My favorite too. Voted for "King of the World," the first in their long line of killer album closers.
― Alfred, Lord Sotosyn, Thursday, 19 June 2008 22:48 (fifteen years ago) link
the guitars in "king of" are the best Dan's guitars ever recorded, and one of the best in general
― Zeno, Thursday, 19 June 2008 22:49 (fifteen years ago) link
the guitars in "king of" My Old School are the best Dan's guitars ever recorded, and one of the best in general
― Pancakes Hackman, Thursday, 19 June 2008 22:55 (fifteen years ago) link
Yeah, the vibes plus pedal steel kinda make Razor Boy for me.
― dell, Thursday, 19 June 2008 22:55 (fifteen years ago) link
i sometime daydream of a Stereolab cover of Razor Boy
― Zeno, Thursday, 19 June 2008 22:56 (fifteen years ago) link
or Saint Etienne!
― Alfred, Lord Sotosyn, Thursday, 19 June 2008 22:59 (fifteen years ago) link
or Gold Teeth (coevred by Stereolab)
― Zeno, Friday, 20 June 2008 01:20 (fifteen years ago) link
in order of preference:
"King of the World" "My Old School" "The Boston Rag" "Pearl of the Quarter" "Your Gold Teeth" "Razor Boy" "Bodhisattva" "Show Biz Kids"
― some dude, Friday, 20 June 2008 01:42 (fifteen years ago) link
What's wrong with Show Biz Kids again?
― iago g., Friday, 20 June 2008 01:42 (fifteen years ago) link
RFI: What exactly are they saying in background vocals on Showbiz Kids?
― James Redd and the Blecchs, Friday, 20 June 2008 02:56 (fifteen years ago) link
"King of the World" – 5:04
― and what, Friday, 20 June 2008 03:08 (fifteen years ago) link
I don't really have anything against "Show Biz Kids," but I also think it's practically the only non-great single Steely Dan ever released.
― some dude, Friday, 20 June 2008 03:11 (fifteen years ago) link
i agree. show biz and bodhisatve are my least favourite tracks
― Zeno, Friday, 20 June 2008 03:14 (fifteen years ago) link
Fun fact: This is Donald Fagen's favorite Steely Dan album.
I'm voting Bodhisattva. Incredile musical interplay on that one. I just love those "Doodley-doodley-doodley-doodley" triplets.
― Mr. Snrub, Friday, 20 June 2008 03:22 (fifteen years ago) link
"Fun fact: This is Donald Fagen's favorite Steely Dan album."
i heard about this one, but it contradict whats written on the liner notes (which were written by Dan).weird,or maybe not so cause its steely dan
― Zeno, Friday, 20 June 2008 03:28 (fifteen years ago) link
contradicts as in he's expressed dislike for this one, or as in he's called a particular other one his favorite?
― some dude, Friday, 20 June 2008 03:29 (fifteen years ago) link
see the quote above the poll options. or read THOUGHT + FEELING = ACTION from the liner notes: http://www.geocities.com/sd_archive/countdown.htm THOUGHT + FEELING = ACTION
― Zeno, Friday, 20 June 2008 03:34 (fifteen years ago) link
(i like the comment on "king of the world": "i think my face is on fire")
― Zeno, Friday, 20 June 2008 03:42 (fifteen years ago) link
The Boston Rag, my favourite Dan song - the piano! The way it unfurls! "Any news was good news / And the feeling was bad at home / I was losing my mind and you were on the phone..."
Show Biz Kids in second place, really need to make a beardo edit of one of these days.
― etc, Friday, 20 June 2008 04:06 (fifteen years ago) link
my old school
― gr8080, Friday, 20 June 2008 04:41 (fifteen years ago) link
not my favorite (any more) but I think I have a harder time picking just one off this than any of the others. except maybe Aja.
― will, Friday, 20 June 2008 05:51 (fifteen years ago) link
king of the world > my old school > Bodhisattva = Razor Boy = Your Gold Teeth = Show Biz Kids > the other two.
