Steely Dan - Peg | REACTION

[@ilionreactor1079]

"Aja" is the album used to prove how good your sound system is.

[@fayesouthall6604]

Exactly

[@chad9017]

I get it. Good idea!

[@primeminister66]

Indeed, Black Cow… Deacon Blues

[@pamstuckey8349]

I did not know this at the time but Aja was he first album I played on my brand new Technics turntable purchased from with my first serious paycheck in 1978. And that moment is still so vivid in my memory today. Like magic

[@katamedo5703]

The Royal Scam!

[@shellythomas8422]

I am sixty years old and I just Dislocated my groove thang.. And I couldn't be happier.

[@marcusjaybrode2129]

I’m a jazz lover, 76 years old, and I bought this album when it first came out because of a review or recommendation. Within 10 seconds, I was blown away. And then I read the personnel… so many jazz musicians! I was hooked. 😎

[@danlipscomb1588]

The background vocal is the great Michael McDonald's voice overdubbed to produce 5 part harmony. He said at the time that it was the most challenging session he had ever done. You guys MUST check out the making of Peg on youtube.

[@ericsmith123]

The multiple attempts by different guitarists to do the solo are fascinating.

[@creynolds0216]

Seriously; so bad ass.

[@abrarahmed1888]

@and the in joke was that it was probably all Walter Becker’s versions

[@nekite1]

I'm 70 and still playing Steely Dan after 50 years of listening to them. It never gets old.

[@cindiherriott3259]

Is this not one of the BEST songs ever?!? Us “old” kids know every single word. We had the best music… nothing compares to it today. What screamin great memories!

[@KneeJerkReactions13]

No. Jesus you Dan fans are delusional

[@vegasbaby3669]

100% facts

[@robertfindley921]

Agreed. So catchy, so savvy, great. Always a toe tapper. I can't think of anything in the past 10 years as good.

[@Coowallsky]

@@KneeJerkReactions13Seethe. Cope.

[@lukekiefer5964]

@@KneeJerkReactions13Plenty of fantastic music today. Just have to dig for it and it’s there. Also it’s hard to deny that, whether you like the song or not, Steely Dan never had a song that wasn’t well written, and perfectly executed.

[@BuccWylde]

Kid Charlemagne and Hey Nineteen would be right up your alley.

[@justingutube]

Black Cow, Don't take me alive...so many!

[@phoebeandtilly]

Also “Deacon Blue”

[@phoebeandtilly]

This is always Steely Dan

[@cheezer57]

"Josie" brings the funk, like no other!..Don't forget "Home at last" and "My old school"

[@juliapope-xi5ll]

Yes!!! All of these, especially Kid Charlemagne!!! Please!!!

[@williamweiss6128]

Steely Dan the masters of song crafting. For all us to enjoy.

[@DanielOrion74]

Steely Dan: your favorite band’s, favorite band.

[@maryrobbins4087]

Black cow is my favorite steely Dan song!!!!❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@rayeckert242]

If the yacht on which I’m rocking gets shipwrecked on a desert island, I’ll have “Aja” with me. And “Black Cow” is my favorite, too.

[@fayesouthall6604]

@@rayeckert242 Aja is my favourite Dan album. The track Aja is my favourite song on the album. Steve Gadds drumming❤️

[@Jude_196]

SOOOOOO GOOD!! One of my favs!!

[@ronrobbins2737]

Mary, you share not only my last name but great musical taste LOL. I still remember hearing Black Cow, buying AJA, and rushing to the piano to nail those cool chords.

[@RaubSM]

Drink your big black cow and get outta here… One of the greatest songs EVER!

[@jacquescouteau6982]

For anyone who grew up in the '70s, Michael McDonald's voice is INSTANTLY recognizable on the multi-part harmonies; much like Mick Jagger on "You're So Vain".

[@danmayberry1185]

Glad you lads have finally been Pegged.

[@ozo_man9508]

😂

[@johnnyfox8934]

This made my day. This song came out when I was seven and it’s been my favorite song ever since. Watching your reaction is the closest I’ll ever get to hearing it again for the first time.

