Steely Dan Artistfacts - Songfacts

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Steely Dan

Steely Dan song list

Steely Dan Artistfacts

• 1972-Donald FagenWalter Becker
• They're named after a dildo from the William Burroughs novel Naked Lunch. Donald Fagen recalled to Mojo magazine: "We had to come up with a name in a hurry and Walter and I were both Burroughs fans, though he was not known at the time. It was an in-joke- who's going to know what Steely Dan was? And we figured that, like most of our bands in the past, it would fall apart after three months, so we didn't think much about it.""The name had less to do with sex than a rebel spirit, a beat consciousness that we grew up with."
• When they were all attending Bard College in the late '60s, Chevy Chase was a drummer in one of Fagen and Becker's early bands, Bad Rock Group.
• Becker and Fagen met while they were students at Bard College in upstate New York. You can hear references to these times in their song "My Old School."
• They were inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 2001, four years after they were eligible.
• Steely Dan split up in 1981 due to creative burnout and personal setbacks (Walter Becker was hit by a car in 1980 and faced a long recovery). They got back together in 1993 and toured with an 11-piece version of the band. In 2000 they released another album, Two Against Nature, which won the Grammy for Album Of The Year.
• In 2001, they received honorary degrees from the Berklee College of Music in Boston, where their music is a large part of the curriculum.
• The name of their first album, Can't Buy A Thrill, came from their dismay with Los Angeles. Becker once said to Fagen, "You can't buy a thrill in California."
• Jeff "Skunk" Baxter, who played guitar on many of their records, is a self-taught expert on mobile missile defense systems. He wrote a paper on the topic in the early 1990s that caught the eye of conservative lawmakers on Capitol Hill. He has subsequently testified before Congress and became a consultant to the Pentagon. >> Suggestion credit: Mark - Falls Church, VA
• Some notable musicians who have played with Steely Dan include drummer Jeff Porcaro, who went on to form Toto. Michael McDonald was a keyboard player and did background vocals, and later, he and Skunk Baxter joined the Doobie Brothers. Mark Knopfler, from Dire Straits, plays guitar on "Time Out Of Mind." Legendary sax player Wayne Shorter even played with them. >> Suggestion credit: Joshua - Seattle, WA
• Steely Dan released seven studio (non compilation) albums from 1972-1980. Over 100 session musicians contributed to their songs. Other than Donald Fagan and Walter Becker, the duo that is Steely Dan, the only musician who played on all seven albums was the late Victor Feldman, a British jazz legend who played with the Glenn Miller Orchestra when he was 13 years old. >> Suggestion credit: David - San Diego, CA
• They entered the corporate music world in the Brill Building, where they briefly became members of Jay and The Americans and recorded some songs that group member Kenny Vance produced. Kenny told Songfacts: "They were just two guys that had a band that were steeped in jazz and Duke Ellington. Becker always had a book with him, and, you know, drugs were around. They were different. But then as time went by, at some point I discovered the depth that was contained there, and I always believed that they were going to be huge."
• Unlike most songwriting duos, Fagen and Becker worked together on the music and lyrics at the same time.
• In 2017, Becker was diagnosed with esophageal cancer during a routine checkup. He fought it with intense chemotherapy, but the cancer proved very aggressive, and four months later it killed him. Only his closest friends and family knew of his condition.
• They stopped touring in 1974 to focus on studio work, something The Beatles did the previous decade. This made them even more meticulous when recording and yielded some classic albums. When Fagen and Becker revived the group in 1993, they went in the opposite direction, touring but not recording. It wasn't until 2000 that they put out another album, and they did tour to support it.