― will, Friday, 20 June 2008 06:03 (fifteen years ago) link
no wait boston rag is pretty tight
― will, Friday, 20 June 2008 06:04 (fifteen years ago) link
king of the world
― ciderpress, Friday, 20 June 2008 06:29 (fifteen years ago) link
showbiz kids is possibly my least favorite 70s steely dan song
My Old School........
Guadalajara won't do now......
― sonofstan, Friday, 20 June 2008 06:43 (fifteen years ago) link
Everything. Unless you like a repetitive song with "Las Vegas" being repeated all over again all the time. Probably the worst Steely Dan song ever.
― Geir Hongro, Friday, 20 June 2008 09:22 (fifteen years ago) link
haven't read the thread, but went for "The Boston Rag" after some serious hemming and hawing.
― kenan, Friday, 20 June 2008 10:08 (fifteen years ago) link
King of the World for me
― Joe, Friday, 20 June 2008 10:12 (fifteen years ago) link
The Boston Rag is Steely Dan's best song. Therefore, it is the best song on Countdown To Ecstasy.
― kornrulez6969, Friday, 20 June 2008 13:29 (fifteen years ago) link
Bring back the Boston Raggett.
― James Redd and the Blecchs, Friday, 20 June 2008 14:09 (fifteen years ago) link
That's sweet. Thanks, Geir!
― iago g., Friday, 20 June 2008 14:28 (fifteen years ago) link
"show business kids they're making movies of themselves" is such quintessential fagen hermeticism, all this contempt & insight and willful myopia packed into half a line.
yeah this album can be my favorite although aja is so goddamn special to me.
― J0hn D., Friday, 20 June 2008 15:34 (fifteen years ago) link
"Pearl of The Quarter", cause no one else will.
― C. Grisso/McCain, Friday, 20 June 2008 15:34 (fifteen years ago) link
Voted for "My Old School," though "Bodhisattva" was close. "Show Biz Kids" is one of my least favorite Steely Dan songs, much less singles.
― jaymc, Friday, 20 June 2008 15:36 (fifteen years ago) link
OK, I wrote that without reading the rest of the thread, and it appears I am one with Geir.
Unless you like a repetitive song with "Las Vegas" being repeated all over again all the time.
B-b-but it sounds like "LOST WAGES"!!!
― jaymc, Friday, 20 June 2008 15:37 (fifteen years ago) link
I voted "Pearl of the Quarter" last night cos I was afraid no one else would. Also cos the pedal steel still kills me every single time.
― Noodle Vague, Friday, 20 June 2008 15:38 (fifteen years ago) link
YES
― C. Grisso/McCain, Friday, 20 June 2008 15:39 (fifteen years ago) link
I'm curious: anyone think this album has any bad songs? I don't.
― Alfred, Lord Sotosyn, Friday, 20 June 2008 15:58 (fifteen years ago) link
Yeah, "Show Biz Kids," as mentioned.
― jaymc, Friday, 20 June 2008 15:59 (fifteen years ago) link
There are no bad songs on this album, just bad listeners.
― Noodle Vague, Friday, 20 June 2008 15:59 (fifteen years ago) link
show biz kids is the song i like the least on this album and it's still great
― omar little, Friday, 20 June 2008 17:14 (fifteen years ago) link
This is probably my favorite Steely Dan album. There aren't any bad songs - hard to pick a favorite though.
― o. nate, Friday, 20 June 2008 17:17 (fifteen years ago) link
i don't think i have a favorite steely dan album. though i suppose whatever one i'm listening to at the moment is usually my favorite.
― omar little, Friday, 20 June 2008 17:20 (fifteen years ago) link
i only found out about this album because of an ILM thread. now it's one of my favorite albums ever! "Your Gold Teeth" is my pick.
― Bee OK, Saturday, 21 June 2008 02:22 (fifteen years ago) link
How could it be anything other than "King of the World"?
― ablaeser, Saturday, 21 June 2008 02:39 (fifteen years ago) link
Hold onto your hat, dude: people like different stuff.
