Steely Dan - Rikki Don’t Lose That Number (REACTION)

[@brandonboucher7090]

This song is gorgeous

[@kckelly7889]

"Any Major Dude" from this album is severely underrated, imo. These dudes just jam.

[@WilliamTheMovieFan]

Love that song. It is fantastic!

[@2869may]

Hell yeah it is...!!!

[@WilliamTheMovieFan]

Pretzel Logic is great too!

[@cptight88]

Maybe the only song Fagan is not being sarcastic. He loved Walter.

[@Ibanezed210]

Such a feel good song.

[@robinstarkey6071]

Since you like their piano jazz riffs, listen to 'sign in stranger' from Gaucho. Simply divine!!

[@2869may]

This was HUGE, all over the radio..! Many peoples introduction to Steely.

[@josedebayres321]

Hi guys, I suggest you "Black cow" from Aja album (1977), you surely will recognize the intro sampled later in a well known song.

[@saxworthmusic]

The opening piano intro lick is taken from a Horace Silver jazz tune "Song For My Father" Kind of like sampling but actually playing the notes.

[@markharbin9945]

I love it😂

[@stevemd6488]

Fagen even acknowledged they took that opening deliberately.

[@markharbin9945]

I like the "actually playing the notes "part

[@annbeguity5932]

@@markharbin9945 LOL. Right?! But worth saying, for the young ‘uns: “sampling” (incorporating and actual other recording) is different from “coping a riff” from elsewhere

[@markharbin9945]

Absolutely Ann

[@ragjamrock]

The opening piano riff was taken from jazz pianist Horace Silver's "Song for my father."

[@AU88]

Maybe the best guitar solo in The Dan catalog. Skunk Baxter, salute.

[@Brian-tb1zs]

Steely Dan is in a class by themselves, such great music

[@2869may]

"Any Major Dude Will Tell You" is the Sh!t...!

[@Epluribusunum47]

Thank you guys for playing my favorite band so much. You've hit almost every album by now (I think). As you can see - Steely Dan is just built differently. That's why they're hard to copy & sound so incredibly unique.

[@Greg-io1ip]

Steely Dan's music is beautiful indeed, but it's done very differently than most bands. Studio samples and hired guns who don't always get a credit. That said the results are fantastic.

[@rhwinner]

Guys, have to hit Any Major Dude, one of my favorite Dan songs...❤️♥️

[@johnhoerl7326]

The drummer on this is the legendary Jim Gordon, one of the most recorded drummers in music history. The list of hits he played on is longer than you can imagine. And also one of the most tragic stories; he eventually developed schizophrenia and ultimately murdered his mother during a schizophrenic breakdown. Spent the rest of his life in prison, and just passed away last week.

[@gasaholic47]

I didn’t hear about his passing. How sad that mental illness drove him to kill his mom, and rob the world, and himself of his talents.

[@jimmoore8951]

Yep… died down the road in the prison/mental institution in Vacaville. He was never paroled. Great drummer.

[@charlesroberts8803]

There is a song called Jim Gordon by M O D on the USA for MOD record.

[@ryanand154]

Maybe Jim Gordon’s mother was irritating.

[@danarchuleta1154]

I've always loved Skunk Baxter's guitar solo in this tune. It's simple but absolutely smooth and evocative. Jeff Baxter (Skunk) later played with the Doobie Brothers. As you continue on your journey, you'll find tons of variability in the tunes Steely created.

[@ronaldpena8990]

Skunk is THE MAN!!!

[@alansmith7626]

I am 68, and I have been hooked on music since the early 60's, there are a handful of bands that you Always know who it is within just half a bar, you Know it! And Steely Dan is one of those bands...You guys have the THE Best React channel out here, I Love you guys, ya'll don't ramble on, no bs, you get to the music and actually process what you are hearing, makes my day. Gives me faith that all, ALL this music will be embraced by younger folks!

[@philipmccarthy6175]

The piano part is inspired or lifted from Horace Silver's classic Bluenote record , Song for my Father . A good indication of their influences going forward.

[@anthonyblakely399]

"Any Major Dude" and "Rikki Don't Loose That Number," were the stepping stones in getting that signature sound of Steely Dan that the band became famous for in Aja.....Goaucho album.

[@esdel1955]

I think “Night By Night,” also. Sounds like it could have been on The Royal Scam.

[@wc1994]

@@esdel1955 Night by night is a great song

[@phonebone81]

The whole album is great... but you can never go wrong with Steely Dan. They are unique and fantastic musicians. Best regards @all from hamburg (germany)

[@dreggymon]

Rest in peace Jim Gordon, a tortured soul and brilliant drummer.

