Steely Dan - The Royal Scam (REACTION)

‪@AirplayBeats‬ reacts to Steely Dan’s The Royal Scam
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[@markstromberg1148]

One of the most unfairly under-rated songs on one of the most unfairly under-rated albums ever! Steely Dan were compositional virtuosos.

[@USGrant-rr2by]

I think the Royal Scam is probably 4 or 5 on this album. It would be #1 on ANYONE ELSE'S!!

[@krob-sn7ek]

Well said.... They are amazing

[@ubilo]

Steely Dan - The boomers' gift to the universe.

[@jasonralph4286]

Ain't that the truth! What a time to be. ALIVE...

[@MichaelB12345]

After 50 years you can’t compare their albums, they are each phenomenal. They never recoded a bad song. EVER

[@davelandsman4768]

As someone who grew up in the '70s thank you for spotlighting THE GREATEST BAND EVER!!!!

[@cindipossidento5688]

AGREE 💯 %

[@manw3bttcks]

This song means a lot now (2024)

[@cousmaster]

This album is 47 years old.....IT CANT BE THIS GOOD RIGHT? ITS OUR IMAGINATION

[@steved525]

I love this song .. to me the best title track of any Steely Dan album. Sharing this explanation of the Royal Scam lyrics that made a lot of sense to me... This song is about the wave of Puerto Ricans (Saint John = San Juan) who immigrated to NYC to escape poverty on their own island because they've heard all the stories about the streets here figuratively being paved with gold. When they get here, they find it it's not trivial to prosper, and have to settle for sleeping in small, overcrowded tenements with two dozen of their countrymen. Their presence sets them at odds with the dominant, established minority who consider the low-rent portions of the city to be their exclusive territory. They also find themselves to be ill-suited for the northern climate, and too vulnerable to the attractions of drug addiction. They write the family back home to tell them how well everything is going for them, describing either a phony or a dead-end job. In this manner, America scams the immigrant into immigrating, and the immigrant scams the folks back home with stories of success. Thanks to you both .. I love the album!

[@CuriousGeorge1111]

That's right!

[@classic-kool]

They left the shark infested waters of their lsland for the "streets of gold", but when they got to the Promised Land, it was full of sharks.....DEADLY sharks. Thus, "The Royal Scam"....... Great song!!!

[@ottohesslein3230]

We all have learned to fear an angry race of fallen kings.

[@mc76]

The most poignant line for me: "Every patron saint hung on the wall shared the room with 20 sinners" living in poverty in overcrowded tenements. Heavy shit for 1976.

[@rinpocherags3169]

👌🏼

[@suesmith7968]

Listen to the whole album in one sitting. When you get done your head will be in a different place. ☮️❤️

[@1carlakf]

My favorite album at 14 and remains so. At 15 we'd get high and listen to the whole album. Later it became the road trip CD for my family. My kids loved them. My adult son took me to see them play it just before COVID in my late 50s. Truly timeless music.

[@Infomat517]

They were wayyy ahead of their time! Others have said this, but it really behooves you to listen to the whole album at one time… I’ve been listening to SD since 1974, and I’ve recently decided that TRS is as good as Aja!!

[@philipmccarthy6175]

As a white guy who grew up in Ireland listening to mainly black music , The Isleys , EW&F , Stevie , Marvin and jazz & reggae etc , I always thought the Dan were almost a meeting point of where rock meets jazz/funk , especially from this album onwards. Although there are plenty of pointers on the earlier albums. The fact that they've been sampled by many hip-hop artists is testimony to how universal their appeal was to people who like proper music.

[@xebio6]

Spot on

[@joeygavadeels2784]

TRUTH!!!!

[@robertmajka9]

Never gets old listening to Steely Dan.

[@mynameispaul0530]

The way the horns harmonize with the backup singers is magic.

[@patriciastewart9711]

Boys, you've just been taken to Church! THIS track on THIS album is one of the best things they've done. And the bar is freakishly high! Loved your reaction guys!😍

[@ubilo]

For those who like music with melody, harmony and soul.

[@stevemd6488]

Best reaction to a SD song I've ever seen. You guys are the best.

[@jorozco13yearsago40]

This is 100% one of the most beautiful songs Walter and Donald ever wrote

[@edwardcossa875]

This song is really a movie, close your eyes n see

[@lem01ne]

You guys are my favorite reactors on The Tube, I just wanna hang out and listen to The Dan with you...If I could only listen to one band for the rest of my life, Steely would be it.

