Top 7 Steely Dan Songs

Saperlipopette! wrote: Big Sky wrote: That run from 72-77 was incredible. Gaucho doesn't measure up to those high standards, in my opinion. You're not alone in having that opinion, but I never really understood that take. But then again I never come across anyone except myself with Countdown to Ecstacy as their SD-favorite. I think I reach for Gaucho more often than both Pretzel Logic and Kathy Lied (which are both still great of course)

Very good friend of mine who is a big Steely Dan fan (might be his favorite band) goes back and forth between Aja and Countdown to Ecstasy as his favorite album. I know that Bodhisattva and My Old School are in his 3-4 favorite songs. King of the World and Your Gold Teeth are also among his favorite Dan tunes. So you are not alone.

As far as I'm concerned, Aja easily is my most played SD album. After that, probably pretty close between Royal Scam, Can't buy a Thrill and Countdown to Ecstasy to which I reach for most. Gaucho would fall last during that run of albums from 72-80.

Gaucho is like Yes's 90125 or Genesis's Duke. Good albums with a couple great songs but a few songs that I'm ambivalent to. Those albums don't match up to certified masterpieces such as CTTE, Relayer, Yes Album, SEBTP, Trick of the Tail, Aja or the Royal Scam where every track is a keeper. Sometimes I throw Gaucho on, but I end up skipping some tracks just as I do for Duke or 90125.

Edited by Big Sky - March 18 2025 at 12:28

Top 7 update with Sean Trane & Rick1's votes added:-

Edited by Psychedelic Paul - March 18 2025 at 07:33

Kid Charlemagne


Edited by Sean Trane - March 18 2025 at 06:53

Okay, this is how the Top 7 looks so far after eleven rounds of voting:-

Saperlipopette! wrote: Big Sky wrote: Boy this is tough. Lot of Steely Dan that I'm a fan of: 1) Aja 2) Reelin' In the Years 3) My Old School 4) Josie 5) Black Friday 6) Kid Charlemagne 7) FM Just on the outside, Black Cow, Babylon Sisters and Don't Take Me Alive. Yes, I've got like 20 songs or so maybe 30 just on the outside:)... Seven more or less flawless albums 1972-1980.

That run from 72-77 was incredible. Gaucho doesn't measure up to those high standards, in my opinion. But, I mentioned this in another thread, taken on its own Gaucho is still a good listen.

I know what you mean on just the outside. I could have listed Dirty Work, Midnite Cruiser, Bodhisattva, Rikki Don't Lose That Number, The Royal Scam, The Fez, Peg.... Very few songs that I either don't care for or I am ambivalent about when it comes to Steely Dan. Royal Scam is a masterpiece and the album that followed, Aja, topped it. Yeah, safe to say they are one of my favorites.

First saw them in Charlotte, 1993. Drew Zingg was lead guitarist with Peter Erskine on drums. Great concert.

MortSahlFan wrote: I accidentally did 10 at first and THAT was hard enough, but a rule is a rule.

From last to first

Edited by MortSahlFan - March 17 2025 at 15:44

Quite difficult to choose. Today it's...

The Caves of Altamira
Aja
Black Friday
Show Biz Kids
Reelin' in the Years
Deacon Blues
The Royal Scam