Ranking the Studio Albums: Steely Dan

Join host Pete Pardo as he ranks the studio albums of the great Steely Dan. #steelydan
Listen to the songs here: podcasts.progr...

[@Shitsthebed]

The horns on "The Caves of Altimera" are sublime😍.

[@wastrel09]

tru dat

[@crusheverything4449]

I really loved AC⚡️DC when you were the singer. Brian is great, but you were the real shit. Why did you have to go and die?

[@ruebencristobal7790]

yes

[@peterheintz5253]

Agreed! It's extremely difficult for me to really put ANY of these albums in a particular ranking order. Finally one day, I decided to just listen to every album in order of release. What amazed me the most, was the evolution of the sound from each album to the next. Pretty much a steady progression into a further expansion of their musical knowledge and talent. But again, not one single "bad" album. All insanely epic in their own right.

[@gerhardvanderwesthuizen842]

Altamira

[@WCG72]

My favorite of their hired gun guitar players is definitely Larry Carlton. The solo on Kid Charlemagne is a masterpiece!!!

[@SuperStrik9]

Larry and Elliott Randall are my 2 favorites.

[@Amanda-si1qz]

Don’t forget ‘Third World Man’ on Gaucho. Gorgeous. Love Larry Carlton….. :)

[@rottenparts]

Did you pick that album up in your car?

[@garyrobinson8665]

Been listening to gaucho on repeat all week. All killer no filler. A masterpiece.

[@davidbowman4259]

Not a masterpiece. Can't Buy a Thrill, Aja, Pretzel Logic, Katy Lied and The Royal Scam are the cream of the crop.That said, all of their discs are outstanding.

[@bmardon2112]

​@@davidbowman4259gaucho is a masterpiece to me buddy

[@danpro4519]

Once I "got" Gaucho I listened to it for a month straight. Part of me wishes Fagan wasn't such a perfectionist to go with the drum machine, but the album IS smooth as silk. My personal #2 album from SD.

[@Alex-pr6zv]

If you add in the remastered outtakes, like The 2nd arrangement, The Bear and Kuli Baba, this is a top 3 SD album all time.

[@jakecathey7061]

@@bmardon2112fucking love that album

[@RADThird1]

"Got the Steely Dan T-Shirt"

[@jamesmack3314]

They don't give a fuck about anybody else...

[@robertrodriguez9050]

@@jamesmack3314 And for the coup d gras?

[@scabbarae]

@@robertrodriguez9050 THEY'RE OUTRAGEOUS now honey let me tell ya

[@helciomazzuco4422]

"The Royal Scam" is truly a masterpiece!

[@HollowGolem]

Definitely my favorite of theirs.

[@mnikolic-pz9yy]

by far their best album

[@iridescent-frog1059]

100% their best alongside Aja

[@totalpartykill999]

oh yeah it is

[@grant5603]

It’s incredible, but I don’t consider it quite a masterpiece. There are certain songs/sections I think could be better- e.g. Caves - fantastic chorus melody, but I thought the way they resolve it at the end of the chorus could have been better. Aja... yeah masterpiece

[@gusflorianschnaider1910]

"GAUCHO" is a Real MASTERPIECE, a work of outstanding artistry, with the tremendous special guests like Anthony Jackson and Chuck Rainey on BASS, Hiram Bullock, Larry Carlton, Rick Derringer, Steve Khan, Mark Knopfler, Hugh McCracken on GUITARS!!! Steve Gadd, Rick Marotta, Jeff Porcaro (Genius), Bernard Purdie (the really maestro) on DRUMS....Michael Brecker - sax/Randy Brecker - trumpet, flugelhorn/David Sanborn - sax/David Tofani - sax....Victor Feldman, Ralph MacDonald, Patti Austin, Michael McDonald, Valerie Simpson, Joe Sample and Don Grolnick on KEYS And Much Much Much More!!! Just to listen tracks like "Babylon Sisters" with Bernard Purdie and his unique shuffle!! God bless that metronome Man!!!!

[@iridescent-frog1059]

The Royal Scam is by far their most interesting and powerful, creative album absolutely love it. Truly a masterpiece

[@dentoncohen8188]

Their BEST album-one of the greatest albums ever produced-is Aja. My FAVORITE album is Katy Lied. Steely Dan never disappoints.

[@thekivster]

Why is Katy Lied your favorite?

[@curly_wyn]

Aja? No. It’s way too smooth and vanilla. Their best album is Pretzel Logic.

[@beyondz55]

Best Steely Dan album: ALL OF THEM

[@steelydanfan100]

Chrono Logic Their output is beyond category. The older I get, the more I listen. Amazing.

[@MrMusic193]

It was listening to Steely Dan that got me into Larry Carlton

[@ingridstrickland8768]

Mr Music Larry Carlton played at the Classic East concert summer of 2017 when Walter fell ill. I had waited 40 years to see them along with the Eagles at Citi Field that summer and missed seeing both Glenn Fry and Walter.