[@w5winston]

I always feel like that beat goes on forever. It's hypnotic.

[@jimmayors2315]

The more you re-listen, the more you'll hear in it! Incredible musicianship!

[@metaphoria3]

All their songs are equal masterpieces

[@rosamariamartosbotella5490]

This guys always sing about the lost, the only, the outcast and this is why a love them. The music is another steep.

[@esdel1955]

This song is about a family from Puerto Rico who came to the States in search of a better life, only to end up worse off than they were in their own country. My family and I came here from Cuba as refugees from Communism and had a great life here. :) I’m watching your subscribers growing at a pretty good clip; you guys deserve it! Oh, and you skipped a song, “Everything You Did.””

[@Sunshinebabe110]

This song should be played now, as it is very applicable to what is happening presently with the border crisis and especially NYC.

[@davidryan7386]

The back up.singers on the chorus ARE incredible!❤

[@jimmoore8951]

Well now you did it. You got yourself hooked… addicted. You’ll be checking yourselves into Steely rehab, just like the rest of us. After you finish hearing all the albums, you’ll just want to go back, Jack- Do it Again. So sorry to be one of your enablers 😊 Btw this was sampled by Zimbabwe Legit.

[@brandonboucher7090]

Yeah I’m in that territory now…🏥

[@hesh8367]

Just another reminder that Pro Tools didn’t exist yet. This production was tape, and it’s goddamn brilliant. Machines just can’t make a groove like guys such as Bernard Purdie and Chuck Rainey. There’s a warmth there. Something human. Pocket so tight you couldn’t slip a dime in it.

[@MichaelB12345]

You guys get it. I’ve heard this since it was first released and it never gets old. Timeless music

[@philf4086]

"They're showin' off". Yes, they sure are. Glad you guys are enjoying it. It was big on AOR FM radio across the nation (and on my station WRIF in Detroit). Background vocals are superb, production is the best. That trumpet with the mute is also a standout. The leadout vocals actually remind me of the end of a gospel hymn.

[@moving9071]

This made me so happy. You get it. Y'all my people, honestly.

[@johnjkmantis]

This song tells of how Puerto Ricans from San Juan (St. Johns) come to NYC to look for a better life, but get involved in the criminal underworld for “an angry race of foreign kings” (Italian mobsters). They’ve become too involved to go back to “their sunny island.” Leaving for the prospect of leaving a better life than that they had is “The Royal Scam.” Stumbled across you gentlemen, & I love your enthusiasm for the music that you review. Especially for bands like Pink Floyd & Steely Dan. I have a lot of catching up to do regarding your reviews of the music I’ve been listening to for my entire life. 🍻✌️& ❤️.

[@AlwaysWorking2008]

This is such an underrated album. I have lost count of the number of times I have been listening to one of the tracks and had someone come up and say something like "Wow! This is AMAZING!! Who IS this?!?!?" :) Keep up the great work guys!!

[@kentmains7763]

I heard this at my uncle's house when I was a kid and was mesmerized by it, all these years later I still am.

[@jimakcelik6486]

Back in the day when this music was released, imagine Fagan & Becker getting out of a limo going in through the back door for their concert, the two coolest guys on the planet.

[@jirimondo]

Remember - for those of us who experienced Steely Dan real time, this album flows to Aja. What's great about Steely Dan is that they were always great musicians but they weren't afraid to create a different sound - they "sampled" different music and wove their own unique fabric. True creativity.

[@dawood121derful]

This is my favorite Steely Dan album.

[@erolbulut2584]

Yes, this cut had major play on radio. Steely Dan were already legends by '76

[@marksmusicobsession]

I’m a lifelong hardcore music fan from a little kid until now at 54 and own thousands of albums and Steely Dan are my favorite act, and this is my favorite album of all time! So happy you guys have the pleasure of just discovering them to have years of happiness coming listening to them.

[@russelbarnes7235]

I'm 64 and feel exactly how you feel. Lifelong hard-core music fan, Dan is my favorite and I love knowing all that Airplay Beats has yet to experience with SD. TY for putting it so nicely.

[@deanmichael393]

@@russelbarnes7235 I'm 72 and feel the same way. Ater a lifetime of Genesis/Yes/Pink Floyd/ Moody Blues, a diehard Prog rocker, I have revisited The Dan and now I'm a Dan Fan all the way. This album, and this cut, are the best I've ever heard.

