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I.G.Y. Lyrics

Artist: Steely Dan
Album: I.G.Y.

Standing tough under stars and stripes
We can tell
This dream's in sight
You've got to admit it
At this point in time that it's clear
The future looks bright
On that train all graphite and glitter
Undersea by rail
Ninety minutes from New York to Paris
Well by seventy-six we'll be A.O.K.

What a beautiful world this will be
What a glorious time to be free

Get your ticket to that wheel in space
While there's time
The fix is in
You'll be a witness to that game of chance in the sky
You know we've got to win
Here at home we'll play in the city
Powered by the sun
Perfect weather for a streamlined world
There'll be spandex jackets one for everyone

What a beautiful world this will be
What a glorious time to be free

On that train all graphite and glitter
Undersea by rail
Ninety minutes from New York to Paris
(More leisure for artists everywhere)
A just machine to make big decisions
Programmed by fellows with compassion and vision
We'll be clean when their work is done
We'll be eternally free yes and eternally young

What a beautiful world this will be
What a glorious time to be free

Comments/Interpretations

by Adam Selene on 4/12/2009 8:28pm
I love this song's hopeful vision of the future. Right now we are at a crossroads of history. If we take the right road the future does look very bright and some of the things mentioned in this song may come to pass. If we take the wrong road, our future looks equally dark.

by herrprofessordoktor on 7/30/2009 2:53pm
Are you serious? Surely the song is satirical?

by Occam's Razor on 8/2/2009 11:45pm
Yes, the song is satirical. "Spandex jackets one for everyone," and "a just machine to make big decisions" is a fairly obvious tip-off.

by watchtheborders on 9/21/2011 7:29pm
no .. then why did SD always fly the stars and stripes when they performed this live? And why did Fagan state on an interview that this was about American hedgemony over communism? Moron libtards!

by Fool Smasher on 12/15/2011 11:59am
@ watchtheboarders

Why don't you shut that stupid mouth of yours you angry paranoid brainwashed freak. Go clean your gun collection or beat your wife you stupid fucking dinosaur.

by Cornelius on 2/25/2012 9:55pm
I remember I.G.Y. or the International Geophysical Year. The 50s were coming to an end and it was the time of Sputnik (a success), Vanguard (a big flop) and Explorer I (Von Braun becomes a hero inspite of being the father of the V-2). Eisenhower was trying to cast science in acceptable clothes so we had nuclear power, open skies and a year dedicated to improving the lives of all with applied science. The U-2 shoot-down and Khrushchev's shoe banging at the U.N. chilled the good vibes but Donald captures the time well. This is good history.

by jwmellott on 8/22/2012 6:36am
Wasn't IGY 1976-77? with the song theoretically taking place in the 50's?

by Weezie on 6/16/2015 12:20pm
Ahhh, the future. Kinda like the song In the year 2525 (in a sense), huh? Pretty fuckin' scary, too.