Cousin Dupree by Steely Dan

Album: Two Against Nature (2000)

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Steely Dan have written many songs dealing with odd and eclectic subjects. This one is about incest between cousins. >>
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steve - norfolk, VA
Steely Dan bested two boy bands when this tune won the Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal in 2001 against the Backstreet Boys' "Show Me The Meaning Of Being Lonely" and 'N Sync's "Bye Bye Bye."

Comments: 13

Joe from WexfordEveryone saying “it’s not about incest!” has either committed or wants to commit incest.
Joe from UsaThis is not about incest between cousins, but having those kind of feelings for a cousin.
Robin Gaines from Bordentown NjI absolutely love Steely Dan! First song I fell in love with was, Peg;, I was in the 8th grade in 1977. And I've been in love with them ever since!!!! Great group of Talented Musicians!!!
Ian from Wichita, Ksit is legal to have an affair with Franklin Roosevelt! You heard it first... on SongFacts!!
Kathy from ChicahoCousin Dupree. I'd like to extrapolate that this song is a toungue and cheek response to Frank Zappa's Dupree's Paradise. Mr. Zappa, while performing this piece, deadpans a couple of SD's lyrics from Rikki Don't Lose That Number. I believe Cousin Dupree is an SD sardonic response to this moment Zappa sarcasim.
Robert from Chicago , IlNot really incest because anything beyond 3rd cousins is legal such as Franklin Roosevelt.
Don from Burlington, Mai was hot for my cousin once...
Paul from Seattle, WaAll topics have been used up in songs. What a spin on a love tune.
Shannon from Nashville , TnHi, Joni-

Listen to the lyrics a little more closely. Quid pro quo...... what's so strange about a down home family romance? Fagen and Becker were interviewed about this song shortly before the CD reached the shelves, and they laughed through their explanation of blasting southern mores with this unforking tree of a song. However, in a show of good rearing, Cousin Janine does not take the bait because the architecture of his dreary soul turns her off.... she's been readin' some mighty fancy literature to observe in such language! ;)
Tim from Denver, CoSound to me like a follow-up to "Everyone's Gone to the Movies..."
Persephone from Indianapolis, InWhen Owen Wilson's movie "You, Me, and Dupree" came out, Steely Dan fans had a fit, claiming it was about this song. Owen Wilson commented back about "it's not about the song and I really like Steely Dan. I have to go make my next movie, Hey Nineteen."
Koze from Chennai, IndiaWell, in the song, the incest never actually happens... Cousin Dupree just seems to have a thing for Cousin Janine, but it doesn't work the other way round.
Joni from New York, NyWow. I never realized...incest. Ew.

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