― Noodle Vague, Saturday, 21 June 2008 09:24 (fifteen years ago) link
Automatic thread bump. This poll is closing tomorrow.
― ILX System, Sunday, 22 June 2008 23:01 (fifteen years ago) link
I don't understand how anyone can call "Show Biz Kids" the worst song on an album that features a waste of audiotape on the scale of "Pearl Of The Quarter." I really don't get the complaints about the phrase "lost wages" being repetitive, in the absence of complaints about "voulez voulez voulez vous," which is the single most annoying thing in the entire SD repertoire.
Oh, and I voted for "My Old School."
― unperson, Monday, 23 June 2008 00:08 (fifteen years ago) link
thanks, unperson, i agree
― iago g., Monday, 23 June 2008 00:25 (fifteen years ago) link
what did alex in nyc vote for?
― mookieproof, Thursday, 26 June 2008 00:27 (fifteen years ago) link
Killing Joke's cover of "Razor Boy" didn't make the cut.
― Alfred, Lord Sotosyn, Thursday, 26 June 2008 00:35 (fifteen years ago) link
Let's hear it for Show Biz Kids! Whoo-hoo! [Dodging rotten tomatoes]
― iago g., Thursday, 26 June 2008 01:35 (fifteen years ago) link
there were still rock songs on AM radio in 1980?
-- Alfred, Lord Sotosyn
In Northern Ontario there were! But "Hey Nineteen" barely qualifies as rock, to my ears.
Just sayin'
― Myonga Vön Bontee, Thursday, 26 June 2008 06:18 (fifteen years ago) link
california tumbles into the sea
― memwer, Thursday, 26 June 2008 20:53 (fifteen years ago) link
But "Hey Nineteen" barely qualifies as rock, to my ears
soft-rock disco
― o. nate, Thursday, 26 June 2008 20:58 (fifteen years ago) link
awwww i suppose the voulez voulez bits of Pearl of the Quarter are annoying...
Maybe super furry animals can do a song using the "and if you hear from my Louise.." bit coz it rules.
― wilter, Wednesday, 27 August 2008 07:47 (fifteen years ago) link
my baby's a peaaaaaaaaarl of the kwar-ter
― 乒乓, Monday, 10 December 2012 15:31 (eleven years ago) link
Even Cathy Berberian knowsthere's onerouladeshe can't siiiinnggg
― Tomb Of Spatula (Jon Lewis), Monday, 10 December 2012 16:12 (eleven years ago) link
After closing timeat the Guernsey FairI detect the El Supremofrom the room at the top of the stairs
― xanthanguar (cwkiii), Monday, 10 December 2012 16:14 (eleven years ago) link
Lonnie swept the playroom And he swallowed up all he found It was forty-eight hours til Lonnie came around
― some dude, Monday, 10 December 2012 16:17 (eleven years ago) link
Lyrics-wise, it's gotta be Countdown to Ecstasy and Gaucho neck and neck. These songs just keep on givin'.
― Tomb Of Spatula (Jon Lewis), Monday, 10 December 2012 16:59 (eleven years ago) link
jesus christ, what a killer run from track 3 right through to the close.
― charlie h, Wednesday, 22 May 2013 06:01 (ten years ago) link
I just had this conversation with a friend of a friend in a pub:
Him - "Do you like Steely Dan?"
Me - "Er, I guess. I don't really think about them very often"
Him - "Oh my god. I think about them all the time"
― TracerHandVEVO (Tracer Hand), Wednesday, 22 May 2013 09:32 (ten years ago) link
this record has the power to carry me willingly or unwillingly to a small room where I lived for three years long ago mainly listening to music on a tape deck and recording music on the same deck
― Oral Sex in Sharp’s Ridge Park (underrated aerosmith bootlegs I have owned), Wednesday, 22 May 2013 12:42 (ten years ago) link
tobacco they grow in Peking
in the year of the locust you'll seea sad thing
― kobaïas fünke (clouds), Sunday, 30 November 2014 18:57 (nine years ago) link
Although perfectly good, I think this is my least favorite Dan record. None of the tracks on it would rank in my favorites.
