Steely Dan - Hey Nineteen (REACTION)
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- Опубликовано: 17 янв 2023
- @AirplayBeats reacts to Steely Dans Hey Nineteen
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At the time the song was written Columbian Gold was one of the finest weeds available so there is a chance it's that being referenced and not cocaine.
They were talking about WEED
.... and only about $150 an Lb. Great times.
Cuervo gold is Tequila.
Yep. Correct. Weed not coke.
I miss all those tastes of the 70’s.
Bro, back in the day, Columbian was weed. A little Cuervo and a little smoke, we're not dancin', we're groovin'
Too much of that good Colombian and you weren’t dancing, you became one with the couch.
I'm 68 and would only start smoking again if it could be gold bud. The only smoke in the day that had me walking around a store after forgetting I went in to buy rolling papers.
Had you bothered with reading the songwriter comments on the song, it's a drink.
Wrong. It was cocaine, not weed.
@@johngilmer6782 I haven’t smoked weed since the 90s. The sinsemilla we started getting would just plaster me into a chair. I’d get polio symptoms. It just wasn’t fun anymore to sit like a bump on the sofa.
I miss the goofy high from Colombian Gold or that blonde hashish you could roll into a tobacco cigarette. I don’t think either was around by the mid 80s.
We used to drive down to Pico and Hoover and cruise side streets until we found a guy on a corner.
It was good Spanish practice, but one buddy got a serious summer landscaping job and learned to speak Spanish really well. When he was with us, the bags were a little bigger and everyone was more chill. We wouldn’t just make a purchase and go. We’d hang out. Turns out the guys on the corners in that area were Guatemalans and pleasantly surprised that middle class mostly white kids could speak Spanish.
I went back there years later and there was no weed for sale. It was all cracked out. Completely different vibe, and not a place where you’d hang out with the corner guys holding up a wall.
"Hey Nineteen... that's "retha Franklin". Now you know what it's like to get old. You mention one of the greatest singers who ever lived and this young girl doesn't even know who you're talking about! This is why I love your reaction channel, because I want younger people to hear all the great music I grew up with. Keep on keepin' on. Peace.
I concur.
Yeah but "19" didn't know who Aretha Franklin was BACK then!......different music generation ......changes every 10 years
And this was 1981 too
From Songfacts:
In this song, an older man is seducing a 19-year-old girl. He's a bit conflicted, as her inexperience frustrates him when she doesn't even remember Aretha Franklin. However, on this particular night and with the help of some Cuervo Gold tequila, everything is wonderful.
Steely Dan used a variety of musicians on their albums. On this track, Hugh McCracken played guitar, Rick Marotta was on drums, and Victor Feldman and Steve Gadd added percussion. Walter Becker also added guitar, and Donald Fagen played the Fender Rhodes electric piano and the synthesizer.
Roger Nichols, who was one of the engineers on the Gaucho sessions, fashioned a drum machine they used on this track. Dubbed "Wendel," it was one of the first of its kind, and it allowed them to record Rick Marotta's drum parts and play them back with perfect precision.
The LM-1, which was the first programable drum machine sold to the public that sampled real instruments, was introduced in 1980, the year Gaucho was released, so many assumed that's what Steely Dan used. They didn't, but there was a connection. Roger Linn, who created the LM-1, told Songfacts: "By coincidence, Roger and I had both bought our first computers in around 1975 at a place called Computer Power and Light in Studio City, an area of Los Angeles. Wendel used that same computer and a early but high-quality digital audio interface, running a program he had written to enter simple looping beats on the screen. A very creative and talented guy."
I'm 48 and back in the late 80's early 90's, my friends and I used to play all my dad's Steely Dan stuff and react to it. We knew we just knew this was next level music.
Hey Nineteen is the song you use to test your sound system. Super clean, crisp sound. Steely Dan is the audiophile's dream. Donald Fagen's "I.G.Y." solo song is worth a listen.
Ya, this album won some sort of an award for sound quality. Incredibly clear and detailed without sounding "clinical". But I like to use Babylon Sisters and/or My Rival to test mine. Cheers!
Es verdad
The Nightfly
the Soul Survivors were a great group from the sixties...the fine Columbian was the best weed available at the time.
Fine Colombian can also refer to reefer for years ago "fine Colombian" was often heard when a doob was lit.
You've got the meaning correct. Although it does wonders for a momentary ego boost, you have to realize it won't last.
And as others have stated, they are referring to cannabis, not coke.
