Fagen, Donald - The Nightfly Lyrics






I'm Lester the Nightfly
Hello Baton Rouge
Won't you turn your radio down
Respect the seven second delay we use

So you say there's a race of men in the trees
You're for tough legislation
Thanks for calling
I wait all night for calls like these

An independent station, WJAZ
With jazz and conversation from the foot of Mt. Belzoni
Sweet music, tonight the night is mine
Late line till the sun comes through the skylight

I've got plenty of java and Chesterfield Kings
But I feel like crying
I wish I had a heart of ice
A heart like ice

If you want your honey to look super swell
You must spring for that little blue jar
Patton's Kiss and Tell
Kiss and Tell

An independent station, WJAZ
With jazz and conversation from the foot of Mt. Belzoni
Sweet music, tonight the night is mine
Late line till the sun comes through the skylight

You'd never believe it, but once there was a time
When love was in my life
I sometimes wonder what happened to that flame
The answer's still the same
It was you, you
It was you
Tonight you're still on my mind

An independent station, WJAZ
With jazz and conversation from the foot of Mt. Belzoni
Sweet music, tonight the night is mine
Late line till the sun comes through the skyline





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Fagen, Donald The Nightfly Comments
  1. T.... B....

    My favorite album of all time. Brilliant!

    T.... B....

    no doubt about it!! Donald Fagen is a monster composer and arranger!!. his music makes so much sense--- no lame and dated chord changes., no worn out chord progressions, just real, authentic , original compositions!!! his work is so refreshing to listen to----not stale--- could never be stale. his music will always sound fresh and timeless!!

  2. A.... D....

    The master at work

  3. C.... L....

    CALIE SOULFUL MUSIC WEST COAST

  4. P.... ....

    The year was 1983. I was in 7th grade. None of my peers knew anything about Steely Dan. Whenever we'd return from swimming lessons, my sis & I would chill & play this cassette.

  5. D.... ....

    I get second hand smoke just listening to this

  6. D.... O....

    Wow music

  7. J.... V....

    Jesus, that voice. Original Major Dude.

  8. P.... F....

    That cold sophisticated detachment, once this man is gone no one will even come close.

  9. P.... C....

    Anyone know of a chicken liver recipe?

  10. P.... C....

    Now I shall make my attempt at Lotkas.

    P.... C....

    ?????????

  11. A.... N....

    Omg..It sounds waaay too bright.Whoever mixed or mastered this is probably partially deaf.

    A.... N....

    Mr. Novak..........It's perfect, as it was all done at Donald's hand!

    A.... N....

    lantie , indeed this album is often used to calibrate professional sound systems, so it’s pretty good as a source.

  12. D.... ....

    The Nightfly refers in the lyrics of the song as well as the album cover is about late night jazz disc jockeys during Donald Fagen's childhood.

  13. P.... J....

    Great song,album,singer and decade.There is a recording studio in Southend,Essex,England named after this song.

  14. R.... H....

    Donald looks like Humphrey Bogart on that "Nightfly album cover a bit with the cigarette in his hand.They played damned good music!.I`m glad that I at least grew up in the early 70`s.

  15. J.... P....

    Sebastian Bach pointed me here.

  16. j.... c....

    Another great song from a standout album in any generation!

  17. l.... ....

    f Mid-Century Modern were set to music, I firmly believe that it would sound EXACTLY like Donald Fagen's 1982 masterpiece "The Nightfly"!!!!

  18. �.... ....

    かっちょいい

  19. m.... ....

    I bought this album first in the form of vinyl circa 1982 without any knowledge about Donald Fagen and his music at all, but just because I was mesmerised by its jacket I saw in the advert in a newspaper. Given its ultra superb design, the music contents of the album could not possibly be mediocre. Some gamble, but my judgment proved (far) more than right.

  20. N.... M....

    Cowbell

  21. P.... R....

    Jeff Fabulous Porcaro...

  22. M.... J....

    This CD and Aja stays in my CD machine. I love you Donald for enriching my life.

  23. f.... ....

    I bought this much later than the release date, listen to it while strolling outside in the fall. cool stuff.

