Songs You Need To Know: Steely Dan - Reelin' In The Years
Vložit
- čas přidán 25. 06. 2024
- ➡️➡️Learn more about Steely Dan's "Reelin' Through The Years" here: producelikeapro.com/blog/stee...
➡️➡️Join the Produce Like A Pro Academy here: producelikeapro.com
➡️➡️Watch Iconic Session Guitarist: Elliott Randall Interview (Steely Dan, John Lennon, Peter Frampton) here: • Iconic Session Guitari...
➡️➡️Learn how to play Reelin' In The Years with Six String Alliance here: • Steely Dan - Reelin' I...
The story of Steely Dan is one of consummate musicianship, cerebral writing and audio polish. Their first big hit - “Reelin’ in the Years” showcased these values. Fusing together their deep love of jazz’s complex harmonies and rhythms, alongside blues and rock songwriting, Steely Dan’s intellectual approach to music is a hallmark of their long career.
The band’s founding members, Walter Becker and Donald Fagen, met at Bard college where Fagen was bouncing between the music and English departments; Becker was also a student, a couple years younger. An accomplished pianist, Fagen was looking for other musicians to play jazz and rock with, but struggled to find anyone who could play in the style he was looking for.
While Steely Dan has had many hits in their long career - “Reelin’ in the Years” is undoubtedly one of their greatest. It brings together Fagen and Becker’s talent for clever lyrics and cerebral composition, alongside consummate popular songwriting. They had honed their craft writing songs for other musicians, but in creating Steely Dan, they were able to expand their creative palate to embrace the complex musical influences that inspired them.
“Reelin’ in the Years” is structurally a clear pop song with catchy hooks and a memorable, singable chorus. But it’s also quite thoughtfully constructed. This is especially clear in the song’s lyrics which follow a beautiful parallel structure in each verse. Working on the classic theme of a romantic breakup - each verse starts with a description of the ex-girlfriend or the couple’s relationship and ends with the same frustrated bewilderment - “I can’t understand”
“Reelin’ in the Years” and the rest of Steely Dan’s debut album - Can’t Buy a Thrill - was recorded in August of 1972 at the iconic Village Recorder in West Los Angeles. The album features Steely Dan’s original band of Jeff “Skunk” Baxter on guitar, and pedal steel guitar, and Denny Dias on guitar and electric sitar. Becker plays electric bass guitar and sings background vocals.
Can’t Buy a Thrill was released in November of 1972. “Reelin’ in the Years” was released as the album’s second single on February 27, 1973. It just barely missed the 10 Ten, reaching number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart. It’s legacy has held strong - becoming a favorite of classic rock radio. The song showcases Fagen and Becker’s dry, sarcastic tongue, amid great songwriting, stellar musicianship and audio and production polish. Almost 50 years later, “Reelin’ in the Years” remains one of Steely Dan’s most popular and beloved tracks.
Written By: Caitlin Vaughn Carlos
❤️My Favorite Plugins:
➡️Waves MV2: waves.7eer.net/c/1205870/2868...
➡️Waves RBass: waves.7eer.net/c/1205870/2868...
➡️Renaissance Vox: waves.7eer.net/c/1205870/2868...
➡️Renaissance Compressor: waves.7eer.net/c/1205870/2868...
➡️Warren Huart IR Pack lancasteraudio.com/shop/ir-pa...
➡️Warren Huart Kemper Pack lancasteraudio.com/shop/kempe...
❤️GEAR:
➡️Stealth Sonics: stealthsonics.com/?aff=3
➡️UK Sound 1173: vintageking.com/uk-sound-1173...
➡️Apollo x16: u.audio/apollox16-plap
➡️Apollo Twin: u.audio/apollotwin-plap
Join the community here:
Facebook Group
/ producelikeapro
Facebook Page:
/ producelikeapro
Instagram
/ producelikeapro
Twitter
/ producelikeapro
❤️❤️Free 3 Part Mixing Course:
• Happy Christmas! Here'...
Sign up here to get exclusive videos and content producelikeapro.com
#ProduceLikeAPro
#HomeRecording
#SteelyDan
Giveaway Winners: www.producelikeapro.com/givea...
