Steely Dan was essentially Donald Fagen on keys and lead vocals, Walter Becker on guitar or bass and a rotating cast of some of the most amazing session musicians to ever play. This particular guitar solo, one of the best ever recorded, was from a player named Jay Graydon. Steely Dan is high on any musician’s list of favorite bands. They didn’t tour for most of their careers, preferring to perfect their studio recordings.
Perfectly stated. Saw them live in 200 with a Brit friend of mine who worked for a number of big bands in the 70's and 80's. He said Steely Dan was widely recognized as one of the greatest recording bands especially due to their musical education and knowledge. They were perfectionists.
Steely Dan is known for cryptic lyrics and great music. Best to not try to understand. Just enjoy! And, as others said, Peg is a name... Peggy... Margaret.
Understanding the lyrics and the stories behind them is some of the best parts of appreciating Steely Dan. Peg(gy) is an aspiring model/pornstar that the singer has the hawts for.
They have many great hits, these are just a few; "Hey nineteen ", "Black Cow", "Babylon sister", "Kid Charlemagne" and so many more. I hope you decide to check out their catalog, l know you'll enjoy it 😊
The cool thing about Steely Dan they weren't really a band they were more of a studio project they hired some of the best session musicians of the 1970s to create these amazing songs R.I.P. Walter Becker
In this episode of Brad & Lex, the jazz/funk influenced vibes of this iconic duo capture the couch companions collectively causing Brad to comply to the infectious vocals of Donald Fagen placed atop this well crafted funky rhythmic sound immediately making Brad surrender to us forcing his presentation of his signature "side to side sway" while pondering Peg before Jay Graydon's genius guitar solo leads Lex into Michael McDonald's ghostlyharmonies bringing her to the brink of busting out her "funk bobble bop".
I remember buying this album [ Aja ] when it first came out. Was getting rave reviews. As a matter of fact, the back side of the album cover was filled with actual reviews of the album. The album is amazing. Every song is great. " Josie " is another upbeat song on the album that jams.
Rumor has it Peg is about an actress who committed suicide but that story is not true, Donald Fagen said in an interview its just an idea he got from a character in a bette davis movie about a young starlet and a seedy photoshoot, the starlets jilted hanger on boyfriend watching her pose for pinups. Peg is also my favorite steely dan tune, and I know a lot of people will disagree but thats okay.
You tire of most *really catchy* pop songs, once you get the hook. Not this one, there's always a bit more to it to enjoy in it - I think it's one of their finest moments and along with Do It Again their most commercially accessible. Not my current favourite, but certainly right up there. You obviously were referring to Peg Entwistle, who famously jumped off the H in the Hollywoodland sign.
The harmonics during the chorus is yet more Steely engineering genius as they effectively splice Michael McDonald singing at three different octaves into the final layered product that we hear.
Some of their lyrics may be cryptic, obscure or even cynical; dealing with iffy situations and/or charachters, the sound they create is always uplifting, they never moan. Therefor, listening to Steely Dan always gives me a good feeling. All the goodies they put in their songs (harmonies, chord progressions, those sensual background voices etc.) makes you want to listen to their songs over and over again . I'll never get tired of them - music for the ages !
In addition to "Rikki Dont Lose That Number," I highly recommend Josie and My Old School. There are a ton of other great songs but these are "lighter" songs in the vein of Peg. Definite rabbit hole.
Steely Dan are great; a unique funky, jazzy sound. You should do a few more of their numbers like Aja, Do It Again, Deacon Blue, Kid Charlemagne, Haitian Divorce, etc etc....
Jazz rock. Great band. Like Chicago, Donald Fagen, Toto, Doobie Brothers, Santata (latin jazz rock), War (like Santana), etc. Lot of good jazz rock bands back in the '70s, '80s.
When I was at the Musician's Institute in 1986, Bassist Chuck Rainey came in a performed solo all his bass lines from the Steely Dan Aja album. The groove was so deep you could hear this entire album in your head as he played. I will never forget it. What a master playing a masterpiece of an album for us. I am blessed.
From Wiki: The song's guitar solo was attempted by seven top studio session guitarists-including Robben Ford and recurring guitarist Larry Carlton-before Jay Graydon's version became the "keeper". He worked on the song for about six hours before the band was satisfied. Jay Graydon spoke about his famous guitar solo in a 2014 interview: "Fortunately, I had no problems on sessions as to nailing a part, but know this-every first call studio guitarist that has played solos has been replaced by another guitarist at least once. It's just part of being a studio musician." Michael McDonald provides multi-tracked backup vocals in the choruses, and keyboardist Paul Griffin can be heard talking and improvising background vocals in the final chorus and fadeout. In 2020, Donald Fagen said "There's no hidden meaning. We just wanted a dotted half note for that spot and 'Peg' was short enough to fit with the music." Fagen added that the song "takes place at a seedy photo shoot in L.A...from the perspective of [a] jilted boyfriend.
that they would leap over the obvious explanation of what peg meant and think it was the sex act is hilarious. i kind of wanted them to not find out it's just a girl's name.