Michael McDonald was already doing his thing through all of his Steely Dan work. He was a member of the Doobie Brothers as well as his solo stuff. And it IS him on background vocals here. After the first two or three SD albums, they just brought in different people on every song. 12 different guitar players laid down stuff for "Peg", Becker and Fagen just chose thier favorite. There's a movie out there somewhere where they play other takes.
When he's talking about "the fine Columbian", you have to look at the time frame, late 70s very early 80s. He's talking about pot. At that time the finest weed you could get came from Columbia and it was called "Columbian". He's talking about Tequela and Marijuana.. I was in my late 20s when this came out, I remember those days very well... lol!
"We can't dance together." "She don't remember the queen of soul." Absolutely love this Steely Dan timeless song. Cryptic lyrics of too of fine Columbian weed in the day, young 19 year old and a older man. Thank you Guys
This song is the truth. I have a neighbor who is dating a younger woman, but doesn't understand any of his life experiences. I don't know how they have a decent conversation. Trying to relive your youth doesn't work all the time. I say Go for what you know.
Just like in Babylon Sisters,
“My friends say no don't go
For that cotton candy
Son you're playing with fire”
as he was here too.
There is always just a little too much truth in Steely Dan's offerings.. Aja may be my fav but there simply isn't anything bad in anything they recorded.
Sometimes, when the chemistry is right, the "decent conversation" comes later ;)
@@gasaholic47 Babylon Sisters is about a guy with two hookers out on the town
Another smooth, funky Steely Dan song with such great lyrics; the man can't relate to this younger woman; "no, we can't dance together, no we can't talk at all"; as others mentioned, she doesn't know who Aretha Franklin is, so why bother? They have no common ground. I'm absolutely loving your deep dive into Steely Dan, and see how easy it is to rack up the songs? So prolific, each one a masterpiece in their own right.
Yeah but the sex was amazing!
😁
@@neilmartin99 Was it, though? 😂
What makes that line even work better is Aretha Franklin was in a bit of a slump in the later part of the '70s, until she went to Arista. This could have influenced the lyric.
Yep, but "she sho looks good!"
The drum machine, called Wendel, used here was developed by Roger Nicols Steely Dan's engineer after Walter and Donald were wishing that there was a machine that could play more perfect beats. Roger said give me the money and I can build one. In 1978 he developed Wendel as a sampling drum machine and audio sampler 125kHz/12bit and in January 1979 Wendel was used on Steely Dan "Gaucho" album for drums and percussion.
I've read that they still credited, and paid, the drummers who provided the samples.
Good stuff. I knew I heard the machine in there.
@@AirplayBeatsgreat ear!
WENDEL won a Grammy!
Michael McDonald did backing vocals on Gaucho.
McDonald became a member of Steely Dan's touring band in 1973, singing lead and backing vocals.
The Steely Dan Decoder….luv it. Great tune!
Michael McDonald was the most prolific background singer in the 80’s. His voice was every where. Just like Toto was the most prolific studio band before they made it big. Man, I love this era of music!
A Steely Dan decoder. I like that! You mind if I call you SDD? LOL. I forgot what a badass song this is!
I always loved the guitar playing in this song. Hugh McCracken is the guitarist. He was a session musician who played with a ton of artists.
He does the guitar fills in Van Morrison's classic song Brown-eyed Girl and does the guitar work on Paul McCartney's song Uncle Albert/ Admiral Halsey. Both great tunes y'all should check out if you've never heard them.
Riding out to The Dan with the brothers!!!!! Steely Dan,Led Zep, the days when albums had no fillers at all. Practically every track could be a single or a hit !!!!!
My husband and I always laugh at this song! I'm the youngest of 6, so listened to all kinds of music 🎶 Despite our 9 year age difference, I knew all his favorites 😹
They had such clever and ironic lyrics and the sounds were so freaking funky for 2 nerds, lol.
I love their appreciation of Steely Dan....its the best
I love this song, it's a midlife crisis anthem, we'd all do best to hear this before getting hair plugs, a new Corvette and girlfriend half our ex-wives age. One of my favorite Steely Dan songs is on this album, but I wont spoil it until you get there.
Love you guys. He tried to fight it. But between the Cuervo Gold and the Coke. Listen to the following lyrics. Mmm,Mmm,Mmm. Sure looks good. Steely Dan were simply incredible. A total Jazz Rock Fusion ❤
Colombian Gold was great Pot.