[@johnkeenan1829]

Summer of 78, cruising around in my 74 Dodge Dart I bought for $100 off my cousin and put $100 worth of parts in it, with a Realistic tape deck I'd bought at Radio Shack and installed with some nice speakers and this album played ENDLESSLY in that car.

[@ajschroetlin2196]

I had a 74 Dart in high school in 1990. My generation got lucky with the affordable older cars.

[@soakedbearrd]

Back when money was worth something

[@SpareRoomFilm]

Preach!!!!👏👏👏

[@muziklvr7776]

Had a '73 Dart Swinger with a slant 6 engine that wouldn't quit.

[@NorthBayRepublic]

@@muziklvr7776 LOL had a '73 Pinger w/ a 318, miss it to this day

[@GoldenLady1007]

We had no clue back then how very blessed we were to have the musical geniuses we had in every genre We couldn't have imagined that it would come to an end. I am SO happy to see new audiences appreciating these classics. ✨️😊💛

[@zoeslovely7096]

Well said! I think about this often ❤

[@bruceprouse5562]

Absolutely !

[@jjo154]

As short as it is, Jay Graydon's guitar solo is epic.

[@ronrobbins2737]

watch, they might think "Jay Graydon" is some kind of app or AI. Jay was a great producer too!

[@samuraiwarriorsunite]

And the legendary Chuck Rainey holding down that bass groove, damn

[@goldenageofdinosaurs7192]

One of the great leads in rock history.

[@BMELLO_network]

​@@samuraiwarriorsuniteMarotta brings it with him

[@richardconnolly4835]

God, I'm so lucky to have lived my teens and twenties during the 70s and 80's. Two decades of great music whatever the genre.

[@GoldenLady1007]

Without question. ✨️🔥💛

[@lindaharrell3916]

Richard connolly4835. Me too. After HS graduation (1966) I managed to get a really good paying job. We only got paid once a month. Every payday for many years I treated myself to the local bakery’s fabulous champagne cake and two albums from the White’s music store. It’s funny, now I listen to these reaction videos and have a big smile as these younger ones discover what was a major force in my youth and young adulthood. So many times I look at my screen and say “I have that album!” (Most Still in mint condition).

[@222wylie]

You can’t go wrong with Steely Dan! Timeless music!

[@KevinLong-jr1zv]

Say It Again!

[@LanceStoddard]

Welcome to the world of 1977. Star Wars, Fleetwood-Mac, Steely Dan, Carly Simon Etc...etc...etc...every week a new classic hit the street.

[@zoeslovely7096]

YES! And Dire Straits! All came out during peak disco. Sultans of swing shit to number 1, as did Rumours, etc...

[@rickstanley9710]

This song is so perfectly made, so perfectly mixed, studio engineers use it to make sure their equipment is set up correctly.

[@Critical_Thinker858]

New rule. No more Steely Dan without Tyler in the box. 😂😂😂

[@tomogrady821]

65 years old... and back in the '70s we literally took these geniuses for granted. I believe their popularity was held back because they didn't tour... they were the mysthical "studio band". I thought duplicating this musical production wizardry would be impossible live... I was wrong... saw Steely Dan at the Garden State Arts Center in the late 1990's... and yep... they captured this same quality live... WOW. JUSt WOW! THEY ARE THE TRUTH. Shower music CHAMPIONS!

[@antoinettechevalier2453]

Same!!! I’m a few years younger than you, and sorta came of age w Steely Dan in the early 80s (college boyfriend introduced me to their music). I too thought surely, they can’t do that sound live. But was lucky enough to catch them here in New Orleans at the Jazz & Heritage Festival - maybe 3 or 4 years ago ??? Anyway, they played the entire Aja album and I was blown away: sounded exactly like the record. They’re incredible!

[@acooksla]

Saw them three times

[@xchiro1818]

One of the best bass grooves ever.

[@ellegreen768]

I'm soooooooooo glad I grew up on music by steely Dan...

