Hired Gun NAILED Best Solo of 1973 on 1st TRY…But Engineer FORGOT to Hit Record! | Professor of Rock

Two of most cerebral rockers and known perfectionists Donald Fagen and Walter Becker AKA Steely Dan, just knew they had a song for their debut album with Hit potential. It was called Reeling in the Years and was a bitter retort against Donald’s girlfriend who had ripped his heart out so he wrote a “get even” song that was missing one little thing... it lacked vibrancy and passion. So, the duo followed a deep gut feeling that they needed to bring in a musician that would provide the spark they desperately needed. Up next the story of a hired gun who stepped into a recording studio in Santa Monica to pull a song out of the doldrums and turn it into one of the greatest guitar tracks of all time, one that Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin called his favorite ever and one that became a 70s classic from their 1973 classic album Can’t Buy a Thrill NEXT on Professor of Rock.
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#classicrock #70smusic #vinylstory #steelydan
Hey music junkies, Professor of Rock always here to celebrate the greatest artists and the greatest songs of all time. If you ever got yelled at by your parents to turn your stereo down when you were growing up, You’ll be right at home with this channel Make sure to subscribe so you never miss out on our daily content. We also have a Patreon take a look at our content their while helping our mission of curating music history
It’s time for another edition of Number one in our heart where we breakdown a song that was so great that it should’ve been a #1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 We discuss the song and place it in it’s historical context versus the other songs ahead of it. The genius band we will discussing next, never did have a number one hit. If there was any justice in the world, they should’ve had at least 5. They came closest with their 1974 Hit Rikki Don’t lose that Number which hit #4.
Of all the song that should’ve hit #1 by the Dan , The one we are covering today is a no brainer to me. So Steely Dan co-founder, Donald Fagen, was going through the effects of a tough breakup with a woman he’d been romantically involved with for several years.
Twisting the knife of emotional agony was when he discovered that “after all the things" the couple "had done and seen, she found another man.” Fagen recoiled, and struck back at his ex-lover, by penning a song that expressed his exasperation:
“Your everlasting summer, and you can see it fading fast.
So you grab a piece of something that you think is gonna last
Well, you wouldn’t even know a diamond if you held it in your hand. The things you think are precious I can’t understand.”
A powerful opening verse with a measured, scathing lyric that marked the making of one of the all-time greatest rockers….”Reelin’ in the Years" by Steely Dan. As the heartbroken victim, Fagen laid on the guilt trip on his ex-lover even thicker in his chorus:
"Are you reelin' in the years? Stowin’ away the time Are you gatherin’ up the tears? Have you had enough of mine?”
Donald collaborated with best friend and indivisible wingman of Steely Dan, Walter Becker, to compose the music for “Reelin’ in the Years” with a plan to include the track on the band’s critically important debut record Can’t Buy a Thrill- set for release in 1972.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Poll: What is your pick for greatest guitar solo of the 70s?

[@RBS_]

*SKUNK!* .....Not only he looked for "Hot Stuff", he EMBODIED it, with that Solo!! ...ha-HAA!!

[@SPak-rt2gb]

UFO - Rock Bottom

[@fivestring65ify]

Spooky. ARS.

[@christineml1476]

"Eruption" - Van Halen

[@thetitleisours1]

Fire on High by ELO would be mine. I remember being amazed when I first heard it.

[@tomindenver1331]

Two Steely Dan stories from me. I've been in radio since my college radio days starting in 1978 at KCOU in Columbia, MO. I could hear the reel-to-reel rewinding and re-recording in the production studio down the hall, playing bits of Steely Dan songs as another student was trying to make a Steely Dan hour-long show. In the studio with him was a beautiful blond. She was a massive Steely Dan fan who was helping him write the show since she knew everything there was to know about the band. Six months later, I had the chance to meet her and we started talking about music. I fell in love. We're still married today. She still loves Steely Dan (and The Professor of Rock :)). I started working in Denver radio in 1987. From the late 80's through the 90's, Barry Fey, the concert promoter, would come in and record his annual 10 minute or so Summer of Stars line-up reveal with me. The deal was that I could play on my show as long as I sent edited, response-only, reels to the other rock stations so they could use it, too. As we're recording the bit in '92, Barry says "This next one's gonna be great...after not touring for years, Steely Dan is coming back out on tour-" I stopped the tape and said "Barry, I've never asked before...but can I get two tickets to the show-" "No. Roll the tape-let's go." Later that afternoon, a courier shows up at the station with two tickets for me and my wife and a note from Barry "The (bleep bleep) look on your face when I said 'no' - I thought I was gonna die! Have fun at the show."