[@1wired4sound]

I’m 60 and was into Sabbath/UFO/Judas Priest/ Robin Trower etc. like you said I knew SD but didn’t appreciate them till my 30’s. I would be torture for me to rank them, they are all so incredibly good

[@Revelwoodie]

So...Sabbath, UFO, Judas Priest, Robin Trower, and Steely Dan? In other words, you have good taste.

[@ifilmalways7122]

40 years later and I still rock to Zeppelin, Maiden, Sabbath, etc.... to this very day

[@1wired4sound]

IFilmAlways I do too but my tastes have expanded

[@ifilmalways7122]

@@1wired4sound Agreed..

[@liraloo]

The Royal Scam, Aja and Gaucho are all masterpieces imo. Steely Dan at their finest.

[@AndI0td763]

Agreed, those are my top 3. But you really can’t go wrong with any album of the classic run.

[@kevinhallisey5201]

I know this isn't on a Steely Dan album, but I think "FM" is one of their great songs.

[@jamesmack3314]

Kevin Hallisey no static at all

[@sonicgrub]

It sure is. Haven't seen that movie since its release. Wonder how it holds up?

[@kdj0706]

Such a cool tune. I so love Brecker's initial sax solo on what I would characterize as the real song. Wish they'd taken time to come up with more thoughtful sax & guitar solos in the follow up section Loose jam with little musical statement by guys with so much more to offer..

[@kevinhallisey5201]

Kdj0706 Right on. Never broke it out that way, but I went back and listened to it, and you are right on the money.......and don't even get me started on 'Kid Charlemagne".

[@sonicgrub]

@@kdj0706 I can't find any info of a "Brecker" playing sax on the song F.M.

[@roxannewalsh]

The first six albums (in release order) are masterpieces, the rest still are very good albums. There is hardly any bad track or filler on any Steely Dan album. One of the most consistently brilliant discography of any band ever. I bought the first album right in 1972 when I heard Do It Again on the radio and any subsequent album as soon as I became aware of its release and each one was a revelation. Aja and Gaucho both took some time and at first listening did not reveal their full potential. Until I noticed that I could not get some hooks or lines out of my mind for days and slowly began to acquire them. 1. Countdown to Ecstasy (this is on the list of my 25 best albums of all time) 2. Can't Buy a Thrill 3. The Royal Scam 4. Katy Lied 5. Aja 6. Pretzel Logic 7. Gaucho 8. Two Against Nature 9. Everything Must Go

[@MetalJesusRocks]

I’m kinda like you, I couldn’t get into the band when I was a young man, I was much more into rock and metal. But over the decades I’ve really started to appreciate the brilliance of the band…. And now I’m a super fan. So much great stuff in their discography.

[@h.m.7218]

Same for me. I've known and liked SD's music forever but the older I get, the more appreciative of it I'm now becoming. Now I'm 59, it's become one of my alltime top 3.

[@jdmalanga]

I agree with your ranking but you cannot go wrong with any of the top 7. All stellar records. What an incredible catalog!

[@TheLongCut1]

"Can't Buy a Thrill" is a desert island disc for me. "Midnight Cruiser," "Brooklyn" - top to bottom phenomenal.

[@walterbortz5497]

Could not agree more! I listen to these guys a lot and keep returning to these tunes. Just mindblowingly good music!

[@JeffYoungTube]

"Night By Night" = MOST underrated Dan tune - prove me wrong! :P

[@truckerkevthepaidtourist]

great choice for the underated one Jeff... I kinda a dig the later one of their's Cousin Dupree myself LOL

[@murraywoods7909]

Agreed. Best guitar work was Don't Take Me Alive-Larry Carlton. IMV.

[@TheFloydios]

Its up there but I love "Third World Man" no one ever talks about that song

[@joseluishernandezdelgado2866]

Totally agree

[@bernlin2000]

Kinda hard to prove "most underrated"...much of SD's catalog is underrated by popular music (especially today).

[@davestarns]

I grew up in a college town, and for a while when I was a teenager, they (Southeastern LA university) had a “$2 Concert” series, live shows by up-and-coming but largely-unknown bands for, yes, really, two dollars. I was 14 in the fall of ‘72, and my best friend Chuck had to talk me into going to see a show by these two bands we’d never heard of. I was reluctant because we’d gone to the previous one, a Mac “Baby, Don’t Get Hooked on Me” Davis solo show, and had left, bored, partway through, so I hated the idea of wasting another $2. But they were just starting to play “Listen to the Music” on the radio and I liked it, so I went with him to see The Doobie Brothers with Steely Dan opening. It was mind-blowing, the most unexpectedly brilliant show I’ve ever seen.

[@universal-zy5bh]

Now that's a great combo SD and Doobie Bros!!

[@lupcokotevski2907]

The Dan were very influenced by the New York prodigy, Laura Nyro, particularly her revolutionary 1968 jazz pop masterpiece LP 'Eli and the Thirteenth Confession', recorded with a host of jazz greats such as Zoot Sims, as well as Hugh McCracken and Chuck Rainey. The title track Eli's Comin' is fantastic. See youtube discussions of Nyro and her LP by Todd Rundgren ("it blew everybody's mind"), Elton John ("she influenced more successful songwriters than anyone"), and Alice Cooper. In a Rolling Stone podcast about a year ago, Donald discusses Nyro's influence on the Dan. Nyro is Songwriters Hall of Fame, Rock Hall of Fame.

