First Time Hearing Steely Dan - “Black Cow” Reaction

[@dagmar.6954]

Steely Dan is a great American rock band founded in 1971. They had a lot of great hits such as "Do It Again", "Dirty Work", "Rikki Don't Lose That Number", "Hey Nineteen", "Peg", "Josie", "Aja", "Kid Charlemagne", "Reelin' In The Years", "Deacon Blues", "FM", "Show Biz Kids", "My Old School", "Babylon Sisters" etc."

[@andywalker8064]

It's all greatness... but the girls singing background are my favorite part of this song. They take it over the top.

[@docbearmb]

@@andywalker8064That’s So outrageous!

[@Marcoanfieldforever72]

You forgot "Don't take me alive", "The Royal Scam", "Home at last" and "Time Out of mind"

[@AP-gb3eh]

Kahlua and milk . In those days we used to get 16oz cocktails . It’s not bitter all the ladies and loads of men drank Kahlua vodka & milk or cream . I was a bartender in the day and I would pour 20 or so 16 oz drinks all night . 1/2 gallon liquor bottles bottles over each shoulder . We lived to club and dance , and Steely Dan was a favorite in the pick up bars 🤣❤️🤣 man I’m old

[@deanventuroli2225]

White Russian

[@russelbarnes7235]

Man, you took me back to those days.

[@Frankincensedjb123]

I watched the Making of Aja documentary. Becker and Fagan said it was a local drink, a milkshake, root beer and vanilla ice cream, not an alcoholic drink. Funny how the truth gets twisted. I guess an alcoholic drink makes it sound more romantic. Go figure.

[@monkface]

​@@Frankincensedjb123well in the song he sees the woman and she's very high/drunk, so it's not immediate she got that way from drinking milkshakes! He sees her in Rudys, drunk and again try to remedy her life situation by drinking and going through her book of numbers for another pointless hook up and he has cried and been upset over this, but he's over it and can't cry anymore, so just finish your drink (maybe it's a milkshake after a night of alcohol??!!😂😂) and let's get out of here, I'm taking you home, or just somewhere else!

[@Canine77]

Alright! You have now entered the wonderful world of Steely Dan, the best jazz/rock fusion imaginable. They also have the absolute best musicians available in each song track. They are perfection.

[@lisarainbow9703]

"FM" by Steely Dan is fantastic, too. Look for the extended cut, seeing as how you appreciate the instrumental outros.. .

[@chitownlee]

In Chicago a root beer float was called a black cow.

[@t0dd000]

Everywhere ... It's called that.

[@dugdoll3295]

Yeah 🧋Root Beer and Ice Cream drink 😋

[@jacksonmorganfroghin4815]

Yes that's how I remember it from my boyhood in Indiana. In NYC I learned that Irish Coffee had tons of booze in it. So in the end you became one hyper -drunk who yammered on and on about nothing at all while stumbling over your own shadow and losing your keys down the curb drain. "Drink your big black cow and get outta here!!"

[@ammaleslie509]

But the version of Black Cow he's talking about on the record is the version with alcohol

[@jacksonmorganfroghin4815]

@@ammaleslie509 You are correct, sir. They were in a saloon called Rudy's.

[@christopheryochum3602]

If you want to do more Aja, the whole freaking album is jammed with hits. No fillers in this album.

[@pianta275]

You’re not lying! Love love that album!💕

[@MrAitraining]

Steely is one of the great drive at night with the top down groups

[@randystalnaker6700]

Damn Straight!

[@batman66ism]

@MrAitraining I would like to add their music is also good for people who finally arrived at the top in their life and are celebrating the purchase of their mansion while driving their new Bentley Continental. Just pure good times.

[@gtplumbing2004]

Yeah yeah yeah it got sampled. Holy Cow.

[@iambecomepaul]

The entire Aja album is so beautiful. SD doesn’t treat you like a teeny bopper on this album. It’s GROWN UP music: a collection of musical artists at the peak of their skills… great compositions… a few winks from the boys… utter sonic perfection. I doubt you ever bottle up an album like this again. A staggering display of artistry. There are so many great groups, performers, and albums but “Aja” has (!) to be in the top five. There isn’t a dud track on that thing.