[@spawntez]

Great story, the dude had a sick but funny side to himself. Hope you had one hell of a night. Cheers brother from Sergio in Burbank. Calif.

[@ModMax69]

lucky, lucky man!

[@timetraveler5246]

Such great memories and stories. Thanks for sharing!

[@ronnewlin-ml6lu]

My parents bought me a record player in 1976. I was 4 years old. The first record I played on it was a 45 called Reeling in the Years

[@snoobeagle]

I went to Mizzou too :)

[@angusmoffat]

Elliott Randall's solo guitar work on Reeling in the Years makes the song brilliant. Never get tired of listening to that solo.

[@cgoebbert]

Totally. For me, as a guitarist and listener, a great solo is one that anyone can hum or sing along to : Hotel California, Stairway to Heaven, Comfortably Numb, and even Don’t Stop Believin’ for example. And the solo in RITY takes that to modest steroidal levels. Insanely cool and smart at the same time.

[@davidryan7386]

Jimmy page gives it an 11.

[@celebkiriedhel]

They may not have had a #1 hit, but they were #1 for me not just with this album but their whole career.

[@angelicamichelle1646]

I know !!!!

[@steelyman08]

My #1 band as well ~ by lifetimes! I'm actually surprised that they had any top 10 songs simply because their music & lyrics were just not something you'd imagine mainstream radio listeners enjoying. But the seventies were special. So much phenomenal music on the radio. Steely Dan were just so good that they broke the mold.

[@mitchellbaker9434]

Steely Dan was one of those bands in the 70s that if you listened to them you just felt more intelligent.

[@cryptogumbyckb1183]

Rush is like that too

[@drrick8839]

@@cryptogumbyckb1183 aaaa, yea!

[@timothybladon9958]

I think I'm more intelligent and my enjoyment and admiration of Steely Dan is proof of that.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Agreed Mitchell! Musicianship was top notch with them.

[@Imnukingfutz1]

That’s a good way to put it.

[@bjdefilippo447]

Stunningly good lyrics that make you think, a driving beat, and the kind of harmonies we rarely see anymore. Steely Dan made masterpieces.

[@daveburns3886]

Very unique sound

[@DukesMusic84]

Can't Buy A Thrill probably one of the best DEBUT records of all time. These SD dudes were on fire right out the gate

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

It’s always been a classic in our household.

[@mikek5958]

One of my all-time favorite albums.

[@mangadolo]

Yessir! Some classics on there “Dirty Work” , “Reelin in the Years” and “Do It Again”!

[@gregsager2062]

@@mangadolo "Midnight Cruiser"

[@mangadolo]

@@gregsager2062 Absolutely! That song deserves more play. Such irony in 2023 especially.

[@glennbzt]

As a guitarist 69 now …to do that kind of solo on the fly is uncanny…damn ..can’t beat that..Elliot

[@MarcoPolo-je5ej]

Great stuff again, Professor! Casey Kasem and Dick Clark are resting peacefully, knowing you are continuing their passion for bringing great stories about the music we love to everyone.

[@RBS_]

...had to STOP me own comment, to AGREE to this One! ....ya hit it RIGHT, Sir Marco!

[@ProfessorofRock]

Ah... Thanks. Made my whole week!

[@WilliamTheMovieFan]

@@ProfessorofRockyou are indeed a worthy successor to Kasem and Clark!

[@WilliamTheMovieFan]

The Professor’s passion and dedication prove he is worthy to be included in the same company!

[@terryreed1841]

Ahhh... great minds. Let's us include MTV and VH1 behind the music, shall we?

[@cammygram1]

Being a teenager in the 70's Steely Dan is imprinted in my memory. Loved this song. I'm so glad I can still listen to them today. Thanks Professor.

[@ProfessorofRock]

They are such an amazing band! Love their music. What's your favorite?

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

They’re one of the greatest bands of all time, in my opinion.

[@billcookerly7529]

The Official Band of my high school class of ‘77! We were all made wiser (and more gloriously cynical) because of them.

[@beaumontmichaels3575]

Should say " 3 chords and the Truth! Stay FREE! My Friends" 😉

[@robincupp6087]

This was the first album I ever bought at age 12 and Steely Dan remained my favorite band through my life. They just made music on a different level.