Could be a nickname for someone with a wooden arm or wooden leg also. Which reminds me... what do you call a girl with 1 leg? "Eileen" What do you say to Eileen when you stop to pick her up hitchhiking? "Hop in" And don't forget her armless and legless brother who chills out by just laying there. "Matt"
This about an actress committing suicide by jumping off the Hollywood sign in LA. Happened in the 1930's or 1940's, for real. I'm glad you are doing Steely Dan. Dozens of great, interesting and perfectly written songs.
YES!!! My favorite band!! They have a HUGE catalog; you could listen to 20 more songs and not get bored. Their snarky, intelligent lyrics, the smooth Jazz/R&B flow; pure PERFECTION! Please try Caves if Altimira, Jack Of Speed, Pretzel Logic 🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆
Steely Dan's one of my favorite bands. So many flavors of music. "Josie", "Black Friday" and "Only a Fool Would Say That" all great songs, but differently unique in there sound.
Check out "Steely Dan" "Black Cow", and " Reelin in the years", worth the effort for sure. "Reelin in the years" is what caused me to start playing guitar 40 or so years ago. Love the videos. Take care. William C. central Indiana.
Haha my just-turned-3 years old grandson can sing parts of this song, I learned at his birthday party. What can I say? His parents have excellent musical taste.
Peg is the girl’s name who’s smiling for the camera. The shutter of the camera falls she’s see’s it all, they’re excited for her debut performance. He’s encouraging Peg that everyone will love her. We’re crankin’ y’all up down here in Austin!
@@jackjensen4036 I never mentioned the phrase “pin shot.” It’s irrelevant to meaning. I was trying to explain the overall meaning to the song lyrics. It’s ok, I know you just want to show how well versed you are in pornography lingo. Damn son, you’re a porn expert! Congratulations!
When I first heard "Eye Know" by De La Soul, I was impressed with the way they used the Steely Dan sample. Back then I had a crew and we were trying to become a rap group.. We did our fair share of sampling too!
The song's guitar solo was attempted by seven top studio session guitarists-including Robben Ford and recurring guitarist Larry Carlton-before Jay Graydon's version became the "keeper". He worked on the song for about six hours before the band was satisfied.
Big part of the Steely Dan rabbit hole. Catchy "Interesting" lyrics, solid rythym section, jazzy melodies: the best studio musicians of the day. impeccable production. Enjoy the journey. BTW "Peg" short frr "Peggy" (Nickname for "Margaret") is a new, young Adult Film "Actor" in her first film. ALWAYS PAY ATTENTION to Steely Dan lyrics. Always a lot going on. Again: ENJOY
I agree sometimes he concentrates waaay too much on lyrics instead of the music which Steely Dan is known for.They always got the best studio musicians to play with them.
@@ronwilliams6565 I think Brad might quit listening to them for not having a clue to their lyrics! Let him try to figure out Show Biz Kids, which is really not a hard one, but I know he’d be totally confused!
Aja is one of the best albums of the 70’s. Brilliant studio musicians. It brings me back to listening with my headphones in my basement so I won’t wake up my parents ❤️🇨🇦❤️
Nope. Peg is someone he knew, perhaps when growing up, and she became famous for her looks, became an actress, and all of the work she put into her career will come back to her (in a positive way).
I love that the lead singer for the Doobie Brothers, Micheal McDonald, sings backup for Steely Dan. And Peg is a woman that’s involved 8n her first photo shoot and it’s R Rated.
Oh my Lord, you guys have got to check out some more Steely Dan! They have so many amazing songs and they're like virtually no other group out there. Try Don't Take Me Alive when you get a chance. Also, Peg is her name as in Peggy LOL.
One of the greatest duo groous of all time. This is Yacht Rock music and Steely Dan is the epitome of this genre! Michael McDonald is one of the background vocals.
I always like Steely Dan. They had a great sound and really hit the airwaves in the 1970''s-1980's with their unique sound and catchy rifts. Try their song "Hey Nineteen" which talks about age. It is my favorite Steely Dan song.
In all the years of listening to steely dan. I've never understood the lyrics, as they tend to be dark. But, if you've got to get stuff done, steely dan's aja album is a good one to have going in the background.
Steely Dan's lyrics were always delightfully artful and told some very dark stories. They're another of my favorite bands from the '70s. This song was a big hit on the radio, but a better song, to me, from the Aja album was "Josie." I think the story being told by this song was similar to the one being told by their earlier song, "Everyone's Gone to the Movies" which was about kiddie porn. Catchy, funky pop tunes with a dark story!
Yeah… Meg, Marge, Greta & Peg all are short versions of the name Margaret. It always seemed to me about an actress or someone trying to be one, who was involved in some risqué photo shoot… but I was never sure who the song voice was… a boyfriend or wannabe boyfriend? … old boyfriend left behind? IDK
Chuck Rainey's smooth as butter, funky as limberger, bass lines MAKE this song! Well, that and Michael McDonald's tighter-than-a-Scotsman's-wallet backing vocals. Amazing, amazing track.