[@josepheshleman2063]

I really enjoy watching y’all discover the music from my time. I’m 78 yrs. Old y’all give me hope for the younger generation.

[@Azabaxe80]

The opening is lifted right out of Horace Silver's "Song for My Father". My college roommate was deep into hard bop at the time (early '90s) and when I heard him play that Silver tune I was floored. I immediately made the connection with Steely Dan and this song.

[@realbser1956]

It sounds like, at this point, that you both realize that SD is their own genre. They created a style and a sound that no one had heard or done before and absolutely no one has since been able to even try to duplicate. Love The Dan, man!

[@Cpayne30]

This was their only #1 hit. Hard to believe!!

[@2869may]

It really is...!

[@genecase9464]

Donald said he met a woman at a party (he called her Rikki) and was smittin by her, but she was involved with someone else. He gave her his number anyway and said "Don't lose it. You may need it someday". Wrote a song about it. Or, so I heard.

[@jimmoore8951]

Listened to this 1000s of times and still love it. One of my favorite Skunk solos… so melodic.

[@John_Chu]

It’s Elliot Randall. Came in and did it in one take. B+F wanted him to join the band but Randall declined. Figured he could make more as session man.

[@jimmoore8951]

@@John_Chu pretty sure it’s the Skunk on this track… Randall is nowhere to be found on this album. But, for extra bonus points, can you name the percussion instrument Victor Feldman played at the beginning and throughout the song?

[@dwgale01]

@@jimmoore8951 Just gonna jump in here and say it's the flapamba, a wooden percussion instrument similar to the xylophone. And yes it is Jeff Baxter playing electric guitar on this track.

[@mrmockatoo6786]

@@jimmoore8951 I'm with you on the Skunk solo. He came to Perth, Western Australia, in the late eighties demonstrating a guitar synth and played the solo note for note without ruffling his moustache.

[@jimmoore8951]

@@dwgale01 winner winner chicken dinner

[@johncanning731]

No matter how many times I hear this it brings me back..I can remember all the names and faces of the people I was hangin with in the late 70's..How time flies..LOL..Steely Dan is an institution by itself..Shout out from the old metal head from Detroit!! Keep er movin guys!! Peace and love as always..

[@craigmarkowski7156]

This song always takes me back to a really good place and time in my life ! Young teenager in the summertime liven life !

[@sheila1965troubles]

Def late 70s smooth vibes on this song. Just can't help but dig it. Kick back, smoke a doob, put the headphones on and just chilllll....

[@sjd5750]

The Drummer is/was the great Jim Gordon, who passed just last week, in prison. Jim played with just about everyone, and on so many hit records. Regarded as one of the greatest, and busiest session drummers of all time..Unfortunately, Jim was diagnosed schizophrenic, and was hearing voices in his head that he interpreted as for him to kill his mother, which he did, with a hammer and a knife, back in 1983...He was Derek and the Dominoe's drummer, but the bulk of his work was in the studio for so many other artists...You can see him behind the kit with Jackson Browne's "Get The load out/Stay" which Browne only did live, in honor of his roadies. Gordon was a member of the famed, "Wrecking Crew" session players, during the 60's, along with Glen Campbell and Leon Russell, among others...RIP, Jim.

[@jowsmith1904]

piano AND guitar..and the founders played piano and guitar...wah la.

[@esdel1955]

This was their highest-charting top 40 hit. Wait until you hear Night By Night from this album! Also, Any Major Dude!

[@onelove1968]

Great reaction. I appreciate how you guys present a 'tight' show with a 'relaxed' vibe. All killer. No filler.

[@johnhickman2033]

This is good channel because all the reactions are genuine and extremely honest!

[@genecase9464]

I'm PATIENTLY!!!!! waiting for "Ruby Baby" off The Nightfy. It's a remake of a '50's Dion And The Belmonts record. Very smoooooth!

[@garyd6421]

Spot on guys your feellng i felt it 40 years ago, and still feeling it now. Yeah added on same groove from AJA. well spotted

[@2869may]

This was HUGE...! All over the radio, and one of the most memorable songs of my youth...

[@joejoesguitarinventions]

musicianship.... T O P O LINE 💯💯

[@raycewilliams3300]

This song, along with "Reeling In The Years" , are probably the most recognizable of Steely Dan's career. Both got a lot of Air Play on both AM and FM radio back in the day. This track also reached #4 on the Billboard chart which was their highest ranking song.

[@ThePittsburghToddy]

The lyric “we can go out driving on slow hand road” always cracks me up!🖖🏼

[@MichaelTrogdon1990]

It’s Row not road

[@joelliebler5690]

Definitely the most memorable of their early hits in the mid 1970’swhich was played frequently on FM radio stations in the New York City area.

