Everyone's Gone To The Movies by Steely Dan

Album: Katy Lied (1975)

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This song tells the story of a man who shows 8mm porn movies to young boys. With its lilting melody and catchy chorus, it's easy to misinterpret the track as a playful kids' song about going to the movies. At least one theater operator in the United States used the chorus of this song on the speakers prior to the coming attractions. >>
Suggestion credit:
Steve - Boston, MA
This was the first song Steely Dan recorded. They first put it to tape in 1971 in a version with backing vocals by Flo and Eddie of The Turtles. This demo version is available on the boxed set Citizen Dan.

Comments: 10

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Scott from Amarillo, Tx"Cheaters" is obsolete slang (did the Dan use any other kind?)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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