What’s an IGY?
In 1982 Donald Fagen, Co-Founder and lead singer of Steely Dan, released a solo album called The Nightfly. (Good album, btw). On it was a song called IGY. It is a 6 minute song. Side 1 cut 1, when that used to mean something.
On my first listen I loved it. Fagen’s voice is so distinctive. This song would be among the best of Steely Dan had it not been solo. And yet, why is it called IGY? I listened and re-listening expecting to hear the letters IGY embedded somewhere. Are they? Nope.
The chorus however is sung memorably, What a beautiful world this will be. What a glorious time to be free. So infectious a song.
But what the heck is IGY?
Doing some homework I have since realized that IGY is short for International Geophysical Year. Not exactly a term one would sing about. Hard to rhyme in a song too. So what’s it about?
In fact, the IGY (International Geophysical Year) was an 18-month period between July 1957-December 1958. Though I was alive then, I surely don’t remember such a time. It apparently marked the end of a long period during the Cold War when scientific interchange between East and West had been seriously interrupted. The IGY was an international scientific project promoting collaboration among the world’s scientists. In fact both the U.S. and Soviet Union. launched satellites during this time, including Sputnik 1, the first satellite launched by the Soviet Union in October 1957.
Again, how does relate to this great song?
Donald Fagen’s lyrics sarcastically discuss the widespread optimistic vision of the future at that time, including futuristic concepts such as solar-powered cities, a transatlantic tunnel, permanent space stations, and spandex jackets which he sung about.
The song criticizes this vision and offers a humorous critique on the naïveté of the optimism in America and the Western World. The “76” referred to in the song is 1976, the U.S. Bicentennial.
Aha! So that’s what it’s about. Hence, What a beautiful world this will be…
IGY was a modest hit, but never cracked the top 20. On the other hand, it was nominated for a Grammy, so somebody understood it, or at least knew good music when they heard it.
In any event, now I know what IGY was about. And now the seeming nonsensical lyrics have a deeper meaning. Nonetheless, it’s a great song whether I understood the meaning or not. Hope you think so too.
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
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
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 time 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
What a beautiful world this will be
What a glorious time to be free
What a beautiful world this will be
What a glorious time to be free
What a beautiful world this will be
What a glorious time to be free
More Strumings
- Tips= To Insure Prompt Service
- It’s All Over.
- A DJ Once More.
- States Rights and States Responsibilities.