[@louremington6975]

I'm 65 and was the biggest Steely Dan fan. I don't remember hearing this song on FM radio except maybe after midnight on the weekend. Much of their best songs were not radio worthy. Sure, they had their hits but my favorite songs never got airplay.

[@jrocket50]

In case you haven't realized these guys write song about real life. I'm 65 this is what I grew up listening to so watching you guys brings me back to when I first heard Steely Dan, but every time I hear them I get that same feeling that is what makes them so amazing notice how each song evokes a certain mood totally amazing musicians

[@jimfischer4765]

Thanks for Steely Dan “rabbit hole” …. Love hearing new fans explore their brilliance and timeless music. They are in a category of their own. Before you leave them listen to “Glamour Profession”You’ll love it musically and lyrically.

[@r3ddirtr8r28]

Awesome seeing somebody’s first reactions to the Dan! They’ve been my favorite band for over 30 years!

[@msburton1406]

Every song is about being fooled. The Title track at the end is brilliant. Later on when you really absorb this album ...and your mind will be blown again and again.

[@bizzarrosupermann3153]

Love your reactions of these guys!!! Imagine having them in your music library for 40 years.

[@blackwolf6082]

Gives me chills to see you guys here this music for the first time

[@raycewilliams3300]

I saw a listing for this track as...... JAZZ / ROCK / FUNK. If ever something was greater than the sum of it's parts... it's this song. I love all three genre's but to fuse them together in a cohesive song is pure magic as far as I'm concerned. Fagan and Becker are masters of fusing genre's and coming up with something as memorable as this. I honestly do not recall it being played on the radio when it was released. I bought the vinyl record and discovered it that way. I can actually recall listening to it the first time and not knowing WHAT I just heard. I have not heard any band do the things these guys do. BTW... when I was listening to it this time.... I thought the same thing..... this track could have been an instrumental and released to jazz stations in the bay area where I was living at the time. It was not released as a single.

[@johncanning731]

Love watching you guys hear this music for the first time!! This was their NY grit album..I am an old metal head from Detroit and we always listened to the Dan..pure genius..You are musicians and under stand the rock jazz fusion and the lyrics are intelligence personified..I can't wait until you discover Goucho..Keep it up you guys are awesome!!

[@johnleonard3806]

I love Gaucho and Pretzel Logic. Aja goes without sayin.

[@johncanning731]

@@johnleonard3806 Absolutely!! I love pretzel logic..And as you said..Aja is amazing..

[@CuriousGeorge1111]

The Royal Scam, Aja, and Gaucho are my favorites. Heaven.

[@brianvangyzen6040]

I listened to another reaction, and they stated that the drum part put it all together. The drum part is a march, and it is sooo appropriate. Best lyrical and musical band ever. I went to the Berklee College of Music in 1981 and they had a course specifically for the Music of Steely Dan. Says it all.

[@edwardcapobianco2975]

Nothing like riding out to the Dan! Unmatched musicianship , tremendous arrangements and lyrically much deeper than one might think , just listen and do the research and it will all make sense..these background vocals kick ass too!!! See the glory of the royal scam!!! Steely Dan was all over FM radio in the 70s and early 80s. The great old days when album oriented rock ruled the FM airwaves. It was normal to hear 10 minute songs and the more obscure deep tracks. WPLJ 95.5 was probably the greatest New York rock station back in the 70s and early 80s. Once MTV kicked in that was the end of music being sold predominantly by word of mouth, quality ,musicianship and lyrical content. When a group like The Stones or Zeppelin released a new album ,it was an EVENT! The anticipation was crazy, people were at the record store the night before waiting in line to get the new album. It became much more visual because of MTV in 1983. the quality suffered and synthesizer pop became popular,followed some years later by some of the worst musical posers,"hair bands" WPLJ went top 40 and for NY rockers ,it was the end of a great run and even greater time for music! Now today, it's juvenile , sophomoric,x rated and gang worshipping lyrics,with little or no musical ability. Lyrically bankrupt and 3,4 and 5 part harmony,non existent for the most part!! Nothing matches 1960s and 1970s music, it can't be touched!! Even the old school R &B, Soul and Disco acts disappeared. The variety back in those days was incredible,not to mention diversity and feel. Rap music just doesn't groove like the old school black artists. Motown alone was beyond greatness!!! Today it's half naked women and gimmicks used to promote records.