Produce Like A Pro is a website which features great tips to help the beginning recordist make incredible sounding home recordings on a budget. - Hudba
What other songs do you think everyone should know? Let me know below!
Rules of Beautiful
The album that sits above your SSL.. (if you haven't already done it?!) ..anything from 'Songs in the key of life' Stevie Wonder 🙏🏼
Steely Dan - Peg
Sylvia by Focus (As well as Hocus Pocus by the same band)
I’ve always had a soft spot for Blue Guitar by The Bluejays. Either that or Vienna by Ultravox. America doesn’t seem to know it that well, or so I’m led to believe.
Wow, what a great deep dive into a song. History, theory, technique, demonstration, and interviews. I feel like I just took Steely Dan 101 course. Brilliant 👏.
Wow!! Thanks ever so much!!
Sounds great ❤
One of the coolest and most classic albums of the twentieth century. Really, every song on the album is a gem.
Agreed Kelly!
I really enjoyed Jamie's demonstration and explanation of the solos.
Thanks ever so much Clarence!
Agreed! Amazing how he nailed down the sound using a completely different guitar, and his detailed demonstration of the technique was brilliant!
Huge props to Jamie Humphries for great performance and breakdown of solos.🎸🎸🎸🎸
Thanks ever so much!!
That guitar solo is perfection for that song. When you hear the song begin you're just bathing in anticipation of it.
Agreed! So amazing
I was in seventh grade and that guitar was all I heard. Undoubtedly the absolute best solo I have ever heard!
Jamie Humphries ability to grab all of the nuances of the guitar parts in this series and his understanding of tone is utterly jaw dropping.
Thanks ever so much! And yes, 100% agreed!
You're one of the only music analysts that has bothered to consider the lyrics of a Dan tune; their poetry, meaning and interpretation. Good job and great vid on one of the classics. Cheers.
Thanks Ludwig, that means a lot! I really try to look at the complete picture! The musicians are amazing, the production incredible and also the songs! The lyrics are wonderful!!
As good as the tune and lyrics are I don’t know where the song would have been without that iconic solo and guitar sound. Amazing artists.
Yes, everything about this song is incredible
Thank you for documenting this musical history. The little details like playing a humbucker through a bass amp would be lost otherwise. And Elliot deserves more recognition, as well. He’s a genius!
Thanks ever so much! And, yes, Eilliot is amazing!
Do it again is another great song. I haven’t heard these guys since the mid 90s as a kid. Once the 2000s came along. All radio stations just played the same 20 songs over and over. They had so much music to play from the 70s yet the 70s station just played the same few songs over and over
Agreed! Another masterpiece!
Yep and it's even worse nowadays.. Now it's a computer playing the same 2 dozen songs instead of a DJ. That's why I can't listen to the radio at all anymore.. I just can't handle how repetitive it is. I'm totally burnt out on everything, radio wise.
Following straight on the heels of your interview with Elliott, no real surprise. Hat's off to you, sir. And well done to Jamie, that must have been a labour, but he nailed it
Thanks ever so much! Yes, quite a wonderful breakdown of Elliot's guitar parts!
Very timely with Steely Dan announcing all those US east coast shows
Yes! I have tickets!!
@@Producelikeapro Good times ahead! Let me sneak in my sincere congratulations for the episode. What a quality program, even for the most seasoned Steely buffs out there. Thank you and have a nice SD concert!
Man, Steely Dan's music is timeless! I highly recommend Donald Fagan's book "Eminent Hipsters".
Definitely! Great suggestion
The first two thirds of that book are great, the rest is the daily musings of a cranky and tired old Jewish man. Which is also pretty funny too. 😂
Saw Steely Dan at Wembley Arena in 2019, finished off with this as the encore with Elliot Randall coming on to play. ***king amazing.
This song takes me back to being a kid and riding in my mom's car with the AM station (all it had) blasting out Reelin in the Years. Music is so powerful that way.
I'm from Portugal, completely mad about Steely Dan's music. On February 2019 I flew from Lisbon to London exclusively to attend S.D. concert (plus Steve Winwood) in Wembley and I had the privilege of seeing Elliott Randall playing live with Steely Dan "Reelin'in the years". Awesome!!!