Love these guys. Very precise in their music: play it our way or nice knowing you. I believe there’s a documentary on the recording of this album. They hired Michael McDonald to sing one word: “Peg”.
Ok, first time commenter on your channel. First off, I do truly enjoy your channel. You guys have great chemistry and it’s always fun to see what you guys think of songs of all different genres. Lex, your unabashed enthusiasm is always entertaining, and Brad I’m always curious to get your take as you play it a little closer to the vest. Despite how much I do enjoy your channel I do have one major recommendation that I would like to put out there. Whenever I watch one of your videos, more often than not there is something about a song that you both theorize about that is inevitably WILDLY inaccurate. This while comical is also frustrating because it leaves the audience wondering if you ever figured out what the song, lyrics, whatever really means. It makes no sense to wax philosophical about a lyric and hear Lex go “oooooooooh” when you think you “figured it out” when you’re not even close, and them leave to the ironic outro music…”I don’t know…”. 🎶 Exactly, you don’t know, lol!!!! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve said the phrase, “You guys are killing” when you’re coming up with your crazy theories about what a song is about, or how you think the 80’s were, lol. So my suggestion is to have a short section at the end of the video where you briefly research the song to find out what you got right and what you got wrong. Seeing this play out would be very entertaining and a lot less frustrating for all of us yelling at the screen, “Noooo, what’s not what it means” lol. Just a friendly suggestion. Otherwise keep up the good work! ✌🏻
Love Steely Dan & it's 70's vibes, which was piped over the radio throughout my childhood. Song Info: "This song is about an aspiring actress named Peg -which is short for Peggy or Margaret - with the director/photographer promising her a big break." "The lyrics of Peg are believed to be based on Peg Entwistle, the Welsh-born Broadway star who leapt to her death from the top of the H on the Hollywood land sign before the release of her first movie in 1932. She was 24." Thanks for the reaction video.
This is my all time favorite song. So simple and so complex. A perfect pop song. I’m learning to play piano. I stopped practicing the songs people practice when they learn to play because I needed to learn my favorite song!
All Steely Dan video's should be watched using a lyric video. SD's lyrics are adult, ironic, smart, sometimes obscure, and clever. Sometimes a bit too clever. This song is about a young woman Peg who has either taken a photo, made a series of photo's, or made a movie that the singer feels she'll ultimately regret. SD is one of the biggest rabbit holes you can fall into. My favorites by them are "Black Cow", "Kid Charlemagne", "Aja", "Deacon Blues", the entire "Aja" album, "Hey Nineteen", “The Fez”, “Green Earrings”, "Do It Again", "Reelin' In The Years", "Babylon Sisters", "Dirty Work", "Rikki Don't Lose That Number", "Don't Take Me Alive", "My Old School", "Any Major Dude Will Tell You", and "Doctor WU. There are more because there's really no bad Steely Dan song.
This is unquestionably my favorite band. I have so many others I love, from Meshuggah to Funkadelic, but Steely Dan always delivers, no matter my musical mood. For a band that was named after a sex toy, they did great things, and influenced everything from rock to rap to jazz. Their lyrics are almost always from a very snarky, sardonic angle, talking about some of the weirdest, most random, most gritty, bizarre cultural subject matter you'll ever hear in a song. From playing tricks on your spouse so you can have fun with your lover (Gaslighting Abbie) to berating a subordinate in the film/music studio for bringing their ostentatious gay lover to the set (Gaucho), Steely Dan's lyrics take you to some unusual places.
All of S.D.s song are great! The smooth vibe makes you feel good even after a Sh---y day! Aja. Wore out the c.d. Need to buy another one. At 64 I still want some more Steely Dan!!
This song is legendary and just never gets old to me. My take on the meaning is that "Peg" was probably some kind of movie star or celebrity back in the day whose now gotten older and has been out of the spot light for a long time and lacks the confidence she once had. The singer (Don) is now trying to convince her to make a come back appearance again on film, after being away for years, and is trying to build back up her confidence in the process. He's trying to convince her that she's still got it and that all the same qualities that made her a star before are still there inside of her. In the line from the chorus when he says "Peg, it will come back to you" he's basically saying to Peg that once she gets back in front of the camera, maybe starts to receive the love from fans again, she'll quickly begin to remember all those same star qualities within herself that she was loved for in the past and then she'll be able to project those qualities onto the screen again. Its basically a song about helping someone, in this case a beautiful mature woman, to regain her confidence to go out and realize unfinished dreams.
You two crack me up...Peg is a Girl obviously...the Smile and the World Smiles with You ... Every notice when you smile and it touches your eyes people smile back... At You ..it will come back to you ...
“Peg” is the tale of an aspiring actress with “starlet fever” as told by the boyfriend she ditched to chase that dream. “Peg” takes place at a seedy photo shoot in L.A. in the 1950s. All of the lyrics are from the perspective of the jilted boyfriend, who was still hanging around. Peg is short for Peggy or Margaret. The song writer said it was about a real (unnamed) person. 'PIN' is short for Pinup a 3x2" photograph sent to fans of the starlet. And yes I was born in the 1950's....
