Peg

Steely Dan's song 'Peg' delves into the themes of fame, illusion, and the fleeting nature of stardom. The lyrics paint a picture of a young woman, Peg, who is experiencing her moment in the spotlight. The narrator has seen her picture and her name in lights, signifying her big debut. This moment is described as a dream come true, but there's an underlying sense of impermanence and superficiality. The repeated request for Peg to smile for the camera highlights the performative aspect of fame, where appearances are everything, and genuine emotions are often masked for the sake of public image.

The song also touches on the personal connection between the narrator and Peg. The narrator keeps a pin shot and a letter from Peg, suggesting a deeper, more personal relationship beyond the public facade. The phrase 'done up in blueprint blue' could be a metaphor for the idealized image of Peg that the narrator holds onto. This image, however, is still tied to the superficiality of her public persona. The narrator's affection seems to be intertwined with Peg's image rather than her true self, as indicated by the line 'I know I'll love you better when you smile for the camera.' This suggests that the narrator's love is conditional on Peg's ability to maintain her glamorous image.

The chorus, 'Peg, it will come back to you,' implies a cyclical nature of fame and the inevitable return to reality. The mention of seeing it all in 3D and it being Peg's favorite foreign movie adds a layer of detachment and surrealism. Fame is portrayed as a cinematic experience, something that can be watched and admired from a distance but is ultimately not real. This detachment underscores the transient and illusory nature of stardom, where the lines between reality and performance are blurred.