[@lorenzodicapo6305]

I grew up in the seventies. I can remember when pretty much every song on Can't Buy a Thrill got radio play. Has that ever happened for another band's debut, maybe other that the Beatles? I would sit with my music nerd friends and we'd listen to the records on repeat, trying to suss out the lyrics, and being blown away by the sheer musicianship displayed. There will never be another band like Steely Dan. RIP Walter

[@jamesmack3314]

Actually all you ever heard were Reeling,Do it again,and ricki.....not much else

[@brandonjones1374]

Still got all the 70s albums on vinyl . Such a great band. Top 5 are: 1. Aja 2. Can't buy a Thrill 3. Royal Scam 4. Pretzel Logic 5. Countdown to Ecstasy

[@todedo]

SD had this phenomenal production with excellent sound quality and brilliant mixing on all albums. They're first on the list when testing jazzy pop on hi end audio for sure. Love all their albums. Aja is my fav followed by the Royal Scam. Great channel!

[@kenezstefan1418]

Great video, Pete. I think you shouldn't have to explain yourself that much when it comes to ranking albums. Your opinion is as valid as our and I respect it. Thanks.

[@seaoftranquilityprog]

Sadly, a good third of the people who watch don't get the concept. I'm kinda done with giving the disclaimer at the beginning, so it will be disappearing.

[@xmandlt]

@@seaoftranquilityprog - Wait... Countdown To Ecstasy not ranked first?? (kidding)

[@griffinconaway732]

@@seaoftranquilityprog Good choice on Royal Scam at 1, those first three songs might be best three to start an album ever imo.

[@picardmadeoff1068]

@@seaoftranquilityprog An argument(from me) could be made to rank Royal Scam 1a, Aja 1b and Gaucho 1c based upon one's mood at the time, the amount of tequila flowing through the blood stream and proximity to NYC, LA or Tokyo. As each album, dam right I said album, represents those locales very well. BTW, just found your youtube page, it is solid and thanks!

[@murraypft]

Like your ranking. Royal Scam has ALWAYS been my fav SD album.

[@jamesmack3314]

Yes...

[@alejandrovarelagandara7874]

It was my always fav too!

[@conspiracionesy]

I love this band, I must admit I haven't heard their complete discography, so I am going to try just a top 5: 1 Gaucho 2 Aja 3 The Royal Scam 4 Pretzel Logic 5 Katty Lied

[@mr.krinkle952]

Gaucho at No. 1? Thats interesting.

[@alanbodell2050]

I'm an English offshore oil worker, worked with a Taylor diver from New Orleans in our North Sea back in the 70's, he gave me a tape of Steely Dan and wow, brilliant stuff all through, very few Brits i know have been exposed to them believe that ?, Aja for me but like you say.....they're all superb.

[@petersymes8467]

Too bad you couldn't have included "NightFly" Fegan's first single piece of work. one of my favorites.

[@picardmadeoff1068]

Larry Carlton rips it apart on this album!

[@shizuokaBLUES]

Never listened to it. Guess I’ll look it up and give it a whirl

[@ingridstrickland8768]

Peter Symes I 😍 NightFly!

[@stewlincs8377]

Agreed. Possibly the best songs Fagan wrote. Maxine is one of the best things ever recorded.

[@shizuokaBLUES]

Stew Lincs I have just finished listening to the album for the first time on a sunny drive along the coast here. Sublime. Maxine? I concur

[@johntabacco]

Every album in order of release shows a refinement of the musical, and lyrical elements Becker and Fagen are ultimately known for. The chords and melodies become more complex and the lyrics becomes more multilayered. Steely Dan's whole catalog is a real work of art in the realm of 20th century popular music.

[@jacoblaubenthal2931]

Can't Buy a Thrill, best album of all time for me, I've listened to it a million times, I plan on listening for million more.

[@PhilBaird1]

Good post Jacob. I've been listening to it for 45 years and I've never got tired of it. It's an old friend with a real emotional connection.

[@bramleydragon]

Good man, my choice too Jacob.

[@lyndamcardle4123]

Agree with you...their first was their best..more of a band album !

[@annode]

I too am very fond of this album. The movie soundtrack LP they recorded just before 'Thrill' (walk it like you talk it) oddly does not show much of the writing talent Becker and Fagan present shortly after.

[@sidefish8362]

Kings and Fire in the Hole. so good

[@blackcatcentralmusic]

Mostly agree, but for me "Countdown to Ecstasy" should be higher.

[@MacXpert74]

I agree, would definitely be a top 3 SD album for me. Depending on what I feel like that day it might be number 1 actually. :)

[@glynrhodes3212]

Countdown is definitely number 1 - on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Pretzel is number 1 on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. On Sunday it's Aja. Thrill should not be so high. Some great tracks but some not so good … and Dirty Work is dreadful. The best ever live rendition of Reelin' In The Years was at Wembley, London last year with Mr Randall !!!!

