Beginning in the early 1970s, Steely Dan released plenty of great songs. The band, started by Walter Becker and Donald Fagen, created music that became the soundtrack throughout much of the decade, especially with these three songs. They still sound so good that they should be required listening for every rock music fan.
“Rikki Don’t Lose That Number” by Steely Dan
On Pretzel Logic, Steely Dan’s third studio album, is “Rikki Don’t Lose That Number“. The song was written by band members Walter Becker and Donald Fagen.
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“Rikki Don’t Lose That Number” is based on a real person, Rikki Ducornet, a writer and artist from New York.
The chorus says in part, “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.“
“Rikki Don’t Lose That Number” became Steely Dan’s only Top 5 single.
“Peg”
Out in 1977, “Peg” is on Aja, their sixth studio album. The song, written by Becker and Fagan, shows off the band’s jazz skills more than some of their other tracks. “Peg” is about a fictitious character who is trying to become an actress.
“Imagine that ‘Peg’ takes place at a seedy photo shoot in LA in the 1950s,” Fagan tells the Wall Street Journal. “All of the lyrics are from the perspective of the jilted boyfriend, who was still hanging around. The scene is seedy because show business is seedy. Even what most people think are the heights of show business still has the seediness of a vaudeville dressing room.”
“Peg” says, “I like your pin shot / I keep it with your letter / Done up in blueprint blue / It sure looks good on you / And when you smile for the camera / I know I’ll love you better.”
Interestingly, Michael McDonald sings background vocals on this song.
“Reelin’ In The Years”
On Can’t Buy A Thrill, Steely Dan’s debut album, is “Reelin’ In The Years”. The song, written by Becker and Fagen, is their second Top 15 single, after “Do It Again”, the first single from the record.
The chorus says, “Are you reelin’ in the years / Stowin’ away the time / Are you gatherin’ up the tears / Have you had enough of mine.”
The guitar solo in “Reelin’ In The Years”, done by Elliott Randall, was later named one of the best guitar solos of all time.
Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
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LOS ANGELES – SEPTEMBER 1: Fleetwood Mac (L-R Stevie Nicks, Lindsey Buckingham, Christine McVie, John McVie and Mick Fleetwood) backstage at the Los Angeles Rock Awards on September 1, 1977 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Richard Creamer/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images) -
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American actress, singer and songwriter Dolly Parton, circa 1975. (Photo by Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images) -
Michael Stipe of R.E.M. performs at Shoreline Amphitheatre on August 13, 1999 in Mountain View, California. (Photo by Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images) -
Unspecified – 1973: Jim Croce performing live on 'In Concert'. (Photo by ABC via Getty Images) -
UNITED KINGDOM – JANUARY 01: Photo of Bobby VINTON; Bobby Vinton performing on stage, (Photo by CA/Redferns) -
UNITED KINGDOM – JANUARY 01: Photo of Pete SEEGER; Pete Seeger performing on stage at a Paul Robeson benefit concert (Photo by Brian Shuel/Redferns)
