Rick Derringer’s distorted slide guitar work is hypnotic, and so unusual. Reminds me of the equally unusual but more famous electric *sitar* solo of Denny Dias on “Do It Again”. Coincidentally, that song included references to gambling, too.
Rick Derringer shreds his slide work....he was chosen because he as one of the few guitar players that could read music....I'm a Duane Allman freak and this is as good as it gets .....Duane would have loved it !
One of my all time favorite SD songs. Love the guitar and the girls singing Lost Wages=Las Vegas. That's been around since they legalized gambling in Nevada.
@@SightAfterDark The most excellent production it never fails to amaze me I'm 70 now and I've been listening to them well since my husband and bought Countdown & Can't buy a thrill still got them on Vinyl.................. so bloody good glad you are reviewing these tunes thanks guys , very best Love & Peace from England X
Thanks for another great reaction. I recently found you two, two years later! Trivia: the background singers are singing "You go to Lost Wages". Outspoken 60s comedian Lenny Bruce coined the term, for Las Vegas. Not sure why--is that what show biz kids do? Gotta love the Dan.
This tune is their subversion of a Motown-style song/arrangement. Mantra-like piano, bass line and drum track, circular form, the backing vocals - all integral elements of classic Motown Sound, but of course the lyrics take a major left turn, not about love but clearly critical of nascent glitzy ritzy early 1970s celebrity culture and 'Lost Wages' a clear shot at Vegas-casino-gambling junkies. Noteworthy are Rick Derringer's stellar slide guitar work and the F word on the last verse. 'El Supremo' = slang for killer, prime, top shelf cannabis?
and think ...this was in the 70's! We listened to songs that told a story about life and what was happening.....Big Brother, Greenpeace, etc....great time to grow up in. Peace everybody!
One of my favs! It’s clear you guys didn’t know the slang for Las Vegas is “Lost Wages” while listening. That’s ok. Now you know. Great song that hardly ever hear on the radio.
That's my favorite. One of the greatest mysteries in history is what are they singing Las Vegas or is it lost wages. I have never seen lyrics to the intro, 2nd verse or last verse of what they're singing. I can't recall where I heard this because I have "CRS"(Can't Remember Shit)) but was explained intro "Lost Wages", 2nd verse is "Las Vegas" and last verse "Las or Los Wagesx" I can't remember which. CRS again. It's a mystery that I fear will outlast my life.
Originally, Steely Dan were exclusively a studio band. Later, they publicly performed. Regardless, the lyrics were meaningful, crafty, and their GROOVE was/is consistent and STRONG! Simply timeless music!!! Thank you for sharing, new generation folk!!!
The background refrain throughout the song is: "You go to Las Wages. Las Wages. You go to Las Wages" Las Wages is another name for Las Vegas. In case you were wondering.
Rikki lee jones did an excellent cover of this song . It was produced by Walter Becker . I tried to hit up on Rikki Lee Jones on social media . She basically told me to phuc off . Can't blame me for trying .
Great reaction. I agree.... this is straight forward. Not much ambiguity on this track. As a side note... Walter played harmonica and Rick Derringer played slide guitar on this as well. I like everything about this song. The lyrics as well as the musicianship are both top notch. This got released in 1973 when I was just starting college out is California. I did hear it on FM radio at the time but I was not a huge fan yet. I certainly am now. Thanks guys.......
Always thought they were screwing with us on the printed Guernsey fair lyric. it really does sound like "the GanjI (GANJA) fair" hence the El Supremo at the top of the stairs. The Guernsey Fair in Ohio and a top shelf cigar make no sense to me. Ir would be just like them to cleverly cloak an obvious drug reference especially when you consider the times.
@@SightAfterDark You folks look like you are having fun and thats what its all about really in this case, you are really over-thinking it a bit and missing the whole simple funkiness at the heart of the song
Has more truth and raw edge than a million wannabe punk bands.
More nuance too!
True dat
I would agree on the nuance, but truth and raw edge? I'd say it's a characteristic that can't be measured like that
Mr fagen is very acerbic....is a good way of putting it...