[@Rocdag]

My high school friend and I would play this album over and over and over back to back

[@mattreynolds612]

One of the FUNKIEST Bass lines in the history of music. Performed by Chuck Rainey. Who is one of the most professionally recorded bass players ITHOM 🤔 with appearances on over a thousand albums. 🌈✨The more you know

[@carolynejubber]

I was born in 1960 and wasn't I just so fortunate to grow up when I did with the some of the best music ever!! Steely Dan was and is one of my all-time favourites.

[@marcbenjamin9436]

One of the best albums ever. But in the mid 70s to early 80s great albums were coming out every week. It was impossible to keep up. Amazing musical period.

[@gerib4234]

Much airplay back in the day and it's a fine song but give "Kid Charlemagne" a try next. Honestly there are no bad or even mediocre songs from Steely Dan❤

[@jjo154]

The Royal Scam is one of their most consistently great albums.

[@connieb4372]

Kid Charlemagne is one of my favorites along with Babylon Sisters (Shake it) and Janie Runaway which, I don't think anyone has reacted to yet. So many greats with this band.

[@lucabraga3471]

Yeah, you're right. How to choose the best song from theirs? The caves of Altamira, King of the world, Deacon bleus, and the astonishing Doctor Wu, just to mention a few?

[@KneeJerkReactions13]

They are lame af

[@shawnk7832]

😅 I got Don't Take Me Alive as my fave! (This is Steely Dan, hear me roar!!!🤣) Peg and Josie are even to me... Decon Blues and Bodhisatva are other huge Faves... Kid Charlemagne... Absolutely 🔥

[@Cheshirecat-nx9zn]

You guys should do every song on this album. You won't be disappointed.

[@margueritewood7036]

Peg is definitely an R & B tune. I loved your reaction to it. The Steely Dan catalog is a long and rich journey. Enjoy the ride.

[@glamourisbest]

It really is. You can definitely hear soul and blues influences in their music in general.

[@chriscosgrove8185]

Always loved how every song of theirs are completely different

[@Noelle0026]

Steely Dan with Michael McDonald singing back up doesn’t get any better!!

[@jainthorne4136]

When you first hear a song by Steely Dan, it's like everything clicks perfectly into place. You can't imagine it being any other way. Aja is one of my all time favorite albums. Not a bad track on the whole damn album.

[@pamstuckey8349]

And I bet few groups do covers of their songs because they just can't be improved upon - even by the best of artists

[@robinstarkey6071]

You know it's a banger when you have to restart from the beginning halfway through 😂❤

[@mattyesfan2]

I'm sitting in a hotel room in downtown Louisville enjoying the hell out of watching you all react to this song 😂 It really is perfect in every way man. The bass and drum groove is just so amazing. The whole "Aja" album just never gets old.

[@josephboys9965]

Since you loved this one may I suggest "Hey Nineteen"

[@discodawn]

Now you know why everyone has reacted to this song 🔥 if you haven’t done ‘Hey Nineteen’ yet, that’s also an absolute banger 🤌🏼🤌🏼

[@submandave1125]

Or "Babylon Sisters" (or "IGY" or "New Frontier" from The Nightfly)

[@glynnborders762]

Imagine what we thought in 1977.

[@pamstuckey8349]

In my mind they are a combination of Jazz, Rock, Soul and Funk

[@DM-hk4cw]

Michael McDonald nailing "Peg" is unreal. His vocal sounds like a synthesizer.

[@donholl]

He multi-track harmonized with himself. The documentary on the making of Aja - Peg, in particular - is great.

[@davep1103]

You CAN NOT tell Me that Michael DO NOT BRING THAT SONG ALIVE ! ( I mean… OBVIOUSLY the instrumentation was on POINT ! ) But Mike…. DID HIS THANG ! 😎

[@jml-rj5re]

@@donholl The harmonies are SO TIGHT.

[@MichaelTrogdon1990]

I think you guys have the best reaction to this song. I’m glad you liked it.

