“The song’s about a girl that I knew in college. It doesn’t really matter who the girl is, it’s just about a girl.”
— Donald Fagen, co-founder of Steely Dan
Rikki Don’t Lose that Number is another song we had just been discussing and low and behold it appears here surreptitiously. I first heard it in the 1989 Cameron Crowe movie Say Anything, in which the lyrics were sung by actor John Mahoney seen here. By the way, Say Anything is a really good teen romance movie which I should have already presented on Friday’s Finest. The chorus in this song always wowed me, just like it did with John Mahoney’s character where I feel compelled to sing it at the top of my lungs.
Other than this song, I’m afraid I never warmed to Steely Dan’s music but that is not from my lack of trying. I understand how their musicianship has bolstered quite the following as some here can attest.
According to Donald Fagen, the song is inspired by a real-life encounter during his time at Bard College. The Rikki in question was reportedly Rikki Ducornet, an artist and writer who shared a moment with Fagen at a party. The use of jazz influences is a hallmark of Steely Dan’s style, and here it seamlessly blends with pop rock elements, making it accessible while still maintaining depth and complexity.
[Verse 1]
We hear you’re leavin’, that’s okay
I thought our little wild time had just begun
I guess you kind of scared yourself, you turn and run
But if you have a change of heart
[Chorus]
Rikki, don’t lose that number
You don’t wanna call nobody else
Send it off in a letter to yourself
Rikki, don’t lose that number
It’s the only one you own
You might use it if you feel better
When you get home
[Verse 2]
I have a friend in town, he’s heard your name
We can go out driving on Slow Hand Row
We could stay inside and play games, I don’t know
And you could have a change of heart (Read the remaining here)
Rikki Don’t Lose That Number became Steely Dan’s highest-charting single, peaking at No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100. Its success marked a high point for the band, cementing their reputation not just as studio wizards but as hitmakers. The song made its live debut during Steely Dan’s 1974 tour, immediately becoming a crowd favorite. Over the years, it has remained a staple in their live performances, beloved for its catchy hooks and lyrical intrigue.
References:
1. Rikki Don’t Lose That Number – Wikipedia
“The more I live, the more I learn. The more I learn, the more I realize, the less I know.”- Michel Legrand
Observation Blogger 
Steely Dan..love them…..have a niece Erika….she is called Rikki to this day because of this song….
How cool! I’d love to know the backstory of why she is called Rikki. Is it because she loves the song so?
I think it was the timing, my brothers and I were listening to to steely dan a lot at the time. Sidenote, she was just up here, she lives in Florida, for our Charity golf outing, last Saturday. We had a fantastic time! Thanks Matt….
Thanks for sharing that Tom. Charity golf outing sounds like a hoot. I like golf a lot although I hardly play now. I like to watch the PGA tour on tele.