“Go to Lost Wages...Lost Wages...Go to Lost Wages...” It’s a play on words for Las Vegas. Love this song!
Makes sense! Thanks for clarifying!
@@SightAfterDark No problem. Really like you guys deep and insightful reactions!
It's actually 3 phrases, Lost Wages/Lot's Wages/Las Vegas mixed around a lot. Lot reference from the bible.
Steely Dan ALWAYS gets a thumbs up from me!
Love your channel! ☻☺
Thanks for taking the time to watch, we appreciate you!
Finally! Somebody did this one! One of my Dan favs!
Thanks for watching! Hope you enjoyed!
The Dan can alternatively write very complex and enjoyable songs as well as making a great tune out of a one-chord song
Their versatility is extremely impressive!
Rick Derringer’s distorted slide guitar work is hypnotic, and so unusual. Reminds me of the equally unusual but more famous electric *sitar* solo of Denny Dias on “Do It Again”. Coincidentally, that song included references to gambling, too.
Gotta love it!
The Dan...nothing escapes the view or the comments of the Dan. They are observant, so sarcastic and so, so sardonic.
Indeed!
One the greatest songs of all time....a great FU tune, a guitar always in solo mode and exquisite backup singers
Rick Derringer shreds his slide work....he was chosen because he as one of the few guitar players that could read music....I'm a Duane Allman freak and this is as good as it gets .....Duane would have loved it !
One of my all time favorite SD songs. Love the guitar and the girls singing Lost Wages=Las Vegas. That's been around since they legalized gambling in Nevada.
Great song! It’s amazing how consistently great Steely Dan is. It’s difficult to find a bad song on any of their albums.
Indeed. We’re blown away by how consistently amazing they are
@@SightAfterDark The most excellent production it never fails to amaze me I'm 70 now and I've been listening to them well since my husband and bought Countdown & Can't buy a thrill still got them on Vinyl.................. so bloody good glad you are reviewing these tunes thanks guys , very best Love & Peace from England X
The more I listen, the more I like songs that I didn't at first: I Got The News, Gaucho, Bring Back The Boston Rag, etc. 😁
Thanks for another great reaction. I recently found you two, two years later!
Trivia: the background singers are singing "You go to Lost Wages". Outspoken 60s comedian Lenny Bruce coined the term, for Las Vegas.
Not sure why--is that what show biz kids do? Gotta love the Dan.
Wasn't aware of the Lenny Bruce thing. Cool!
@@lindadee2053 Thanks Linda, nice of you to take the time.
This tune is their subversion of a Motown-style song/arrangement. Mantra-like piano, bass line and drum track, circular form, the backing vocals - all integral elements of classic Motown Sound, but of course the lyrics take a major left turn, not about love but clearly critical of nascent glitzy ritzy early 1970s celebrity culture and 'Lost Wages' a clear shot at Vegas-casino-gambling junkies. Noteworthy are Rick Derringer's stellar slide guitar work and the F word on the last verse. 'El Supremo' = slang for killer, prime, top shelf cannabis?
Can definitely see that. Another of our subscribers informed us that el supreme
Is a brand of Cuban cigars, so pretty close!
Such a killer song. Such a killer guitar riff...
the F bomb in this song still plays on most FM stations, which is fucking cool
and think ...this was in the 70's! We listened to songs that told a story about life and what was happening.....Big Brother, Greenpeace, etc....great time to grow up in. Peace everybody!
the outro is wild. What i imagine what the world of mad men sounds like. "This is your captain speaking"
Something like that!
People in UK should check out the tribute band Nearly Dan. Got it down !
New Young adults should hear this. Wait I did at like 16. All teenagers should here this also.
Let go girl! You feel it!!! My fave!
the best group
Can't duplicate them World of their own, they made their home sweet home.
CLASSIC TRACK, CLASSIC ALBUM,🎹🎶🎺🎵🎸🎷🎵🎶🎹🎷🎵🎶🎺🎻🔊🎶🎵🎸🎷🎷🎸
you are both attractive articulate and very detailed reviewers ps how i still love nostalgia it’s a pining for better times ps i’m a musician too
Thank you so much! We’re glad you could enjoy!