[@titanus49]

Agree. For me the song that really became a 'brain Worm " on Countdown to Ecstasy is Razor Boy,that slide guitar by Jeff"Skunk" Baxter is just too sublime

[@blackcatcentralmusic]

@@titanus49 Yes... underrated song on that album. Beautiful.

[@iconicon5642]

@@MacXpert74 Definitely Numero Uno - Jeff Baxter fabulous player

[@obbor4]

It's always been 'Royal Scam' for me. The stories, the music, the memories. Pete's order on this one would me similar to mine. They sure had a lot of good stuff!

[@paulanuszkiewicz7704]

A large part of the soundtrack of my teenage years. Very high quality "sophisticated" rock music, in terms of lyrical subjects and musicianship. What a catalog indeed! RIP Walter. 😔

[@twobeer3316]

Don't Take me Alive. Close your eyes, and just listen to the guitar work in that song a few times. Spectacular...

[@murraywoods7909]

You are correct. It was also difficult to play. I have seen/heard LC three times. He is such a great guitarist.

[@1jimmy534]

two beer that intro! Wow!

[@kdj0706]

I so love that opening solo by Larry Carlton. Absolutely classic.

[@jbognap]

And those lyrics!

[@steelydanfan100]

“ Don’t Take me Alive” is just a sublime , turgid track about a most disagreeable subject. In other words, vintage Steely Dan .

[@SRV2013]

1. Katy Lied 2. Royal Scam 3. Can't Buy a Thrill 4. Aja 5. Steely Dan's Greatest Hits (1978 version) 6. Pretzel Logic 7. Countdown to Ecstasy 8. Gaucho 9. Two Against Nature 10. Everything Must Go But, as you say, all are so close as to be unrankable. Been listening since 1976 and I'm not tired of them yet.

[@universal-zy5bh]

Like that you included 5 - love that Greatest Hits (1978) double album!

[@justmadeit2]

Best album cover is either pretzel logic or the royal scam

[@philiptate8009]

New subscriber... THIS video sold me on subscribing. I absolutely love your passion. This and the Sabbath ranking video are my favs, so far. Keep up the great work. Cheers. :)

[@neugey]

Don't profess to be a Steely Dan expert, but up to this point Katy Lied has clicked with me the most.

[@peace__777]

That seems to be the one most DanHeads agree on. Me, howrver, being a contrarian, would say their best album was, "Gaucho."

[@dalesmith5370]

Loved that album. I owned it as a teenager.

[@stephenadamsmusicalinterpr4203]

Can't go wrong with that one. Any of them for that matter.

[@marsazorean62]

I love that album.

[@marijanbrkic4875]

@@apollomemories7399 "Pretzel Logic" imo, I return to it most often.

[@daveowens9849]

1. "Can't Buy a Thrill". I bought this album when I was 15 years old when it was released back in 72. Well, I bought the 8 track. And now I own all the cd's. But this was the one that hooked me, so it's number one. 2. "Aja". Just too good to drop any farther. 3. "Pretzel Logic". "Rikki Don't Lose That Number" is filled with a ton of memories. High school, first love, broken hearts. 4. "Gaucho". "Hey Nineteen" just rocks man. 5. "Katy Lied". Soundtrack from the senior year in high school. "Black Friday". 6. "Two Against Nature". This album was a pleasant surprise. 7. "The Royal Scam". 8. "Countdown to Ecstasy". 9. "Everything Must Go".

[@dt1978]

Steely Dan, love 'em to death. Love everything they've released. The top three, at different points, each ranked as my #1, so they are almost interchangeable. Here would be my rankings: 9. Everything Must Go 8. Two Against Nature 7. Can't Buy A Thrill 6. Countdown To Ectasy 5. Gaucho 4. Katy Lied 3. Aja 2. Pretzel Logic 1. The Royal Scam I wish Fagen could/would release many of these outtakes, demos, unfinished tracks that are scattered throughout YT, officially on CD. Many of them are quite good (I especially love Stand By The Seawall, a late-night jazz-fusion pop instrumental treat which didn't make the final cut on Aja.) One thing I love about Pete is the fact that he listens to (and still buys) actual CDs. I've never converted to the downloading thing. I just can't do it. Weird as it sounds, I love the sound of the CD cases clapping together, one by one, as he's wrapping up each list near the end of these album ranking videos.

[@josh_uz1520]

"Third World Man" always leaves me wanting more xD

[@daveferguson7738]

SD is timeless. Agree Royal Scam and Aja are interchangeable at the top. Would throw in Gaucho at three. “Time Out Of Mind” is one of my favorite songs of all time. Listening to the Dan was unforgettable in the moment.

[@JeremiahLVB]

"King of the World".... sublime.

[@jamesmack3314]

As far as I know

[@steelydanfan100]

The synthesizer solo is just so retro cool. And the guitar interplay with the synthesizer as “ King “ draws to a close. “ Countdown to Ecstasy” has the most “band” feel of the Dan’s albums . You just can’t go wrong with that band !

