FIRST TIME HEARING Steely Dan- "FM (No Static At All)" (Reaction)

[@retroreactions....]

As you can tell I fully loved every second of this jazzy funky musical gem...Thanks so much for Danning with me! 🥰

[@briangray00]

I think Walt was channelling Pink Floyd's Dave Gilmour in his guitar solo. There's an impressive alternate version with an extended Pete Christlieb saxophone solo. kzbin.info/www/bejne/aWKZnpymitN0Y68 explains this better than I want to.

[@retroreactions....]

Thanks Brian!

[@chadheckman2693]

People from my generation that grew up in the 60's and 70's understand something a little deeper about the meaning of "FM". The most common way for kids and teens to hear new music in the 60's was on the radio. Unless you lived in a big city, the only way to listen to the radio was on an AM station which did not broadcast in stereo and was an inferior signal compared to FM. However, it could travel over long distances unlike the FM signal. So, growing up in western Kansas the best AM station 99% of us listened to was out of Oklahoma City called KOMA. It had varying degrees of static and faded in and out, but they played the best music available. I remember the first time I heard an FM station in the big city (Denver). OMG! I couldn't believe how clear it was and with stereo! It had NO STATIC AT ALL! And there is the connection to people from my generation. Enjoy! (By the way I still had the little Sony transistor radio my dad got me when I was 14 until a couple years ago. I sold it to an antique store for someone else to enjoy. It still worked!)

[@sourisvoleur4854]

Kind of a forgotten gem by Steely Dan because it's not on a Dan album only the soundtrack to the movie. Always a pleasure to hear it.

[@retroreactions....]

Seems popular but yea I never heard it on radio... Thanks for watching 🦇

[@makeadifference4all]

They included the song in their "Citizen Steely Dan" collection.

[@madelineshockley5906]

Us old folks remember when FM came in delivering us from static and commercials, lol. I remember the movie, loved it. It set up for the TV series WKRP in Cincinnati

[@kentinatl]

MY FAVORITE BY THEM AFTER 50 YEARS OF LISTENING TO THEM.

[@retroreactions....]

Hello...I'd say you're the SD expert then...so you approve of my gushing over this song haha...thanks for watching Kent!

[@kentinatl]

@@retroreactions.... my pleasure

[@kenperkins7921]

​@@retroreactions....rest in peace, Walter Becker!

[@scifimonkey3]

Hard to have a favourite Dan song as they are all so good but in so far as I care to rank them this is definitely in my top ten.

[@KevinM2732]

Great guitar solo ending to round off a Steely Dan classic

[@retroreactions....]

Yes! I think I prefer the guitar solo vs the ending sax solo I read about in another version.. though both are amazing no doubt!

[@KevinM2732]

@@retroreactions.... Its nice to have two different endings, but you are right to prefer the guitar ending as I do

[@CuzKatieSaysSo]

📻 I feel so old knowing that FM radio only came into true being when I was a young teen. Before, we listened to all the hits of the day (mid 60's to very early 70's) on AM on our 9V transistor radios and car radios, full of static and Mono sound. FM changed Everything!!! And in Stereo! 🎛🎧

[@byronmitchell3784]

STEELY DAN, "FM ( NO STATIC AT ALL). Those Groovy music dominated decade of sounds, and pleasures. One of my favorites STEELY DAN.

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Thanks for watching Byron!

[@violetflame23]

Brandon, great description of this song - "a waterfall of musical richness cascading around your head." I was never really impressed with Walter Becker's guitar solos, but he killed it on FM. Also loved your new verb, "Danning"!

[@retroreactions....]

Thanks NorcalBob! I try to be creative here haha... thanks so much for watching 🙂

[@retroreactions....]

I am sending a letter immediately to Merriam-Webster, demanding that this new verb be included in the next edition of their dictionary! 🤣

[@synthystation]

My favorite Steely Dan tune is "Josie". It's taught in music school as an almost impossible tune that is in every key at once but sounds like a simple jam. Amazing musicians!

[@retroreactions....]

Nice....on my list. Thanks so much for watching!

[@robertclymer6948]

Amazing deep reaction! Spot on!!! Thanks for sharing. Very enjoyable.

[@heidie2081]

Huge Steely Dan fan here and FM is definitely on my list of favs of theirs. Nice reaction and thanks for it!

[@retroreactions....]