One of my favs! It’s clear you guys didn’t know the slang for Las Vegas is “Lost Wages” while listening. That’s ok. Now you know. Great song that hardly ever hear on the radio.
Thanks Xavier!
guitar just laying in the cut shredding the entire damn time
"Lost Wages" at the beginning of the song is a reference to Las Vegas.
duh......no kidding ??
That's my favorite. One of the greatest mysteries in history is what are they singing Las Vegas or is it lost wages. I have never seen lyrics to the intro, 2nd verse or last verse of what they're singing. I can't recall where I heard this because I have "CRS"(Can't Remember Shit)) but was explained intro "Lost Wages", 2nd verse is "Las Vegas" and last verse "Las or Los Wagesx" I can't remember which. CRS again. It's a mystery that I fear will outlast my life.
Who won't be have-nots forever
Originally, Steely Dan were exclusively a studio band. Later, they publicly performed. Regardless, the lyrics were meaningful, crafty, and their GROOVE was/is consistent and STRONG! Simply timeless music!!! Thank you for sharing, new generation folk!!!
Thanks for watching!
Actually SD toured like any other band at the beginning but Walt and Donald hated it so they stopped around 1974.
@@williamtaylor506 Thank you for that element of truth!!! 🤓🙂
@@williamtaylor506 Yes. Thanks for pointing that out. And there is video on CZcams of that more original Steely Dan actual band.
Little Rick Derringer on that buzzy slide guitar
Going to Las Vegas, "lost wages" we're going to Las Vegas...
The background refrain throughout the song is: "You go to Las Wages. Las Wages. You go to Las Wages" Las Wages is another name for Las Vegas. In case you were wondering.
Thanks Jim!
That'll do.....
Rick Derringer on slide guitar!
Rikki lee jones did an excellent cover of this song . It was produced by Walter Becker . I tried to hit up on Rikki Lee Jones on social media . She basically told me to phuc off . Can't blame me for trying .
😂🤣😂 what did you say to her?
@@SightAfterDark I dont remember. I did have a little more success with Patti Smith however . At least she didn't tell me to fux off .
Show biz kids making movies of themselves. You know they don't give a fuck about anybody else
Sing it!
Great reaction. I agree.... this is straight forward. Not much ambiguity on this track. As a side note... Walter played harmonica and Rick Derringer played slide guitar on this as well. I like everything about this song. The lyrics as well as the musicianship are both top notch. This got released in 1973 when I was just starting college out is California. I did hear it on FM radio at the time but I was not a huge fan yet. I certainly am now. Thanks guys.......
Thanks for watching Rayce!
I used to mishear one line as "after closing time at the guns affair".
We could see that
Always thought they were screwing with us on the printed Guernsey fair lyric. it really does sound like "the GanjI (GANJA) fair" hence the El Supremo at the top of the stairs. The Guernsey Fair in Ohio and a top shelf cigar make no sense to me. Ir would be just like them to cleverly cloak an obvious drug reference especially when you consider the times.
Interesting interpretation. Thanks for watching Cary!
Dan got it right..they are flies on the wall and they are trying to be not absorbed by it.
Lost Wages, we’re going to Lost Wages…. :-)
I still don’t know what they say in the chorus after all these years
☺️
"Go to Lost Wages," that is, "Las Vegas."
This song is a goddamn ear worm.
Do you know the story behind the name, "Steely Dan"? 😀
Haha we’ve heard
Certainly not a SD single; You may have heard the Super Furry Animals sampling it czcams.com/video/KkdYpD6-VXU/video.html.
She wants to move with the rhythm. What or who is holding her back?
Everyone listens to music differently Terry. Thanks for watching!
It's almost a proto-type rap.
Kind of!
Come on now, stop rambling on and trying to explain some in a more complicated way then need be. This is just a funky diddy standard.
We like to ramble 🥰 and we appreciate you watching Dave!
@@SightAfterDark You folks look like you are having fun and thats what its all about really in this case, you are really over-thinking it a bit and missing the whole simple funkiness at the heart of the song
she sure ain't likin' it
She just has a solid poker face!
@@SightAfterDark whatever you need to tell yourself