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Comments: 46

• Firehouse Dog from Ŵestern CtYou neglected to mention their second reunion album "Everything Must Go"
• Steve Litz from IndianaMick Jagger, no less once said that Steely Dan was the greatest rock and roll band ever that wasn't a band and didn't play Rock and Roll. High praise from the High Priest of rock.
• Mambo Bananapatch from EarthOverproduced. Annoying gibberish lyrics. Great musicians though.
• The Codfish from GeorgiaThey are my all time favorite.
• Jo Gusto from CalifornicationWalter Becker, gone too soon. f--k cancer! Constant sore throat, indigestion, heartburn? Please go see your doctor. Esophageal cancer can be beaten. My wife is living proof: post op 5 years and counting, still clear. Stay well! Viva la Dan! :-)
• Call Me Sara Jones from LaMiss Human Crackers
• Surfer Girl from MaI saw them perform in 1974 in a dingy little club called JJ’s on Pacific Coast Highway in San Diego.It was heaven. We sat so close to the tiny stage that I’m pretty sure Fagen spit on us a couple of times.It was an honor, Sir!
• Don’tcryforme from UsaJ. Dias,Sad that you are so hard up for recognition that you think a couple of trivial references merit some kind of heartfelt attribution. They don’t. You should be gratified as that is the closest you (or your country, for that matter) will ever get to greatness. How’d that Falklands thing go for you? LOL.
• John from GermantownJ. Dias,Please, cry some more. Communist tears are delicious. Not nearly as tasty as Steely Dan - who, by the way, did not steal any culture, since that's not really a thing - but still very satisfying.***As to "The Dan," sometimes everything just lines up correctly, the Universe smiles upon us and we get something magical. Fagan and Becker were such an alignment. RIP Walter. A century from now, people will still listen to their music, and marvel at how good it is, both in terms of composition and production.PS: Walt, it was Fagan. Go back and listen closely. It's him.
• Devildawg from AtlantaSteely Dan. The band your favorite band listens to.
• Jorge from Miami (where The Cuban Gentlemen Sleep All Day)Quality and precision. Fifty years from now, people will still listen to "The Dan."
• J. Scott from Albuquerque New MexicoIve loved Steely Dan ever since I ve been able to choose what I listen to.
• Steve Binns from YorkshireThis band lives strong musically for a long long time, jazz funk, at its most beautiful
• Walt from Kansas CityAll I want to know is who the lead singer was on “Rikki Don’t Lose That Number”?I know it was neither Fagan nor Becker!To J. Días knocking Americans: At least our country didn’t become a refuge for Nazi war criminals like Argentina did!
• Patricia from Philadelphia Pa UsaStarted with 8 track era of the 70s in my mother's car.. 2021, and Steely Dan is included in my playlists today!
• Blonde Chick from New Haven Fabulous band! Only one of its kind. There will NEVER be another band like Steely, they will remain with me for all my life. 67 years old today and I still love them as much as I did when I was a young hip chick. I'm STILL a hip chick. Steely Dee will keep you young. They are THAT MAGICAL PEOPLE.
• Lance Harder from Northeast PaMy favorite band of all time. My taste in classic rock is very eclectic...I enjoy so many groups and artists. But these guys wrote the best lyrics and the musicianship is second to none. The ideas for songs come from such creative minds. They must have been real brutes to work for as they demanded and got perfection from their musicians. The Aja album was their peak. Efforts since then have been very good but that was, imho, their very best. I've heard people snicker about SD fans. Those people can probably identify 2 or 3 songs that got way overplayed on FM radio. Those songs deserved the heavy rotation. But those listeners likely haven't sampled the deep cuts which is where the soul lives. I've seen them live more times than I can remember. I'm so glad they continue to tour. I don't care if they never put out another recording for the rest of time. I love the body of work.
• Wayno from Northern Rivers, Nsw, Australia These guys were good, so much variety, constant irrepressible innovation, innovative creative musicianship...
• James from Mcdonough, Ga."Do it Again" has been my All Time Favorite Song since it was released. I'm 61 now
• T. Church from Brookings, South Dakota@J. Dias from Argentina, The music stands on its own merit, personal problems or not. If you cannot appreciate their music, why bring "identity politics" into the discussion?
