Steely Dan - Third World Man (REACTION)

[@ScottWDoyle]

"Expensive chords." As good a two-word description of the Dan as I've heard.

[@fredshred5194]

I think its about a Vietnam Vet coming back to life in USA suburbs and he has a PTS breakdown. Larry Carlton's guitar playing on this really adds to the song.

[@fredshred5194]

@@christinerobinson9372 "I saw the fireworks I believed that I was dreaming 'Til the neighbors came out screaming He's a third world man" It was that , that made me think this way. a little boy playing playing soldiers mmmmm... I can't see folks screaming about that. But hey I'm no expert, just the sombre vibe it gives as well.

[@Allright21]

I tear up every time I hear this song.

[@mr.snicker-doodles7081]

KING OF THE WORLD!!! please..Count Down to Ecstasy! Most underrated and overlooked Steely song of ALL time!

[@jeffm9917]

The best song on this album and one of the most underrated songs in Steely Dan's catalogue.

[@TheNorcalmonkey67]

It seems that Steely Dan created a body of music that aged and matured along w/their audience without ever truly losing any of the core elements that turned you onto them to begin with...interesting, cleverly written lyrics, which at times are dark and cynical, that are carefully packaged in superior musicianship to offer the listener an undeniably sophisticated audio experience. Fagan & Becker's perfectionism is a win for any TRUE music lover....whenever I'm testing out new audio equipment I usually test drive Steely Dan, Pink Floyd & Tool to get a scope of what's going on.

[@Ibanezed210]

Perhaps their deepest song and it is their last of the 8 year run. How appropriate.

[@richardbarton6146]

a song about a veteran, with PTSD,,, he cant get the trauma out of his head.... He's home, but still lives in his past. excellent guitar work by Larry Carlton playing in sync with the brass section.

[@alexandersamuels3661]

Interesting. I always assumed it was about a troubled teen who like to blow s*** up

[@antrivers46]

The double tracked guitar solo is unbelievably good. Not a normal way to go (apart from The Commodores Easy). Genius

[@rosemarypugliese2984]

I’ve heard this was Joni Mitchell’s favorite SD song

[@russelbarnes7235]

Great song. This is reportedly the favorite SD song of singer Joni Mitchell. Always glad when you do Steely Dan tunes. Nice reaction as usual, and I'm ridin' with you, as usual.

[@loupi4bama]

Hadn't heard that but not surprised. She's a genre all her own too.

[@antrivers46]

Joni, my favorite ever female artist/writer commenting on my favorite band of all time. Brill

[@SheilaWorship]

Third World Man, live is awesome!!!!!!

[@esdel1955]

Guys, you’ll really be missing out if you don’t listen to the whole Nightfly album. That’s at the very least! Airplay Beats and Dan is a winning combination. 👍🙂

[@gasaholic47]

And the great Steve Gadd laying down the groove again. You guys should check out Rick Beato’s very recent interview with Gadd. He talks about playing on Aja, and some of went on behind the scenes of the recording of that title track that he became famous for.

[@metaphoria3]

2:35 that’s what I’m always thinking when I’m listening to them

[@bobburroughs6241]

Over 42 musicians used over the 2 year recording period and the title song's drum track was assembled from 46 different takes. Yep, that's Steely Dan!

[@markburnham7512]

One of my favorite Larry Carlton solos. Interesting note, this track was actually recorded in the Aja sessions (under a different title) but didn't get used at the time.

[@rlwetz4317]

"most expensive chords ever...diamonds and crystals dripping off them..." 🤔 Aw, dang. Now I feel like I've taken Steely for granted.

[@rkw2917]

Steely Dan has been satirical since forever Do you know what a Steely Dan is ? Whit and talent, potent combination

[@realbser1956]

I think that Donald’s vocals were at their best on this album. His voice had really matured and his phrasing was really just off the charts. Love this song.

[@freebirdtony]

You just can't go wrong with Steely Dan.

[@nunnarij]

You guys are awesome to notice and verbalize the greatest and musical genius of Donald Fagen!!! Fagen, there is no peer!