Thanks for watching Heidi!

[@lucasroth7922]

Again, Steely Dan, your favorite bands favorite band 🔥🤘✌

[@retroreactions....]

Thanks for watching Lucas

[@lynnhoffmann247]

🙌🏼🎯👏🏼 I always heard that “No Static At All” meant FM radio compared to AM stations, which were full of static. (Could be wrong…lol)

[@retroreactions....]

Who knows..I read some interesting interpretations! I read that SD likes using vague lyrics open to much interpretation?

[@retroreactions....]

Yours is the most literal and makes the most sense, esp in context with the movie

[@lynnhoffmann247]

@@retroreactions.... Pretty much all lyrics are open to interpretation. Never saw the movie, so can’t comment on that aspect. 🙃

[@LeOhio817]

You are correct.

[@cityhonors1]

🤗 Sorry I'm late to the Party! Love this song! 😍 Wore this 45' out! 😁😊🐰

[@retroreactions....]

Amazing song....could you tell I loved it??!

[@drmagic60]

Another nice reaction Brandon. I do enjoy a listen from Steely Dan now and again, although back in the day I was into a lot of other bands. One can listen to only so much on any given day, I just wasn't into SD as much as I was Deep Purple, Pink Floyd, Rush, Yes, Chicago, Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, and the list goes on.....

[@marymargaretmoore9034]

Great description of the music!

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Thanks Mary

[@79BlackRose]

Hey Brandon, you can do no wrong when you get the Dan out! Steely Dan are Donald Fagen and Walter Becker. All other musicians are called in for specific sessions. The other important person to name-check is producer Gary Katz. I often think of them sprinkling musical highlights throughout their work. Nothing is ever too much because their taste is impeccable. A really cool blend.

[@retroreactions....]

Cool smooth and super talented! Oh wow, I figured they were a larger band....Thanks for watching my friend...

[@jossoaktree]

This may be my favorite Dan song - Cheers !

[@retroreactions....]

Nice! Thanks for watching

[@farmnranchapiarybeehiveser8120]

This song and Deacon Blues always transports too some other dimension. ✌️ 🤠🏞️🐂

[@retroreactions....]

The power of music❣️

[@helenespaulding7562]

SMOOTH…jazzy funk. The Dan is so unique in their approach. Kinda their own genre….although they are often dubbed “yacht rock” these days when everything has to be categorized. Always a good choice for the soundtrack for a classy party. And to just sit and listen to. Didn’t know Pecaro was on this! I always think of Gadd with Dan. Pecaro was Such a great studio player….and in Toto. Gone too soon

[@retroreactions....]

You know I love smooth, jazzy, funky and yachty!

[@theivory1]

Please just keep on doing Steely Dan songs. I would suggest The Royal Scam next.

[@retroreactions....]

Love em! Got many on my list, I will add your vote for TRS! Thanks so much for watching!

[@carolynHernandez-s6x]

​@@retroreactions....glamour profession

[@brendawoodson3230]

Am always there for The Dan, love the way you listen and review the music do more Zep and Dan

[@retroreactions....]

Thanks so much for the compliment. Much more Zep and Dan to come!!

[@scottjohnston1028]

Steely Dan, a great dessert with lots of sprinkles.

[@eddiecriglington400]

Love everything on it. Love their sound. Fabulous. Big Eagles fan too. 🎶❤️🎶

[@retroreactions....]

Hi Eddie...Love their sound too! Love Eagles too...I hear they block everything on KZbin though haha...

[@eddiecriglington400]

@@retroreactions.... Do they. I’ve got lots of videos of them. Anyway, great Steely Dan track. 👍🏼 🎶❤️🎶

[@lynnhoffmann247]

@@eddiecriglington400 Depends on Don Henley’s mood I guess. 😂 I see some too and am surprised they’re still up.

[@retroreactions....]

They can be a Patreon band for me!

[@lynnhoffmann247]

@@retroreactions.... True!

[@ischmidt]

One of Steely Dan's smoothest songs for sure. You're right that the movie was a flop, but this song was a hit. "No static at all" was a tagline of the movie, and also was a marketing phrase for FM radio itself. AM radio had static during thunderstorms, FM was immune. Amusingly there was an alternate version for AM radio stations (which in the late 70s still played music) where they dubbed in the "A" sound from the chorus of "Aja" so the song goes "AAAAAA-M" instead of "FFFFFF--M". That version is on KZbin, and it's pretty wild.

