Album: Pretzel Logic (1974)

License This Song 

• I never seen you lookin' so bad, my funky one
  You tell me that your super fine mind has come undone
  
  Any major dude with half a heart, surely will tell you, my friend
  Any minor world that breaks apart, falls together again
  When the demon is at your door
  In the morning, it won't be there no more
  Any major dude will tell you
  Any major dude will tell you
  
  Have you ever seen a squonk's tears? Well, look at mine
  The people on the street have all seen better times
  
  Any major dude with half a heart, surely will tell you, my friend
  Any minor world that breaks apart, falls together again
  When the demon is at your door
  In the morning, it won't be there no more
  Any major dude will tell you
  Any major dude will tell you
  
  I can tell you all I know, the where to go, the what to do
  You can try to run, but you can't hide from what's inside of you
  
  Any major dude with half a heart, surely will tell you, my friend
  Any minor world that breaks apart, falls together again
  When the demon is at your door
  In the morning, it won't be there no more
  Any major dude will tell you
  Any major dude will tell you
  Any major dude will tell you Writer/s: Donald Jay Fagen, Walter Carl Becker
  Publisher: Universal Music Publishing Group
  Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 18

• Davymac from MidwestTo the guy who said: None of MFers have had the "Demon at Your Door..you are NOT the only person that has faced adversity!! My time growing up in a bad ghetto and my being in the U.S. Military has given me some terror and hard times. Also YOU TRY being approximately 10 feet away from HUGH SASQUATCH that does not want you there, and it was baring HUGH FANGS on top and smaller FANGS on the bottom THEN GET BACK TO ME! This great Steely Dan song has Ben a good one for me to sing and reflect on numerous times..GOD rescued me from more than one horrible situation!
• Anonymous from Dave In TexasSo none of you motherf--kers have had the demon at your door, not even in the middle of the night? The Major Dude has helped me plenty.
• A Minor Dude from AlaskaGreat comments. I have always liked the super short verses. The choruses and bridge are so much longer than the verses :) !
• Tom from San FranciscoIt's definitely a cynical/ironic song, like so many of Steely Dan's songs are. The key here is the line "the people on the street have all seen better times." which is basically saying stop whining about your "super fine mind," part of your "minor [trivial, basic] world," coming undone.
• Michelle from UkMy Boyfriend is my Major Dude.
• John B. Squonk from Surrey, BcOne of my favorite Steely Dan compositions but I interpret it as a breezy, cynical brush-off by someone who doesn't want to deal with another person's issues. Would have made a good theme song for Seinfeld.
• AnonymousFor me it's a bad trip will eventually end
• Marilyn Quinsaat from San DiegoHave always connected with this song. I like to think that “Any major dude with half a heart...” could be a god. One who is benevolent and understands. Of course, Fagen and Becker would hate this interpretation.
  Also, “any major dude” and “any minor world “ are plays on music theory. Minor progressions tend to be meloncholic, but assures us it “falls together again.”
• Frodaddy from Santee CaThis song defines me as a person. I graduated high school in 1974. I had an instant connection that lasts til this day !
• Martin from New YorkAll the comments here are so wonderful, thoughtful and refreshing. I've been playing and singing this song to my daughters for many years.
• Raelene from Ca Central CoastHas anyone ever noted the similarity of the ending to this and the Joni Mitchell song, "Free Man In Paris"? Both songs were recorded in 1973 and released in 1974. I've been listening to SD a lot lately and this song is one of my faves. I'm a huge Joni fan and noticed the similarities just recently.
• Mark from Alameda CaIve been digging deep in the SD catalog lately and have been checking out the lyrics fully probably for the first time.
  Very poetic stuff; wonderful short stories and their world view is there for all to see if you look close enough.
  I've noticed their song titles rarely are "on the nose". You need to dig in to find the gold. This is a favorite: When the demon is at your door, in the morning it won't be there no more: Any major dude will tell you."
• John from Fairfield The song tells me don’t give up no matter how difficult things may seem at any given time in your life. Very inspirational. Sometimes we all need a major dude.
• Eb from Fl Keys, FlI agree with Rick!
• Gary from Chandler, Az"any minor world that breaks apart falls together again"
  Seems to indicate time heals all wounds or when one door closes another opens. Very hopeful. I love it!
• Rick from Plainwell,mich, MiConsidering The Dan's cynical and sardonic sense of humor,this song would appear to be an abberation--but I love it regardless
• Jena from Leavenworth, KsI just heard this song for the first time the other day. As I have been with many other Steely Dan songs, I am blown away by the depth and genius of their timeless music. It is the best!
• Chuck from Houston, TxOne of the groups underrated songs, love the acoustic rifs throughout the song that gives it it's personality

More Songfacts:

New York, New YorkFrank Sinatra

Frank Sinatra was 64 when he had his last hit: "New York, New York." The song pegged him to New York City, leaving Las Vegas to Elvis.

SummertimeDJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince

"Summertime" by DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince is built on a sample of a Kool & The Gang instrumental from 1974 called "Summer Madness," which gets a shout in the line, "This is the Fresh Prince's new definition of summer madness."

If It Makes You HappySheryl Crow

"If It Makes You Happy" by Sheryl Crow is about the sour grapes some of her collaborators from her first album expressed to the media when they felt slighted.

I Walk The LineJohnny Cash

In "I Walk The Line," Johnny Cash hums before each verse. He did this to get his pitch, as the song changes key several times.

TodaySmashing Pumpkins

"Today" by Smashing Pumpkins is sarcastic in the line "today is the greatest day." Lead singer Billy Corgan wrote it about the crippling depression he was battling following the band's first big tour.

AmenKid Rock

Kid Rock performed his song "Amen" at Barack Obama's inaugural, but claims he didn't vote for him.

Editor's Picks

Tim Butler of The Psychedelic FursSongwriter Interviews

Tim and his brother Richard are the Furs' foundation; Tim explains how they write and tells the story of "Pretty In Pink."

Alan Merrill of The ArrowsSongwriter Interviews

In her days with The Runaways, Joan Jett saw The Arrows perform "I Love Rock And Roll," which Alan Merrill co-wrote - that story and much more from this glam rock pioneer.

Tony Joe WhiteSongwriter Interviews

The writer of "Rainy Night in Georgia" and "Polk Salad Annie" explains how he cooks up his Louisiana swamp rock.

Timothy B. Schmit of the EaglesSongwriter Interviews

Did this Eagle come up with the term "Parrothead"? And what is it like playing "Hotel California" for the gazillionth time?

Don FelderSongwriter Interviews

Don breaks down "Hotel California" and other songs he wrote as a member of the Eagles. Now we know where the "warm smell of colitas" came from.

Robert DeLeo of Stone Temple PilotsSongwriter Interviews

Stone Temple Pilots bass player Robert DeLeo names the songs that have most connected with fans and tells the stories behind tracks from their Tiny Music album.