[@walterkirk9210]

I had heard "Do it Again" and "Reelin' in the Years" on the radio. Both made my ears perk up, but I know where I was standing when I first heard this song, and this was the song that made me a fan and made me begin to buy Steely Dan records!

[@bobburroughs6241]

Me too - where it started.

[@renee176]

I've always loved some Steely Dan!❤😊

[@bobdelp2023]

SO THIS HAS BEEN MY FAVORITE STEELY SONG FOREVER LA AND CHE AND I DON'T KNOW WHY! 😊I'VE SEEN THESE GUYS TWICE AND MY FAVORITE SHOW WAS IN 93 WITH ( JETHRO TULL ) IT WAS TULL'S 25TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR CONCERT AND STEELY DAN BACKED THEM, GREAT SHOW! 😊IF YOU WANT TO START WITH SOME TULL I WOULD TELL YOU TO START WITH THE 71 EPIC ALBUM ( AQUALUNG ) IF YOU WANT TO FREAK ON ( IAN ANDERSON ) PLAYING HIS FLUTE THEN I WOULD SAY : MY GOD 70 LIVE AT THE ALSE OF WIGHT, INCREDIBLE AND INSANE! 😊THEY STARTED UP IN 67 SO, BE WELL YOU GUYS!☝

[@mjsmcd]

Opening kzbin.info/www/bejne/o3zJYqtpeKZ_d6csi=DwC2Q691bPUPboCF

[@mitzifrancis9843]

Yes! Steely Dan takes you on a journey to a land where there's a familiarity, but also something new. For a real departure (and a song I've NEVER seen anyone react to), I'd love your take on Charlie Freak. 💘 I work in the behavioral health field and that song hit me like a ton of bricks.

[@theivory1]

I figured you guys heard this one, everyone has. The album is laden with great tracks like all their albums. I'm looking forward to seeing your reaction to Night by Night especially.

[@metaphoria3]

The 2nd Rikki don’t lose that number in the hook is so dope

[@jenniferbabros1985]

The song Pretzel Logic is a really good song🎵

[@beverlycoulston8058]

Such a good song

[@zex7689]

One of their biggest hits

[@tannonwraith4692]

Great number! It is the "good Steely Dan" I have enjoyed this countless times since it came out.

[@VinzClorthokeymasterofGozer]

I hear Linda Belcher every time I listen to this. Love the song.

[@JAMESMOORE-gq4vv]

This song is a Time Machine.

[@Phillphine]

The familiarity might be that that bass line at the beginning and through the song (RR,55,RR,55...)is similar to a jazz standard, "song for my father".

[@timcardona9962]

Nice catch on that groove - Aja and Rikki are both going for that latin-jazz feel Pretzel Logic is a great album but you should really do Countdown to Ecstasy first to hear how much of a contrast Logic was at the time. Countdown is top tier Dan

[@arnoldcox9128]

They have their own style and sound

[@Triggerhippie70]

I love Steely Dan. I grew up listening to them and I love all their songs, but this is my absolute favorite.

[@Johnfreedom64]

I love this tune....reminds me when I was in my teens going up north in Michigan with my family in our Dodge customized silver van talking on the CB radio up Hwy I75.....god thoughs were great days

[@bluesrock1]

I think a lot of SD songs sound piano driven because Donald Fagen writes them on piano and arranges the music for the other instruments around him.

[@markharbin9945]

One of my favorite cuts

[@tjmasson1013]

Another summer FM radio vibe blaring everywhere in Ny back in day

[@paxonearth]

I'm guessing that this was their biggest hit. So much so that most people who have never even heard of Steely Dan have probably heard this tune at some point.

[@2869may]

Even without vocals the music is simply incredible...! (And I'm a vocals guy)

[@danl.909]

It’s on the streaming channel my dentist uses in his office. I doubt he realizes it’s about a guy trying to hook up with a married woman.

[@aweinblatt6]

Yes, plz listen to “Any Major Dude”, one of my all time favs!!!

[@James-vx8ci]

When you said Charlie Brown Snoopy popped up in my head dancing 😅😅. This is a good top 40 song, to bad most people that listen to the radio didn't dive into their other tracks.✌️

[@DJ-bj8ku]

One of my favorite songs growing up in the laid back ‘70s.

[@bennymartinez5532]

The song and an major dude will tell you.., is sooooooo freaking good!

[@donholl]

I don't know if you've done "Reelin' In The Years", yet: even if you have, you need to listen to it again ("Do It Again", so to speak) and then listen to the version from their "Alive in America" album from the mid-'90s - I think you'll be astonished by how they revised it, to their later sensibilities.