  24. S.... W....

    I`m 15 ... I play the saxophone. My dad told me to listen to this album... "it will change your live and your whole perspective of music. " In 1982 it changed mine", he said......
    And he`s right....

    S.... W....

    Nice one, kid👍.

    S.... W....

    Exactly, great Album, if you wanna hear another killer album check out:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8U0NWeyjCXw

  25. R.... K....

    I'm sure others have commented but what a absolutely perfect sound this whole record has. Just musical perfection.

  26. C.... C....

    I miss the days of independent high power stations all over the dial. The album cover is a good likeness of a 50's broadcast station only if he has a turntable and microphone he at least needs a console if not Cart machines and other equipment.

  27. e.... ....

    I still smoke Chesterfields with my coffee.

  28. 5.... ....

    Inspired by Jean Shepherd.

  29. S.... C....

    7-second delay....

  30. D.... G....

    The genius of the man is unpresidented. The music harkens my spirit, its always takes me away.

  31. R.... C....

    ohhhh shit i cant stop moving

  32. H.... S....

    Everything Donald and Walter touched turned to gold. The Nightfly is no exception.

  33. S.... C....

    From the foot of Mt.Belzoni?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!!

  34. S.... C....

    LESTER - the NIGHTFLY!!!!

  35. G.... ....

    This is - and for me - will forever be, one of those albums that never tires itself out. Honestly, I have listened to it fairly regularly over the past 35 years up till TODAY :) Proof is in the pudding....

  36. c.... h....

    You say there's a race, of men in the trees? You're for tough legislation? Thanks for calling, I wait all night for calls like these!

    I fucking love those lyrics. Makes me chuckle everytime

  37. C.... B....

    the guitar solo at the end reminds me of Rosie Vela

  38. C.... B....

    why so few views? I played this album to death but it resurrects so easily.

  39. k.... r....

    Thats My Shit here 💯 5th Avenue on a Rainy Day

  40. a.... p....

    All good things last

  41. B.... S....

    What a masterpiece of an album!

    B.... S....

    The Wall Street Journal in 2007 described the album "The Nightfly" as a sneaky masterpiece in pop music.

    B.... S....

    "Sneaky masterpiece"--I like it! Sounds like a Donald Fagen song title!

    B.... S....

    I'd be honored if some Donald Fagen & Steely Dan fans would take a listen to my live keyboard & vocal performances of JOSIE and HOME AT LAST on my YT channel in tribute to the Aja album and the legendary songwriting of Fagen and Becker. Live acoustic with no digital editing. Thanks and peace.

  42. m.... w....

    Everyday on my bluetooth. All day, over any others...LOVE

  43. C.... &....

    Aww man! This LP means SO much to me...Awesome memories of my Dad & Uncles,who introduced me to Steely Dan 'n' this talented chap's fine work!
    Most kids my age at the time would seek solace in their teenage angst
    with The Smiths or Lloyd Cole & The Commotions,with me it was Steely Dan and this classic...I remember being very ill in hospital and seeing the video for 'New Frontier' on the TV in the ward for the first time and wishing I lived in that era...Magical stuff to a skinny,white Northern Brit 13 year old! ✊🎧❤

    C.... &....

    Great story man! I love hearing other people's experiences with my favorite music!

    C.... &....

    Snap! I was 16 and same with the peer groups and the "required" musical tastes. Funny tho, over the years I've had friends say they loved, respected and were intrigued by the music I was into. Thank god for a great local library & second hand music stores. Fed my appetite.

  44. A.... V....

    I hear Porcaro on the drums ?

    A.... V....

    Either Porcaro or Ed Greene.

  45. B.... M....

    Donald Fagen is a genius. This album is perfect.

    B.... M....

    Great album, no doubt!

  46. B.... S....

    I miss this Donald Fagen! His newer stuff is just not the same.

  47. J.... W....

    Tonight the night is mine...

  48. j.... h....

    Where's the bass?????

    j.... h....

    Marcus Miller

  49. M.... J....

    Bodhisattva, you take me away when I hear your music. And it ain't Calgon.

  50. C.... F....

    I remember back in the day buying this record because I liked the cover.

    C.... F....

    really?

    C.... F....