[@chopperdeath]

"Grown up music". Thats fucking perfect.

[@pianta275]

So true!

[@darrinvonstein6101]

Black cow is a drink that contans coffee.... Its a poetic way of telling somone to sober up and leave....

[@Frankincensedjb123]

I watched the Making of Aja documentary. Becker and Fagan said it was a local drink, a milkshake, root beer and vanilla ice cream, not an alcoholic drink and no coffee. Funny how the truth gets twisted. I guess an alcoholic drink makes it sound more romantic. Go figure.

[@brianp1230]

Black Cow: 1/2 cup of evaporated milk with 2 cups of root beer (your choice on the brand but we used A&W Root Beer for this particular one) and 2 ounces of your favorite bourbon. Mix then split between two tall cocktail glasses. Add ice to fill the glass. Drizzle chocolate sauce on the top.

[@Frankincensedjb123]

I watched the Making of Aja documentary. Becker and Fagan said it was a local drink, a milkshake, root beer and vanilla ice cream, not an alcoholic drink. Funny how the truth gets twisted. I guess an alcoholic drink makes it sound more romantic. Go figure.

[@christopheryochum3602]

Tom Scott, who played the sax on this was the same saxophonist who played sax on Carole King's "Jazzman."

[@lorrainemiller688]

This whole album just feels like warm summer sun to me... love it so much. 🌞

[@tribute1965]

You were right. When the horns dropped out, the electric piano went in to a solo. So it did feel like the piano (chords) also dropped out. I recommend Deacon Blues or Kid Charlemagne as good reactions to do. Also Rikki Don't Lose That Number was a pretty big hit, although not really a favorite for me. Can't really go wrong with SD.

[@iliumboy]

It was the clavinet that dropped.

[@leslie8743]

Love Steely Dan and this song. ❤

[@echopryme]

Its a BEAST! 💯😎 Steely Dan lyrics are dirty street gangsta shit. 💯 ALWAYS have been, if you listen to what they're saying. EVERY SONG they have ever made! 💯

[@jacksonmorganfroghin4815]

Great reaction! You definitely get Steely. You appreciate the jazz and the whole vibe. You're about to go down a rabbit hole you won't regret or ever get out of. I like how they combine great storytelling with very cool mellow jazz reminiscent of nobody because nobody ever did it like this before. Looking forward to your next reaction. I recommend Aja, Glamour Profession and Almost Gothic.

[@dougwalker3333]

Steely Dan is your favorite band's favorite band.

[@chopperdeath]

All killer no filler on this joint.

[@angelachicken4141]

Teenage summer at my friend's house listening to all her parents' albums. This was our favourite.

[@myrrhfishify7743]

They added the keyboard (Rhodes piano?). The hook on this is that bass line throughout the song. When I was a kid, a Black Cow was a Coke with vanilla ice cream (like a Root Beer Float). Then it became the alcoholic drink. Try Peg and Josie from the same album. Then go for Aja. This is my favorite Steely Dan album!

[@josephregester7780]

using instruments at the end of a song is technically called an outro. Black cow has that great outro and then with a fade while the sax is soloing.

[@danielkesselring9172]

Great choice.. Stay with it dude!..

[@johnconnell5086]

great reaction...reeling in the years...great song

[@charlesdavis7461]

Steely Dan, what a great Band.

[@danieltruyts-ke4gi]

I never get tired of listening to the music of "Aja"; their music is timeless.

[@mynameispaul0530]

Steely Dan did some real magic blending horn section and backup singers.

[@Neo-Midgar]

First of yours I've seen, and I'm an instant fan, I love that youre inquisitive, a lot of reaction videos can be pretty extra just for the views, but you're analyzing it and even looking up more things for context while you listen, I love that.

[@womanonthinice1276]

Black Cow was like a root beer float. Or a one that has some alcohol. Remember the culture and time period when songs were written. Context will be a clear way to understand what is being said. Steely Dan puts me back in the 70s in California.

[@houseson]

Steely Dan. Do it. Again.