[@gordonorante509]

Got it Pete killer steely Dan love it.

[@edbarnes2686]

One of my favorite bands! Excellent job, Pete! Thanks for bringing attention to this fabulous, and sometimes forgotten, band.

[@polska1958]

Steely Dan is one of the few bands that really didn't have a stinker album.

[@bramleydragon]

Very true Joseph.

[@robgronotte1]

Until Gaucho.

[@kevinhallisey5201]

James Mack The movie was good but I always thought the song was great. It is on the "FM" soundtrack, but I think it's also on a greatest hits album.

[@johnnyho8765]

I thought Two against Nature was awful but I do like Jack of Speed.

[@dwftube]

@@robgronotte1 Sorry have to disagree - I think it's one of their best.

[@simonboyers4917]

The Intro to 'The Boston Rag' has been playing in my head for two weeks now; and I'm not sure what to replace it with.

[@jamesmack3314]

Johnny was the kingpin back in 1965!!! The guitar break in that song rocks!!!

[@mattmccormick7443]

Nothing, keep it there.

[@jamesmack3314]

Matt Mccormick don’t take me alive might be a good choice

[@williambaxter4628]

Simon Boyers the rest of the song.

[@jamesmack3314]

And night by night

[@nateworzel6044]

I draw a distinction between what I call my favorite and what I call "the best." For me "best" usually means most rhythmically and harmonically sophisticated but I will give you my favorite Dan albums to listen to- 7. Countdown to Ecstasy 6. Can't Buy a Thrill 5. Pretzel Logic 4. Royal Scam 3. Gaucho 2. Katy Lied 1. Aja

[@stevegirardmedia2255]

Some bands or solo artists have a way of both touching your heart and broadening your horizons. The Dan has become part of my DNA since the day in 1973 when I bought my first 2 albums on wonderful HQ 8-track format: Doobie Bros ‘Captain & Me’ and SD’s ‘Can’t Buy a Thrill’. Life-altering Music.

[@universal-zy5bh]

Agree on Doobie Brothers and Steely Dan!

[@belin-teamdjokovic1628]

My two favorites are "The Royal Scam" (for me it has the strongest jazz-rock vibe, in a Blood Sweat & Tears vein, and features prominently an amazing horn section) and "Pretzel Logic" (for the variety of genres it incorporates). Then "Aja", "Katy Lied" and "Gaucho" (which I really like, with the title track being a masterpiece - and the Jarrett's controversy is just preposterous - but it has a big turndown in its longest track, "Glamour Profession"). Then "Can't Buy A Thrill" and "Countdown To Ecstasy". But, as you said, in each of them there are four/five tracks that are close to perfection. That's it for their classic catalogue. Then there are the two reunion albums. I only have "Two Against Nature": it's good (I especially like "Jack Of Speed" and "West Of Hollywood", with a shimmering Chris Potter) but in a kind of different league.

[@fcamiola]

There are no bad albums, only bad sneakers.

[@steelyman08]

Thanks. Enjoyed that. I have all of their album playlists on my channel up until (and including) Gaucho. Aja & Pretzel Logic are neck & neck when it comes to viewers, etc. The Royal Scam comes in next. I'm only offering this up as a point of interest, not to contradict anyone or make any staggering point. Love them all. Steely Dan just took it all into another dimension where others simply cannot gain access!

[@scifiwriter98]

I grew up with Steely Dan at that certain age when music is the soundtrack of your daily life - from 16 to 25 or so. Can't Buy A Thrill was released close to my 19th birthday and I remember hearing Do It Again and Reeling In the Years all over the radio dial, from Top 10 to FM rock stations. Steely Dan came on the scene at the time other American bands like The Doobie Brothers and The Eagles and I put Steely Dan in the same category of AM friendly rock music. But as they continued to release albums Steely Dan became one of my favorite bands, each album they released being more complex and better than the last. For me their best albums were the ones they released in the middle of their career 1. Katy Lied - The perfect mix of jazz and rock. 2. The Royal Scam - Some of the best guitar solos ever recorded on a Steely Dan album. Take a bow, Larry. 3. Pretzel Logic - Their lyrics had a way of speaking to the listener like no other band I know of, and Any Major Dude is the best example that comes to mind, followed by Rikki, Don't Lose that Number. 4. Aja - A stunning technical achievement, but by this point Steely Dan had forsaken their ability to rock in exchange for filling their songs with jazz chords. Aja is my favorite Steely Dan songs, but I get bored quickly with the smooth jazz style of Peg and Josie. 5. Countdown to Ecstasy - This could easily be my number three pick over Pretzel Logic. It's and essential album to own, if only for the inclusion of two of my favorite Steely Dan songs, Bodhisattva and King of the World, that flat out rock. 6. Can't Buy A Thrill 7. Gaucho 8. Two Against Nature

[@dalesmith5370]

Donald Fagan's solo work is just as good. Steely Dan is one of my top two favorite bands for sure. Aja is #1 for me.

