King in the world is one of my favorite songs, so underrated and no-one reacts to it!

Steely Dan was a product of a particular point in time. They don't exist anymore. Nor is there anyone like them now. I'm not holding my breath that there will ever be anyone like them again.

My Old School is the song I would play for someone who says, who's Steely Dan? The horn chart, harmonies, tasteful drums, arrangement, and that fucking guitar. Mmmmmmmmmmasterful

I am almost 59 years old... and have been a "Dan" fan since the first album, which I bought when I was 11... I was hooked, and Steely Dan has been one of the Soundtracks of my life... I think, as you continue this journey, that your thinking will change.. many times over each album holds its own, and serves as a benchmark, if you will, of Donald and Walters evolution as artists and songwriters. You are in for such a treat... as you delve further into the catalogue, suffice it to say,.. your mind will be blown.. many times.. I sincerely hope that after you've completed the Steely Dan catalogue, that you continue the journey with Donald Fagens solo work, and Walters as well... I believe that Donald Fagen is the Hoagy Carmichael of my generation. When you listen to his solo efforts, you will understand. I am so appreciative that you've decided to react to the whole catalogue... no one else has, and it's going to be a pleasure, watching you discover this music, as I have, one album after the next, since 1972.. This is what reaction channels should be.. and you my friend, are going to be very successful.... Thank you.... :)

Now you’re about to get into the meat and potatoes of the Steely Dan discography. Pretzel Logic, Katy Lied, Royal Scam and Aja. The groove masters only get groovier.

All three songs are so very different, but so very Steely Dan. They take you to college towns, New Orleans and a post apocalyptic land.

Your words about Pearl of the Quarter are some of the reasons why it's my favorite Steely Dan song. Very difficult to choose but after a time it chose me.

The great thing about songs like "My Old School" is you have the rest of your life to discover the meaning of all of the lyrics, and you can enjoy the surprise each time you learn something new about the song that you have listened to for years. Back in the seventies there was a popular morning talk show featuring local (Buffalo, NY) hosts. It was popular for many years. They used the instrumental from King of the World as their opening music.

There is a song called Here at the Western World, it only appears on Steely Dan Gold, a greatest hits, you might want to pop that in somewhere, I think it was recorded around Royal Scam

King of the World - bass is just romping through that track. And I'll tell ya this, at least for me...a 'bad' steely dan song, is head an shoulders above a lot of groups 'good' songs.

I'm almost 60 and have loved Steely Dan forever, but my favorite part of these videos is your smile. Thank you for making everyone feel good.

So joyous to watch you dig this musical trip through Steely Dan’s catalog. I told you I bought their debut album, Can’t Buy A Thrill with my lawn mowing money, back in ‘72. But buying and enjoying this incredible album definitely cemented their legacy for me back in 1974 - that I’d be a Steely Dan Dan FOR LIFE. And here I am, nearly 50 years later STILL A FAN. Enjoy, my friend! Your journey is still in it’s infancy stage...

You absolutely nailed Donald Fagen's vocal importance within this band. It's like listening to Bob Dylan in a funk band. He wasn't a hard rock singer like Led Zepp, Boston or Creedence so they compensated by having the funkiest, jazziest arrangements in a rock band at the time. Please check out Pretzel Logic & Royal Scam.... Incomparable band, Peace.

I've been a strong Steely Dan fan for decades, now I'm also a DramaSydETV fan. Thank you brother and much love!

The best pinched note guitar solo ever captured on vinyl.

Your initial impression of King of the World, where you said the chorus didn't feel as good as the rest of the song was my initial impression when I first heard the song. It's since become one of my favorite Steely Dan songs of all time. Their music is really vague lyrically because the gents behind it studied literature in college. Everything is steeped in metaphor. It's just so good! I'm happy to hear you're going through their discography. They change so much through the years, and going through sequentially you really get to see their style evolve. That said about their lyrics, I think so many of their songs play out like a movie. King of the World is no exception. It's like last man on earth stuff. Great video!