I was in a crib with Steely Dan playing in the house. According to my mother I'd try to sing along and dance on my back to the songs, "bah jah" instead of "Back Jack" from Do it Again.
Steely Dan has absolutely never fallen out of my favorite music as I grew older and my tastes evolved, and Reelin In The Years was the first guitar solo I ever knew by heart. A gold standard, in my opinion.
What a blessing to have Jamie working with you on these posts. He's amazingly adept, and clear in his explanation. What a great player and teacher.👍
Agreed 100%! An amazing talent!!
thart middle solo is one of my favorite solos of all time too, just that very first briefly held bent note, i feel it in my soul. i dont know what it is but that is literally my favorite note in any song.
That’s amazing! Thanks for sharing
30 plus minutes about one Steely Dan song and I still feel short changed. 😉
Haha I hear you! Such a masterpiece
Well, if you're doing the Dan, you gotta cover the Aja album. Nothing sounds that rich, full, and slick.
From my humble drummer/percussionist’s point of view, any album that had not only Steve Gadd, but also Bernard Purdie AND Rick Marotta AND Jim Keltner, just to name the ones that come immediately to mind who played on it, deserves its own video. A lot of great musicians played on that one, so it could be tough to do in a short format.
Absolutely Jim! Marvellous idea and as great minds think alike I've already started!
@@jameslewis8227 so incredible!!
@@Producelikeapro Du bist der Mann…
I agree. This is probably my favorite Steely Dan album.
Can't Buy A Thrill has been one of my favorites since I was a kid listening to my older brother's records. Thank you as always for sharing this video.
Agreed, masterpiece, always loved since I first heard it!
Another great episode, Next to the Beatles they are my favourite Band, this song introduced me to them, what a joy that has been and continues to be.
Steely Dan are a fantastic group. This song is a great example of why and how. Jamie had it nailed in his run through. Talented guy! Thanks for choosing this one Warren. 👍
Very well said!
Agreed, Jamie Rocks!
Probably the best debut album ever.
One of the best!!
Bostons wasn't too shabby 😂
Thanks Warren, Elliot, and Jamie! :D
Thanks ever so much Audrey!!
Love Elliot Randall's 2 solo's breakdown by Jamie. Some tricky stuff in there. Tops!
Thanks ever so much!
I thought Jamie got Elliot's tone pretty damn close.
Great stuff. I could happily spend hours hearing as much as there is to know about this song!
Me too! I love this song!
Elliott is a killer guitarist and such a nice guy. This is a good follow up to the last video
Agreed 100%!
I played Bass for a pre pandemic Jay And The Americans gig. Great guys. They definitely mention that Donald Fagen and Walter Becker had played in their group. Then we went on to Cover Reelin’ In The Years as part of their show. Cool history!
Brings back memories of my Steely Dan cover band in LA back in the early 90's. Good choice Warren!
Very nice!!
I’ve been Steely Dan fan since Aja came out. At least once a day a riff or lyric of theirs runs through my head. It’s so hard to choose a favorite album. They are great for different reasons, melody, lyrics, musicianship or production value. I love love love Can’t Buy a Thrill. The 70’s wouldn’t have been the same without it.
Incredible song, chord progression very sophisticated for RnR for sure.
Agreed to all of that!!
It's an interesting side note to Reeling in the Years that it became the theme tune and title of a program on RTE (Ireland's National Broadcaster) that covered international history from 1966 to 2020. It is a cultural hallmark of Ireland and features great music and plenty of memes!
Very cool! Thanks for sharing
What about, WE DIDN'T START THE FIRE ?
I hadn't paid Reelin' any mind in a couple of decades. Warren, you and Jamie and Elliot reintroduced me to my old Steely Dan elpees. Thank you!
That’s wonderful to hear!!
I was a 20 year old GI when Can't By a Thrill dropped on us all. I was just blown away never having heard anything like it and instantly became a life-long fan of SD. Thanks for the in-depth view on this masterpiece of a song. Enjoyed it very much. Now if I could only play like this, but alas, I cannot, so I'll just have to cue-up the album and listen to all it once again. Right now.