[@JamesJohnson-zt2zv]

Steely Dan was the truth! They were the tapestry for my youth to adulthood. Growing in age as every album to me on a 0:02 journey of concepts and thought. Maturing as a person as they matured as a band. Can’t buy a thrill to Gaucho! Every album is still in my collection and prized. Third world man is a song that sneaks up on you! It’s become one of my all time favorite Dan tracks! Growing up in the 70s the growth in music was one of greatest gifts! Chiguy

[@alldayadventures5418]

Decoded that one in RECORD TIME...! Measured in seconds... Good Job...!

[@franknoge]

I was way too young to see them live in the 70's, and by the time they finally toured in the early/mid 90's I had every note to every song practically memorized. They were brilliant in concert, but if there was one song that absolutely took my breath away it was "Third World Man". I guess I'd never given the song the credit it deserves until that moment.

[@andrewmadeloni7173]

This one has grown on me the more I listen. Each piece takes you on a journey of discovery musically and through their storytelling...

[@clifton8929]

This song has a beautiful melody, and I find the echoing chorus haunting. The simple guitar strumming, some strings, and Fagan’s simple enunciation were fabulous. Steely Dan does make you think. Every Steely Dan album has hidden gems somewhere. For me, on Gaucho, it's Glamour Profession and Babylon Sisters. You never know what's next on a Steely Dan or Donald Fagen album.

[@donr2670]

This song balances so nicely against My Rival on the album to close out the side.

[@willowvee5844]

The best part of listening to SD songs, is listening, 20-30 plus years later, and it's a new. yet familiar and wonderful ride. Looking forward to those special parts, and hearing something you perhaps missed.🥰🥰

[@marcpoletti9511]

It's no mistake their music is top notch, they put great energy into quality and sound. Essentially a duo with the best studio musicians.

[@lucabraga3471]

Every Steely Dan's song is a journey. They tell a story and trap you in it. Then you wonder: how can they always have such creativity and inspiration?

[@g.t.oliveriii4898]

Joni Mitchell's fav.

[@theivory1]

This has always been one of my favorite guitar solos. It just never gets mentioned when the great ones are discussed. I sure hope you guys react to Donald Fagens solo albums. The Nightfly was a good start.

[@khizz82]

It’s literally about child rebel soldiers. It’s amazing though. Gaucho never gets the credit it deserves

[@MichaelVLang]

The transition to the outro is amazing. It feels like a goodbye to the 70s as the chords move along. That solo.

[@oboogie2]

Larry Carlton, the guitarist who played the solo on "Kid Charlemagne" that you both liked so much, also plays the solos in this song.

[@brendawoodson3230]

Another group that don't miss

[@SnarleySteve]

Thank you guys for your in-depth Steely Dan reviews. Definitely one of my all-time favorite composers. Their collection is like no other.

[@edwardcarter2285]

Where you guys at, don't poop with Steely Dan!!!

[@duiliosan4196]

Night by Night 🔝💯 from a 🇮🇹SD fan

[@debbiegottschlich3177]

Thanks for checking this one out. I'm cleaning house and I'm groovin' to it.

[@donr2670]

Excellent++ Video Guys - THANKS for doing this! In 1980 this cut described everything we saw in the news daily - Mega third world. "All She Wants to do is Dance" by Don Henley also comes to mind. Great Reaction in the present day guys.

[@marksimpson1991]

Loving how you guys are digging deep into these old albums, and not just focusing on the hits. Keep it up!

[@Ibanezed210]

The live version is an event in it's self.

[@russellmorgan5611]

Melancholic. Not what you're used to but damn. Gets to me.

[@michaelbaucom4019]

The Dan just do not miss

[@SuperJraw1]

To this very old Dan Head, in many ways Carlton’s guitar work is as original and haunting as you can find. Isn’t it amazing how many cover and tribute Steely Dan bands there are today. Why? Because their music, lyrics and arrangements are timeless, yet so unique that no label can be attached to them. All these KZbin folks, apparently, listening to their tracks for the first time are hilarious, interrupting the flow of the piece, trying to explain and spin what they’re hearing. I’d venture a guess that most seasoned musicians consider Donald and Walter’s compositions the Gold Standard of post 1970 music.