[@MostlyBuicks]

With Denny Dias, Skunk Baxter and even Walter Becker each great guitar players, they STILL had to hire Elliot Randall. What a tone, what a riff, perfection.

[@robster7316]

Elliot Randall's solo remains a gold standard for guitar solos and he's made a career out of it! Walter and Donald sure knew how to pick the best session guys for the solos they were looking for: Larry Carlton, Dean Parks, and Jay Graydon were regularly brought in to work their magic. Often, they never knew whose solo would make the final cut! Thanks Adam!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Best of the best for sure!

[@MarkLipka]

*Fantastic guitar work!* 🎸

[@mattm9871]

Chuck Rainey! (As a bass player, I had to mention this guy and request that he be added to your list. Rainey is gold!)

[@davidryan7386]

They even had studio janitors take a swing!

[@sirjer73]

​@mattm9871 The Rainey/Purdie rhythm section, might be the greatest in terms of session players!!!

[@markcatanzaro9699]

The musicianship on every Steely Dan album is seriously world class! Every note in every bar of every song on every album!!! ❤

[@wrayewenigmann3696]

Thanks for covering Steely Dan today, Adam. They were my late partner's favourite band, we played one of their songs at his funeral. Rest well, my dearest. Forty years of memories are wrapped up in that song.

[@williamstamper442]

Thank you for sharing this story

[@cindipossidento5688]

🥰

[@jessicahanley5080]

Was it Any Major Dude? That's a beautiful one. I'm sure whatever you chose was really nice. I love them a lot.

[@jeffwylie5899]

​@@jessicahanley5080Another FANTASTIC song and one of my favorites!

[@aprilrich807]

I’ve seen them live many times - the last being just a couple of short months before Walter passed. As time went on, they became far more accepting of the the joy the audience would feel listening/seeing them, and actually did begin performing some of their top releases. I just love Steely Dan.

[@bloodwillrunthestreets5205]

My older brother turned me on to Steely Dan many years ago. He passed way to early but his memory lives in the music that he exposed me to when I was a kid. Love you brother!

[@leonardvicari2857]

Steely Dan is an intellectual high brow band a great duo I am finally catching on how great Steely Dan is better late than never

[@samiam5557]

Steely Dan's music blew me away 1st time I heard them in '72, been a fan ever since.

[@davidryan7386]

Heard this song in 72 and was floored. Age of 6 or 7.

[@Warriorintraining57]

I saw Steely Dan live twice..once in 1993 and then in 2017, after Becker had passed. And I have to say, they played all their "hits" and them some! When Fagen came on stage in 2017, he was truly humble and surprised at such a warm, 10 minute standing ovation. He may be, brutally honest but he definitely felt the love that night.❤

[@scottburton9701]

"Reelin' In The Years" is one of my favorite Steely Dan songs-The guitar work on that song is fabulous!

[@lisaanderson135]

Kasem and Clark have intelligently passed the baton to the right person! Thank you professor for sharing all your music history and knowledge with us!

[@darrenangle4493]

I have always loved Steely Dan. How can you not? Even though they never made it to #1, so many of their songs are #1 deep within my heart and soul.

[@carolechaney2830]

Back in the day, Steely Dan was on heavy rotation on my FM station, I can't believe that they never had a #1 Hit! Fast forward to now, their songs are on heavy rotation on Sirius Xm Yacht Rock. I so look forward every summer to play that awesome channel. Great song😊.

[@matthewclark9652]

"Aja" my favorite Steely Dan album of all time from late 1977!!

[@cs3473]

Is it me or does the 1970's seem to be the Golden era for Studio and Session Musicians getting together and becoming musical powerhouses in their own right?

[@candicewitzkoske3155]

Nothing can ever compare to the 70s music! It was raw and real where the musicians weren’t owned!

[@cryptogumbyckb1183]

Larry Carlton is beyond underrated. Most music fans have no clue who he is but that dudes guitar work is PhD level

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Say it louder for the back! Carlton is awesome.

[@bradleybrown8399]

No he's not. phuck, what a stupid comment.

[@stephaniedelrio1073]

Larry's work on The Royal Scam was incendiary! I see him when he comes to The Coach House. He is tremendously talented.

