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Steely Dan — Third World Man
Album: Gaucho
Avg rating:
7

Your rating:
Total ratings: 116








Released: 1980
Length: 5:05
Plays (last 30 days): 0
Johnny's playroom
Is a bunker filled with sand
He's become a third world man

Smoky Sunday
He's been mobilized since dawn
Now he's crouching on the lawn
He's a third world man

Soon you'll throw down your disguise
We'll see behind those bright eyes
By and by
When the sidewalks are safe
For the little guy

I saw the fireworks
I believed that I was dreaming
Till the neighbors came out screaming
He's a third world man

Soon you'll throw down your disguise
We'll see behind those bright eyes
By and by
When the sidewalks are safe
For the little guy

When he's crying out
I just sing that Ghana rondo
''E l'era del terzo mondo''
He's a third world man

He's a third world man

He's a third world man
Comments (14)add comment
 jhorton wrote:

God that's horrible.

Like I'm in the devil's elevator. 




You better get off now! ...your floor! ...the basement!
EXCELENT!!  Thanx RP!   
I just can't do most Steely Dan, and this song is certainly no exception!
God... That just set my day straight..Great song from a great album. 

oh the memories..Many nights watching the Jersey Shore sunset listening to Steely Dan... anxiously awaiting the night and watching the sunrise.


Wow, it's great to hear this again!
God that's horrible.

Like I'm in the devil's elevator. 
 ArbiterOfGoodTaste wrote:
One of my favorite bands, but not one of my favorite tunes of theirs.
 

Absolutely my favorite band ("more SD, please!"), but indeed one of their less good songs. And even then a great song!
This song is played slower live, giving it a creepy quality. It's certainly one of their lesser-known works. But the theme of paranoia goes back to "Don't Take Me Alive" if not earlier.
not a fan of the dan
One of my favorite bands, but not one of my favorite tunes of theirs.
veegez wrote:
I don't know, I sure like this one along with My Rival. They were the lesser played cuts and not as worn.
I definitely agree about "My Rival." What an insidious little tune: ominous organ, curious lyrics.
redeyespy wrote:
Certainly not their best track (from their worst album), yet....the darkness of this tune was always fascinating to me. Frank Zappa once described Steely Dan's music as "downer surrealism," and that is more than apt for this song.
I don't know, I sure like this one along with My Rival. They were the lesser played cuts and not as worn.
Certainly not their best track (from their worst album), yet....the darkness of this tune was always fascinating to me. Frank Zappa once described Steely Dan's music as "downer surrealism," and that is more than apt for this song.