This came out while I was in high school-they definitely had their own vibe. I literally wore out the vinyl on these songs. Sure takes me back. ❤❤
Mike McDonald was in the Doobies till basically 85. He did and got all The Brother's doing work in the studio right along in the Doobie years
You’re both going to love “Glamour Profession,” closest the Dan ever got to a disco 🪩. But it’s a gorgeous groove, about the highs and lows of the celebrity highlife. It’s the longest track, and essentially the centerpiece of the Gaucho album. ❤
Yes you will love it. The music is groovin but be sure to listen to the story they’re telling us.
Columbian - Pot
Back in the day of this recording, I'm pretty sure the "Fine Columbian" is in reference to a strain of Canibus. At least it is on the East Coast. I've never heard of cocaine being called "Columbian." Stay safe...be well...
That’s Donald Fagen on that whacky old school synthesizer solo. It sounds like that thing he blows into (which is called a melodica, basically a harmonica with piano keys). Fagen played saxophone as well but not very well and he was sort of a frustrated horn player so a lot of his synth solos sound like synthetic horns and he plays them the way a horn player would solo.
It's SO strange that a lot of my friends are the same way...... they say they don't know who Steely Dan is. Then I fire up a track like "Hey Nineteen" and they immediately say..... " Oh, I didn't know this was Steely Dan". There were certain songs that I call "radio friendly" and this is for sure one of those songs. I have wondered through the years just WHY so many claim to not know who Steely Dan is. I came up with a few possibilities..... the core of Steely Dan is Fagan and Becker who most people have never heard of. Very few of their songs are what I would call "main stream" songs. I don't believe that in most cases they ever set out to make a "Hit Record". Another thing... for years they never toured and were basically considered a "studio" group. At any rate... thanks for reacting to the Dan. Great job, guys. Take care.
I grew up on this song too. One of the smoothest tracks I've ever heard. So memorable.
Yup, it’s about a older guy realizing that he’s got nothing in common with whoever this 19YO woman is. You are really upping your game on your SD reactions. Good job.
Per Wikipedia, here’s the personnel on this song:
Donald Fagen - electric piano, synthesizer (solo), vocals
Walter Becker - bass guitar, guitar
Hugh McCracken - guitars
Rick Marotta - drums
Victor Feldman, Steve Gadd - percussion
Frank Floyd, Zack Sanders - backup vocals
This song applies to every generation. We all become dinosaurs!
Donald isn't singing about cocaine, he's singing about weed--fine Colombian weed. Columbian was common slang for weed in the 70s--along with Panama Red and Acapulco Gold--and everyone knew he was singing about a mellow evening of Tequila, weed, and sex. Ah, good times.
According to Wikipedia, that is *not* Michael McD. Wow, they sure captured that sound!
And that is Don on the synthesizer solo. As I heard it, that is a keyboard with a pitch-bending wheel to bend the notes--Don does use breath-controlled keyboards, but they don't bend pitch. That's what I heard, could be wrong..
You guys understand so much about these songs--meaning, structure, arrangement... Thanks for sharing, listening with you is a joy.
Maui Wowie, Thai Stick...
It’s like the feeling one might get when realizing the last new album they bought only gets played on the classics stations anymore.
Colombian was/is a popular pot variety. Another was Hawiian Sensemillia.
This song is so quintessentially SD in that it’s about not being able to relate to the 19 year old girl, and yet has that great play out talking about the Cuervo and Columbia making the night wonderful. Maybe if they indulge that’s how they can get past their difference in age. Lol! And then you’d never expect a song about not being able to connect to be so upbeat and fun. But that’s what makes their songs great. All contradictions and enigmas wrapped in perfect music. I’ll never get tired of these guys!
I always thought that the reference to “fine Colombian” meant weed. In the 70’s, “Colombian Gold” was very popular and was very yellow in color.
Of course, what the hell do I know.
✌🏼😎
Steely Dan is crack for music lovers. Your girl has great taste in music.
In 1980 Michael was in the Doobie Brothers. Another great band.
You guys are the best reactors on YT. I thoroughly enjoy your analysis of music. Great work. Thank you!
Donald Fagen played the Rhodes electric piano and the synthsizer on this song, so my guess that sound you said makes the song was a synthesizer. At any rate, I agree with you, it makes the song and really digs deep into a very nice funky groove. Got to see these guys live for the first time in my 65-year life, right before Walter Becker passed (RIP Walter) and the quality of the sound from their instruments was absolutely AMAZING!! I am so thankful I got to see this group when I had the opportunity. I always enjoy your reaction, TY.