[@knarf_on_a_bike]

Captain 335

[@elvisjordan5137]

I'm very familiar with Larry Carlton since early on in my evolving Music career in the 1980's (different name) I used to feature his music constantly on my #1 rated weekly Jazz radio show I produced. Steely Dan was 1 of my favorite groups in the 1970's & I remember how integral a part that guitar solo was in "Reeling in the Years". There are certain songs in history in which the solos are what made the song. I remember multiple examples like the sax solo in THE DOORS "Touch Me" ('68)...sax solo on MEN AT WORK "Who Can it be Now"('82)...Eddie Van Halen's guitar solo on Michael Jackson's "Beat It"('83)...solo on HEART "Magic Man"('76)....synth solo on RUSH "Tom Sawyer" ('80)...& sax solo on GERRY RAFFERTY "Baker Street"('78) to name a few. Without any of those riveting solos those hit songs would have been incomplete.

[@thetitleisours1]

The music of Steely Dan was so iconic in my youth. I remember my older sister playing the radio and this coming on. Their music is definitely a time traveling device

[@ProfessorofRock]

For sure! What's your favorite track by them?

[@thetitleisours1]

@@ProfessorofRock If I had to choose it would be Deacon Blues, but Reelin in the Years probably has the most memories associated with it :)

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Makes you long for the good ole days.

[@thetitleisours1]

@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 Amazing how it takes you back

[@mikewhitehorse2580]

A “Decade of Steely Dan” is so full of great songs you could play it all day, over and over, and love every minute of it.

[@frankk6161]

Thanks, Adam, for makin' me an honorary producer of this episode. Very honored. Frank Kuna

[@eddiepullman2745]

My cousin tried to turn me onto steely Dan in the late 80’s. I didn’t get it. And then in the mid 90’s during the grunge revolution, I got it. And I’d had this insane love for steely Dan since. The musicianship is bar none. The lyrics are intelligent and extremely well thought out. The music just invokes emotion in me every time I listen to it, I swear I here something new every listen. Legendary band that you really can’t compare to any other.

[@normsaunders4980]

This is a beautiful post. Glad you caught on. I'll bet that moment it hit you was astounding! Congratulations.

[@eddiepullman2745]

@@normsaunders4980Discovering great music by earlier artists led me to other artists I might not have given a listen. Be well!!!!!!

[@nay4peace280]

Steely Dan had no 1# hits? That is incredible! Love them so much especially " Everything Must Go".

[@davidmiller4594]

I can't believe this song came out when tie a yellow ribbon was out. Just shows how ahead Fagan was.

[@judithgoulding8046]

They were at the heart of the 70's and one of the most outstanding bands to come out of that era. Masters at songwriting and gifted as musicians! Love "Reeling in the Years", but " My Old School" is my all time favorite!!❤

[@philipqvist7322]

Elliott Randall's solo was sublime - one of the best.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

He killed it no doubt.

[@bmurphy2393]

My favourite album. Liked every song. Cheers

[@fivestring65ify]

I'm a huge Dan fan. This one pretty much launched them. And what was so great was that they got better with every album. Thanks for this video. I would love to see more coverage of these guys.

[@ProfessorofRock]

For sure! what would you like to see next?

[@edpas007]

Love Steely Dan. Like Zeppelin ( my fave ) albums all are great all songs

[@fivestring65ify]

@ProfessorofRock Do one on Don't take me alive, or Kid Charlemagne. It has one of the most iconic lines in it. Is there gas in the car? Yes, there's gas in the car.

[@edpas007]

@@fivestring65ify Larry Carlton’s solo on Don’t take me Alive maybe my fave Dan solo. Though so much great guitar work throughout whole catalogue

[@Polyphemus47]

Part of their collective genius was lyrically blending the mundane with a dash of the arcane.@@fivestring65ify

[@zulupenman]

I remember sitting in the treehouse restaurant in Legian Beach Bali in 1977 …. after a three hour surf session of perfect 8 ft Sanur rights with nobody out … and sitting back and listening to “Can’t buy a Thrill” only once …. I went straight out on the motorbike and bought the album The haunting intro of ”Do it Again” and this “Reelin’ in the Years” really invokes a flood of magical memories and emotions of an 18-year-old boy on his first Indonesian surfing adventure…. 😇😇😇

[@timfontenot5]

The true sound of the 70’s( along with Neil Young, Led Zeppelin) . One group I loved but never saw live.

[@petercena9497]

Right, what younger audiences think the 70s were make the decade look bad.

[@alliswede42]

Yassss!!! A Steely Dan video and the Elliott Randall guitar solo that Jimmy Page considers GOATed!!! This was exactly the pick-me-up I needed today, Professor! 🙏

[@ProfessorofRock]

Great to see you Allison! Have a wonderful day!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Jimmy was so right, Allison.