    Linda Perkins Really. I still think it’s not that great. But I still love the cover. The record is probably worth a few bucks. Maybe I’ll sell it.

  51. G.... H....

    Best album since Aja

    G.... H....

    Gaucho,?????

  52. A.... P....

    Semplicemente fantastica

    A.... P....

    Album spettacolare in tutto e per tutto

  53. C.... F....

    Araki’s most obscure reference

    C.... F....

    Nice to see a fellow jojo fan here thought i was the only here

  54. E.... H....

    part 7 never

    E.... H....

    ナイトフライ

  55. x.... ....

    Great groovy,funky "old scool" bass by Marcus Miller with some Disco-reminescences

  56. N.... ....

    When you're up late and trying to finish writing the latest chapter of Steel Ball Run.

    N.... ....

    YES YES YES, FINALLY! I have looked all over for this reference.

  57. R.... O....

    so bloody good all of the muscians know their part

    R.... O....

    Early digital recording. It sounds like it was taped live, or almost, in just a few takes with a happy tight outfit: in fact it was near as protracted as recording the songs on Gaucho.

  58. S.... M....

    1 a.m til 4:45 a.m type vibe. When you're up just playing old records back to back .While in your mind trying to forget what was and what wasn't .No cellphones. No social media. No politics. Memories,smiles,laughs,Loneliness,tears,long sighs. Every song testifies of your heart's many......
    ....

    S.... M....

    @Linda Perkins 👍

    S.... M....

    Glad I'm not alone with that. Those are exactly my hours every night. I couldn't survive without it. Sanctuary (-:

  59. R.... L....

    160 people don't respect 7 second delays.

  60. m.... p....

    ayo jojo reference

  61. J.... F....

    This album was my escape from Iraq... I listened to it daily for 15 months, literally, everyday... Thanks Don

    J.... F....

    Wonderful comment from you! I hope, for you it was a little help.

    J.... F....

    Thank you for your service. Sounds like a great escape, I've used it to escape from a few things myself :)

    J.... F....

    Steely Dan keep me alive thur the 80s

  62. J.... M....

    Actually so fucking excellent

  63. R.... A....

    Nunca deixo de falar.....Amooooooo vc Donald

  64. c.... t....

    Sweet music!

  65. D.... ....

    WKPA-AAAAAAAaaaaa....

  66. A.... T....

    Probably the best song to listen to while you're watching the clock to reach 12 am

    A.... T....

    yes - just waiting for the full moon to be visible from here.... it may seem like a joke, but it isn't............

    A.... T....

    @Linda Perkins nice

  67. N.... B....

    I still don't know where Mount Belzoni is. I only know of the town by that name in Mississippi.

    N.... B....

    Probably a reference to Louie Belson, a great drummer from bygone days. My Mom met him and his wife, Pearl Bailey in Rock Island, Ill. They sat on the porch and spent the afternoon swingin' on gliders-------

    N.... B....

    i saw louie belson at a clinicin houston at Herbie Brockstein"s store and it blew everything in our lives away. I hope Belzoni is about him. He is worth remembering......

  68. L.... A....

    So many dislikes let me know that this music is super distinctive, and so many people are shallow about music

  69. L.... P....

    !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!THIS BRIDGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    L.... P....

    and it was you - like a stab in the heart!

  70. j.... z....

    I'm Lester the Nightfly
    Hello Baton Rouge
    Won't you turn your radio down
    Respect the seven second delay we use
    So you say there's a race
    Of men in the trees
    You're for tough legislation
    Thanks for calling
    I wait all night
    For calls like these
    An independent station
    WJAZ
    With jazz and conversation
    From the foot of Mt. Belzoni
    Sweet music
    Tonight the night is mine
    Late line 'til the sun
    Comes through the skylight
    I've got plenty of java
    And Chesterfield Kings
    But I feel like crying
    I wish I had a heart like ice
    Heart like ice
    If you want your honey
    To look super swell
    You must spring
    For that little blue jar
    Patton's Kiss And Tell
    Kiss And Tell
    An independent station
    WJAZ
    With jazz and conversation
    From the foot of Mt. Belzoni
    Sweet music
    Tonight the night is mine
    Late line 'til the sun
    Comes through the skylight
    You'd never believe it
    But once there was a time
    When love was in my life
    I sometimes wonder
    What happened to that flame
    The answer's still the same
    It was you, it was you
    Tonight you're still on my mind
    An independent station
    WJAZ
    With jazz and conversation
    From the foot of Mt. Belzoni
    Sweet music
    Tonight the night is mine
    Late line 'til the sun
    Comes through the skylight

    j.... z....

    that shit was tight johnny, that shit was tight...

    j.... z....