I really love the joy this band is bringing to you. It's on your face when you listen :)

I never heard this song before. I love the Steely Dan band. Thank you!

I bow to you, Sir. You have the good sense to listen to the great Steely Dan through good headphones. Applause.

That was fun. Looking forward to your reviews of Pretzel Logic. It's another masterpiece - you should love it. And it's a ways off, but the Aja album is going to blow your mind.

You're spot on about the perfect fit between their song writing style and the voice of their vocalist,

I could literally hear "King of the World" a 100 times in a row. Its such a groove taking you for a ride!

Blues , Jazz , Rock & Roll all rolled up into one. The definition of FUSION!

Of all the music albums ever made till today steely dan is the benchmark in overall music yes they are that good and also mentioning the Nightfly and Morph the Cat album from Donald Fagen that’s it flawless musicianship !

Have tried to get my favorite react channel to do "My old school" for months. They just did. They've yet to do "King of the world" and you've done both in one whack. Bravo. Love the channel and your thoughts. Peace

First time listening to My Old School w/headphones. They were masters of their craft, no doubt.

King Of The World and Aja are the two best Steely Dan songs among a mountain of masterpieces.

The 70s were a wonderful time for music,we were lucky to have a few FM stations that played a wide variety,most notable is KSHE-95 St.Louis,Mo.,Keep up the good work DramaSydE

My Old School refers to Bard College where Fagan and Becker went. It's located in Annandale-on-Hudson which is what the Annandale reference is It references a drug bust they were falsely accused in and were both jailed.

‘Pearl of the Quarter’ is itself a pearl of a song. I see the lyrics working like a dramatic monologue, in the voice of a character in an encounter with someone on the street. The method allows the writer to know more than the words spoken and so create layers of irony and poignancy beyond the speaker/singer’s awareness. Here the effect is accentuated by the vocal which is high and naive. The character is genuinely in love with Louise whom he (ironically) calls ‘my’. She is available for any but elusive for all and beyond the love he has developed for her (genuine care, offering a place to go, not simply exploitation, which is how he started to know her). He has fallen for her and is inside the emotion while the writer is outside it and can see the pathos and futility of his love for her. The chord sequences are beautifully arranged with superb use of melodic minors and the nod to country with the plaintive slide (lap steel) is a wonderful accompaniment to capture the song’s sad beauty. Excellent choice sir! Thanks!

I love that steel guitar in Pearl of the Quarter. Great, underrated song.

Love me some Steely Dan. Thanks for the reaction.

You’ve heard some fantastic music...and just think, their arguably best two albums are still to come. Aja and The Royal Scam. And I love that I don’t have to comment, ooh! ooh! Do xxx song! I know you’ll get to’em all. I’m thoroughly enjoying your journey.

For me, My Old School is the first turning point for Steely Dan's music. It's a foreshadowing of the upbeat jazz / funk / rock fusion that is more prominent as Fagen and Becker both mature as songwriters. The first two albums are great, but the beats in songs like Do It Again and Reelin' in the Years are more straight-ahead rock like other early 70's music. My Old School contains the type of horn and lead guitar licks that show up over and over again in their later work, and become their signature sound. All I can say is, if you enjoyed it, get your stank-face ready because a lot more is coming! Also, Fagen has said that he never liked the sound of his own voice. It's one of the reasons he had such stage fright early in their career and probably a big factor why they stopped touring. At the time, he had no vocal training and his voice would give out after a few weeks on the road. If I remember correctly, he always felt like his vocals were just another instrument in the mix and not meant to stand out above the music. Looking forward to your reactions as you get deeper into their catalog!

That start-stop guitar work in this punches me in the face every time. Fagen and Becker always surrounded themselves with the perfect musicians for what they wanted to achieve every time. Their gems are endless.

They were superb with their sound and imagery. Always amazing and good. Such great days when radio played everything from Sly to Steely and no horrid formats. Thanks for bringing these tunes back to be re-examined and enjoyed!