[@FesterSilently]

I'm obviously coming late to your (Steely Dan) reactions, so you probably already know what I'm about to drop on you, but: many, MANY hip-hop/rap artists have loved and sampled Steely Dan in their tracks over the past few decades. Such as: Peter Gunz, De La Soul, Ice Cube, Kanye West, Wiz Khalifa and (my absolute favorite) MF Doom. ("Gas Drawlz", mothafuckas!) There are probably more, but those are the ones that I know of.

[@LUTONTOWN1]

This Track is stunning,the AJA Album is like being on another planet along with Pink Floyd`s Dark Side of the moon.

[@brenthowell8883]

They had some great hits in the late 70's early 80's! F.M., Peg, Time Out Of Mind, Call Me Deacon Blues, Hey Nineteen, Aja, Josie. Steely Dan was made up of Donald Fagan and Walter Breaker. In the 80's, Donald Fagan went on his own and made 5-6 more Albums. Had songs like Snowbound, The Dunes, New Frontier, I.G.Y., NightFly, Mona, Morph The Cat. These are just a few of his songs he did on his own. All songs were sick and Outrageous,!♥️✌️

[@sjames1955]

Walter Becker

[@brenthowell8883]

@@sjames1955 That's the right spelling. Thanks!

[@randystalnaker6700]

Oh yes my man!!! Just good pure good funk...❤

[@ammaleslie509]

Excellent sound quality on the track by the way! Volume is good and I can hear all the details. Nice.

[@ronaldwilliams6927]

Donald Fagen and the late Walter Becker used to hire the best studio muscians in the world for each CD They would do up to 200 takes sometimes to make sure the song was perfect .It worked 99.9 % of the time.

[@garse70]

Best production for the time…and for this time. Holy smokes!

[@helgar791]

Welcome to the world and rabbit hole that is Steely Dan. When you listen to Steely Dan you should have the lyrics handy. Even the way they came upon their name is clever. So, let's start at the top. What is a Black Cow? It's basically a root beer float using Kahlua. The adult version however uses bourbon. Rudy's (Bar and Grill) still exists here in NYC on 9th ave between 44th and 45th. Then and now it is essentially a dive bar. In the 70's 42nd St was a hub for pro's and johns, and Rudy's was often where pro's, musicians, artists, and actors would mingle. On the bar when he sees her are her remedies (alcohol and drugs), and her book of numbers, so she was more a high priced pro. The pros also strolled from 26th and 11th ave to the Javits Center on 34th and 11th Ave down to 42nd, down to 7th Ave. There were many on the east side on Greene St from Houston to Spring St as well. He is a man who was hopelessly in love with a prostitute that cannot change her ways, and his many attempts to change her have proven fruitless. This is now perhaps his goodbye to her. My favorites by them are "Kid Charlemagne", "Aja", "Deacon Blues", the entire "Aja" album, "Hey Nineteen", "Peg", “The Fez”, “Green Earrings”, "Do It Again", "Reelin' In The Years", "Babylon Sisters", "Dirty Work", "Rikki Don't Lose That Number", "Don't Take Me Alive", "My Old School", "Any Major Dude Will Tell You", and "Doctor WU. There are more because there's really no bad Steely Dan song. Try "Peg" next and go from there.

[@DougJantz]

Yes- please do more from this album

[@richardlemrise496]

From past comments you've made I know you would love the song "Aja", Steve Gaad on the kit.

[@erolbulut2584]

A 'Black Cow' is a root beer float

[@djdelusion100]

🔥🔥

[@ElsaPride]

What can I say about Steely Dan! Whenever they're in my area, about twice a year, I am always there!! The album Aja and the song Aja, I consider their masterpiece! You get Wayne Shorter on sax and Steve Gadd on drums. It don't get any better than that!!!

[@zsstuff6539]

That's Tom "Tomcat" Scott on sax not Wayne Shorter.

[@ElsaPride]

@@zsstuff6539 sorry but it Is Wayne Shorter....do some research.. the song Aja features him and Steve Gadd. It was their only appearance on the whole album!!! Check it out dude.

