"Cousin Dupree" is a promo single released in 2000 from Steely Dan's album Two Against Nature, also released that year.

Background

The song's lyrics describe the sexual desires the narrator, Dupree, has for his attractive cousin Janine. In 2001, the song won a Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal.

In July 2006, Steely Dan posted a humorous letter on their website saying that the title of Owen Wilson's film You, Me and Dupree was stolen from their song.^[1] The film is about a house guest who overstays his welcome; the song's title character is a slacker who is sleeping on his aunt's couch. Owen Wilson defended himself in similarly deadpan comic fashion, stating, "I have never heard the song 'Cousin Dupree' and I don't even know who this gentleman, Mr. Steely Dan, is. I hope this helps to clear things up and I can get back to concentrating on my new movie, 'HEY 19.'"^[2]

Release

The single included live tracks from the band's American tour. "Aja" is taken from the album Alive in America, while the other two songs are exclusive to the single.^[3]

Tracklisting

Personnel

• Donald Fagen – Wurlitzer piano, lead vocals
• Walter Becker – bass guitar, guitars
• Leroy Clouden – drums
• Jon Herington – rhythm guitar
• Ted Baker – Rhodes piano
• Carolyn Leonhart – backup vocals
• Amy Helm – whistling