[@thestevelarsenexperience]

You are so right this song is beautiful evocative and masterful- thanks for your soulful and musically sensitive reaction!

[@retroreactions....]

Of course and thanks for watching Steve!

[@sergebrunet4218]

[@retroreactions....]

Hey bud!! Thanks for being early and first here today!! Hope all is well....✌

[@Allright21]

My absolute favorite SD song.

[@retroreactions....]

Thanks so much for watching!

[@davidmasters2408]

Absolute perfection!

[@andrewmadeloni7173]

Aja, The Royal Scam, Green Earrings, Home at Last, and on and on...

[@retroreactions....]

Thanks Andrew! I did an Aja reaction already, excited for much more SD!

[@WilliamTheMovieFan]

This song has 4 versions, I believe. This one has the guitar ending. There is a version with a saxophone ending. I'm uncertain about the other two versions, but I think one is shorter for radio play and I think the other is just instrumental.

[@sfsphil]

It was definitely a known and remarked upon thing back in the day about the difference in quality of sound between AM and FM transmission. AM transmission is much more vulnerable to noise due to its very nature whereas FM is much less vulnerable to noise. Static vs No Static At All.

[@reneelyons6836]

I LOVE LOVE LOVE your Thumbnail and this song!!!!!! 🎼🎵🎶🎶🌈🦋💛💛👍💯

[@retroreactions....]

Hello early bird!! Thank you, I just couldn't help myself with this musical waterfall metaphor HAHA...

[@reneelyons6836]

@@retroreactions.... Well, the emoji queen LOVES it!!

[@reneelyons6836]

More water references ⛲💧🌊

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Big shock huh? 🤣

[@reneelyons6836]

@@retroreactions.... NOPE!!🤣🤣

[@doplinger1]

Excellent song, title track to a movie of the same name - fun watch, a good snapshot of what it was like at a radio station in the mid 70s. Oh, and it looks like you’re a bit too close to your green screen; we can see a green fringe around your head and shoulders. If it’s possible to move up about a foot that may solve it.

[@retroreactions....]

Yea became interested when I saw the great artists who contributed to the soundtrack...oh I think that was on purpose lol...sometimes I boost the outline/glow around me to give more of a contrast between me and the backdrop.. hope it's not too distracting

[@ohfour-seven6228]

I can't wait to watch your reactions to the songs on Gaucho, which are all phenomenal. And then there's Fagen's solo work. The Nightfly album is great, especially the title track. And then there's so much goodness on the next release, Kamakiriad. Trans Island Skyway is the first track and it's a jaw dropper. And then each song gets better and better. Florida Room is my favorite, it's just so groovy. Morph the Cat is the next album and loaded with delights. Sunken Condos is interesting but kind of jaded. And then there's his work with The New York Rock and Soul Revue with Boz Scaggs, Michael McDonald, Phoebe Snow and Eddie and David Brigati from the Rascals, a live from the Beacon delight! A lot to work your way through!

[@retroreactions....]

Wow, yes sounds like a lot....so much music, so little time! 🙂

[@steelyman08]

Nice to hear you using the original release. The most listened to version is the sax outro extended one. I like them both, but this was the one that hooked me on juke boxes back in the day. Becker's guitar outro is just kind of special (although the sax outro on the other main release is delicious). I'm going with the lyrics on this one: "no static at all" from the girls as long as the mood is right. The music doesn't seem to matter anymore (FM radio becoming too predictable already). But, no worry, there's no static! No one really cares anymore (except for the narrator) who wants some better music like the original FM DJs used to play. I think there are 4 separate versions of this song. Enjoyed seeing this done in 2023. Steely Dan are my #1 band (although they were mostly a duo who incorporated the best musicians around). Not a weak album to their name (although I enjoyed them less after Gaucho). Donald Fagen's Nightfly album is spectacular as well. Nice work! And I trust Steely Dan will continue to shine for generation after generation to come. ♥

[@retroreactions....]

Thanks for all the great info steelyman08! Much more Dan to come here!

[@ericj5627]

am has static and fm was smooth...was my interpretation...Nice job!

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Thanks EricJ

[@yourebusted5786]

The guitar outro always sounded much like "Another Brick In The Wall" to me, which was released around the same time, IIRC. Got to see S.D. twice.