Listen, you get up early on a Saturday morning......you bang on Steely dans greatest hits and suddenly the sun is shining and you can smell the coffee.....
That bass line has always made me feel like Gene Kelly had just taken my hand and was leading me through a dance that I'd never thought I could do. It's just so damn open and free.
Basically the song is about a girl named Peg. She is starring in her first “foreign movie” which was slang back then for soft core adult films usually filmed in another country, like France. The singer is or was her boyfriend and he sees her picture on the movie poster and her name on the marquee. He has her letter and picture she sent him(snapshot or pin shot), but he can see from her pin shot that she loves him better because of the look on her face in his picture. Pretty straight forward meaning.
Steely Dan (Donald Fagen and Walter Becker) were a song writing duo that contracted high end musicians to work with them in the studio. It was an ever changing line-up of amazing contributors. Walter unfortunately passed away a few years ago, but Donald still tours and sounds great! Love these guys. Also... Peg is short for Peggy.
Steely Dan was essentially Donald Fagen on keys and lead vocals, Walter Becker on guitar or bass and a rotating cast of some of the most amazing session musicians to ever play. This particular guitar solo, one of the best ever recorded, was from a player named Jay Graydon.
Steely Dan is high on any musician’s list of favorite bands. They didn’t tour for most of their careers, preferring to perfect their studio recordings.
Bass on this song is the great Chuck Rainey.
Steely Dan used a lot of unusual chords in their songs.
Saw them when they started out as the opening act for Chicago in 73
Perfectly stated. Saw them live in 200 with a Brit friend of mine who worked for a number of big bands in the 70's and 80's. He said Steely Dan was widely recognized as one of the greatest recording bands especially due to their musical education and knowledge. They were perfectionists.
@@ssacra22 That's why all the high-end stereo stores had SD playing on their expensive equipment. The production values are top notch.
Steely Dan is known for cryptic lyrics and great music. Best to not try to understand. Just enjoy! And, as others said, Peg is a name... Peggy... Margaret.
Understanding the lyrics and the stories behind them is some of the best parts of appreciating Steely Dan.
Peg(gy) is an aspiring model/pornstar that the singer has the hawts for.
@@coolworx yep that’s it
They have many great hits, these are just a few; "Hey nineteen ", "Black Cow", "Babylon sister", "Kid Charlemagne" and so many more. I hope you decide to check out their catalog, l know you'll enjoy it 😊
Like to see Brad try work out what Kid Charlemagne is about , lol.
@@fredshred5194 🤣🤟
or even , never going to do it without a fez on.
@@fredshred5194 is the fez a hat? Lol
@@ronwilliams6565 yes Ron and always wear one if your getting intimate.
The cool thing about Steely Dan they weren't really a band they were more of a studio project they hired some of the best session musicians of the 1970s to create these amazing songs R.I.P. Walter Becker
This song was sampled on the most underrated hip hop record of all time, 3 Feet High and Rising by De LA Soul. Love both songs.
such a good album. and de la soul always had the best samples.
De LA Soul is like the Steely Dan of rap/ hip hop. The people who know, they know.
In this episode of Brad & Lex, the jazz/funk influenced vibes of this iconic duo capture the couch companions collectively causing Brad to comply to the infectious vocals of Donald Fagen placed atop this well crafted funky rhythmic sound immediately making Brad surrender to us forcing his presentation of his signature "side to side sway" while pondering Peg before Jay Graydon's genius guitar solo leads Lex into Michael McDonald's ghostlyharmonies bringing her to the brink of busting out her "funk bobble bop".
Jay Graydon solos on guitar here not Becker.
Wonderfully said!! 👍
Worry about the lyrics later..
Spectacular
Well said!
Yes, that is the glorious Michael McDonald doing backing vocals.
I remember buying this album [ Aja ] when it first came out. Was getting rave reviews. As a matter of fact, the back side of the album cover was filled with actual reviews of the album. The album is amazing. Every song is great. " Josie " is another upbeat song on the album that jams.
Rumor has it Peg is about an actress who committed suicide but that story is not true, Donald Fagen said in an interview its just an idea he got from a character in a bette davis movie about a young starlet and a seedy photoshoot, the starlets jilted hanger on boyfriend watching her pose for pinups.
Peg is also my favorite steely dan tune, and I know a lot of people will disagree but thats okay.
How can some one disagree what is YOUR favorite song?
You tire of most *really catchy* pop songs, once you get the hook. Not this one, there's always a bit more to it to enjoy in it - I think it's one of their finest moments and along with Do It Again their most commercially accessible. Not my current favourite, but certainly right up there. You obviously were referring to Peg Entwistle, who famously jumped off the H in the Hollywoodland sign.
I’m amazed you could even PICK a favorite SD song! 🤣 I don’t think I could do it! Too, too many!