[@edwardcossa875]

Peg is nickname for Margaret

[@anitasmith4559]

"I was expecting good, but I wasn't expecting greatness." This happens when planets align as they did in "Peg."

[@brandonlee93]

This track is sick! We were spoiled with so much good music that we took it for granted. I’m on my own journey of rediscovering music I grew up with.

[@shawnfynn7889]

Artistically the best pop song released in 1978

[@donkunes8630]

the drummer ,Steve Gadd on the title song Aja was a neighbor for a time in Rochester NY . where an annual international jazz festival is held

[@wanderjoy1589]

I love your facial expressions, makes me so happy!!

[@dogtownczar]

❤‍🔥❤‍🔥❤‍🔥❤‍🔥❤‍🔥 and yes that was Micheal McDonald singing back ground vocals

[@shellythomas8422]

In eighty one and eighty two I would literally tell everybody to get out the dance force so I could perform.. Cause this song just brought it out

[@glennawhiteman742]

Between 1975 and 1978 ( aside from the disco era) the soft rock scene was all fire! With Al Stewart, Pablo Cruise, Little River band, Atlanta Rythm section and this group. Great music to grow up to😊 Oh I almost forgot Bob Seger's Main Street! From 1977!❤

[@back2me225]

❤ i love the bassline of this song and your funny reaction thanks a lot.😅🥰

[@terrygelinas4593]

So many things going on in this song. A major brilliant vibe! I heard this song when I went to high school - when it was initially released

[@timmiller5913]

Chuck Rainey and Rick Marotta are perfect here

[@dawnpatrol700]

If you haven't already, check out their song " FM". Its the theme on the soundtrack of the movie FM. I'm so old, I saw the movie in 1978 lol

[@pdexBigTeacher]

Been listening to this tune since '77; my head still bops just like them today.

[@johnfrank3177]

You guys said it right: This is TOO good!

[@mowerdan8133]

The production values of music from the '70s were absolutely superb.

[@Jude_196]

AMEN!!!

[@fantasyguru26]

Its the best decade of music

[@cherylwoodward]

The 70s genres of music were all fantastic. From Prog to Rock to singer songwriters to Disco. And all hold up today.

[@TheCornishCockney]

The decade by which all others must be judged,only the sexy 60’s comes close.

[@delilahfleharty8393]

​@@fantasyguru26AGREED!!!

[@ivylady13]

Listen to it again....follow that spectacular bass...wow! And the voice of Michael MacDonald.....It's a Steely Dan day!

[@marleneobstnash5517]

I was a Senior in high school when this song was on the charts. I didn't appreciate it then and of course we had so many fantastic artists on the radio at that time! But as I listened to Peg more, I heard the musical intricacies. It's a fab song! Great reaction guys!

[@Phlakaton88]

A master class in studio production. Top notch top to bottom.

[@justinmontoya3550]

"I can't even dance, but if this is playing, I'm goin' out there and makin' a fool of myself" Lmaooo

[@vinniemoran7362]

Amazing reaction! Drummer Rick Marotta on working with bassist Chuck Rainey on Peg: "Once Chuck and I started playing, you could have hung your coat up on the groove."

[@anthonyblakely399]

Steely Dan is one of my all-time favorite band along with Yes. Different styles, but great musicianship!!! The back up singers along with Michael McDonald are just PERFECTION!!!!❤❤❤❤

[@MattB-h3n]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/oqWTk2SBeKeSercsi=3Bk3Kw7xZUNBUH6E The above link is to the isolated vocal tracks (lead and background) for "Peg." Please note that there's about 20 seconds of silence at the beginning of the video to account for the well-known instrumental intro to the song and then the vocals kick in. Listening to the vocal tracks, especially the background harmonies, really emphasizes (to me as someone with extremely limited knowledge of musical performance) how sophisticated the song is...without any of the instruments!

[@stefanycrawford2884]

Oh my... I love you guys. You make me smile, no matter how bad my day has been...😆

[@joannaburchell7131]

I have just come across your video of Peg. I love your reaction ❤. It is probably my favourite track i play it nearly every day. Please play more.

