You must be joking son, where did you get those shoes?

Let's hear it for the 50th anniversary of the Steely Dan live recording of Pretzel Logic, the title song from the album, May 20, 1974.

(Also performed on that date, a Dan song I just recently heard for the first time: "This All Too Mobile Home.")

One theory is that Pretzel Logic is about time travel:

Steely Dan FAQ author Anthony Robustelli describes "Pretzel Logic" as a bluesy shuffle about time travel.[6] Fagen has stated that the lyrics, including anachronistic references to Napoleon and minstrel shows, are about time travel.[7][6] According to Robustelli, the "platform" referred to in the song's bridge is the time travel machine.[6]

Lyrics

I would love to tour the Southland

In a traveling minstrel show

Yes I'd love to tour the Southland

In a traveling minstrel show

Yes, I'm dying to be a star and make them laugh

Sound just like a record on the phonograph

Those days are gone forever

Over a long time ago, oh yeah 

 

I have never met Napoleon

But I plan to find the time

I have never met Napoleon

But I plan to find the time, yes I do

'Cause he looks so fine upon that hill

They tell me he was lonely, he's lonely still

Those days are gone forever

Over a long time ago, oh yeah 

 

I stepped up on the platform

The man gave me the news

He said, you must be joking son

Where did you get those shoes?

Where did you get those shoes? 

 

Well, I've seen 'em on the TV, the movie show

They say the times are changing but I just don't know

These things are gone forever

Over a long time ago, oh yeah