[@mikeloomis687]

I really think audiophiles like me who almost literally worship Steely Dan music, ALSO love reggae music. Like you said, the bounce, the groove, the funk permeates both genres and we share it as brothers without prejudice.

[@r3ddirtr8r28]

For eight years their songs were new, but they are masterpieces forever.

[@TheDivayenta]

It’s so much fun going through these with you two and hearing all your “ producer chat”.😊

[@patriciastewart9711]

Just became a 'member' of your great channel & I can't thank you enough for all the joy you bring to my life!! Re-discovering the soundtrack of my life through your ears...man it's been a trip! 🤩🥰

[@AirplayBeats]

Thank you so much. We appreciate you!!

[@mikewritz]

The story in the song is incredible. Best album ever imo.

[@JamesCormier]

This was fun ride ! The Royal Scam is an incredible song, and album. It is dope !

[@garya7893]

Hi from New Orleans You put them on the stereo and automatically class up the place Digging your chan.

[@shereewilson6278]

I am really enjoying your u tube videos on Steely Dan.I have loved their music for many years The tracks that were never on the radio are just as great as those that were Their music is just on another level

[@user-dj2jd8vj4i]

Bernard Purdue on drums, Larry Carlton on guitar, Clydie King, Venetia Fields and Shirley Matthews doing back-up

[@janishaldeman3339]

Still my fav reaction

[@vinniemoran7362]

As a kid, I used to WAIT for that little guitar interlude at 06:44. In fact, I still do.

[@a.m.godwin8610]

I've listened to the Dan since the 70s. Not so much for the lyrics, though there are great ones, but moreso for the sheer excellence of the music and production. I'm so glad their music is still appreciated. Thank you, guys!

[@bluecalix]

Royal Scam has always been my favorite Steely Dan record, since I was a kid. Aja and Gaucho (EXCELLENT albums as well) have long been the critical darlings, but there is a grit mixed in with everything else on Royal Scam that pushes it over the top for me. I envy you getting to hear it for the first time on vinyl - enjoy!

[@metaphoria3]

One of the hardest beats ever

[@erolbulut2584]

Been into this band for over 50 years. Sounds fresh every time

[@xfishnutzx]

“See the glory!” Epic. Your favorite band’s favorite band.

[@mikeloomis687]

Your BEST Steely Dan video.

[@jayboi3457]

Wow. Just watched through y'alls playthrough of The Royal Scam album and it really made it feel like it was my first time listening and made me appreciate it my. I made a mistake listening to in in my car first before the headphone experience. Love your guys reaction and commentary for each song, just straight awesome.

[@LuvHrtZ]

The key to this groove is the hi-hat, which had been ignored for centuries prior to to this band.

[@michaelschwarz4186]

The best Album from Steely Dan

[@MLAR0123]

You guys are the first KZbin channel I subscribed to. You forced my hand all because of your honest reactions to Steely Dan. I'm glad you love and appreciate them as much as I do. I saw them in concert back in 94 in Mountain View CA - I waited 20 years. Wish you guys were there.

[@xJRx77]

All SD albums are great, but Aja is a top 10 all time album. Perfect from start to finish, with every track being heard on the radio to this very day

[@CuriousGeorge1111]

As I recall, back in the day, this record was played, but not often. I don't think it could be considered a hit--I remember Kid Charlemagne and Don't Take Me Alive getting the most play from this album. Great stuff, guys. You give me new appreciation for music I love already. Peace.

[@thedeliberatemyth]

Can't remember where I heard it, but one of the best summaries of Steely Dan I ever heard was this: "Steely Dan might not be your favorite band, but they are absolutely your favorite musician's favorite band."

[@edgreen8140]

And they came in From the city of st .John w/o a dime. See the glory of the steely dan!

[@brandonboucher7090]

I keep coming back to this…this is just stupid good, I don’t think I’ve ever heard a piece of music like this before. This might be the hardest most dangerous beat I’ve ever heard 😰

[@conniebigelow8732]

They are so dope! All their records are my favorites! Younger generation dont know what they are missing! Try Donald Fagen's The Night Fly it is fanastic too!

[@joe-8045]

One of my favorite ALL TIME....Of anybody.... Absolutely !! 70's baby

[@kennethmardis2132]

I would get their albums as soon as they came out. Love this band

[@karenscales5077]

Steely Dan is like in my Top Favorites. I stopped trying to understand them a long time ago. Lol. They are so amazing. I just lay back and listen. My son plays this song all of the time. My ex husband turned me on to Steely Dan back in the late 70's . Early 80's. I have not met anyone that does not like Steely Dan.

