every little bit helps 'ya know.

More Old B.S. Later
Badco - said it
Mike from Glen Ridge, NjThe line: I know your used to 16 or more. Sorry we only have 8, refers to porn films that used to be produced and sold on 8 mm film. Kids in school were use to 16 mm. films and school projectors or in the larger size at the movie theatre.
Steven from Medford, United KingdomThe lyrics say cheeta's; a popular kids shoe, not cheeters. Clever!!
Marcus from Baton Rouge, LaGreat song, very catchy and clasic chorus. Steely Dan are masters of (originality) music style.
Scott from Amarillo, Tx"Cheaters" is obsolete slang (did the Dan use any other kind?) for eyeglass.
Don from Burlington, Maanybody kbow what they mean by "take off your cheaters"? i thought it was "take off your chinos (pants)"
Hugo from Philadelphia, PaAccording to various sources, the name Steely Dan was taken from a dildo's name in the novel "The Naked Lunch" by William Burroughs.
Reed from New Ulm, MnIs anyone able to tell me if the bands' name, " Steely Dan " was suggested by a man named Dan Steele?...
anyway-----Great song. Steely Dan seem to be masters at their craft----every album seems better than the last.
G from Potomac, MdApparently the pedophile is French or of French descent (Mr. LaPage)

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