[@MrKenFernandes]

Bout time!. You are now BORN AGAIN :)

[@danlrusso]

...how could I forget Dirty Work, is beyond me. Great tune.

[@richardcranium0]

7:05 ~ (basically): "Fugg it, shit's so good I wanna hear it from the top..." A-men, my friend! ;)

[@DetroitTea23]

I played this album endlessly.

[@MattB-h3n]

With an Admiral on the "Yacht Rock" seas, Michael McDonald on background vocals. 😂 (EDIT: I was referring to some of Michael McDonald's non-Steely Dan work as reflecting the "yacht rock" type sound, NOT Steely Dan. Sorry for any confusion) Seriously, "Reelin' in the Years" should be a strong contender for next Steely Dan reaction if more mainstream songs like "Peg" make the cut. The guitar solos in "Reelin' in the Years" and "Maybe I'm Amazed" by Paul McCartney are epically underrated.

[@MattB-h3n]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/mWrUhmtunq91rs0si=uTANUAU_LmrTE9kU The above link is an excerpt of a music documentary series called "Classic Albums." There was an entire episode on "Aja." The clip above is Michael McDonald talking about the minute intricacies that Donald Fagen and Walter Becker wanted in McDonald's background vocals for "Peg." Then, there is a short section in the clip with Fagen and Becker at the control board, showing how the chorus was mixed, including the background vocals. On a side note, McDonald starting working with Steely Dan a few years before "Aja." He's been quoted in at least one interview that he believed he was hired because Donald Fagen thought McDonald "could sing high parts like a girl." Incredible stuff. 😀

[@bobthebear1246]

Don't forget the two guitar solos in "Don't Take Me Alive."

[@ednicholson7839]

Steely Dan isn’t yacht rock

[@MattB-h3n]

Sorry if there was any confusion with my earlier comment. I was referring to Michael McDonald's place in "Yacht Rock," which he has graciously embraced when asked about it in past interviews. Another poster mentioned Steely Dan as being a "jazz fusion" band and, whether this is fitting or not, Steely Dan offers so many musical varieties (especially in a song like "Peg"), it would be very hard to accurately describe them as "Yacht Rock." Sorry about any confusion with the earlier post.

[@martinrenzhofer8241]

Yacht Rock does not apply to SD. McDonald is Yacht Rock.

[@portiamatthews9654]

We we're lit back in the day. Music during those eras (60, 70, 80 & 90's) was awesome. Thanks for your reactions. New subscriber 👍

[@michaelyount3176]

I love it when you guys love it. The Dan. Incomparable. The composition, the performance, the production, the arrangements - Aja is among the best albums ever.

[@Jude_196]

FACTS!

[@alflazz2443]

Totalmente de acuerdo Michael.

[@michaelyount3176]

Gracias! @@alflazz2443

[@mikeat2637]

I don't know if you already know about it, but I came across a concert from 2012 called The Dukes of September. It is headlined by Donald Fagen of Steely Dan, Michael McDonald and Boz Scaggs. I listened to it for the first time the other day and it is a masterpiece. You definitely should check it out.

[@adamjam9541]

Takes you back to a time when a date meant going to a movie and Mc Donald’s afterwards. Still have the cassette and album

[@jeangerow7177]

This song (as well as the album) absolutely blew up in 1977, my freshman year of college. We had no idea how lucky we were to come of age with such talented artists.

[@badbackbatch]

As a teen when this came out I lived for album liner notes - I would read every detail of every album learning all the players. Imagine, in their prime, Kobe, Michael, Shaq, Bird and Lebron on the same team - that's who played on all the Steely Dan records - the best A list studio musicians on the planet including Michael Omartian, Larry Carlton, Chuck Rainey, Dean Parks etc etc etc

[@zubee1]

Sophisticated sound. A top favorite of mine and the memories! I was 16. Thanks and I just subscribed.