[@realbser1956]

A livestream would be fantastic. Whenever someone asks me which is my favorite SD album I always say that’s like asking me which one of my kids I love more. It’s almost an impossible question to answer. The reason is because just like children grow and mature over time, so did Steely Dan. Each and every album is special in its own right. 🔥

[@babylonsister118]

AGREED!

[@esdel1955]

@@babylonsister118 shake it! :)

[@realbser1956]

@@esdel1955 Esteban!

[@ThePittsburghToddy]

Rarely ever heard this track on the radio. Dope as all hell though!🖖🏼

[@debbieverret4033]

This is my favorite album by them, damn I love all of their albums. Such talent and talented musicians that played along with them. My favorite song by them is King of the world. Would love to hear a reaction on it! Thanks.

[@CuriousGeorge1111]

Hey! You missed Everything You Did: please don't! 😁 Not only is it a good song, it includes the line "Turn up the Eagles the neighbors are listening", which inspired the Eagles to clap back in Hotel California, with the line "They stab it with their Steely knives, but they just can't kill the beast." The beast being The Eagles. EDIT: They've since done it, yay! Great music, great fun. Thanks guys!

[@seabrook1976]

They did that song.

[@CuriousGeorge1111]

@@seabrook1976 Thanks! They missed it initially, but did it later. I've updated my comment. 👍

[@Thomas-aka-TomD]

They had their 8 year run but reunited in 1993 and later recorded "2 Against Nature" (Grammy album of year). "Everything Must Go" was swan song LP before Walter Becker passed.

[@monacaravetta]

Also, fantastic album cover.

[@Cimone90]

Caves of Altamira us absolutely my favourite song from this album

[@scottblakey1603]

Purdy/Rainey is the best rhythm section ever!

[@williammilheim8141]

Been a musician my whole life in my opinion not a bad song on any of their albums. Royal Scam is my favorite album. Your listening to what talented musicians sound like.

[@robblaber6655]

I was 20 when this came out ... LOVED this album, and THAT was my FAVORITE song !!!

[@gilbertogonzalez9956]

Steele dan is the best story teler alone with Great music.

[@kirkhassett8726]

As far as Top 40 Radio goes, only “The Fez” cracked it, reaching #17. “Kid Charlemagne” and “Haitian Divorce” were the other singles, reaching #82 and #59, respectively. However, most if not all of the tracks were in heavy rotation on the album-oriented FM Rock stations of the era. Stations playing music from this era today, are referred to as “Classic Rock”…but I remember this music when it was new. 😉

[@CuriousGeorge1111]

Right. Every town had a college radio station, and there we plenty of commercial AOR--album oriented rock--stations. Good times. Thanks for the great info. I never knew The Fez was so successful. I wouldn't have guessed it, though that guitar does really catch the ear. I mean, Kid Charlemagne knocks me out every time I hear it--then and now. Peace!

[@terrylucas8424]

I wish you could have lived in the 50s, 60s, 70s, and 80s, for a year! Blow your mind!

[@josephgallagher945]

This song wasn't on the radio alot, but it did get some airplay.

[@johnhoerl7326]

Such a bleak tune about the experience of Puerto Ricans finding out that life in 1970s NYC wasn’t what they expected/hoped. The music perfectly reflects the content

[@user-cb1og8pc7n]

STEELY DAN AND MEDICARE GO TOGETHER SOOONICE. 😂😂😂 THANKS GUYS, YOUR AWESOME KEEP IT UP!!! 💃💃☘️☘️

[@rwrae72]

You are right on -- this song IS amazing.

[@1957PLATO]

You two are now hooked to Steely Dan. It’s a great obsession.

[@thomasshreve750]

Written nearly 50 years ago...still no-one can touch them.

[@billybreeze190]

I was picking up a sub at jersey mikes and overheard a couple employees; "I've been listening to classic rock lately, have you heard of Steely Dan?" i just smiled to myself. 😊

[@cousmaster]

People who have spent hours and hours and hours going thru the entire body of work from Steely Dan know they are the best creators of musicEVER.... period....SLAM DUNK

[@cindyp1033]

This reaction made me appreciate this song so much more! ❤