I met Elliott in the 80's he was very good friends with my friend Richie who had worked at the hit factory. He used to come down to Brooklyn to go out on Richies boat to get away from the hustle and bustle of music biz. He actually came down to our home studio and played a solo on one of my early songs .he is exactly what he seems ,the most humble and pleasant human being you ever want to meet . I wish Richie was still alive to see this great tribute. great job Warren as usual
I bought my first car just after my 16th birthday in 1977. It had an 8-track player so I went to a store that had used tapes and paid a dollar each for Pretzel Logic and Aqualung. Been listening to the Dan and Tull ever since.
Great video. I enjoyed the breakdown of how to play those leads and chords.
Fantastic! God bless 8 track! My Dad had Songs In The Key Of Life on 8 Track in the car, it was life changing!
Working night stock at Kroger, store closed, FM radio on the loudspeakers, turned up loud. Reelin' was new and different. Played at least once every hour. Never got old. Steeley Dan a favorite ever since!
Thanks
Thanks for sharing Mike!
Me, a bloody german Kraut without much idea of american music except Glenn Miller, Elvis, Grand Funk Railroad and some fusion jazz Greats like George Duke and Billy Cobham, remember going to the US the first time in 1978 by reduced ticket to New York City, and then after one of my best nights in several jazz and rock clubs, then travelling to Boulder, Colorado. There i was given a big car with a radio in it to make a roundtrip to California with my GF, Oregon, New Mexico and back. And that was the first time i learned to love Steely Dan and Eagles... with this song, "Doing it again" and "Ricky dont lose my number." I mean i ve heard them in Europe before, but they didnt touch me until i was driving along thru half of the USA. I still have the whole works on 4-5 CDs in my car... This music lasts forever.
Black Cow be my favorite Deely Stan track. Ooop, my wife’s really loving the solo breakdown….
Thanks for sharing!
Don't take me alive! Steve Carlton, nuff said....
@@bigjohnson7415 It's actually Larry Carlton so...
@@petertrotman7708 My bad, I think Steve was the "40 Year old Virgin!' 🤣
Oh man, this was a real treat and perfect timing. I just recently delved into the legacy of Steely and all these songs have been on my mind. I don't think a band (full ensemble) is more deserving of the term 'Original' or 'Unique' as much as Steely Dan. Randall's superb work on this tune and Jeff Baxter's on 'Rikki' is among the greatest guitar solos in many decades. Timeless, catchy and addictive. I loved this episode and I love Steely Dan!!
One of my favorite songs of all time. RIP Walter Becker. I've seen the band live several times in the last 15 years. Their musicianship in a live setting is just amazing. I love the way they do "Dirty Work" live - a duet between 2 of the female back-up singers. What a band!! Warren, I see your have "Songs In The Key of Life" behind you. What an album! One of the greatest ever recorded in my mind....
I've loved this song since 1977. I've messed around with it after watching a Tim Pierce video on this song. You guys killed it! Thank you.
Visited Elliot in NYC on a project for the Holy souls singer Merl e Miller in1979... NYC Pure love.
Thank you so much. I am a huge Steely Dan fan since the beginning. I was so crazy about Do it again which changed my life completely. I have all their records, I still enjoy to listen to Steely Dan's music. the best group ever. Love from France.
Fantastic. More Steely Dan. Can't get enough!
Thanks ever so much!!
When Reelin' hit the airwaves my HS senior year, it just stunned us.
Like we were hearing the future...superb now as then...
My dad's favourite band. I've grown to appreciate them as I've gotten older despite being from a punk background where they were pretty much universally reviled. that dual guitar lead part always makes me smile, and that kicky chord pattern you were talking about on the verse is basically perfect.
I am so delighted to watch your videos. I can't imagine how much effort is required to create an episode like this.
But the way you tell those stories makes me believe that it's like jumping inside a time machine and meeting in flesh the artists at the respective period.
Thank you very much for dedicating so valuable time diving into this magical dimension and bring us such a lovely journey through music.
Congrats to all staff. You rock! Cheers!