[@reallyretro]

Jeff Baxter gave Steely Dan that little bit of edge with his awesome guitar work. Once he left, they were never really the same, but the band went on to even greater success with the Aja album.

[@stephenedavis7]

Fantastic lyrics plus one of the best guitar solos ever equals one of the top 20 classic hits of all time. Those lyrics and those guitar licks really define 70s jazz rock.

[@jeffreyhancock8831]

I remember when this album dropped. Steely Dan was heard in many homes being played mostly on console type stereos. Hell, I even had the recording on 8 track tape! I will forever be thankful for the technology we have today that allows the music to be heard raw. I my humble opinion this is how music is meant to be. Raw and from the heart. Don't get no better than that.

[@randallreed9048]

I have always been strongly attracted to Steely Dan ever since I purchased their three-disc trilogy set years ago. You just explained to me why. Thank you--again-- Professor!

[@kirkhepburnmiddleagedwhiteguy]

I heard that Elliott's solo is/was Jimmy Pages all time faves. Not bad. It is an incredible work. Never gets old.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

You know you’re a legend when one of Rock’s Golden Lords praises your musicianship.

[@JWMottonEnt]

1981, I hired a band from Buffalo called Moonlight Express to play a bar called Spanky's in Brampton Ontario. They showed up with a guest guitar player named Elliott Randall. What a great show! After we closed the bar around 20 of us went back to the hotel we booked for the band and partied until 6 am. Elliott was a great guy, had some awesome stories! If I had of known he was coming with them, I would have put them up in a better hotel than Hotel Brampton, it smelled like piss and stale beer.

[@JC-ct7wp]

Adam, I'm glad you touched on the book and the way he talked about the fans. I still love the band, but that was a gut punch to read.

[@jond1536]

Professor, I cannot think of a session you put out here that I didn't totally enjoy. Thank you for being such a great story teller. WOW. Steely Dan was one of my most favorite songmasters in the 70's when I graduated out of high school. Fantastic story

[@naomilambert4994]

Heard them at the Boston Tea Party in the 60`s. They were called the Ultimate Spinach

[@nunnarij]

Genius musicians creating and pursuing musical perfection. Probably the best musicianship combined with the most complex lyrics in the history of music. Donald Fagen voice and vocalization is the best ever.

[@humanskull64]

I remember buying Can't Buy a Thrill on 8 Track. So, I could listen to it in the car. It played so much that I used a matchbook to keep it from squeaking. Those were the days.

[@jrm2fla]

The solo reflects the melody, then peels off into improvisation that follows the chords changes like it’s telling a story… it’s amazing and perfect!

[@rodmandealerman3297]

Once again, I am in shock, and awe, of this *very* in-depth installment. I think I've said it here before, stories like this are precisely why I subscribe to POR. Adam, my deepest thanks for covering this song.

[@steelydad5863]

Even the guitar solo on the out take is insane. I've heard Reelin' at least a thousand times and it never gets old. Jon Harrington does the solo justice in concert.

[@miketurner1768]

No one else like them. Donald's lyrics flow like a river, with such complexity and meaning thrown in. A real poet of a song writer. Been witht them all my life and nothing's about to change any time soon. 👍🎸🎸🎸🎸

[@TheRicardoSanchez]

Thanks for the exposé on RITY. One of my all-time faves. Such an excellent, almost anthemic, classic. Walter’s and Donald’s revolving-door, interchangeable-parts approach to the individual musician parts plays big role in what makes all of those classics so legendary. Consider Carlton’s Kid Charlemagne solo. Couldn’t have been any other guitarist. The Aja documentary gives excellent look behind the curtain.

[@MikeTraxler]

I was 11 years old when I bought this 45 and I've been a Steely Dan fan ever since

[@gregoryzischke1843]

That's impossible to pick one! Man it was an amazing time to be young growing up hearing some of the best artists of all time, in my opinion playing what would become classics! Hearing that stuff for the first time thinking it would never end and music will just keep getting better! Well, we didn't know how good we had it!

[@normsaunders4980]

So, so true.