[@blackwolf6082]

Not sure why but I really like this song. It gets me right where I live

[@ohfour-seven6228]

I heard in an interview that the original last song recorded for this album was accidentally erased and there were no existing copies; lost forever. This song was originally recorded for Aja but wasn't included and was brought out of the vault at the last minute to complete this album. I can't imagine it on Aja and can only imagine it ending Gaucho. It's as if it was meant to be. Glad y'all liked it too.

[@masapell]

The “Second Arrangement?”

[@ohfour-seven6228]

@@masapell I'm not sure but that sounds right.

[@metaphoria3]

“Diamonds coming off those chords” great way to put it man sooooo smooooth

[@nunnarij]

Background singing is one of a kind.

[@gregrosen9616]

Perfect songI listened to on September 11, 2001 and had about a case of Miller Lite.

[@davidmaholchic6146]

One of my favorites hope you love love you guys

[@joelliebler5690]

Amazing how you guys capture and appreciate the essence of this song in the first listening. It took me about ten times to really appreciate the amazing sound!

[@yamyamyams2629]

This is a song that I wouldn't mind being a little longer.

[@rosemarypugliese2984]

And then, that was all the SD we had for 20 years

[@eliteautoworksmd]

fantastic album fantastic song ..........filthy

[@darrenmaxwell1085]

What’s cool about your dove into Steely Dan and Pink Floyd is they’re both completely unique and are their own genres and just delivered in so many ways and watching you guys discover them and break them down, it’s fun!

[@greypossum1]

Steely Dan had originally written a completely different set of lyrics for this music and named the song "Were You Blind That Day?'. They recorded the song and it can be found on KZbin as well. It became an outtake for the "Gaucho" album and was reworked to become what you are listening to now.

[@Jerlwayne]

It’s fair to say Steely Dan is their own genre…but to me they play Jazz-Pop Fusion, which loosely contains stuff from Chicago, Joni Mitchell, Joe Jackson, Blood Sweat and Tears, etc. But SD OWNS this genre, towering over it like Bob Marley towers over the entire Reggae scene. They are a juggernaut and are gaining mass as the years go on.

[@gregharris9122]

I think it is kind of interesting that this song was a throwaway from the Royal Scam sessions that was pulled out of the can when the attempt to rerecord the Second Arrangement failed. Interesting how they would have reacted to knowing that this was in the can for 4 years.

[@davehagi9883]

Have another listen guys.....Smokey Sunday.

[@MrRabbit43]

Go right to Two Against Nature ! The break between that and Gaucho shattered ! Also Sunken Condos ! Fagans solo !

[@HeatherErin]

" these are some expensive chords"❣

[@oldtrousersnake]

Old Trouser Snake digs this song. The guitar solo by Larry Carlton may be his finest work. The ups and downs of making the album Gaucho is well documented.

[@darrenmaxwell1085]

Such a slow pocket jam, kinda like Pink Floyd but there style!

[@metaphoria3]

That guitar at 4:15 is so nasty and that bassline that’s about to ascend is incredible

[@lindaishikawa1814]

LIFE CAN BE SHORT LISTEN T THE DAN AND JONI

[@hklinker]

This song had completely different lyrics (the exact same music bed) before being changed for Gaucho. I think the original came from the Aja sessions. If you want to really understand the Gaucho album, you need to listen to the songs that DIDN’T MAKE the Gaucho album (including The Second Arrangement, The Bear, Kulee Baba, Kind Spirit, I Can’t Write Home About You, etc). Worth every minute of your time.

[@nunnarij]

Nightfly baby!!!

[@zenpuppy6025]

One of my favorite songs by SD 😎👍

[@metaphoria3]

Was waiting for your guys take on this way to get it early big man

[@brucemacmillan9581]

There are lots of great Dan albums, but Gaucho is definitely my fave.

[@metaphoria3]

You know what it kinda reminds me of is Slow dancin in a burning room by John mayer

[@rosemarypugliese2984]

I didn’t know of lost demos and takes til recently, but there are several out on KZbin of songs they worked on for Aja and Gaucho but scrapped (or engineer lost). Their discards are better than most bands’ gems

[@nunnarij]

Love this song!!!

[@beanchilada]

I’ve been waiting three weeks for this one

[@raycewilliams3300]

I believe this song has to do with a veteran named Johnny who is back home and appears to be suffering from PTSD. There is another version of this song called " Were You Blind That Day ". This alternative version can be heard on KZbin if anyone is interested. It is at: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bai8q2aQgt5_fJo

[@dickfisk1584]

"Sidewalks are safe for the little guy?" - it's about a kid that thinks he's a revolutionary who doesn't terrorize anyone but his neighbors.

