Steely Dan song meaning theories explained: Aja’s one of my favorites….the “dude ranch above the sea” is a rehab facility, the song’s narrative is about someone getting off the junk (all his “dime-dancing is through”)…In verse two the “hardware” he’s “throwing out” is the dude’s needle kit, the people up on the hill “never stare/just don’t care” and “think he’s ok or so they say” because they are also in rehab, thus are not overly judgmental. They got their own issues. That’s my theory and I’m stickin to it! Also, don’t miss Steve Gadd’s LEGENDARY drum work!