Your love of music is infectious. I believe that if Elliott was not friends with Walter and Donald, that he would not have 'jammed his jazz' to create his set of three iconic solos on this track. Furthermore, whenever I see Elliott play he is filled with joy. His joy begets my joy which all contributes to creating something which money cannot buy, only life experience. Great video and tuition. Personally, I would play the solos a little rougher, as that ‘feel’ is what I get from the spirit of this solo. It should never be played the same even if played night after night. It should be ‘jammed’ yet always sound as if it is played the same - that is the brilliance of Elliott Randell’s guitar playing. The Irish Reel of Deny Dias’s polka routine, which to my ears does not fit into the spirit of the observational sarcasm, yet he and Jeff Baxter pull it off with some twirls and harmonies, all due to the riffs coming from Deny; a man who plays some of the most wonderfully ‘out there’ solos such as on ‘Your Gold Teeth’. Then Reelin has the chord verses, enough already! I need to go and lie down - Many thanks for a great video.
When a first heard the solo as 12 year old, I thought maybe someday I could play it. Well thank you, Warren and Jamie, today maybe that day.
You’re very welcome! Jamie rules!!
Oh man.... this solo was huge for me. There has also been times I've run Steely Dan albums on a loop. Great video! Thanks!
Thanks ever so much!!
Fantastic breakdown of this song! I learned a lot. More Steely Dan please.
Definitely Steve!!
Well, thank you very much as always for this deep dive into this song. I grew up with Steely Dan, but with another song. In the GDR, it was impossible to become familiar with "Reelin' In The Years", but we all know "Do it again". And honestly, I like this song more. The percussion is absolutely moving. But well, I can understand why you all love "Reelin' In The Years". It's a special song, full of talent and so much going on in it.
Elliott Randall seems like a really humble and approachable person, as well as a tremendous musician.
Fabulous song, great video! Steely Dan’s Greatest Hits album is a tonal, compositional & virtuosic feast for the ears that has informed my taste for a long time now. Loved Jamie’s breakdown of the solo. His tone was pretty dead-on too. Thanks Warren and the PLAP team. 👍
Oh, I love this perfect story so much. Thank you.
A *revelation* -- has been in my unconscious cells since it came out (& I was in high school) -- I could sing every note of all the solos but (not being musically trained) had no idea how they broke down or how involved they were -- in those days music like this was all taken for granted but you're right -- they were in a league of their own . . .
Agreed! Incredible band!
Brilliantly done video! I am loving the format where it’s not just the outline of the song but diving deep into key elements. In this case the solo tuition by Jamie is fantastic! Well done to all, this is by FAR the best on CZcams
Waaaah absolutely love it!!! Thanks Warren!
I had the pleasure of meeting Elliott at NAMM Anaheim in 2014 at the HIWATT booth. He was introducing his Elliott Randall model. What a great player and a true gentleman.
Another splendid all time classic. Many thanks.
Elliott's guitar work is so superb on this track. I've had the true pleasure of seeing Elliott live, and he gets that studio sound every time! It's Fagen's song, yet I always see it as Elliott's.
Best breakdown of this masterpiece I have ever seen….Jamie’s approach is so informative….I’ve tried for many years to learn this solo and failed miserably…but now I’m really making progress….Thanks guys.
So inspirational, thank you Jamie.
Wow, this was a tune that really flipped my world upside down - everything about it pointed to new possibilities. Being a guitarist, it was especially Elliott's playing... but as my tastes became more refined, I appreciated every part of the tune, Thanks!
There are some great SD tribute acts out there and social media has been able to show the notes for people to learn. What can’t be replicated is Fagen’s delivery. Much like Bowie, Fagen identifies himself as a ‘non-singer’. His tone and the sarcastic dry lazy, almost throw-away performance is key to Fagen’s unique style. His choice of where to sing; before the beat, on the beat or after the beat’ show his natural jazz leanings and why it’s so hard to copy him. Lyrically his story telling using characters and situations (his ‘you’ can be reversed to mean himself etc) demonstrates the strength of their compositions; every bar, beat, chord, solo and top line had to be equally as good. No weak links. Their legacy is astonishing. Thanks for another fine video.
Always been one of my favourites. Thanks so much, Warren, for the history of the music and personnel.