[@davidtambornino8251]

Wow, great commentary there! Thanks. I was left profoundly deaf after defeating spinal meningitis in summer of '69 so i was 6 in 1970, dazed confused angry and disconnected but i carried on with the best hearing aids my dad could afford. Then in 77, radio on the music grabbing my ears asked brothers, Hey this sounds really cool, who is it? Bros were shocked, but not surprised. "Steely Dan". I oftened wondered did people think me weird, creepy, Definitely Deaf! or graced with gifts from God, that i so absolutely loved Steely Dan, could pick them out on the radio (Rikki Don't Lose...) freaking everyone out and sometimes accused faking my deafness (i would cry in private that hurt so terribly) i also couldnt hear the lyrics and wondered if I'd still like the music if iknew what they were singing; well so what they made me know that i could still enjoy music (as long as my batteries were fresh! Ugh) Now, fitted with the latest Cochlear Bypass Tech, my musical tastes as a young deaf boy are verified confirmed and Steely Dan is sublime and remains atop my list of my All Time favorite and best music. The lyrics? I love Steely Dan more than i ever had... now ima put on my soundpieces, connect my speakers, wipe my tears, tBluetooth Steely Dan's CAN'T BUY A THRILL directly to my brain! Miracles are all around us, it is true.

[@markcavazos5794]

This song blew me away in 1972..and still does today! Lead guitarist and drummer create magic!

[@stevelanemusic4463]

I’m in heaven with these new Dan reissues on vinyl coming out one at a time. Great song off of a great album..! Each release just got better & better. Skunk is the only musician who has his own muppet!! 😂 I love it.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Cool dude!

[@sirjer73]

Wasn't Animal based on Keith Moon???

[@stevelanemusic4463]

@@sirjer73 yeah, pretty sure!

[@gioknows]

What a phenomenal song. They just don’t write, sing and play them like that anymore. Cheers from Ottawa, Canada 🍁

[@MyName-pl7zn]

I can't imagine that first take being better than what ended up being recorded. That kind of talent by Elliott is truly amazing. Strangely enough rock radio introduced me to Steely Dan because it was far removed from most of the type of music they played. Been a fan ever since. Did you ever read how they got the name of the band? Hilarious. Great episode professor they were different than every band out there

[@ABrionesAutor]

This is one of the best song analysis I've ever heard. The Dan cut deep with that tale of lost love and electrifying rock bliss. Congrats and keep the good work, Professor!

[@Jonny-Saurus-Wrecks]

Excellent excellent episode. How did you single out this song out of such an amazing catalogue? Hats off, as I certainly couldn't have narrowed it down to five, let alone one. Thank you for reminding us of this unbelievably talented duo, and I hope those younger than us are now exposed to the magic of Steely Dan, and use this new-found epiphany to consume the entire discography. No one should go through life ignorant of "Kid Charlemagne." Excellent lecture, Prof

[@jamesedwards2237]

Bodhisattva!!

[@Jonny-Saurus-Wrecks]

@@jamesedwards2237 "The sparkle of your China!" But I'm never going back to my old school . . .

[@LQOTW]

Oh, man - Steely Dan is in my top five favorite bands of all time! I grew up with them and there is something of a summertime outdoors quality to the tone of Randall's guitar in this song. It has the power to put me right back into my adolescence. Thank you, Professor, for taking a dive on this song/group. Can't believe Tie A Yellow Ribbon beat them out for #1. Where's the justice?! [smh]

[@lizacelarek617]

Amen

[@cmac4412]

Spring 1973. 16yo runaway, hitchhiking around Fl from Ft Walton to Jacksonville, down Highway A1A to St Augustine for the summer. Hand sized transistor radio, seemed to play this every hour. Loved it. Can still smell the hot asphalt and salt air every time I hear it.

[@davidsides7253]

My absolute favorite rock/jazz group of all time. Thank you, Professor for this episode, which brings back a lot of memories.

[@Texeq]

Reelin in The Years was one of those songs that, on AM radio, barreled out of whatever speakers were there; whether the car, the school bus, or my Panasonic stereo at home I probably have more copies of Can't Buy A Thrill than any other album. Its genius, and never gets old. It actually gets better every time I listen to it......

[@BoiseInsure]

Adam, so cool to see you at Foo Fighters the other day! And yes, Steely Dan is in a class all their own but Donald Fagen had the most focused vision of all his peers of the time for the sound and vibe of what he wanted. Then layer on Elliot Randall and you've got a white-hot level of perfection! Keep it comin' Prof!