[@paulprendergast3184]

Their songs with the most radio play were Do It Again, Reelin In the Years and this one. After that probably Peg and Hey Nineteen and My Old School

[@metaphoria3]

The tile track is one of their best also Night by night off this album is killller \m/

[@TheDivayenta]

Ooooo you’re gonna love the Nightfly album. “Maxine. “

[@danroenna5439]

Yes!! Thank you!! Can’t wait for you to get to the next song on the record Night By Night!!! That is a jam! Love your knowledgeable reactions so much!!!

[@adamandrew9052]

Reeling in the years is another Steely Dan classic. Great tune and another great reaction. Keep it up boys.👍

[@ronnieglov]

That’s actually a Horace Silver vibe. Opening bars are a homage to Song for my Father

[@bobburroughs6241]

Classic SD. Once heard forever in the head.

[@johnharkness7114]

"Number" means a phone number you share to hook up, a California slang for a joint, and a musical 'number'--in the context, this is sex, drugs, and rock n roll wrapped into on word of one lyric--pure f'n genious

[@kupski1964]

LOVE

[@davidmaholchic6146]

The band at their Pop best love you guys

[@nunnarij]

Donald is a master pianist.

[@willo8794]

I remember this tune was in heavy rotation on the radio in the 80s🥰

[@esdel1955]

80s? You sure? This was a huge hit in ‘74.

[@willo8794]

@@esdel1955 I am probably wrong on the dates. 70s & 80s kind of ran together as I recall 😂😂

[@bobdelp2023]

YEAH THE TITLE TRACK ( AJA ) 😊GOOD CATCH THERE LA! ☝ I DIDN'T REALIZE YOU GUYS WERE DIVINGGGGG INTO STEELYYYY, HOW COOL MAN, CAN'T GO WRONG ( 71-77 ) QUITE UNIQUE AND DIFFERENT, A SOUND OF THEIR OWN 😊

[@mariaportengen2959]

A great song, I love it. 🎶🎶🎶❤️👍

[@mataform]

OOOH yes!

[@billadkins5150]

I bought this album when it came out. My dad even liked it.

[@johncampbell756]

Joe Cocker - "Woman to Woman" You will immediately understand.

[@rogerhennie8939]

Great album.

[@888jimm]

To me as a Gurtar player... every note tone drum beat is perfect in this song.

[@richardjimenez7467]

Loved the parallel chord structure you guys drew between this and Aja! That was right on!

[@paulrt3]

Great musicianship in this song. Love the guitar work and solo!

[@Ibanezed210]

An AM radio play in it's day as it was a crossover song from much of their FM styled tunes. Katy knows how to do more than lie so I suggest you go back to Katy Lied and direct yourself to o Your Gold Teeth II on the cheap.

[@ukiahsguitarsolos3436]

Big hit in the summer of '74.

[@MissouriJohnson]

I used to use the hook as my ring tone.

[@MrBarryb505050]

Yes sir

[@courtneywallace871]

Funny. Watching this with my wife and not thirty seconds before you mentioned it, she noted that it reminded her of Charlie Brown music. 😊

[@CodyWorkshops]

I think the drum riff leading into the chorus sounds like the drum intro to Wild Thing-Ton Loć…but I’ve heard that sample is from Jamie’s Crying by VH…can anybody verify???

[@donaldbindner59]

The title song from this album is really cool. Give it a listen.

[@Uuuuutuuuube]

Congrats guys! Over 14K subs! Growing everyday

[@jacqueline4514]

YES! Rikki Don’t Lose That Number is the song wherein Steely Dan sampled (used the same notes) the opening from the Jazz Great Horace Silver’s “Song For My Father”; it opens the same way. I was floored when I realized it; usually it’s other artists sampling Steely Dan 😊

[@esdel1955]

It’s not sampled, they just play it themselves. Sampling wasn’t a thing in ‘74.

[@jacqueline4514]

@@esdel1955 Wrong verbiage then; used the same notes. I’m quite aware of what sampling is; grew up in the Bronx in the 70’s on the street where hip hop was born; literally.

[@esdel1955]

@@jacqueline4514 yeah I saw you said they used the same notes. Now I get it. 🙂

[@jacqueline4514]

@@esdel1955 I have to be honest; I corrected my wording after your comment to better reflect what I meant. Thank you!

[@billschafer9668]

Good ear guys. Michael Omartian plays piano on Rikki and on Aja. Both songs have a bit of a Latin beat. Rikki Don’t Lose That Number is Steely Dan’s number one single. Great guitar solo by Skunk Baxter.

[@pauljames3667]

I'm certain you will love Pretzel Logic. A circus of sounds,

[@stevemd6488]

Great song. I think this album was the last that Skunk Baxter played on, I could be wrong.