[@stephen1562]

As are Walter's two

[@jesuschambers]

One of the very few bands that don't have a bad or worst album, they are all great in their own special way. I wholeheartedly agree that The Royal Scam is their masterpiece and it also contains my favourite track of theirs: Don't take me alive. Surely the best intro of any song in the annals of rock history.

[@feber16]

I bought my first Steely Dan album in 1977 and it was Royal Scam. I much later got their earlier albums (and later ones). Royal Scam has always been my favorite (I am not even going to try to rank the others). Years ago I read various SD rankings which put Royal Scam low on the list. I never understood that - so many great songs on the album!

[@DJeffvegas1]

Sophisticated Rock. That’s Steely Dan.

[@jamesmack3314]

True "heads" got it...sophisticated stoners

[@youtoo2233]

Ive liked SD for decades myself, but really was only familiar with the hits, but in recent years have been chilling to much more

[@bryanbyrde8338]

It’s great to see so much love for the unique Steely Dan. Their albums really are works of art! As I’m not much of a jazz aficionado, I tend to prefer their earlier recordings to the more critically acclaimed releases like Aja. The album that I listen to most regularly is Pretzel Logic, although all of their first 5 albums are brilliant in my view.

[@obnoxiousoboe]

The song Aja is my second favorite song of all time. I just love going back to the interlude on that; it just keeps getting better and better as the song progresses. Steve Gadd and Wayne Shorter of some of the best jazz musicians out there and it always tears me up whenever I listen to it, whenever I listen to them on that track. You can tell it's a masterpiece when it strikes you hard like that.

[@duncanbleak3819]

As a fan for over 40+ years have never heard anyone even mention my favorite Steely Dan album, Royal Scam, on their list. You sir are clearly a genius!!

[@allthingsclassicrock]

Man I love the Dan, if you put a gun to my head and made me choose my favorite I would say “Katy Lied.” Just a sublime record. A great rainy day record. I also love “The Royal Scam” about equally. I look at both albums as companion pieces, a double feature. Great video as usual Pete!

[@weitzen]

What a band , and you are so right.....NO BAD ALBUMS!!! Just some are slightly less awesome than others!!!

[@tonyallen4265]

Awesome! My favorite band ever! And I agree with your ranking and thoughts. Great job. Thank you for the wonderful appreciation of a fantastic group. Fagen and Becker - Rock gods.

[@DrumBragg]

Je suis d'accord! I agree with your top choice. Wonderful album. But now I need to listen to more Steely Dan.

[@BritProgJazz]

It's so tough eh? If push came to shove I think Countdown to Ecstasy is mine favourite. Depends what day you ask me though! Great clip as always Pete!

[@agrimmke]

Least to most favorite: Everything must go Two against nature Pretzel Logic Can't Buy a Thrill The Royal Scam Countdown To Extasy Gaucho Aja Katy Lied

[@summertime_blooz]

As Pete said, Steely Dan's music has aged extremely well like a fine wine. After Aja, which is perfect, I lean to their Pop oriented albums (that's just me), but they are all very very good to great. 1)Aja 2)Katy Lied 3)Pretzel Logic 4)Royal Scam The Nightfly-Donald Fagen (I won't give it a number but c'mon, this belongs in here) 5)Countdown To Ecstasy 6)Gaucho 7)Can't Buy A Thrill 8) Two Against Nature 9) Everything Must Go

[@RonaldBrown59]

Great list, and thanks for sharing.

[@garymartin6802]

The quality from Can't Buy A Thrill to Aja is outstanding but for me, Countdown To Ecstasy is the definitive Steely Dan album.

[@CP-lp9pb]

I'm with you! My favorite is 'Countdown To Ecstasy' followed closely by 'Aja'! I'm 62 and I've been a fan since they first came on the scene.

[@countdown2xstacy]

Is there gas in the car, yes there’s gas in the car !

[@chadowens8565]

Yesssss! Such a great line!

[@jamesmack3314]

I think the people down the hall know who you are

[@HuntChicagoHomes]

careful what you carry

[@countdown2xstacy]

Cause the man is wise You are still an outlaw in there eyes

[@jamesmack3314]

Get along kid Charlemagne

[@blehoo1]

Thank you - it's so good to hear these opinions from fellow Dan lovers. I'coming in there with mine. I think it is tempting to let nostalgia get the better of things and I guess it does also come down to which 'period' you like a little more - earlier or later or later again. For what it's worth though this is my ranking and again - just for the record - all are absolute masterpieces. 1.Gaucho 2. Aja 3. The Royal Scam. 4. Katy Lied 5. Everything Must Go 6. Two Against Nature 7. Countdown To Ecstasy 8. Pretzel logic 9. Can't Buy A Thrill. Love on all

[@gwts1171]

My list was the same as yours, Pete, except the bottom two were flipped. A band called The Ergs have a song with the lyrics. "I met a girl named Aja, she said her Dad loved Steely Dan. I laughed and asked if her sister's name was Katy." Great song. :)

[@joesaxon6566]

Two Against Nature is SO underrated! What a Shame About Me is maybe the quintessential Dan tune...

