Any Major Dude Will Tell You by Steely Dan

Album: Pretzel Logic (1974)

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Songfacts®:

Released as the B-side to "Rikki Don't Lose That Number," this fairly obscure song has become a crowd favorite. In an interview with Rolling Stone during Steely Dan's 2009 tour, Donald Fagen talked about this song: "When we moved out to LA, people called each other 'dude,' which we found funny. We were trying to speak their language."
Regarding the lyrics, "Have you ever seen a Squonk's tears," a Squonk is a mythical woodland creature who has the ability to dissolve in its own tears. Steely Dan came across the word in a book by Jorge Luis Borges. Genesis also makes mention of this animal in their song "Squonk," from their 1976 album A Trick of the Tail.

Comments: 17

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