[@yuvonnemoore5466]

When my husband and I met in 1978, this is one of 2 albums we had in common. He was into R&B, and I was into rock. Somehow, we made it and are still together, lol. The whole Aja album is awesome, or flamin' as you guys would say. The background vocals are by the incredible Michael McDonald.

[@marygoodson4920]

I'm about to turn 65. I went to the East Coast for college, in Fall of 1977, and when I came back home to L.A. for the Summer my Mother had a surprise for me by putting a tape sound system in my Dad's 1967/68 Buick Electra 225 that I had inherited when he passed away. She spared no expense and put in a Blaupunkt system. The only problem was it was 8-track, not cassette! She was a great Mom. The first tape I bought to listen to was "Aja." It sounded amazing. I wore that tape out driving around town! I think I only bought one other tape. ❤❤❤❤❤

[@janetheslet8667]

I found this band at 15 when I was in HS. 🔥. Talk about great tunes covered by your favorite garage band. So much great music in the 70’s.

[@donbeckman884]

The next Steely Dan song you should listed to is "Deacon Blues"

[@toddgruden529]

Yep, Deacon Blues is my favorite one.

[@Critical_Thinker858]

Great reaction! You're absolutely right. But for those of us who grew up in the 70s and 80s, this was listening to the radio on a Tuesday. We heard great stuff like this ALL THE TIME and this was just another catchy tune on FM pop radio. It's fun for me to go back and listen to this with "fresh ears" as if I'm hearing it for the first time. And among many great elements, the thing that I think stands out to me is the bass work, especially during the chorus. It's absolutely off the chain. Like the members of this band were all freaking musical geniuses. Beautiful song and great production, all the way around.

[@kylebeckley194]

I bought this album in high school and could NOT stop playing it. Every song was good. I gave my vinyl albums with my best friend when I left for the Navy in 1980.

[@kimberlydavis4772]

So great to hear excellent music being appreciated!

[@marcusjaybrode2129]

So many of the musicians on this entire album are jazz musicians.

[@samhill6274]

Gents….. Incredible stuff. Steely was a new band ever album. Showing us jazz never gets old. True perfection with McDonald in the background harmonizing himself, just amazing. Enjoy …..

[@robertljazz2796]

You need to listen to "Time Out of Mind it's an excellent song by Steely Dan!

[@DetroitTea23]

I love the way you guys enjoy and appreciate the music the way we enjoyed it. I’m 63 and I love all of my music from back in the day.

[@Waimanu5]

That is just gold right there

[@zoeslovely7096]

Ryan nailed it, rappers took from nearly every Steely song

[@TallyDrake]

So sad Ty wasn't here for this! This song puts me right back in the college cafeteria. Total nostalgia. 😊

[@audreycumby1075]

Where is Ty?

[@TallyDrake]

@@audreycumby1075 He moved away.

[@epdiablo25]

Honestly believe Peg is one of the most under rated songs ever. It’s so good.

[@maximilianodelrio]

Underrated? You gotta be kidding

[@epdiablo25]

Nope

[@davep1103]

IT ABSOLUTELY IS !

[@academicdeaneducation6671]

It's actually one of their most acclaimed songs. It has been called a perfect song and a documentary has been made about it. Not underrated at all.

[@epdiablo25]

It’s an opinion people.

[@gospelpopsoulman]

The great Michael McDonald on background vocals

[@KenTadeo]

Your reactions are truth. Awesome groove.

[@philipesterle6409]

Love your reaction to the groove here. Grew up in Lyndon and then Douglass Hills, but now living many miles away.

[@salsalzman2325]

Their secret was to hire multiple sets of musicians and have them work the song to death, and then choose individual takes from each. They might have had a half dozen guitarists do session work on each song and then decide which to use .

[@bobziadie2988]

Great reaction guys! Love the non-choreographed double-stankface, the reaction of most Steely Dan reactions!

[@patriciastewart9711]

YES guys!! more Steely Dan & also Donald Fagen solo stuff. Rabbit hole time! Love you guys!

[@russtex]

Awesome song!

[@j.kearney8058]

Fantastic review, Steele Dan is simply outstanding....