[@a.s.vanhoose1545]

That album may be the best album OF ALL TIME.

[@terrycarthy4433]

"Can't buy a thrill" is a lyric in a Dylan tune from- I think - Blonde on Blonde (I know/ would recognize but forget the name of the song).

[@tubatalabal]

"It Takes a Lot to Laugh, It Takes a Train to Cry" from Highway 61 Revisited.

[@richarddavies6365]

Pete, you’re absolutely right about Steely Dan growing on you over the years. I didn’t really give two hoots about them when I was in my teens and early 20s. I’m in my 30s now, and I probably enjoy listening to them more now than ever before. So polished and sophisticated. Earlier I was mostly into rootsy, blues-based rock n roll (Rolling Stones, Hendrix, Zeppelin, Allman Bros, Little Feat, The Band, etc.), but now I can take in just about anything. Jazz is no longer a four-letter word, for example.

[@someguy2135]

Since I first heard them in the 70's, Steely Dan has been my favorite.

[@marcelob4132]

The Royal Scam and Countdown To Ecstasy are perfect from start to finish. Other albums are good but not as consistent as those two

[@bernlin2000]

I would argue that Aja is also perfect, through and through. "Sign in Stranger" is a bit of a letdown on Royal Scam in comparison to the rest of the album (and slows the groove down too much when the album is played live in its entirety), but I could listen to Aja through and through without getting burned out...such an incredible production.

[@marcelob4132]

@@bernlin2000 Aja is a classic and on my Top 3 SD albums, but I find myself always skipping the title song.

[@ronkline7019]

@@marcelob4132 The song Aja for me is in my top 5 SD songs

[@-onyx2626]

Ding!ding! we have a winner.

[@CaseAgainstFaith1]

When I was in high school, I hated Steely Dan. I only wanted to hear Zep, AC/DC, Sabbath, etc. Now they are among my favorite bands.

[@ChrisPropfeMusicallyObsessed]

I’ve just gotten into Steely Dan over the last few years . You’re right, our musical tastes change and I have really been on a jazz kick. Steely Dan brings the best of Jazz and rock. Great ranking!

[@Toracube]

Love em. Great website too !!!

[@tondewit2000]

The royal scam, absolutely the best, great guitar solo's, Every song on the album is great!

[@jamesmack3314]

I'm with you....really their last "rock" album

[@FuturePast2019]

Also their best sounding album... Starring Larry Carlton. He's still playing these songs live? kzbin.info/www/bejne/fmLLdXdsdrCGgbM

[@denisouellette1052]

Some credit to Gary Katz one great producer

[@jml-rj5re]

Katz corralled the studio musicians. Walter and Donald "produced" the albums.

[@MrSparklespring]

Sure you hear the difference when he wasn't Involved anymore.

[@someoneorother2222]

Greetings from England. OK, no-one else seems to have ranked the albums. I will have a go and you can all tell me where I went wrong. This is not necessarily a "worst to best" list but I think it is my "least favourite to favourite" (at the moment) it could change, but my favourite album never changes and while I know no-one will agree with me, it has my favourite Steely Dan song on it. In other words my favourite song by my favourite band, so why wouldn't I love it? 9. Everything Must Go (this one felt like an afterthought. but the more I listen to "Godwhacker"...what a groove!) 8. Gaucho (still a wonderful record but if only "The Second Arrangement" had survived) 7. Two Against Nature (waited years for this one of course. "Jack of Speed" and "West of Hollywood" made it worth the wait. 6. Aja (Often puzzled over why this is their biggest seller then I remember how brilliant "Deacon Blues", "Josie" and the title track all are) 5. Pretzel Logic (I know most people will rank this one higher but I actually consider some of the tracks on here to be "filler." Not Rikki, Night By Night, Any Major Dude or the title track though.) 4. The Royal Scam (Donald and Walter simply didn't write many songs better than "Kid Charlemagne" and for that matter neither did anyone else.) 3 Can't Buy A Thrill (The best debut album of all-time? That's another argument for another day, but for me it probably is) 2. Countdown To Ecstasy (most bands would love to write a song as beautiful as "Pearl OF The Quarter" but here it is surrounded by so many other classics that people hardly seem to notice that is even there.) 1. Katy Lied (I know I will be in a minority with this choice but this is the Steely Dan album I always go to first. I adore every second of it.) And if anyone has read this far, thank you and keep on enjoying Steely Dan.

[@jamesmack3314]

I played the royal scam relentlessly during senior year 1979...And I never get tired of hearing Kid Charlemagne

[@Pedro2706]

Hey-that was the European Tour T shirt (2007?) -bought one when they played Liverpool.Now being worn by my 18 year old daughter at University-spread the news!

[@sidneyeubanks2201]

Royal Scam is my favorite Steely Dan album

[@leebaker9300]

I agree. Their discography is oh so brilliant across the board. 1. Aja 2. Countdown to Ecstasy 3. Pretzel Logic 4. The Royal Scam 5. Can't Buy a Thrill 6. Katy Lied 7. Two Against Nature 8. Gaucho (seems low, but I still think it's great!) 9. Everything Must Go (deserves more of a listen from me to be fair) As ever, great content Pete. Keep it up!