PEG is one of my favorite all time songs and that of Steely Dan.
Yeah, he is infatuated with Peg who is a pornstar
The harmonics during the chorus is yet more Steely engineering genius as they effectively splice Michael McDonald singing at three different octaves into the final layered product that we hear.
I thought I detected Michael's voice in there! I was gonna look it up until I saw this, thanks!
Some of their lyrics may be cryptic, obscure or even cynical; dealing with iffy situations and/or charachters, the sound they create is always uplifting, they never moan. Therefor, listening to Steely Dan always gives me a good feeling. All the goodies they put in their songs (harmonies, chord progressions, those sensual background voices etc.) makes you want to listen to their songs over and over again . I'll never get tired of them - music for the ages !
"Reelin' In The Years"
"Kid Charlemagne"
&
"FM" (No Static At All)
Just a few classics by Steely Dan.
One of the greatest leads ever recorded courtesy of Jay Graydon.
One of the best songs ever written. The best guitar solo ever recorded. A gorgeous drum track. Perfection
Totally lost on this dynamic duo, especially Brad
In addition to "Rikki Dont Lose That Number," I highly recommend Josie and My Old School. There are a ton of other great songs but these are "lighter" songs in the vein of Peg. Definite rabbit hole.
@Geo Dio 🤣
Steely Dan is how you trick people into listening to (and digging) jazz.
Steely Dan are great; a unique funky, jazzy sound. You should do a few more of their numbers like Aja, Do It Again, Deacon Blue, Kid Charlemagne, Haitian Divorce, etc etc....
etc etc etc indeed.😉
Don't Take Me Alive, My Old School, FM, etc.
Jazz rock. Great band. Like Chicago, Donald Fagen, Toto, Doobie Brothers, Santata (latin jazz rock), War (like Santana), etc. Lot of good jazz rock bands back in the '70s, '80s.
When I was at the Musician's Institute in 1986, Bassist Chuck Rainey came in a performed solo all his bass lines from the Steely Dan Aja album. The groove was so deep you could hear this entire album in your head as he played. I will never forget it. What a master playing a masterpiece of an album for us. I am blessed.
Great 70s Rock/Jazz/ Funk fusion Band. These guys were so damn good.
From Wiki: The song's guitar solo was attempted by seven top studio session guitarists-including Robben Ford and recurring guitarist Larry Carlton-before Jay Graydon's version became the "keeper". He worked on the song for about six hours before the band was satisfied. Jay Graydon spoke about his famous guitar solo in a 2014 interview: "Fortunately, I had no problems on sessions as to nailing a part, but know this-every first call studio guitarist that has played solos has been replaced by another guitarist at least once. It's just part of being a studio musician."
Michael McDonald provides multi-tracked backup vocals in the choruses, and keyboardist Paul Griffin can be heard talking and improvising background vocals in the final chorus and fadeout.
In 2020, Donald Fagen said "There's no hidden meaning. We just wanted a dotted half note for that spot and 'Peg' was short enough to fit with the music." Fagen added that the song "takes place at a seedy photo shoot in L.A...from the perspective of [a] jilted boyfriend.
Rick Beato has this song on his “What Makes This Song Great?” series. It’s a good watch/listen.
Well, I thought he did… can’t find it!
In 1932 struggling actress Peg Entwistle jumped off the 'H' in the Hollywood sign. Back then it still read "HOLLYWOODLAND."
Peg is short for Peggy which is short for Margret.
Yeah, like the name of the Mom on Married With Children, which I believe Brad and Lex have mentioned seeing.
So perplexed by a name!!! 😁
Small correction, Margaret, that's my Wife's name.
that they would leap over the obvious explanation of what peg meant and think it was the sex act is hilarious. i kind of wanted them to not find out it's just a girl's name.
Could be a nickname for someone with a wooden arm or wooden leg also.
Which reminds me... what do you call a girl with 1 leg?
"Eileen"
What do you say to Eileen when you stop to pick her up hitchhiking?
"Hop in"
And don't forget her armless and legless brother who chills out by just laying there.
"Matt"
This about an actress committing suicide by jumping off the Hollywood sign in LA. Happened in the 1930's or 1940's, for real. I'm glad you are doing Steely Dan. Dozens of great, interesting and perfectly written songs.
They need to do 'The Fez' and see if Brad gets that one.
All songs quite different and almost every one as good. And that is true of very few groups. Check yourself!
Did not know that. Thanks!
That actress name was Peg Entwistle and it happened in 1932.
IMO, their best song is Babylon Sisters. I love the jazzy sound of that one.
YES!!! My favorite band!! They have a HUGE catalog; you could listen to 20 more songs and not get bored. Their snarky, intelligent lyrics, the smooth Jazz/R&B flow; pure PERFECTION! Please try Caves if Altimira, Jack Of Speed, Pretzel Logic 🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆
Steely Dan's one of my favorite bands. So many flavors of music. "Josie", "Black Friday" and "Only a Fool Would Say That" all great songs, but differently unique in there sound.
