Album: Pretzel Logic (1974)

License This Song 

• I'm not one to look behind I know that times must change
  But over there in Barrytown they do things very strange
  And though you're not my enemy
  I like things like they used to be
  And though you'd like some company
  I'm standing by myself
  Go play with someone else
  I can see by what you carry that you come from Barrytown
  
  Don't believe I'm taken in by stories I have heard
  I just read the Daily News and swear by every word
  And don't think that I'm out of line
  For speaking out for what is mine
  I'd like to see you do just fine
  But look at what you wear
  And the way you cut your hair
  
  I can see by what you carry that you come from Barrytown
  
  In the beginning we recall that the word was hurled
  Barrytown people got to be from another world
  
  Leave me or I'll be just like the others you will meet
  They won't act as kindly if they see you on the street
  And don't you scream or make a shout
  It's nothing you can do about
  It was there where you came out
  It's a special lack of grace
  I can see it in your face
  
  I can see by what you carry that you come from Barrytown Writer/s: DONALD FAGEN, DONALD JAY FAGEN, WALTER CARL BECKER
  Publisher: Royalty Network, Universal Music Publishing Group
  Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 9

• Paul Nolte from MichiganUnfortunately the song was written before the Moonies, so no.
• Mark In Taos from Taos NmDigging the site!
• Nemesis GuitarsIMO I believe it's about the moonies as well but with The Dan who knows for sure, At least thats what they want you to think
• Rickard from ChicagoJess from Pelham NY - I think he's saying came out of the birth canal. not the closet.
• Jess from Pelham, Ny“...it was there when you came out, it’s a special lack of grace — I can see it in your face...” I always assumed this song was about gay people. Certainly, the venom of the lyrics fits.
• Jeffrey from Kingston, NyI grew up in Barrytown and we always believed the song was written about the "Christian Brothers," whose seminary was in existence just prior to the Moonies on the same estate. What the brothers carried was a small bible (perhaps concordance, or other books) and their hair was very short. They stood out in the 60s counter culture era.
  
  https://bit.ly/3Wsb8qW
  https://bit.ly/3zLAt5l
• Nydanfan from New York, NyWell, I may have to stand corrected. I just heard from a friend that in a radio interview Donald Fagen did admit to writing the song about the Unification Church. Have to figure out the time line on this (anyone have DF's email address?).
• Nydanfan from New York, NyA lot of references point to the song being about Rev. Moon's property in Barrytown. Problem is that the song was written before Rev. Moon purchased the property. I was at the Moon Barrytown property in Jan. 1975, it was purchased in 1974, but Pretzel Logic was recorded in 74 and the song written probably in 72 or 73. Fagen and Becker had left the area by then having graduated from Bard years before.
  Many of us enjoyed singing the song there, it certainly seemed to fit the moonies (err, Unificationists) at that time! Maybe a bit prophetic on Don Fagen's part.
  see: https://bit.ly/3T94jHQ
• Cadanfan from Jackson, Ca"I can see by what you carry that you come from Barrytown" references the Moonies selling flowers as a means of making money.

More Songfacts:

Bad GirlsDonna Summer

Donna Summer's "Bad Girls" is about prostitutes, but it was still used in the movie Rugrats In Paris.

I Melt With YouModern English

"I'll Melt With You" by Modern English is about a couple who melt together because a nuclear bomb drops.

Tomorrow PeopleZiggy Marley & the Melody Makers

"Tomorrow People" by Ziggy Marley is the first song by a Marley to crack the US Top 40; the highest Bob got was #51 with "Roots, Rock, Reggae."

AqualungJethro Tull

Jethro Tull lead singer Ian Anderson wrote "Aqualung" after looking at pictures of homeless men that his wife took. She got a co-writing credit on the song.

A Moment Like ThisKelly Clarkson

Kelly Clarkson's coronation song when she won American Idol in 2002 was "A Moment Like This," which was released as her first single and went to #1. Every finalist that season recorded the song in case they won.

Highway to HellAC/DC

The "Highway To Hell" is the Canning Highway in Australia, which seems to go on forever, at least according to AC/DC.

Editor's Picks

Zakk WyldeSongwriter Interviews

When he was playing Ozzfest with Black Label Society, a kid told Zakk he was the best Ozzy guitarist - Zakk had to correct him.

Greg Lake of Emerson, Lake & PalmerSongwriter Interviews

Greg talks about writing songs of "universal truth" for King Crimson and ELP, and tells us about his most memorable stage moment (it involves fireworks).

Scott Gorham of Thin Lizzy and Black Star RidersSongwriter Interviews

Writing with Phil Lynott, Scott saw their ill-fated frontman move to a darker place in his life and lyrics.

A Monster Ate My Red Two: Sesame Street's Greatest Song SpoofsSong Writing

When singers started spoofing their own songs on Sesame Street, the results were both educational and hilarious - here are the best of them.

Christmas SongsFact or Fiction

Rudolf, Bob Dylan and the Singing Dogs all show up in this Fact or Fiction for seasonal favorites.

Bill Medley of The Righteous BrothersSongwriter Interviews

Medley looks back on "Unchained Melody" and "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" - his huge hits from the '60s that were later revived in movies.