The Story Of My Old School By Steely Dan And Why They Swore Never To Return To Bard College

March 20, 2025

The story of “My Old School” by Steely Dan is one of nostalgia mixed with regret, a tale that winds back to the vibrant halls of Bard College in the early 1970s. The band members, Donald Fagen and Walter Becker, were young and full of dreams. They arrived at Bard, eager to soak in the arts and music that surrounded them, believing it would be a sanctuary for creativity. However, their time there took a sharp turn when they encountered the cruel reality of college life.

Bard was not always the idyllic place they had imagined. Instead of inspiring collaboration, it often felt competitive and harsh. As they struggled to fit in, they faced disillusionment with the college experience. Their artistic ambitions and intellectual passions clashed with the strictures of academic life. It was there that they had their memorable, but ultimately painful experiences, from awkward social encounters to a harsh critique of their music, which felt like a dismissal of their very identity. The vibrant dreams they had as students began to dim, and the music that once flowed easily became a source of frustration.

One particular incident that marked their decision to never return was a party that spiraled into chaos. Fagen and Becker were unwittingly caught in a scandal that involved drugs and a wild atmosphere. As the night unfolded, they felt both alienated and betrayed by the very place they had sought solace in. The experience left a sour taste that lingered long after they left Bard. They swore never to set foot on campus again, feeling that the college had stolen their enthusiasm and replaced it with bitterness. However, that pain ignited a fire in them, urging them to pour their experiences into their music.

Through the struggles and disillusionment, Fagen and Becker found a way to channel their emotions. They created “My Old School,” a song that reflects their bittersweet memories of Bard. The upbeat tempo and catchy melodies mask the deeper feelings of disappointment and longing for a place that could have been different. Music became their escape, a way to reclaim their narrative and transform their struggles into something beautiful. They learned that even the darkest experiences could lead to inspiration, and that resilience is often born from pain.

As Steely Dan grew in popularity, they took those lessons with them. The song became a hit, resonating with listeners who had their own stories of nostalgia and heartbreak. It was a testament to overcoming adversity and finding strength in creativity. Though they vowed never to return to Bard College, they carried its memories with them, using them to fuel their artistry. In the end, Fagen and Becker turned what could have been a tragic story into one of triumph, proving that sometimes, the most profound lessons come from the toughest experiences.