What does the song Rikki don't lose that number mean?

Answer 1

The notion that the "number" Rikki shouldn't lose is a joint is also suggested by the next line, "Mail it in a letter to yourself", which was, supposedly (I wouldn't know) a way to get pot from Point A to Point B -- mail it general delivery to yourself, and go get it at the post office where you're going. This is not recommended.
- James, Lexington, KY
I believe (number) in the song refers to a 1960s 70s term for a marijuana cigarette. Steeley Dans use of this metaphor was brilliant. The expression as I remember was "lets do a number" or smoke a joint. When you hear the song the next time you will pick up the double meaning.
- John, Williston Park, NY
Wonderful song.. that's all.
- meg, blahblahblah, LA
The full version of the song includes a keyboard solo intro meant to sound like bubbling water in an aquarium. Most radio stations skip the "aquarium" intro when playing the song.
- Joshua, Twin Cities, MN
If this isn't about Clapton, whats with the "we could go our driving slow hand row" lyric?
- rob, vancouver, Canada
Pretzel Logic was likely NOT a Nazi reference, since Donald Fagan is Jewish. And he didn't have a torrid affair with Ricki Lee Jones in college, since she would have been in her early teens in the late 60's. Great tune, though.
- Garrett, Nashville, TN
an interview with D.F.in Entertainment Weekly 3/24/2006 suggests that it was Rikki Ducornet, novelist and artist, who was the young wife of a professor at Bard Collage (My Old School). At least she seems to think so. Paul, Tucson AZ
- Paul, Tucson, CA
No, no, no.....its about ricki henderson. heheh.
- rob, vancouver, Canada
I always thought that this song was about a homosexual proposition. -- A homosexual man propositions a heterosexual man, who then rejects his advances, but still parties with the guy. The homosexual man then gives his phone number to him and says not to lose that number because the heterosexual guy "could have a change of heart" someday and decide to engage in the homosexual relationship.
- Bill, southeastern part of, FL
i thought it was elliot randall who played the open guitar licks on reelin' in the years
- adam, Wolverhampton, England
Wow ! Are you guys WAAAAAAAAAAAY off ! The "Rikki" is Rikki Lee Jones ("Chuckie's in Love") who had a torrid affair with Donald Fagen in the late 60's !
- Caldina, San Francisco, CA
Tony from San Fran's got the idea, there might have been some hidden messages here, but it only makes it all the funnier.
- Ben, Mount Vernon, IA
The band took their name from William S. Burroughs 'Naked Lunch', in which Steely Dan is the name of a large favorite sex toy of one of the characters
- Jim, Pittsburgh, PA
I heard it was some reference to copyrighting songs - 'send it off in a letter to yourself'
- Liquid Len, Ottawa, Canada
The opening guitar licks on "Reelin' in the Years" were played by Elliot Randall and "Rikki Don't Lose That Number" is not about Rick Derringer, Donald Fagen and Walter Becker got the name from a girl they knew at their college.
- Andrew, Raleigh, NC
The guitarist this song was written about is Rick Derringer (Rock n' Roll Hoochie Koo). He played the opening guitar licks on "Reelin' in the Years" among other things.
- E, Tacoma, WI
From the summer of '74 when I was turning 13 and playing the radio all the time - remember it well!
- David, Nitro, WV
This song was written for a one time guitarist for steely dan who left,not sure of his name.The song is reminding him that if he ever wants to come back he is welcome,"don't lose that number""you could have a change of heart",it's a great song
- antoin, dublin, Ireland
Some thought it was about Eric Clapton to but it wasn't.
- John, Wilmington, NC
some thought that a number was another name for a joint
- Sarah, Missoula, MT
"You tell yourself you're not my kind, --but you don't even know your mind and you can have a change of heart" --what else is there to say?
- Tony, San Francisco, CA
Some interpretations of the album title believe that it is not only a reference to any type of twisted thought patterns, but more specifically, a reference to the Nazis.(Pretzel=Swastika, also some of the songs lyrics support this. The Dan, never gave many interviews, and usually preferred to leave their songs open to inerpretation).

Sung by John Mahoney's character (poorly) while driving in the Cameron Crowe movie "Say Anything."
- Seth, Brooklyn, NY

Answer 2

It's about a woman named Rikki Ducornet, a faculy wife at Baird College who was a friend of Don Fagen's and is now well known as a writer. In an interview some years ago she acknowledged that Fagen gave her a slip of paper with his number at a party- and she lost it ;-)

That's all there is to it.

Answer 3

Those who are hanging onto the false hope of living forever in spite of their being a sinner, committing unrighteousness works had better stop listening to deceived preachers, and start reading The Holy Scriptures for themselves. The true promises are written in the scriptures, they are most certainly not in the mouths of these preachers. We find this written promise in: Yechetzqyah 18:4— Behold, all souls are Mine. Just as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is Mine; the soul that sins, it will die. Mankind does not have an immortal soul that once saved will always be saved for eternity, as the lying preachers would like for you to believe. There is no such thingwritten in the Holy Scriptures. This doctrine originated inancient Babylon. The only reason this doctrine has perpetuated, is to tickle the ears of sinners, who had no intentions whatsoever of repenting. Another reason this doctrine of the immortal soul has been perpetuated by lying preachers since Nimrod rose up against Yahweh, is because these preachers would certainly not have gotten these sinner’s money if they had told them the scriptural truth. Yahshua Messiah on the other hand, did speak Yahweh’s truth, He said: ‘‘The only way to life is by living by Yahweh’s every Word.’’ The Prophet Yechetzqah was inspired to write in Yechetzqyah 18:4, that ‘‘...the soul that sins, it will die.’’ So, what is the scriptural definition of sin? The Apostle Yahchanan was also inspired to write this definition for our instruction, saying in: I Yahchanan 3:4__ Whoever commits sin, transgresses also the Law; for sin is the transgression of the Law.

Answer 4

It s clear. Everyone reads whatever they wish into the song. Nothing is conclusive until the artist confirms. The best unconfirmed interpretation is a reference to an old fling, Ricky Lee Jones or whoever it may be!

Answer 5

The Dan were desperate to enlist Rick Derringer but he felt he was too rock orientated,plus having done his Johnny Winter sidekick stint,two such unashamed control freaks as those guys must have looked like more of the same.I thought EVERYBODY knew this.

Answer 6

My guess is the dealers number...but you need to ask Steely Dan for sure