• J. Dias from ArgentinaCannot believe there are people who think a band that steals the identity of another place that they have never traveled to is worth discussing. They put tango dancers on their album cover, like they understand the emotional history of this dance. They name a song after the gauchos, a people with which they have no connection or appreciation for, and stupid Americans salivate over the band members'' personal problems during the recording. How SELF involved can a country be? I don't give a crap about the personal problems of a band willing to rob the ideals of another place without so much as a footnote or lyric acknowledging their thievery.
• Bob Raynsford from Gulf Breeze, FlFascinating trivia
• Mark From Nh from NhThe Dan has always been one of my favorite bands. I recently caught a clip on YouTube of 2 college kids listening to 70's rock for the first time.These guys are musicians as well and they love steely Dan. It was so much fun to watch their expressions when they were listening to Elloit Randall's solos on "Reelin'". The kids talk intelligently about the production values and little touches that I haven't picked up after listening for years.
• Rick Mc Donough from Monument Oregon these two guys are so important in my life. I know every lyric to every song. This Divine music has brought me so much joy in my life thank you so much!!!
• Rob from British ColumbiaTo be more specific Donald spent several of his younger years (jr high and high school) in Kendall Park, NJ. An instant suburban town that sprung up in 1957. Went to South Brunswick HS which he hated.
• Terrence Powell from St. Petersburg, FlI read that Paul and Linda McCartney wrote Gaslighting Abbie.
• James from Minneapolis, MnListen everyone, Rikki don't lose that number is about a marijuana cigarette. Back in the 60's and 70's, a number was code for joint. Steely Dan did have a book out in the late 90's and they explained the thought process and coded references in their songs. YOU MIGHT USE IT WHEN YOU FEEL BETTER, WHEN YOU GET HOME. My father whoo is now 65 told me that he used to mail a joint or two across the country to friends, family, etc. He also said that it was sort of a traditional hippie thing toi have asome smoke come in the mail for when you most need it. Send it off in a letter to yourself...
• Skip from Boston, MaSoul Ram is the Becker/Fagan song with 'steely dan' in the lyrics. "Never knew she doth the heavy stuff Steely Dan Plays it rough Backdoor man"
• Bill from El Paso, TxSaw The Dan on an ill fated tour opening for Sha-Na-Na in late '72 or early '73 in El Paso. TX. The other opening act was Mason Profitt. One of the best shows I'd seen til the time Sha-Na-Na came on. Messrs Fagan and Becker and friends really drove home what a collection of posers Sha-Na-na was.They had a lead singer then (his name may have been Michael Hodder?) but they didn't need him. Baxter spent as much time on the congas as he did on the guitar. Dias' Strat solo on 'Do It Again' was spectacular. So was Donald's keyboard solo on the same song playing what appeared to be a toy. Walter played bass.Saw the boys again in '03 at Hershey Park. Better than the first time they were!!Drove big trucks OTR for thirty years. Started with a cassette player the graduated to CDs. Like to have a penny for every Dan song I listened to over those years.If I was asked to choose my favorite Dan song or album... I couldn't do it. The only Dan song that doesn't make me groove is "Everyone's Gone To The Movies".Thanks Walter and Donald.
• Paul from Dallas, TxArguing about the "best" or "most talented" band can be a pretty big waste of time, given subjectivity and personal taste. Nevertheless, I can't think of a more talented duo than Becker and Fagen. The tightness and perfection of their music is matched only by the intelligence and spirit of their lyrics. Not only have they always demanded the highest quality of themselves, they consistently surrounded themselves with the best studio and guest artists, and their efforts show it. It's hard to say which of their albums is the best, as each contains great songs. For me, however, "Aja" will always be my favorite album of all time. I've been listening to it, and many other artists' work, since "Aja" was released, and I've never found anything to compare with it. The label "genuis" gets thrown around far too easily these days. These fellows actually qualify.