[@ElsaPride]

@@zsstuff6539 The eight-minute-long title track features a jazz-based chord progression and a solo by saxophonist Wayne Shorter.. en.m.wikipedia.org › wiki Aja (album) - Wikipedia Now... What's that you say??

[@joymoore1904]

Deep Dive into Steely Dan. You will not be disappointed. Donald Fagen’a solo album IGY as well 😊

[@wen-nz3sk]

Think milk, root beer and bourbon are in a black cow?! Lol, when you stopped and ✔️ tho. 👍🏽 Aja is a supreme album, such warm, happy feelings, hanging out with friends at the lake in the summer. ❤ More please... 😊

[@teelurizzo8542]

Original Black Cow was a non alcoholic drink sold in Soda Fountain and malt shops. Like an Ice Cream Soda or Root Beer float, Classic Black Cow was basically vanilla ice cream and Coca Cola. Nowadays some people claim variations w/ bourbon, brandy or coffee. but that's just alterations on the original recipe.

[@jowsmith1904]

hope all is well young man

[@ignatzmuskrat3000]

Great vid. And yeah, it's The Hook. Especially, if you find yourself drawn to it. It isn't obvious, but then that is the allure of a Steely Dan tune. Congrats, yer hooked! And that's cool. Now, "get out of here!" Or stick around for the even better stuff that follows! Yer purdy good! (Inside joke)

[@Maxharddrive64]

Perfect muzik for chillin' 😉

[@rifleattheplayground]

There's a reason that horn sounds like it has a different energy. Steely dan, especially for this album, is known as a session band. For this album, every note and every artist was meticulously hand picked. There is a great documentary about the whole album I suggest you check out, even if on your own time. Love the react. ❤️

[@robertlear2712]

When I was a kid, a black cow was chocolate ice cream in root beer.

[@tony-lx6cz]

Black Cow < Coca Cola Vanilla ice-cream and chocolate syrup !

[@lynnieiapichino1121]

☮️💙💙💙🔥🔥my favorite from them!

[@homerunhomeshow7201]

It's like a MALT dude.

[@philco6645]

Big Black cow - bottled chocolate milk

[@anthonypeck2448]

You're thinking of Deja Vu (Uptown Baby) ... they sampled this song from Black Cow.

[@tommyfury8890]

Old Malt Milkshake liquor drink

[@Maxharddrive64]

If you go back and listen uninterrupted. He's telling a story about his drunk ass druggie girlfriend. She's passed out on the counter again from partying all night () all her s*** all over the place and right out in the open. She eventually staggers home to him and plays the victim. And as usual he's the one that has to sort it all out. it's a song about a guy whos tired of his pain in the ass girlfriend

[@ncommerce]

With her shit specifically being her list of dealers

[@themfdoomguy]

No wonder MF DOOM sampled this amazing track.

[@jesrush]

Peg ✌️😊🦋 Black Cow is a drink.

[@zanohoriamazo1]

Peter Gunn & about 5’ither artists, including actress Tatyana Ali of Fresh Prince, sampled this joint. It’s 1977 my h.s. graduation year. Real music performed: & executed on high level. To get Black Cow you gotta dial into the lyric from jump, even though the track is mad smoov bangin.

[@christopheryochum3602]

A black cow is a root beer float.

[@richalderson6069]

According to the main guys Donald Fagen and Walter Becker in the Classic Albums documentary about Aja, a Black Cow is a popular New York beverage of root beer and vanilla ice cream. Yum.....

[@spocktheripper]

A Black Cow is an ice cream drink usually made with coffee and ice cream. In the context of the song he is sitting in a diner telling a person it is over due to her behavior and it is time for her to finish her drink and take a hike. "Drink your big black cow and get out of here."

[@edwardcarter2285]

Lord Tariq and Peter Guns sampled this song on "Uptown Baby".

[@lindakessler8768]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@jimakcelik6486]

Thank you, I love Steely Dan, from the same album please listen to "Peg".

[@ammaleslie509]

Listen to the whole record. Every single song is a masterpiece. No filler!!!

[@hypno59]

The Mozarts of the 1970's

[@shanemcgowanoreilly]

If you like those lazy horns try 'Such a Night' by Dr John. Lazy trombones for dayss. Beautiful record.