You’re very welcome
I get obsessed with this band about every 6 months or so. Seriously, Steely dan wrote some good stuff, chill ass reefer dude music.
Love Elliott Randall.
Love it . Thank you for sharing this.😊
Dude, I freakin' LOVE Steely Dan! Even if Donald spells his last name wrong 😉🎶🤟
Hahaha funny!
LOVE this video....love that song, love that band!!! Great job Warren, much appreciated!!!
Thanks ever so much! I really appreciate it!
I am so grateful for this.
Thanks James!
Thanks Warren. As ever I am very impressed by your research and background reading.
If Elliott had have been told that 50 years later, this lead would have been dissected to such an extent, he probably would have been sceptical. The calling card of an exceptional musician is that they can sling amazing stuff like this at you all day long without thinking twice about it. Fantastic showcasing, Warren. Kudos.
This is certainly one of those songs in the sound track of my life. Reminds me when I was in the Scouts, always on the radio back then (usually followed by Blinded By The Light). Thanks!
Goodness I love that Vela.
Thoroughly enjoyed this! You put as much care and thought into this review/demo as Becker and Fagan did with the song.
Thanks ever so much
Good job my friend. Day one fan of the Dan myself as I am 61.
I have had the opportunity to work along side the fellas twice and they are eccentric and wonderfully talented as we all know.
Won’t bore you with long stories here however In can tell you Walter carried three vaults of guitars and a guitar centre’s worth of amps, mostly boutique as you would expect, and stood on stage for hours by himself during the day trying ones out for that particular room.
Funny thing is someone from the crew told me he will still use this one guitar and amp after all that and of course he did. Nothing wrong with choices though. The variety of life as they say.
Great shows and much like the film Shawshank Redemption, every time their music is on I have to listen. Never gets old.
Thanks again WARREN, always a treat and an education.
John Drew, Windsor, Ontario, Canada
If ya ever need a Canadian correspondent let me know…. Lol.
Amazing o watch and listen to, that lead has always blown me away
Thanks ever so much!!
I love the history we learn on this channel! Thank you Warren!
This was awesome. Thanks so much for the thorough breakdown and analysis. Can’t wait for the next one!
Thanks ever so much! Glad you enjoyed it!!
Well done… real nice job! Steely Dan was always one of my favorites… it’s been a long time since I felt truly inspired! Niiiice thanks again
i have just 4 steely dan songs on vinyl....Reeling in the Years, Do it Again,FM and my favourite Haitian Divorce, and i certainly played these songs multiple times when out dj ing years ago
What a classic and those incredible guitar solos...Wow man there something else. There’s a driven grove to the whole song. Superb choice 👌
Excellent video, thanks!!
Awesome, show with my favorite band, It's good to back
I played in Elliots band On Tenor Sax in the mid sixties when I was going to the HS of Performing Arts, the band was called Elliot and the Escorts, he was always using nasal spray..lol.
For a young aspiring musician, you couldn’t beat this “basic training”-anywhere! Many of these clubs were in midtown Manhattan and in Greenwich Village. They included The Peppermint Lounge, The Wagon Wheel, The Metropole, The Headline Lounge, and further downtown we had Trude Heller’s, The Eighth Wonder he was fantastic
Thanks Warren for making such a great video !
While I love this guitar solo, my favorite solo on a Steely Dan song has to be "Kid Charlemagne." Perhaps the most sophisticated solo to ever appear in a popular song. It's amazing to me that music like this used to make money.
I love that solo! I remember learning it!
Incredible songwriters and great band.
Amazing track all round with every element beautifully crafted - chord sequence always reminded me somewhat of Paul Simon’s “59th Street Bridge Song (feeling groovy)
Chock full o' great information, and talent to boot. Thanx.
Absolutely awesome...with Gratitude and appreciation 😁💜😁
Thanks ever so much
One of the early rock songs that made me love guitar harmonies. Before I ever heard Wishbone Ash or Thin Lizzy, the guitars on Realing in The Years blew my mind.
timeless!
Agreed 100%!
That was great. Thank you.
Love it! One of the great songs from one of my favorite bands! While I'm not a guitarist, I'm looking forward to checking out the Elliott Randall interview.