Great tunes, been an avid Dan fan from the beginning as a young teen in the early 70s. Pearl of the Quarter an underrated gem about a New Orleans Cajun hooker, a favorite Dan subject ;). They rarely played it live, and I was so grateful to hear it in 2011 Rarities Night Concert one off they did at the Beacon in NYC (as well as the also ultra rare Doctor Wu and some other unreleased gems). Fantastic.

It's all about Pearl of the Quarter for me; always one of my favs; chorus is sublime.

One more thing.... Steely Dan are the undisputed Masters of the Groove.

they were genius in their approach to music. they know what they wanted. studio musicians would come in and lay down a track to see if it would fit, then walter and donald would mesh and turn the sound they were looking for. they knew what they wanted before it got off the ground. My favorite band all around. You great analogies and perception into the guys. I really dig your channel. Keep it up young feller. Rock on.

Yes, "amazing guitar work...", yes! Jeff Baxter put out one of the best guitar tracks on this song. There is something about "Pearl of the Quarter", love that song. I think it is the steel guitar that makes this song unique. More Dan...Aja, Black Cow, Deacon Blues...Steely Dan's lyrics are always complex...greatness!

I just discovered your channel and I wanted to tell you that I love your reactions/reviews so far. I've been a huge Steely Dan fan for decades, so I'm really enjoying these reactions.

Ahhhh...Pearl of the Quarter ....luv it.

That Moog synth melody line that comes out of nowhere is so very Steely Dan and always makes me smile.

Great review! Just found your channel and subscribed. Your reviews are very good... you give intelligent and honest opinions. And you're really listening to the songs. thanks. Pearl of the Quarter is one of my fave SD tunes.. but there are so many great ones. Even the deep cut SD songs are at the very least well produced, well written and well played. We all have our favorites.

Great reaction and insight! The entire Aja album - some of the Gaucho album. Babylon Sisters, Hey Nineteen, . You must be a Thundercat fan if you like the Dan.

I guessed you'd change your mind about the chorus/hook. When you first hear this, it comes at you askance, other-worldly, off-kilter. it takes a few listens to get.

One of my favorite tunes by them! It is about their alma mater at Bard College, upstate, NY.

If I got wrecked on an island and only one band to listen too it be Dan !

One of the greatest album enders ever recorded. What a track.

Looking at your reaction to King of the World, I am confident that you are gonna love Green Earrings off the Royal Scam album later on down the line.

Really Dig getting your insight to Steely Dan's music..I've always been Big Fan

King Of The World is my fav SD ever and I've been a fan since the 70s

Great set of songs and three at a time is much better than one ... Old School was a big hit , Pearl of The Quarter is another great Nawlins country tune about the good time girl and Voule Voule Vou expresess the French dialect that was there at the time ..King has a quirky vibe that is like WTF is this really about but I like it and You don't have to know ..

Great mix of artists and genres tonight. You were on your game brother. I saved SD for last so to end the night with that trifecta was perfect. I love how your feelings about a song can change within 2 minutes but that’s what they do. There’s always a surprise, always a nugget that was unexpected, whether it’s a turn of phrase or an instrumental solo or a background vocal that adds a layer that you didn’t know was missing but once you hear it you can’t imagine the song without it. I hope there’s a seat belt on that chair of yours as the journey progresses cuz’ you are going to need to buckle up!

This album has really grown on me Hugely..❤it ..Thanks for the fab review 👏

Don't miss Donald Fagen's "The Nightfly", an absolute masterpiece......

SD, IS, Walter Becker (guitars, bass, backing vocals) and Donald Fagen (keyboards, lead vocals).. The band members were a compendium of top-notch musicians. If you were invited to work on a project, you were blessed. What you are hearing and feeling is the fusion and infusion of what I call jazzmology. A most delicious cocktail.

My man loving the reaction vids. Pat's nation! So glad you're taking this journey into Steely Dan, I know your love for them will grow the further you get like all bands they evolve and get better and better. Thanks for the video.

