Today’s classic song of the day is one of my favorite Steely Dan tunes, “Kid Charlemagne.” This one was the lead track (side one, track one) of the Dan’s 1976 album, The Royal Scam. Released as a single, “Kid Charlemagne” only reached #82 on the Billboard Hot 100. As a classic album track, it’s had a lasting influence that exceeds its single performance.
Some might argue that The Royal Scam is Steely Dan’s best album. (Others might argue for Aja or Pretzel Logic; I find myself wavering on most days between The Royal Scam and Katy Lied.) The album, the Dan’s fifth, includes a bevy of memorable and truly funky songs, including “Don’t Take Me Alive,” “Sign In Stranger,” “Green Earrings,” and the cynical rock-reggae classic, “Haitian Divorce.” The album reached #15 on the Billboard 200 album chart and I pretty much wore out my copy during my freshman year in college. It doesn’t get much better than this, especially that opening track.
Even though “Kid Charlemagne” isn’t a dance track, you can certainly dance to it. In fact, the beat isn’t that different than that on yesterday’s classic song of the day, the Bee Gees’ “Nights on Broadway.” Not that I’m comparing that tune to this one, but they do have an somewhat similar feel. Sort of, anyway.
As a drummer, I love playing “Kid Charlemagne.” The groove, provided by legendary drummer Bernard Purdie (with the able assistance of bassist Chuck Rainey), is nothing short of infectious, in a kind of funk-meets-reggae sort of way. Larry Carlton tops it all off with one of the best guitar solos you’ve ever heard, period. (Other musicians include Paul Griffin on clavinet, Don Grolnick on Fender Rhodes electric piano, and Walter Becker himself on rhythm guitar; background vocalists include Michael McDonald, Ventta Fields, Clydie King, and Sherlie Matthews.) The whole thing just cooks and keeps cooking from start to finish.
Lyrics-wise, this one’s a nice little slice-of-life story song, where the protagonist happens to be an on-the-run drug dealer, inspired by real-life LSD chemist Owsley Stanley. It’s a masterpiece of wordsmithery, snarky and subtle and requiring your Steely Dan Decoder Ring to suss it all out. It’s Becker and Fagen at their steely best.
I played this song in a band or two back in the day, and it’s just about my favorite thing in the world, honest. It cooks and cooks and cooks and lets you both lay down a groove and get creative on the fills, of which there are ample number. It’s a drummer’s delight, and I’ve only realized recently how much Purdie—and this song in particular—has influenced my drumming style. Those little hi-hat chirps I throw in from time to time? They’re all Purdie. Man, this song got into my head and stayed there.
And here’s your daily bonus, especially for my drummer friends out there, a link to a pretty-exact transcription of Bernard Purdie’s drum part on “Kid Charlemagne.” It looks simple but it’s got its own feel. Feel free to play along the next time you play the song.
And here’s your extra daily bonus, from the extremely knowledgeable Rick Beato. It’s a very detailed analysis of “Kid Charlemagne,” why it sounds like it does with a special emphasis on Larry Carlton’s extraordinary guitar solo. It’s worth a watch!
(Yes, there’s gas in the car…)
