Fantastic song. But the horns (saxes) are real. They are played with surgical precision though. Yes, Donald has released several albums starting with The Nightfly, and they are spectacular. It's a deep dive. Donald Fagen is musical genius and in the company of Miles Davis, Ellington, Ray Charles, etc. Nice work John.

The song was from the album “Gaucho” released in 1980, not 84.

This song is about the seedy business underside of the late 70's and early 80's LA cocaine scene. "Spend a quarter just to shine the silver bowl" is a reference to the druggie underclass paying $250 to get the residue from a cocaine bowl. Yes, Donald has a rich solo career you can explore. Many consider his first solo outing, The Nightfly, to be his best, but they are all exceptional, yet different. A good place to start would be New Frontier from The Nightfly.

This song has so many layers, both musically and lyrically. I never realized how much was going on until I heard it in 5.1 surround. How did I never notice those percussion parts before? They're fantastic. Just to add to what everyone else is saying. The saxes are real. The main drum track is sequenced, and the samples are from Steve Gadd who overdubs the fills over the synthetic beat. The "drum machine" they used was one of a kind and created just for this album. It's name was Wendel. The song isn't just about cocaine, and selling cocaine to celebrities in L.A. It's also about the delusions of grandeur of the narrator. He's not just some dirtbag coke dealer, he's going to impress his famous clientele with his car phone. Lines like "we're a star" point to the fact that he sees himself as a big shot literally just because he's selling cocaine to the actual famous people... I love the improper/unusual use of English to make the point "we're a star." Kind of reminds me of "now you're gonna do me everything you did," from Everything You Did.

The bass is so kicking and prevalent, wow.

I like the idea of “mysterious” as that is another cool feature of this amazing tune. Really enjoyed your reaction!

The 2 core members of Steely Dan, Donald Fagen and Walter Becker both recorded solo albums. Fagen has 4 and Becker has 2. Start with Fagen’s first solo album from 1982 called “The Nightfly”.

Love, love, love the piano.

Donald Fagen is the lead singer and he has several solo projects. Steely Dan broke up in 1981 and "The Nightfly" was released in 1982. Donald Fagen has several "solo" recordings including "Kamakiriad", "Morph the Cat" and "Sunken Condos". He reunited with Walter Becker in 2000 and released " Two Against Nature ".

As I always say Steely Dan is your favorite bands favorite band✌🤘

Donald Fagen has multiple solo albums. They are all gold.

This is my favorite Steely Dan jam. Love the complexity of their chords, harmonies, lyrics and rhythm. Just saw them last month here in Michigan. RIP to Walter Becker, Cornelius Bumpus and the great Ricky Lawson who played the drums on this classic tune.

When I head into that great swirling unknown I want my children and anyone who loves me to remember me boppin to that Wes Montgomery style gradual guitar solo fade. It's so analogous of my spirit, disembodied, still ricocheting off of random hard surfaces, until it loses its impetus. It'll still be feisty and boppin, but dispersed. A part of everything.

They never really had solo projects because when they were both together, before Becker died, they had the best studio musicians around them, and the same is true when they did solo albums.

Great review, John! For the record, Gaucho was released in 1980. This was their last album for 20 years. Donald Fagen (singer) released The Nightfly solo album in 1982. It's a gem that you MUST listen to. You captured the mood of this song - on the surface a bright disco-like pop tune, with dark, disturbing undercurrents - the "glamour" of the late 70's early 80's LA cocaine trade.

Yes, Donald Fagen has done at least four solo albums, all great: Nightfly, Kamakiriad, Morph the Cat, Sunken Condos. Some great tracks: New Frontier, Ruby, Baby, The Goodbye Look, Snowbound, Springtime, On the Dunes, H-Gang, Security Joan, Brite Nightgown, ....

Steve Khan's guitar work is wonderful; especially that outro!

"Glamour Profession" is my favorite Steely Dan song. As is the case with Steely Dan songs, the music enhances the lyrics exponentially. It's like my favorite poem made into a song. I also really like "H Gang" by Donald Fagen. Those mystical lyrics with haunting melody.

The Nightfly is his best solo effort IMO

Genius Writing by a couple of Geniuses

So glad you are hitting this one. Such a great bass line, horns, stabs of lush supporting jazz guitar and the lyrics are brilliant and funny! The character names .. Hoops McCann, Jives Miguel are hilarious! SD are masters at the catchy chorus hooks and this song is no different. "Local boys would spend a quarter (ie. $250) just to shine the silver bowl, living hard will take its toll". All sung so tastefully with.beautiful accompanying voices!! One of my SD favourites!