[@DCJNewsMedia]

Ty so much for sharing your knowledge of music history

[@Damaged262]

As a heavy metal fan since before it was called heavy metal, I will still ALWAYS have room in my heart and ears for Steely Dan. It’s almost prog looking back. Might not be metal, but they created tasty stuff. So did Vivaldi and Bach, genius is genius after all.

[@micdavis-c6l]

I graduated High School in 1972, this was one of my favorite songs at the time and is still very much a lifetime favorite. you have a great show Adam.

[@eightiesmusic1984]

Walter Becker produced Flaunt The Imperfection and Diary Of A Hollow Horse by China Crisis, both masterpiece albums. CC are one of the most underrated bands of the eighties. For once, the word is not misplaced. It is uncanny how like Steely Dan the Flaunt album sounds. Scottish rock/popsters Deacon Blue took their name from Deacon Blues. Solidarity to the people of Hawaii as they battle the shocking fire.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Love China Crisis! They are so good!

[@eightiesmusic1984]

@@ProfessorofRock Probably my favourite band if I had to pick. I have seen them live about nine times and they are even better than on record-Gary Daly is very funny too! I sold a copy of Diary on e bay last year and struck up a conversation about music with the buyer. He does oil paintings and sent a picture of the one he did of the Flaunt album cover to Eddie Lundon. Next thing he's delivering the real painting to Eddie's house and ends up working with them designing merchandise! The painting is an amazing copy.

[@spanishpeaches2930]

​@@eightiesmusic1984Eddie Lundun's solo on King in a Catholic Style is still one of my favourite all time pop solos.

[@johnenriquez4816]

China Crisis are pure class. They've been my 2nd favorite band for decades (only behind OMD). And, as stated above, Gary Daly is absolutely hilarious in the live shows. Too bad that they never gained much of a foothold in the States.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

China Crisis is right up my alley, given my obsession with new wave music and the Second British Invasion.

[@petecartwright5211]

The small town I grew up in had an A&W place us kids would hang out at. I plugged so many quarters into that jukebox and every time I'd pick Reelin in the Years as one of the songs. Just like others, the song sends me back decades and is virtually a part of my young life. "Do It Again" was another. I graduated in 76.

[@DC8091]

I have to admit, if Steely Dan was more rock than jazz, they’d be one of my favorite bands ever. Lyrics and ELITE musicianship, those guys were awesome

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

In my opinion, they found the perfect balance of both.

[@lizacelarek617]

Oh man, you must not have ever listened to AJA. No better album. 😊

[@DC8091]

@@lizacelarek617 doesn’t a ring a bell. . . but I’ll I give it a shot 🍻

[@roxannemoser]

​@DC8091 you won't regret it

[@mangadolo]

They are a perfect balance or Blues, Rock and Jazz. Pull up some of their other songs like “Bodhisattva”, “My Old School”, “King of the World”, “Riki Don’t Lose That Number”, “Night By Night”, “Any Major Dude”, “Black Friday”, “Bad Sneakers”, “Everyones Gone to the Movies”, “Your Gold Teeth II”, “Any World (That Im Welcome To)”, “Throw Back the Little Ones”, “Kid Charlemagne”, “The Caves of Altamira”, “Dont Take Me Alive”, “Sign In Stranger”, “The Fez”, “Hatian Divorce”, ***The entire “Aja” album*** , “Babylon Sisters”, “Hey Nineteen”, “Time Out Of Mind”, “Jack of Speed”,and “Last Mall”.

[@Peony1307]

I have a great memory of the first time I danced to this song. Juke joint in East Texas. Still one of my very favorites. 💕💕💕👏👏👏👏👏👏👏💕

[@reddrockingeezer]

The entire album of Can't Buy A Thrill, to me, was a perfect album. I would not add or take away a single song; or eve a single note. It's a perfect album.

[@amherst88]

Thanks for this one Adam ❤-- they were one of the few sources of sanity for a teenager in the 1970's and as a 'grown-up' (now a senior citizen!) I can only say their music is simply without peer.

[@dpid98]

Such an awesome song! Those harmonies and the guitars solos are so tight. Steely Dan is one of my favorite bands so thanks for doing this❣️

[@brainrussell6811]

I was only seven when it came out and over-occupied listening to original hand-me-down Beatles albums to fully appreciate this and other songs at the time... although I remember everything that hit the radio in those days because everything kicked musical-ass! Years later, my musician older brothers schooled me up on the nuances of every aspect of musicianship/songwriting... what a blessing to "hear it all" in reflection. Great info/video!