Fagen never really wanted to be the lead singer, but he and Becker just couldn't find anybody to give the tunes the feel they wanted. I've found that his voice kind of grew on me -- not a "pretty" voice and not the hugest range in the world, but he makes it work on sheer style and attitude.

Bought this album a long time ago. And then I bought it back on CD. Pearl of the Quarter is a jewel. I love the chords in the chorus. It always seems like Country with the steel guitar, but that part takes it to another genre. "And If You hear from my Louise…"

Funkalicious.. old school greatness. Always a blend of harmonies and instruments with easy listening vocals that soothe the soul. ☆

Guitar Jeff Skunk Baxter on My Old School.. in the Doobie Brothers after Steely Dan

Steely Dan, Grand Funk Railroad, SRV an others knew how to bring out That STANK Face in their songs/sangin 🤠🤘🏼🤠🤘🏼🎤😎🎧🎤😎🎧

The guitar solo's by Jeff Skunk Baxter on My Old School are fire, especially the last one to the fadeout.

Sometimes it's not so much the destination as it is the journey. Enjoy the trip.

My old school, definitely my favorite of theirs, not sure they have a bad song!

Another great reaction....your musical insights are always appreciated and I love watching your 'Listening Face'....All the best to you!....You should check out Was Not Was and their songs...'Do the Dinosaur' and 'Knocked Down Made Small'....Cool stuff...

YOUR SUMMATION IS 100% SPOT ON.

Love hearing you break down the music. My son is thinking of getting into musical engineering or producing and I hope he takes my suggestion to watch some of your stuff

Imagine being 16 when this came out. Small wonder I had no use for country music for the next 30 years.

Just an FYI, My Old School was about a drug bust that happened at Bard College while Becker and Fagan were both students there.

I know exactly what you mean about not thinking it was one of your favorite Steely Dan songs, doesn't mean it wasn't great! Some of their biggest hits on the radio left me flat compared to some of the tracks on the albums that didn't get near as much, if any, air time. An example was Rikki Don't Lose That Number was played so much, I got burned out on it while Kid Charlemagne was one I played at home on my stereo thousands of times and never lost that thrill of the first time I heard it.

Enjoying your appreciation for my favorite band. If you want to find out what they're all about there are a couple of vids you need to watch... The Making of Peg shows how they put their songs together and Donald Fagen Talks About Peg shows you what musical geniuses they are.

As you go through their albums one by one, you can hear the natural progression and maturation of their songwriting and song arraignment from album to album.

The beginning of King of the World sounded like an Isaak Hayes intro.

Subbed because you did the Dan, and three of them, Bravo.

Still think aja is best album.great reactions😎👍

With all the great stuff going on in My Old School, I always focus on the baritone sax. Gravy on the meat, IMO.

A little late to the comments here, but if you like the pedal steel guitar sound on "Pearl of the Quarter", it's played by the legendary Al Perkins. He's appeared on tons of records, most notably Stephen Still's "Manassas" album ("Johnny's Garden" is a personal favorite). Also, he's featured pretty heavily on the 1973 Eagles song "Ol' 55", I highly recommend that you check either of those songs out!!

Pure music 🎶 at its best as a whole

Love the way you did this. Sublime. Keep it goin'!

great comments men 14:00 min. +1.. for all discography is the same ... great band!

Like the 3 song vid idea m8..

wow, takes me back to party years many decades ago......

Wow Drama! I thought I knew music!

Larry Carlton, Jazz guitar player, Extraordinaire. The Dan is it.

Abba have to thank Steely Dan!

Just found you! Love your excellent reviews!

Lol..it grew on me.. I hear that!,

One lesser known " Dan" song that showcases great vocals is "Dirty Work"

My baby's the pearl of the quarter....

That Bari sax tho!

hell yea. can't wait for pretzel logic

The song Pretzel Logic is a must listen to

Back to the Dan!!!

Listen to that BARI-SAX

Do a deep dive into the lyrics of King of the World. It's quite the post-apocalyptic tale.

Great hat Bro!

My old school is dope!