• Brian from Queens, NyHey Jay, to my knowledge, "Rikki Don't Lose That Number" is about as straight-forward a love song as you're gonna get outta Don & Walter. He's hoping his woman who's leaving will have a "change of heart" and call him to reconcile.
• Craig from Middletown, Ct"Rikki" of Rikki Don't Lose that Number" refers to the women, Rikki Ducornet who garduated Bard before Don. Her father was a professor @ Bard. One of the world's most descriptive writers has written 7 brilliant novels. This song described his unrequited love for her. She currently resides as a professor @ Univ. of Denver teaching writing with her husband psychiatrist John Cohen.
• Citizensage from Khatru, OtherThere is a very small percentage of people who will ever fully understand the musical superiority of Steely Dan -- even amongst self-acclaimed fans. Perhaps that is the mark of true greatness...
• Kevin from Omaha, Neall their albums are great. Countdown to Ecstacy is awesome, Aja is, well...trust me, it's all just a matter of personal taste, but from Can't Buy a Thrill to 2 Against Nature you can't go wrong. These guys are great story-tellers.
• Ryan from Detroit, Mi With out a doubt, the most under rated band of all time. Due to their high intellect, the lyrics are often misunderstood and as a result some people never really tried to get to know the band and listen to what they are all about. The lyrics are of a street smart nature, derived from real life experiences that every one can relate to in one way or another.
• John from Wilmington, NcRikki Don't Lose That Number is not about Rickie Lee Jones. It is about a teacher that Donald had a crush on when he was in college. There was an interview in Entertainment Weekly about this last year.
• Adrian from Los Angeles, CaAt one time I was very critical of the recording industry and music media for not putting Steely Dan at the forefront of the art. It took decades for Steely Dan to receive a Grammy, in spite of the fact that several hip-hop artists were readily sampling their arrangements. I stopped all criticism when I looked at the big picture: these days, commercial success does not equate to quality product. My belief is that Steely Dan is so ahead of their time, the average music fan may not understand them for years to come. My father used to play their music when I was a kid and initially, I didn't like the sound. One night, when I was pulling an all-nighter to write an independent study research paper, I popped in Aja (a gift from my dad) and 10 years later a day doesn't go by where I haven't listened to a Steely Dan track. Peg, Third World Man, Gaucho, Any Major Dude Will Tell You, and Babylon Sisters are high on my favorite Steely Dan songs list.
• Jacob from St. Louis, MoI have never understood why Steely Dan is not more popular. Everyone I talk to who enjoys music of the period seems to appreciate them, but the widespread acclaim is not there. Oh well, I've quit trying to convert people, instead just enjoying their music as a figurative "buried treasure."
• Drew from Jackson, MtNothing can beat "Gaucho" but "Can't Buy a Thrill" is right behind.
• Jeanette from Irvine, CaI haven't really been able to figure out what most of their songs ARE about... I was most curious about The Last Mall? What the heck does that mean? Sometime in the future we will have no more malls? I can't see that happening... :) And it has lyrics that include "beneath the blood orange sky." I live in Irvine a city pretty near L.A. and there are malls on EVERY CORNER. As a result of L.A. lights, the sky looks orange at night. It describes my city exactly!
• Jeanette from Irvine, CaIf I have a daughter her name will be Aja! I love this band! I can't believe they're not more well known! They're so much better than the usual crap put out in 2005!
• Benjamin from London, EnglandIn response to earlier post, I heard a rumour that Rikki Don't Lose That Number might be about Rickie Lee Jones. Who know, baby; who know?
• Jay from Beverly Shores, InDoes anyone know what the song "Rikki Don't Lose That Number" is about? I'm thinking it might be about angst over an abortion(?)
• Steve from Chino Hills, CaA little known fact, Chevy Chase played drums for them way back before they were all famous. He described them as a "Bad blues band."
• Don from Pittsburgh, PaDonald Fagen and Walter Becker are some strange characters. Together they have made some excellent music. Best albums; "Royal Scam" "Can't Buy a Thrill." "Pretzel Logic" and "Two against Nature" is dam good.
• Janet from Perth, AustraliaA brilliant band, "Gaucho" being probably their best known album.

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