[@incognitoone]

Love your shirt!

[@jameshoward-white2288]

My Dad got married with a fez on, because he said "I'm never gonna do it without the fez on"

[@steelydanfan100]

😂👍

[@neonknight821]

Jimmy Page has reportedly said Elliot Randall's guitar solo on "Reelin' In The Years" is his favorite solo of all time.

[@crusheverything4449]

rj zander - Yeah, who’s this no-name Page guy? And who gives a shit? What’s he ever done? 🤨

[@jamesmack3314]

Nothing in a good long while..

[@neonknight821]

@@jamesmack3314 Actually that's incorrect and please tell us all of your legacy..

[@jamesmack3314]

Shawn D Listen there is no doubting the man’s resume and the incredible music he created but I’m talking about recent recording and touring he’s really done neither even though he claimed he was going to now he’s too old

[@jamesmack3314]

apollomemories73 I believe he was being facetious

[@nytrayfl2]

I’m a later fan so I think that reflects my ranking differently than if I were there from the start. I was either too young or not musically mature enough back than. 1) Katy Lied 2) Two Against Nature 3) Aja 4) Gaucho 5) The Royal Scam 6) Pretzel Logic 7) Countdown to Ecstasy 8) Can’t Buy a Thrill 9) Everything Must Go

[@saintmichael1779]

I am 64 years old, and I liked Steely Dan when I was younger. I listen now mostly to classical and jazz (both instrumental and vocal). When I was a sophomore in college, my roommate had "Countdown to Ecstasy" cassette and cheap mono player. I listened to Steely Dan on the car radio and that was about it. Since that time, I've gotten a decent stereo and some decent headphones. And yeah, Steely Dan blows me away. Incidentally, I am 666 on your like list.

[@craigfazekas3923]

I lean toward the original band, David Palmer or not- doesn't matter. The keys are Skunk, Denny Diaz & Jim Hodder. Love that early stuff....😎

[@Dermot2927]

Me too, that lineup and Skynyrd brought me so much joy in those early Seventies summers. The Dan became a different entity then, Becker/Fagen and a host of hired hands. Also brilliant, but slightly more erudite and clinical than the scruffy bunch lounging in the studio on the cover of Countdown to Ecstasy.

[@craigfazekas3923]

@@Dermot2927 Bingo. Couldn't have described it better...especially the scruffy musicians in the studio shot. To me, that was The Dan !!

[@jamesmack3314]

Don't forget Elliot Randall

[@jamesmack3314]

Skunk with the Olympia beer tank!!

[@63saruman]

Steely Dan’s songs are perfect, imho.

[@jamiebelilah193]

Here's my ranking for Steely Dan albums: 1 the Royal Scam. 2 Asia 3 countdown to exstacy 4 Katy Lied 5 cant buy a thrill 6 two against nature 7 Gaucho 8 pretzel logic 9 Everything must go. Steely Dan was always in my life since I was 13 years old. It was also the band that my mother and I bonded over. I brought the records home and my mother decided she liked Steely Dan a whole lot. We used to prepare dinner parties at home and would cook to Steely Dan. Great fond memories. I was so happy she liked one of the bands I listened to, but after a while, she even liked Led Zeppelin but not all Zeppelin. I remember being constantly asked for my music to be turned down.

[@kimelmbleika1432]

I agree, great stuff on all of them. Donald Fagens solo work is also a joy listening to. I always come back to Steely Dan.

[@TheDarryl76]

Even though these song weren't on any of their albums but FM, True Companion and Big Noise New York are stellar standouts. Again, their entire catalog is phenomenal. 🤛✌💖💯

[@martykott5565]

Pretzel Logic edges out Aja for album, Dirty Work edges out Home At Last for song. God Damn, I miss the 70s

[@jamesmack3314]

I got the news edges out .....with a gun?

[@-onyx2626]

CTE for me, but Dirty Work...whoa, especially the Pointers cover. Not the original vocal.

[@jamesmack3314]

Robert Smith Pointers cover that garbage

[@stephen1562]

Great pick for albums, my top two too.

[@garyjskadra1180]

5 - Countdown To Ecstasy 4 - Pretzel Logic 3 - Aja 2 - The Royal Scam 1 - Can't Buy A Thrill

[@Redhand1949]

I agree with your #1 pick. "Here at the Western World" is my absolute favorite Steely Dan song. Such lyrics! Dissolution, languid depression and despair, and a sense of hold on by your fingernails nihilism. One simply has to wonder what the inspiration was. Same with "Don't take me alive." "Luckless pedestrian," man oh man.

[@PhilBaird1]

It's one of mine too Brian. You put it beautifully. This song seems to describe and capture that sense of an ending, and the place where many of the characters in Dan songs will eventually find themselves.

[@monacaravetta]

Well staed, Brian. I was a kid in a home filled with violence and I think SD's lyrics made me feel like I wasn't alone- it helped me process my feelings and took me places musically I forever will cherish.