Yeah, it sounds like synthesized harmonica. Sort of an odd sound, but it fits so well.
Y'all heard something that I heard 40 years ago and enjoyed it! God bless us all😁
Always figured the Columbian referred to the best tasting weed of all time: Santa Marta Gold Bud grown in the Santa Marta Mountain region.
Great Quote of the Day: STEELY DAN DECODER...
Another great reaction!
Can't wait for you guys to do " Night by Night" from Pretzel Logic, another funky one.
Michael McDonald does in fact still appear on Gaucho on the track “Time Out of Mind”
It will be interesting seeing how Steely Dan influences your own music. Great to see you loving this music. I’ve said it before, but you should check out Donald Fagens solo album, Kamakiriad. I think you will love it. ⭐️😁
Funny story, I am 43 years younger than my father, he and I were in a store and he was jamming to this tune on the Muzak and I said do you know what the words are?, he did not......lol. he was like in his late 50's I was like 15.
Colombian was also a prized source of weed back in the 70's.
You mentioned Michael McDonald and he actually played with Steely Dan on several records - including Gaucho.
From Wiki:
Donald Fagen stated that he and Becker told recording engineer Roger Nichols:
"'It's too bad that we can't get a machine to play the beat we want, with full-frequency drum sounds, and to be able to move the snare drum and kick drum around independently.' Nichols replied 'I can do that.' This was back in 1978 or something, so we said 'You can do that???' To which he said 'Yes, all I need is $150,000.' So we gave him the money out of our recording budget, and six weeks later he came in with this machine and that is how it all started."[27]
Nichols named the drum machine "Wendel".[26] Subsequently, Wendel was awarded a platinum record.
It's a joy to watch you both discover the depth of Steely Dan's greatness. It makes me appreciate them even more. Looking forward to the rest of Gaucho and then eventually when you get to Donald Fagen's "The Nightfly" - on the same level as Scam, Aja and Gaucho. By the way, though the background vocals do sound like Michael McDonald, it is Zack Sanders, but don't worry, you will hear Michael as you work your way through Gaucho :). Well done and cheers from Canada.
Damn you guys kill this stuff. I just had to binge your Dan reactions like they were popcorn 😂😂
at that time Columbian was the primo weed. We all came up on Mexican prior to that. It was a huge leap in quality.
When they played live in their last few years during the middle breakdown "nice, sure looks good", W Becker would use that time to wax poetic, sarcastic, humorous, and introduce the band. Really fun stuff.
Long monologues …..wonderful❤️
You guys picked a great rabbit hole to go down..Steely Dan just rocked it...One of the best of the best
Y’all would love “Time out of Mind” or “My Rival” off of the same album. Both funky grooves that get you dancing and wondering why people don’t make anything like it anymore.
It appears they're going to get to those presently. Me I'm a sucker for Third World Man too.
Hey Nineteen is taken from their eighth album Gaucho in 1980 which featured 32 different musicians on the album and ones heard on Hey Nineteen are, Hugh McCracken on guitar, Rick Marotta on drums and both Victor Feldman and Steve Gadd on percussion. Other notable musicians on the album are Mark Knopfler, Joe Sample, Michael McDonald, Patti Austin and David Sanborn.
It always seems this one and Ricki Don't Lose That Number are songs everyone knows but they don't know it's the Dan.
" I grew up on this song..." love the comments...y'all are great!!!
the fine...................... c o l u mb i a n is all about the good weed-man
love that outro and wish it was 22 minutes longer such a groove
my fav song
In the 80's the "fine Columbian" would be more a reference to grass. The marching powder would be Bolivian.
"That sound" is a melodica, indeed the "thing" Donald Fagan is blowing into.
I keep a melódica in the glove box. If I’m ever pulled over for a DUI and ordered to blow into a tube, I’m going to hold it up and say, “I brought my own.”
So smooth. Those guys were Elite.
Great roller skating song.One of the favs.at the skating rink.
You gents are so good, and your reactions are so appreciated. Steely Dan was my era, and the music is absolutely pristine. To me "Hey Nineteen" is about a guy who's either remembering or dreaming of an exchange with a younger girl...But I think he's absolutely alone. Getting high. Hallucinating...and dreaming.... Fabulous piece of music. And the fact that you guys recognize the greatness of the group gives me hope that all the great stuff I grew up on has a future. Thanks for being here.