[@hypno59]

What they dropped out was the wawa clavinet in the rhodes solo

[@brianvangyzen6040]

The alcoholic Black Cow is creme de cocoa, vodka, and milk or cream. It's similar to a White Russian, but it's chocolate flavored instead of coffee flavored.

[@laapache1]

HAIR OF THE DOG

[@marcos7801]

If they're taking away the horn section it's bc they're bringing in solo parts, then they're brought back.

[@timothysteele1963]

If you don't listen to the words and storytelling, you don't get Steely Day. This is one of my favorite groups from back in the day. Instruments, beat, the backing music is excellent but Steely is all about the storytelling too. The words in a Steely Dan song took a back seat to no one.

[@terrylucaspoetrycoach4489]

A big black cow is a root bear float.

[@martymcghee3742]

😍BLACKCOW=COCACOLA MIXED WITH CHOCOLATE AND /OR VANILLA ICE CREAM🤗. YUMMY FOR SOMEY❤😊❤

[@justinlehti4193]

Took the horns away and in came a Fender Rhodes Keyboard solo played by Donald Fagen

[@classic-kool]

Big Black Cow -- Kahlua and Half & Half or milk .... Very popular with people at the clubs who were doing cocaine... When I bartended in the 80's, I poured a shit load of them 😎👌...

[@lennypignatello7493]

Black cow is 2 1/2 ounces of Kahlúa 1 ounce of vodka some people put a half an ounce of captain Morgan spiced rum topped with whipped cream and powdered chocolate sugar and there you have it Black cow it’s probably about 1200 cal to

[@jakeelliot2868]

This beat does more than kinda sound like the rappers Tariq & Peter Gunz. It is the beat. Tariq & Peter Gunz sampled this song.🧐

[@jakeelliot2868]

The breakdown was the keyboard solo. What a song to have both a keyboard & sax solo.

[@josephsuarez5064]

Black cow, is a coctail!

[@Barkingpumpkin102]

Don’t be fooled my the happy sound of Steely Dan… the lyrics are usually quite dark.😊

[@warrenbilley8296]

Black Cow is a chocolate drink like Yoo-hoo.

[@woke2woke153]

A cocktail maybe?

[@brodocbetty4856]

Too many interruptions, Let the song play.

[@MugnifyRTS]

So, I won't get copywritten

[@stybba09]

#mugnifyreacts This is not intended to be a feel good song. Also, a 'black cow' is a root beer float.

[@ChrisBlair-ev3mp]

No, Peter Gunn sounds like this.

[@douglehrer5314]

Root Beer Float

[@stephenhicks749]

I love the fact that so many reaction listeners are opening up their ears to the likes of Steely Dan. It also amuses me that you do not hear a fraction of what is going on in the music and you are so poorly qualified to assess their music. But great that you are open to listen to amazing musical geniuses and may it help you on the journey to appreciate great music. Peace and lets all be open to brilliant musicians and composers and even ones who are not so great, because to try to play music is better than not.

[@MugnifyRTS]

Ah yes, I'm sure there are some listeners who are even more poorly qualified than myself to assess the masterful genius of Steely Dan!

[@madingo85]

A drink

[@scottblakey1603]

I'm a musician and song writer, if you don't want to pay royalties on the music you're making your money off of YOU ARE STEALING! You wouldn't have to stop the song to talk all the time. Get a "Mr. Boston bartenders guide, Black Cow is alcohol with milk and chocolate in it. Not a metaphor.

[@houseson]

Please.

[@louremington6975]

If you interrupt one more time your out. Ok you're out.

[@ammaleslie509]

LOL I had the same thought. Steely Dan is all about flow: building, adding, subtracting... if you stop too often and rewind too often you miss the intended flow

[@ncommerce]

Nah. Enjoy how you enjoy

[@joelliebler5690]

You stop and start like an old car. Terrible reaction to a Hall of Fame song’

[@MugnifyRTS]

Me and the discord laughed at this comment lol

[@827dusty]

Can't stick around when you stop the song every 5 seconds. Should wait until the end, otherwise you ruin the flow. Later