My favorite Steely Dan song. A close second is 'New Frontier' from Donald Fagen's first solo album....Nightfly.

The title track on Gaucho is one of my favorite Steely Dan songs. Hope you get to that one soon.

This song is so cool. I said the same thing the first time I heard it.

🤗 Welcome to 💃🏽 The Glamour Profession! 😁 Illegal fun, under the sun boys! 🤭 And yes, I specifically left out the Comma! 🍽️ #SzechuanDumplings 🎷 #RealHorns 🐰

Classy vibe.

🥰 Still adore you reading lyrics! Really enjoyable to watch your reaction! 😊🐰

“Spend a quarter just to shine the silver bowl,” as I understand it: “Spend a quarter” would mean, “buying a quarter ounce or 7 grams of ‘Peruvian Marching Powder’ and donating it to the ‘community’ coke bowl.’ Not only would the Dealer look good in the eyes of his Celebrity Friend…but if it’s as clean-and-pure-as-the-driven-snow…and the guests like it…he could have some new, high-end customers. (He’s ALWAYS networking.)

Donald Fagen. Has solo albums. Luv Szechuan Dumplns. lol

another great tale of a drug dealer. one of their greatest tracks, especially that end section.

Hahaha...yes!

Gaucho came out in 1980. I bought it.

This song is about an agent or manager for a super star basketball player. He simply tells of his life supplying the drugs and girls and transportation and parties for his client. He feels he is also a star. A star of that world of sports management, having made it to the pinnacle of that profession ( the LA concession) He loves his job. John, count out how many bars it takes for the chord progressions to repeat. It might be a world record! 24 bars? 36? Depends how you count it. And yet, a completely unintimidating, radio friendly song.

Donald Fagen's solo albums are outstanding. The Nightfly (iconic), Kamakiriad, Morph the Cat, and Sunken Condos are all tremendous.

The closest Steely Dan ever came to making a Disco song…look at you just grooving away! Ah! the layers of musical sounds are just superb Indeed, one of my favorites… Rock on brother 🤘😎

Does the Singer do any solo work..? Well my friend, About 18 months later Donald Fagan wrote a sole album that is probably my all time Favourite; Namely:- The Nightfly

Have you got into Joni Mitchell yet? Coyote? The Blue album. And try Tim Buckley's Strange Feeling from Happy Sad. Brilliant pieces of music. Absolutely iconic.

Donald Fagen solo albums are The Nightfly, Kamakiriad, Morph the Cat and Sunken Condos.

You might also enjoy Two Against Nature “. A great album. Also his futuristic solo concept cd Kamakeriad or Sunken Comdos

Mr. Steve Khan on guitar.

The arrangement for this song is just ridiculous. They were just rubbing it on our face by that point.

Great song! Those horns are real, not synth.

1980 is the release date.

"Brut and charisma poured from the shadows where he stood..." Brut cologne. Good god, I hated that stuff!😄

Sorry if you've already made a video for this but you should try Donald Fagan's solo song snowbound from his album kamakiriad

When you reacted to Black Cow, I gave you some suggestions on his Solo Albums. Check out my comment, then get ready to be rocked by his solo albums!✌️

Tread mill drums.

Check out dirty loops

Hey ! Can you react to Ethel Cain new album Preacher’s daughter plz

Gaucho was the first Steely Dan album I listened to, at age 12, in the mid 90's. No other kids in my world knew who they were. I played Glamour Profession for a friend who was also 12, and he wouldn't stop looking uncomfortable, saying it was weird. Fast forward 25 years later, and he still listens to the same angsty sadboi songs from his teenage years. So, in other words, his taste in music is still shit.

Glamour Profession is about a drug dealer to the rich and famous.

Sigh. Another reaction channel with a content provider who has interesting takes on music I like, but who does not react to music that includes the art/writing of female musicians. How about trying Alanis Morissette's You Oughta Know. Or the song Savage, or Love is a Stranger, from the Eurythmics? Zombie from The Cranberries.

Yacht rock. I like Rush better.

Young man there's no synth in the horns or anywhere else. This is real music. The way it used to be played. Many talented musicians were used on Steely Dan recordings. If they didn't like the way one was playing a part they did not hesitate to bring somebody else in.