[@cherylw1958]

Joni Mitchell loves this song, so I've heard.

[@oystertoadfish1149]

That language in the one verse is Portuguese.

[@yournamehere6002]

It's about a survivalist

[@Cpayne30]

Do the Second Arrangement next, guys! Definitely check out the back story on it first, though.

[@jorozco13yearsago40]

They should do it after they've listened to all of Steely Dan's discography. It's too soon for that

[@Cpayne30]

@@jorozco13yearsago40 Why too soon? It's a good song, they'd enjoy it.

[@jenniferbabros1985]

Please don't forget to check out THE Dan's PRETZEL LOGIC

[@jimmayors2315]

That guitarist is Mark Knopfler, before he was really known.

[@antrivers46]

It’s not Knopfler, it’s Larry Carlton. Knopfler was on Time Out Of Mind

[@jimmayors2315]

@@antrivers46 yes, I stand corrected. Mark playedom 6his album, but notonthissongapparently.

[@loupi4bama]

💞🥰💞

[@nunnarij]

El era del terzo mondo = He was from the Third World.

[@darrenmaxwell1085]

Lol😂 “you decoded that already?”

[@metaphoria3]

Think theyre talking about a few examples of Third world men during the verses

[@lindaishikawa1814]

JONI MITCHELL'S FAVORITE STEELY SONG

[@seenoevo3497]

I was wondering, which if any Joni song is most similar musically to TWM? Maybe "Amelia"? Kind of haunting, and, as with TWM, features some stellar guitar by Larry Carlton.

[@markharbin9945]

Very Very few bands can cover these guys

[@diannebrownlee9806]

Check out Fabjazz, a Phillipines band on youtube. They do a great Dr. Wu.

[@leojmorts402]

That guitar.of LC's just talks!

[@bobburroughs6241]

Pretzel Logic next?

[@Ibanezed210]

m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/qGmakIGHZshsnZI Link to the recording of Gaucho. Very detailed and perhaps not for everyone but since the hosts are recording engineers here you have it

[@Ibanezed210]

Engineer interviewed was the mixing and tracking engineer on Gaucho as well as Aja and Scam.

[@donholl]

Personally, I prefer the "Alive in America" version, with its slightly slower tempo: the studio version feels somewhat rushed, by comparison (and it doesn't hurt that Drew Zingg and Peter Erskine just slay in the Carlton/Gadd roles).

[@nunnarij]

How about that Steve Khan on the guitar?

[@williamosborne6866]

So much great SD music you've gathered, but you still haven't hit on one of my absolute favorites, and maybe their quirkiest track ever - "Haitian Divorce" - It harkens to a line in "FM", where they mention playing reggae. I guarantee you two will LOVE this one (it's got some amazing voice box work as well by Dean Parks and Walter Becker): kzbin.info/www/bejne/mnywdK1nl5eFrqc

[@kbrewski1]

FM was written and recorded 3 years after Royal Scam. So there is no way Haitian Divorce can hearken back to FM.

[@georgetaxi8179]

Great reaction. I noticed you haven't hit any of Steely Dan's live performance. Please do Jack of Speed live from their 2 against nature record. Here is the link. kzbin.info/www/bejne/gJfCkJtjrdCEgM0 Song is smooth hell and has an intoxicating grove.

[@jimmoore8951]

Third world man with first world problems. Steve Gadd on drums

[@gilbertdiaz699]

Seems like you skipped right past “Countdown to Ecstasy”. What happened?

[@AirplayBeats]

We’re coming back to that album

[@diannebrownlee9806]

I think it's an adult observing a young Asian or young boy playing.

[@stevemd6488]

Just a beautiful L Carlton solo, very difficult to play. For me anyway. I've read interpretations of the lyrics I guess it's supposed to be about a veteran gone nuts, to me it sounds like a child playing like he's a soldier in his yard. Who knows.

[@deaniegarcia5694]

This my least favorite song of the record, but still impeccably Dan….loved your critical reaction as usual

[@nunnarij]

Spanish...