[@briansnow9865]

This is a great song, that I must admit, I had forgotten about. I am a big fan of classic rock radio, but over the years, bands like Steely Dan don't seem to be played as much. Thanks POR for the reminder of what "classic" rock actually was thirty years ago.

[@ProfessorofRock]

No kidding!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

This song seems to be bringing in the memories.

[@sellingpeck]

A wild piece of trivia is that Chevy Chase was in a band with Fagan and Becker playing drums while they were in college. I believe they went by the name The Leather Canary.

[@witwicky735]

Growing up as a teen we had no idea what the song was about, but as a divorced adult in middle age, it's so obvious. Genius that won't really be equaled.

[@jeffreyklebert4106]

We had a band in Canada called Rose that did a smoking version of reeling in the years! They later turned into the band Toronto after some personel changes.

[@rbblackmon]

This song brings me back to my freshman year of college and my first heartbreak. My girlfriend back home sent me a Dear John letter. I played this song over and over again for I don’t know how many weeks. The cassette finally got worn out in my Walkman.

[@pedenmk]

Everytime I hear this band it reminds me of my youth in the 70s. Best decade for rock n roll ever.

[@stinkypinkeee5085]

In all my days and travels, I've only known one person who told me their favorite band ever was Steely Dan...for me, learning the origin of their band's name led me to the wonderful poetry of The Beat Generation...they wrote some damn fine tunes..."Reelin' In The Years" is an all-timer!

[@Fiona2254]

My husband also loves SD! They were so good but I have to be in that mood.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Amen to that!

[@ProfessorofRock]

I understand!

[@stinkypinkeee5085]

@@ProfessorofRock By the way, thank you for this video...I really analyzed the guitar playing after watching, because, for some reason, my ears were always tuned to either the piano or the vocals, I have been missing out by not dialing in on that Strat!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

My mom is a candidate for that honor.

[@RobScott-x2y]

That is surely one of my top ten. It just flows and builds so amazingly. Thanks for spotlighting it! Dig what you do!

[@zippitydoodah5693]

I lived and worked in and around the music scene in Nashville for 15 years. Every sound engineer, producer, and studio musician I ever met for all 15 of those years listened to Steely Dan regularly and often used them as a model for much of what they did.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

You know you’re a legend when everyone wishes they were as good as you at making music. That’s the case with Steely Dan.

[@esseen100]

Thanks for covering this song the way you did Professor, and expressing your personal experiences that way. Very reflective. Side note, I met Jeff Baxter at the NAMM conference in 2018. He was beyond kool and humble.😎

[@keiththorpe9571]

Damn, can you imagine being in that studio when Steely Dan was cranking that album out? Man, that was some magic right there!

[@DavidBeaver2112]

This song, among so many others that I grew up with, became the backbone of my musicianship. I've heard so many songs, so many times that I can practically play them by memory when called upon. The music was real back then and worth memorizing.

[@kevinfisher5492]

Love this song. I always imagined there was an interesting back story behind "The weekend at the college didn't turn out like you planned."

[@shabadoo24]

Steely Dan, I like many of their songs, Kid Charlemagne, Don't Take Me Alive, Reeling In The Years, etc

[@lindamcfarland9656]

I really love listening to your show, Professor, because you bring to light the stories of songs I have sometimes dismissed or not favored. I heard the lyric about not knowing diamonds, but more in a rote way, without really thinking about it's intention. I'm listening a little closer now 😊 Also, I think my favorite Steely Dan song is Hey Nineteen. It always reminds me of roller skating at the rink in the early 80's and what a blast that was😄

[@palmereldritch7579]

One of the best analysis/story surrounding a great modern recording that I have ever heard.

[@rogerdeahl9629]

🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉 Love Steely Dan! Great debut album. Reeling In The Years is still great to listen to today. Thanks Professor. Keep up the great work for us. You're the hardest working man in music. 👍

[@MomLAU]

That's actually my favorite album of theirs (and I have several of them).

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

One of my favorite songs of all time for a reason. Such a classic.

[@kevinrice2721]

I love how you take me back to my youth, well part of it anyway. I'm 61 so I love everything from some motown to everything you specialize in. It's my life ;)

[@rdlewis3616]

The minute I first heard “Can’t Buy a Thrill” I was hooked on this band. I still have a flood of wonderful memories when I hear it today.

[@timothybladon9958]

The last time I saw SD was in 2018 at the Summer of Living Dangerously tour, first show in Charlotte NC, and this was the encore.