    Johnny Zell!

    j.... z....

    Thank u so much

    j.... z....

    YES! and it never ends - so just keep on keeping on.........What else to do?

    j.... z....

    Hello johnny zell, thanks for posting the lyrics!
    My biggest hobby is to singalong out loud and shake my upperbody to the rithym...
    Greetings from Amsterdam (the Netherlands)!

  71. L.... _....

    I always come back to this album. It has defined me since childhood. I’ve purchased it countless times... I always come back to this album. It has defined me since childhood. I’ve purchased it countless times... I always...

    L.... _....

    Terrence Powell you sound just like me, this and AJA....my 2 desert island LP’s.

    L.... _....

    me too especially on the dunes........

  72. g.... ....

    I wait all night for songs like these.

    g.... ....

    geatorella sorry it’s “ calls like these”. Best wishes.

    g.... ....

    some of us search for songs like these - geatorella is right!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    g.... ....

    The playing sounds so effortless and floating that you'd think it was mostly done in one or two takes. In fact it took a long time to record and Michael Omartian, playing the piano here, didn't even have a drumming track to go by; he was first in and told to "set the groove by yourself" with just a click track to guide him (something he objected strongly to doing at first). The entire album is a real classic, I've adored it for thirty years.

    g.... ....

    @Linda Perkins Yes. I think the play on words went unnoticed (-;

    g.... ....

    Great comment.... i wish you a wonderful nightfly

  73. D.... ....

    No clinkers on this album. Just great stand alone tunes that sound great as an ensemble.

    D.... ....

    DV6000victim The whole album is like watching a movie. An opera.

  74. E.... S....

    Plenty if java, and chesterfield kings. Wrap me up in it and kiss me goodnight /as the sun comes up. Walt Becker is out there, in someplace good.

  75. J.... T....

    How many times have I listened to this album.

    J.... T....

    I listened to this album for 15 months,once a day .. it was my escape from Iraq

    J.... T....

    John Terrones For me, countless times listening. Still relevant and interesting every time I listen.

    J.... T....

    I couldn't answer either, it's an absolute classic and a brilliant slab of songwriting, playing, vocals, production...One of the classiest of 80s albums.

    J.... T....

    @Louise X and for today as well.............

    J.... T....

    Same here!

  76. s.... ....

    reminds me a little bit of the second arrangement

  77. E.... C....

    On this album cover Donald really resembles my late husband when we got married. Sniff, sniff.

    E.... C....

    Emily Cigliano I am very sorry for your loss, m'am.

    E.... C....

    Emily Cigliano yeah Em, the epitome if creativity. All we had to do was bask in the warmth.

    E.... C....

    Handsome man.x

  78. J.... ....

    Word!!!!

  79. C.... B....

    Currently my favorite album. Such layering, originality, musicality, and talent from all involved. Good enough I've bought multiple copies for myself and others in multiple formats, most recently the Robert Ludwig Masterdisc LP's. As with Steely Dan, I find my favorite song changes; isn't that the sign of a truly accomplished album and artist?

    C.... B....

    Absolutely!! Well said 😃

    C.... B....

    YES!!!!

    C.... B....

    indeed it is

    C.... B....

    Chris Bach it was commercial like Michael Jackson Thriller 1982 excellent debut as solo . Great album indeed
    after Steely Dan Gaucho with hey nineteen Best decade of music 80s. 1980-1988. BLACK CONSERVATIVE M🎼🎵🎶🎙️🎤🎧🎷🎸🎹C LOVER

    C.... B....

    It's a really classic album, and so effortlessly tight and jazzy. Too bad that its maker sunk into a state of near-depression for years after it.