[@retroreactions....]

Nice! Thanks for watching

[@duiliosan4196]

SD🐐🤩

[@retroreactions....]

Thanks for watching Duilio!

[@bobg8378]

Yeah I had to click on FM. One of my favorites is Dirty Work.

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Thanks BobG

[@makeadifference4all]

There are two versions of this song: this one features guitar, and the other features sax.

[@retroreactions....]

Cool, I think I did check out both versions....thanks for watching!

[@hegotreborn]

@Retro Reactions Doctor Wu is a good sad song from Steely

[@retroreactions....]

Thanks!

[@williamosborne6866]

Steely Dan...the only band other than Pink Floyd to actually defy genres - they are equally proficient at rock, jazz, fusion, funk, R&B, reggae, prog. Fagen and Becker (RIP) were the heart and soul, surrounded by a revolving cadre of the finest guest and studio artists of the time. You can put on any album, drop the tone arm randomly, and get a pleasant surprise as a result. The worst track on their worst album is still better than 90% of anyone else's. There are lots of great suggestions below, but there are a few deeper cuts that get forgotten: Haitian Divorce, Hey Nineteen, Kid Charlemagne, Dr. Wu, Aja, The Royal Scam, My Old School, Don't Take Me Alive.... FYI, this track is a paean to FM radio (which was penned for the movie of the same name, and not appearing on a studio album), which came on the scene with college stations, then ultimated took over the music world from AM (relegating it to talk radio today). FM had none of the dropouts or static that plagued AM. It also made it possible to play longer songs, without the time limits (generally around 3 minutes or so) historically imposed by mainstream radio, which forced record companies to produce shorter, edited versions of epic songs like "Light My Fire", "In A Gadda Da Vida", or "Nights In White Satin".

[@retroreactions....]

Thanks for the info and suggestions. Will add your votes for all those! I do know and love Hey 19, and I have reacted to Aja here!

[@michaelbaucom4019]

Steely Dan at lunchtime?! Yes please! Steely Dan by this time wasn't a band as much as a Walter Becker and Donald Fagan collaboration/project, using the best studio musicians they could find from both rock and jazz. There are various versions of this song, there is an all instrumental version called " Reprise ", featuring sax. There is a version with part of that instrumental version as the outro instead of the guitar outro(on the box set called " Citizen Steely Dan " if memory serves, someone correct me if I'm wrong). The KZbin channel called " ableape " has a version with both the original and the reprise stitched together. Lyrically, remember that FM radio was a relatively new thing, and it had much better quality than AM radio(the no static at all lyric), but it also represents a bit of freedom from AM radio's staid, highly programmed/regular format(AM radio also began moving towards talk radio too), FM radio was a bit of rebellion against that, and to feel the freedom of music(paraphrasing a Rush song here) FM is from the soundtrack of the movie " FM ", a great soundtrack(besides SD, Linda Ronstadt, Tom Petty, Bob Seger, Joe Walsh, Queen, Dan Fogelberg, Billy Joel, Jimmy Buffett, and other prominent artists). The movie itself...a mediocre comedy about...an FM radio station RIP Walter Becker

[@retroreactions....]

SD is great for lunch! So was this near the end of the band's existence? Wow, so many legends on the soundtrack, I should give it a listen!

[@michaelbaucom4019]

@@retroreactions.... after " FM " the album " Gaucho" was released. Walter and Donald stopped Steely Dan after that, until the early 1990s, when Steely Dan began doing live shows( Steely Dan had (in)famously quit doing live shows in 1975), and did two more albums in the late 1990s-early 2000s, " Two Against Nature " and " Everything Must Go ". As on FM, the albums feature musicians for hire, the only constant being Walter and Donald

[@retroreactions....]

Thanks for the info!

[@davidspring5013]

try HEY 19! another classic and Kid Charlemegne AJA cant go wrong Jazz rock

[@retroreactions....]

I love Hey 19.. heard it many times unfortunately (for the channel)... I'll add your vote for KC though!

[@kellydelay18]

There are different versions

[@joseserrano1739]

i would like for you to do reaction to pretzel logic. i know i learn alot, thank you .joe serrano puerto rico

[@kellydelay18]

AM radio had static FM not at all

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Thanks Kelly!

[@SirWrecksy]

If you don't lose your shit on this one, but i know you will...