Love the reaction to this one!! They talk about cocaine in a lot of their songs..Glamour Profession has a coke reference in it also..Not only is the music captivating but the intelligence of the lyrics are on point..can't wait for the next one..Shout out from the old Detroit metal head ..
So much radio play the Dan got. It wouldn't happen today. It took years for people to know who Brandi carlile is. So many great artists. Yep but mcdonald did background vocals for steely Dan.
So excited to see the reactions. Steely Dan defies description and it's the gift that keeps on giving. Started listening to them pretty much from the beginning. Wanted to make a non Steely Dan music suggestion: Shubada Du Ma Ma by the Steve Miller Band. Some truly funky bass right there.
I am enjoying your many deep dives and thank you for doing it. I have to laugh when I hear reactors surprised by songs that they never attributed to the particular artist and even more when they don't know the lyrics. That was part of the magic of growing up on vinyl with liner notes and lyric sheets. I do know that many people never catch lyrics and only hear the instrumental and production of the music. I can only surmise that they never sing along with their favorite tunes. Great job on the reactions though!
Hey fellas, i dont think he’s talking about cocaine, it’s referring to that good smooth original Colombian gold weed.
I always interpreted the fine Colombian as a cigar. A drink and a stogie making for a wonderful night.
✨YES❕Or a Demitasse Cup of Coffee❕I Was Sooo Naïve Back Then!✨🥃☕️🚬✨💖✨
Y'all we love love love their album AJA. Def check out!
"The Fine Columbian" .. back in the day, that was smooth weed with a really nice high (not too crazy if u know what I mean LoL!)....perfect with shots of Cuervo Gold Tequila!! 😎👌
This was the song that got me into Steely Dan, heard it while shopping for High-End home audio speakers by the sales guy, I said who is that??!! Sound quality is very good, I since have all their albums on vinyl😎👌
the musical composition is impeccable, but for some reason its the Snare that sticks out for me on this song. Very gated, sharp, and precise...very 80s..hehe. EDIT: Cant wait till you 2 get to Glamour Profession!
I said you would lose your minds!
From the Doors to all-time favourite band - thanks guys. Michael Macdonald was with The Doobies and just sang backing vocals for Steely Dan - listen to Peg from Aja.
That patented Steely Dan HOOK-can't get away from it...
Wait’ll y’all start listening to songs off Katy Lied or Pretzel Logic or Countdown to Ecstasy. So many great songs from this band.
This is my favorite Steely Dan song by far :)
Walter and Donald were about 30 when the song was written, and experiencing that age gap. Sort of like going back to your college at thirty and the people are so young.
Steely Dan definitely had a thing for young girls
I grew up dirt poor. Used to walk to CVS just to hear steely dan, anita baker, hall & oates etc.
Michael McDonald was with the Doobie Brothers for several years when this was recorded, however, he would still go back and sing background vocals on SD songs when needed. Also, the sound you guys were trying to figure out around 7:00 is made by Donald Fagen blowing through an attachment (looks like a kazoo, but can't remember the name this early in the morning) that is attached and run through the synthesizer. It was an "instrument" first popularized by Stevie Wonder a few years earlier.
Great tune. I like when he groans when he says "she don't remember the Queen of soul" and then when they groove he says "nice". Yes it is Donald.
Also, you will be singing the 6 word hook in the next song "Glamour Profession" for weeks, I promise you. I know I did...
So cool watching you young guys turning on to the Dan. Been grooving to this music for 50 years but you guys are making it fresh again. Top shelf jams that never get old. As if the music isn't good enough, the humor they inject is priceless from the lyrics right on down to the name of the band. If you don't know, check out what a Steely Dan is.
When you listen to the solo career of Donald Fagen you'll find out "right quick" that there is far more syncopated drums and rhythms incorporated in the musical development of Fagen's music.
By FAR...you guys have taken to Steely Dan more than any other "reactionaries". I love it!
Love you guys so truthfull not like others with false reactions. Fair play.
This is another great song from an all time great album! This whole album 1-7 is 🔥!! Seeing your reactions makes my day. There are so many more of their songs for you to discover and fall in love with, both early and late SD albums. Nice and genuine reaction to Hey Nineteen. I'm with you brothers all the way. Onto Glamour Profession!
I was HOPING you would react to this one! I sang it to my husband last night!
Glamor Profession..on Guacho….another masterpiece
Hey guys. Michael Macdonald sang background vocals on this one. He was everywhere back in the day.
I knew I was going to hear you say….’I’ve heard this.’
Played this on every juke box when I was 19 😅 😍✨✨