Back when the music industry was creative and diverse.
Peg,short for Peggy, a girls name!......... wha?
@@anthonylovavto3228 don't understand what your point is.
@@paulstewart6203 My remark was intended for Brad, who didn't know what Peg stood for! Accidently hit your icon....sorry
Kid Charlemagne is a must guitar solo is one of the best ever performed
Check out "Steely Dan" "Black Cow", and " Reelin in the years", worth the effort for sure. "Reelin in the years" is what caused me to start playing guitar 40 or so years ago. Love the videos. Take care. William C. central Indiana.
I love how you both started almost instantly, swaying to the beat.
Haha my just-turned-3 years old grandson can sing parts of this song, I learned at his birthday party. What can I say? His parents have excellent musical taste.
Bravo! Great teaching!!
one of the greatest groups ever! we used to think the music was simple, it was not.
I've said it before and I'll say it again, hands down the greatest band of the 70s!
You are really short change ing Stesling
Peg is the girl’s name who’s smiling for the camera. The shutter of the camera falls she’s see’s it all, they’re excited for her debut performance. He’s encouraging Peg that everyone will love her.
We’re crankin’ y’all up down here in Austin!
Pin shot is a pornography reference! Damn son! 😂😂😂
@@jackjensen4036
I never mentioned the phrase “pin shot.” It’s irrelevant to meaning. I was trying to explain the overall meaning to the song lyrics.
It’s ok, I know you just want to show how well versed you are in pornography lingo.
Damn son, you’re a porn expert! Congratulations!
De La Soul sampled this for their track “Eye Know” and it’s glorious. You should check that out.
Absolutely!
@@Chillymost85 your handle is doing it for me. I just keep thinking…”and then we all switch places when I ring the bell”
When I first heard "Eye Know" by De La Soul, I was impressed with the way they used the Steely Dan sample. Back then I had a crew and we were trying to become a rap group.. We did our fair share of sampling too!
The song's guitar solo was attempted by seven top studio session guitarists-including Robben Ford and recurring guitarist Larry Carlton-before Jay Graydon's version became the "keeper". He worked on the song for about six hours before the band was satisfied.
Perdie on those drums. He’s the whole groove. One of the best session drummers in history. Played with the best in his years.
You guys should react to…
Steely Dan - Reelin' in the Years
🎸🤘
yes indeed...forgot about that one!!!
A total banger. Excellent recommendation.👍🏻
a great track that was heavily sampled on the 1989 De La Soul song "Eye Know"
Big part of the Steely Dan rabbit hole. Catchy "Interesting" lyrics, solid rythym section, jazzy melodies: the best studio musicians of the day. impeccable production. Enjoy the journey.
BTW "Peg" short frr "Peggy" (Nickname for "Margaret") is a new, young Adult Film "Actor" in her first film.
ALWAYS PAY ATTENTION to Steely Dan lyrics. Always a lot going on.
Again: ENJOY
Steely Dan was very unique, I always considered them as Rock/ Jazz. Some great music from this band.
I was 11 when I heard this on the radio in 1977 and it blew me away! Still makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.
Steely Dan is a rabbit hole. When you come out, you will never be the same musically.
once again, Brad gets bogged down in lyrics. how do you not talk about the music w/ one of the best played and produced tracks of the 70's?
I agree sometimes he concentrates waaay too much on lyrics instead of the music which Steely Dan is known for.They always got the best studio musicians to play with them.
I dont know..maybe the same way you never considered he may not actually like the music?
@@mitchelltyler5972 Maybe he doesn't. But if not, why not say so? These are "reaction" videos, after all.
@@ronwilliams6565 I think Brad might quit listening to them for not having a clue to their lyrics! Let him try to figure out Show Biz Kids, which is really not a hard one, but I know he’d be totally confused!
@@mitchelltyler5972 I agree totally!
The masters of the music projects...top writing, top production values and top session musos.
Steely Dan told stories. This one is about a photographer trying to coax a young, unsure girl to "Smile for the camera" . It's her first naked shoot.
"Peg" is a great track from an all-time great album ("Aja')... You owe it to yourselves to check out all of the tracks from this album.
Aja is one of the best albums of the 70’s. Brilliant studio musicians. It brings me back to listening with my headphones in my basement so I won’t wake up my parents ❤️🇨🇦❤️
Nope. Peg is someone he knew, perhaps when growing up, and she became famous for her looks, became an actress, and all of the work she put into her career will come back to her (in a positive way).
It's great to see a new generation discovering old school jams like this. One of my top Steely Dan songs ever.
I love that the lead singer for the Doobie Brothers, Micheal McDonald, sings backup for Steely Dan. And Peg is a woman that’s involved 8n her first photo shoot and it’s R Rated.
Oh my Lord, you guys have got to check out some more Steely Dan! They have so many amazing songs and they're like virtually no other group out there. Try Don't Take Me Alive when you get a chance. Also, Peg is her name as in Peggy LOL.