― my jaw left (Hurting 2), Sunday, 30 November 2014 19:00 (nine years ago) link
If I stay insideI might live 'til Saturday
― The Complainte of Ray Tabano, Sunday, 30 November 2014 19:55 (nine years ago) link
Impression I got from reviews of the reissues in 98/99 was that this was THE SD album (or on par with Aja at least)
― Master of Treacle, Sunday, 30 November 2014 20:58 (nine years ago) link
imo it is, it kinda has everything and is situated early enough in their career to still have some residual can't buy a thrill flavor
― emo canon in twee major (BradNelson), Sunday, 30 November 2014 21:01 (nine years ago) link
Its a great intro album to a major act...especially as all 7 original albums are of almost equal stature imo
― Master of Treacle, Sunday, 30 November 2014 21:10 (nine years ago) link
I quite like Steely Dan but I never listen to them. I've been listening to this album recently though. "The Boston Rag" wins this hands down.
― Doodles Diamond (Tom D.), Wednesday, 25 May 2022 17:47 (one year ago) link
Show Biz Kids making movies of themselves
― immodesty blaise (jimbeaux), Wednesday, 25 May 2022 18:16 (one year ago) link
woke up this morning with "Pearl of the Quarter" stuck in my head, it deserved much more love in this poll
― Muad'Doob (Moodles), Wednesday, 25 May 2022 18:31 (one year ago) link
It really is a great track. This was the first album I bought from them that wasn't a compilation, and it was obvious right away that they weren't just a singles band. A great album top to bottom.
― birdistheword, Wednesday, 25 May 2022 18:48 (one year ago) link
Surprised at the love for "King of the World".― o. nate, Tuesday, June 24, 2008 11:53 AM (thirteen years ago) bookmarkflaglink
― o. nate, Tuesday, June 24, 2008 11:53 AM (thirteen years ago) bookmarkflaglink
I'm surprised by this post! "King of the World" is probably my favorite song of all time. I guess post-apocalyptic desert jazz-pop w/synths isn't everyone's jam, but to my ears they really pulled it off.
― J. Sam, Wednesday, 25 May 2022 19:35 (one year ago) link
Also as a kid I used to think Fagen was singing "any man laughed on the Rio Grande" in the chorus. Sometimes I still choose to hear it that way lol
― J. Sam, Wednesday, 25 May 2022 19:38 (one year ago) link
Yeah, that's a great track too - the best album closer they ever recorded.
― birdistheword, Wednesday, 25 May 2022 20:09 (one year ago) link
I like Aja and to a lesser extent Gaucho too, but when I revisit what they accomplished here, those later albums can feel kind of bland in comparison.
― birdistheword, Wednesday, 25 May 2022 20:12 (one year ago) link
Yeah I see what you mean. I wouldn't call Aja or Gaucho bland, but they lack the tight-knit working rock band energy of the early Dan
― J. Sam, Wednesday, 25 May 2022 20:23 (one year ago) link
I am most partial to Pretzel Logic.
― immodesty blaise (jimbeaux), Wednesday, 25 May 2022 20:27 (one year ago) link
the work day is done, time to kick off the Countdown
― Muad'Doob (Moodles), Wednesday, 25 May 2022 22:28 (one year ago) link
it's this one or Aja for greatest album ever and I'll never be able to decide
― J Edgar Noothgrush (Joan Crawford Loves Chachi), Thursday, 26 May 2022 02:10 (one year ago) link
generally i respect their decision to not tour when they were making records but i feel like there are 500 killer live versions of "my old school" in a parallel universe somewhere and i'm sad i won't hear them
― call all destroyer, Thursday, 26 May 2022 02:17 (one year ago) link
xxxp I might agree with that - it's really between Pretzel Logic and Countdown. A tough call because the approaches are so different. Regardless, albums #2 through 4 are the ones I enjoy most, and Steely Dan's grown on me to the point where I enjoy everything up to and including Gaucho.
― birdistheword, Thursday, 26 May 2022 02:19 (one year ago) link