Steely Dan: The Last Mall Meaning

1. anonymous

   • 1
   • 2
   • 3
   • 4
   • 5

   click a star to vote

   Nov 16th 2019 report

   I don't think you have to overthink this one (suicide, killing one's kids,etc.): it is just hours from the "Big Adios", a thermonuclear war. It is about to unfold and everyone knows it. They are going to- where else- the mall to get what they need= "the tools for survival...'cause in the morning-- that gospel morning You'll have to do for yourself when the going gets tough". It kind of reminds me of "King of the World".
2. anonymous

   • 1
   • 2
   • 3
   • 4
   • 5

   click a star to vote

   Nov 13th 2014 report

   Steely Dan is so genius as to see the future. The last mall is the last shopping center before everyone can phone in for delivery and whatnot. The blood-orange sky is the eventual pollution that is from the factories. It fits into the main theme of Everything Must Go quite nicely, just more benign than the whole "Disaster! Disaster!" vibe.
3. anonymous

   • 1
   • 2
   • 3
   • 4
   • 5

   click a star to vote

   Oct 8th 2014 report

   interesting interpretation, but on the whole I think the lyrics seem to point to a more general disaster scenario.
   
   "Attention all shoppers/it's cancellation day/yes the big adios/is just a few hours away"
   
   Sounds to me like the world situation is heading south quickly, and a nuclear attack is believed to be imminent. If it's intended to be about one mother and her kids, why "all shoppers?" or it could be that we've already suffered an attack, which would make more sense in context of the "blood orange sky" line later on.
   
   "You need the tools for survival/and the medicine for the blues/sweet treats and surprises/for the little buckaroos"
   
   A shopping list for the fallout shelter. Antidepressants, stuff to keep the kids from whining too much, batteries, food, etc.
   
   "We've got a sweetheart Sunset Special/On all of the standard stuff/'Cause in the morning -that gospel morning/You'll have to do for yourself when the going gets tough"
   
   seems pretty self explanatory in the context of the "sunset" of civilization.
   
   "Roll your cart back up the aisle/Kiss the checkout girls goodbye"
   
   Or, for that matter, kiss your ass good bye.
4. anonymous

   • 1
   • 2
   • 3
   • 4
   • 5

   click a star to vote

   May 8th 2014 report

   This song tells of a parent (probably the mother) who is planning on killing her children then committing suicide. The lyrics refer to "cancellation day, the big adios", and "sweet treats and surprises for the little buckaroos" (poisons). Typically, the cryptic SD lyrics are juxtaposed by bouncy toe tapping music.

More Steely Dan song meanings »

 

Latest Articles

• 
  Olivia Newton-John from Xanadu to Grease
• 
  9 UK Producers That Had The 2015 Scene On Lock
• 
  My Music Story: Alice in Chains
• 
  The Music of DNA Lounge
• 
  We're Sorry to Have Ignored Ignore That Door Before
• 
  Remembering Lester Bangs : 40 Years Later