Jazz/Rock/Funk/Blues/Pop......
Steely Dan did it all with brilliant arrangements, master musicians and creative genius.
One of the greatest duo groous of all time. This is Yacht Rock music and Steely Dan is the epitome of this genre! Michael McDonald is one of the background vocals.
Fagan’s musical training and early years were exceptional. He made the most of it.
I always like Steely Dan. They had a great sound and really hit the airwaves in the 1970''s-1980's with their unique sound and catchy rifts. Try their song "Hey Nineteen" which talks about age. It is my favorite Steely Dan song.
Green Earrings is a must from Steely Dan. My favorite of theirs and definitely their funkiest
Brad&Lex, you'll love their "Aja", "Deacon Blues", "Josie" and many more!!!!
Love Deacon Blues.
In all the years of listening to steely dan. I've never understood the lyrics, as they tend to be dark. But, if you've got to get stuff done, steely dan's aja album is a good one to have going in the background.
How he kept a straight face and mildly moved back and forth is beyond me. Loosen up dude this is a fucking masterpiece bop
Great music with great hooks layered on top of dense, subterranean lyrics, and superb production values. Fantastic band.
Steely Dan's lyrics were always delightfully artful and told some very dark stories. They're another of my favorite bands from the '70s. This song was a big hit on the radio, but a better song, to me, from the Aja album was "Josie." I think the story being told by this song was similar to the one being told by their earlier song, "Everyone's Gone to the Movies" which was about kiddie porn. Catchy, funky pop tunes with a dark story!
Yeah… Meg, Marge, Greta & Peg all are short versions of the name Margaret.
It always seemed to me about an actress or someone trying to be one, who was involved in some risqué photo shoot… but I was never sure who the song voice was… a boyfriend or wannabe boyfriend? … old boyfriend left behind? IDK
BIG Debut, her picture with lights above, PEG has become a star, someone the singer used to know. he has a letter from her with a picture he keeps
Chuck Rainey's smooth as butter, funky as limberger, bass lines MAKE this song! Well, that and Michael McDonald's tighter-than-a-Scotsman's-wallet backing vocals. Amazing, amazing track.
It was happier, in all shapes and sizes. It lifted you up.
Such a great bass line. Wonderful musicians loved to play with these guys. Quality top to bottom. (Peg as in Peggy....a girl's name)
Such a happy sounding song, regardless of what it’s about 😂
Love these guys. Very precise in their music: play it our way or nice knowing you. I believe there’s a documentary on the recording of this album. They hired Michael McDonald to sing one word: “Peg”.
Glad you hit this Jazzy classical hit. They are a very talented band Kid charlemagne is another great song.
This is when Jazz and R&B had a baby
Steely Dan is so good ... jazz inflected rock. Audiophile quality production.
"Peg" is short for the female name "Peggy" She's a model. "So, when you smile for the camera..."
Ok, first time commenter on your channel. First off, I do truly enjoy your channel. You guys have great chemistry and it’s always fun to see what you guys think of songs of all different genres. Lex, your unabashed enthusiasm is always entertaining, and Brad I’m always curious to get your take as you play it a little closer to the vest. Despite how much I do enjoy your channel I do have one major recommendation that I would like to put out there. Whenever I watch one of your videos, more often than not there is something about a song that you both theorize about that is inevitably WILDLY inaccurate. This while comical is also frustrating because it leaves the audience wondering if you ever figured out what the song, lyrics, whatever really means. It makes no sense to wax philosophical about a lyric and hear Lex go “oooooooooh” when you think you “figured it out” when you’re not even close, and them leave to the ironic outro music…”I don’t know…”. 🎶 Exactly, you don’t know, lol!!!! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve said the phrase, “You guys are killing” when you’re coming up with your crazy theories about what a song is about, or how you think the 80’s were, lol. So my suggestion is to have a short section at the end of the video where you briefly research the song to find out what you got right and what you got wrong. Seeing this play out would be very entertaining and a lot less frustrating for all of us yelling at the screen, “Noooo, what’s not what it means” lol. Just a friendly suggestion. Otherwise keep up the good work! ✌🏻
Love Steely Dan & it's 70's vibes, which was piped over the radio throughout my childhood. Song Info: "This song is about an aspiring actress named Peg -which is short for Peggy or Margaret - with the director/photographer promising her a big break." "The lyrics of Peg are believed to be based on Peg Entwistle, the Welsh-born Broadway star who leapt to her death from the top of the H on the Hollywood land sign before the release of her first movie in 1932. She was 24." Thanks for the reaction video.
This is my all time favorite song. So simple and so complex. A perfect pop song. I’m learning to play piano. I stopped practicing the songs people practice when they learn to play because I needed to learn my favorite song!
This is my high school era.....Pure Gold!!!...
This is the band that deserves your attention. Please keep looking into them.
All Steely Dan video's should be watched using a lyric video. SD's lyrics are adult, ironic, smart, sometimes obscure, and clever. Sometimes a bit too clever. This song is about a young woman Peg who has either taken a photo, made a series of photo's, or made a movie that the singer feels she'll ultimately regret. SD is one of the biggest rabbit holes you can fall into. My favorites by them are "Black Cow", "Kid Charlemagne", "Aja", "Deacon Blues", the entire "Aja" album, "Hey Nineteen", “The Fez”, “Green Earrings”, "Do It Again", "Reelin' In The Years", "Babylon Sisters", "Dirty Work", "Rikki Don't Lose That Number", "Don't Take Me Alive", "My Old School", "Any Major Dude Will Tell You", and "Doctor WU. There are more because there's really no bad Steely Dan song.
This is unquestionably my favorite band. I have so many others I love, from Meshuggah to Funkadelic, but Steely Dan always delivers, no matter my musical mood. For a band that was named after a sex toy, they did great things, and influenced everything from rock to rap to jazz. Their lyrics are almost always from a very snarky, sardonic angle, talking about some of the weirdest, most random, most gritty, bizarre cultural subject matter you'll ever hear in a song. From playing tricks on your spouse so you can have fun with your lover (Gaslighting Abbie) to berating a subordinate in the film/music studio for bringing their ostentatious gay lover to the set (Gaucho), Steely Dan's lyrics take you to some unusual places.
Another Steely Funkalisious MASTERPIERCE
Great choice...next: "Rikki don't lose that number"!!!
1970s and 1980s, "How do we make a hit song?" "We'll put Michael McDonald in backup vocals..."
Legendary solo by Jay Gradon. Interesting story of how many guitarist were brought in to do the solo. He stuck the landing beautifully.
Graydon [sp.] correction.
the songs are lyrical and musical stories, anecdotes, short films..their best 3, imo: Can't Buy a Thrill, Countdown to Ecstasy, The Royal Scam
All of S.D.s song are great! The smooth vibe makes you feel good even after a Sh---y day! Aja. Wore out the c.d. Need to buy another one. At 64 I still want some more Steely Dan!!
This song is legendary and just never gets old to me. My take on the meaning is that "Peg" was probably some kind of movie star or celebrity back in the day whose now gotten older and has been out of the spot light for a long time and lacks the confidence she once had. The singer (Don) is now trying to convince her to make a come back appearance again on film, after being away for years, and is trying to build back up her confidence in the process. He's trying to convince her that she's still got it and that all the same qualities that made her a star before are still there inside of her. In the line from the chorus when he says "Peg, it will come back to you" he's basically saying to Peg that once she gets back in front of the camera, maybe starts to receive the love from fans again, she'll quickly begin to remember all those same star qualities within herself that she was loved for in the past and then she'll be able to project those qualities onto the screen again. Its basically a song about helping someone, in this case a beautiful mature woman, to regain her confidence to go out and realize unfinished dreams.
Love Steely Dan. So many hits great musicians
"light vibe" welcome to the world of Yacht Rock!
You two crack me up...Peg is a Girl obviously...the Smile and the World Smiles with You ... Every notice when you smile and it touches your eyes people smile back... At You ..it will come back to you ...
Class act band with top notch musicians!👍👍 So much great stuff to check out by them, they made no bad music ever.
Btw, I always took it that Peg was a girl😎
You probably know " black cow", a huge rap song by Lord Tariq and Peter Gunz circa 98, used the beginning note for note and Steely Dan sued them.
“Peg” is the tale of an aspiring actress with “starlet fever” as told by the boyfriend she ditched to chase that dream. “Peg” takes place at a seedy photo shoot in L.A. in the 1950s. All of the lyrics are from the perspective of the jilted boyfriend, who was still hanging around. Peg is short for Peggy or Margaret. The song writer said it was about a real (unnamed) person. 'PIN' is short for Pinup a 3x2" photograph sent to fans of the starlet. And yes I was born in the 1950's....
I’ve spent whole afternoons watching Steely Dan reactions.
Listen, you get up early on a Saturday morning......you bang on Steely dans greatest hits and suddenly the sun is shining and you can smell the coffee.....
That bass line has always made me feel like Gene Kelly had just taken my hand and was leading me through a dance that I'd never thought I could do. It's just so damn open and free.
Peg! It's a name! A name! Short for Peggy. Aye eye eye!🤣
Basically the song is about a girl named Peg. She is starring in her first “foreign movie” which was slang back then for soft core adult films usually filmed in another country, like France. The singer is or was her boyfriend and he sees her picture on the movie poster and her name on the marquee. He has her letter and picture she sent him(snapshot or pin shot), but he can see from her pin shot that she loves him better because of the look on her face in his picture. Pretty straight forward meaning.
Steely Dan (Donald Fagen and Walter Becker) were a song writing duo that contracted high end musicians to work with them in the studio. It was an ever changing line-up of amazing contributors. Walter unfortunately passed away a few years ago, but Donald still tours and sounds great! Love these guys. Also... Peg is short for Peggy.
Heck yea!!! Finally some Steely Dan! Great stuff. You gotta check out their other hits!!