Steely Dan’s biggest hit song outside Aja
In the world of music, true craftsmanship is often defined by the pursuit of absolute perfection. For the legendary group Steely Dan, this dedication was legendary, setting them apart as architects of immaculate, complex sonic landscapes.
Having already shed the constraints of a traditional rock band and embraced the freedom of studio experimentation, Walter Becker and Donald Fagan were uniquely positioned to bring in any talent they desired to flesh out their sophisticated, jazz-inspired arrangements. This mastery reached its zenith with the 1977 album Aja”>Aja, an album where the world’s finest musicians converged to create a masterpiece.
Despite the monumental scale of Aja”>Aja, which demanded intense focus and meticulous attention, a strange request arrived that tested their legendary efficiency: a movie theme song. While such collaborations might seem like a recipe for chaos, Becker and Fagan had prior experience crafting film music, giving them a foundation to tackle the challenge.
They decided to take on the assignment for the theme song to the film FM”>FM. Though the process was demanding, they quickly dove into writing the track, managing to produce the song in less than a week. Rather than compromising their standards, they treated the task as a straightforward contract job, keeping it separate from the high-pressure demands of the Aja”>Aja sessions.
The genius of the collaboration lay in how they managed the execution. While the track was developed quickly, the instrumental work remained deeply rooted in the band’s core style. Walter Becker handled the bass and guitar parts, while Donald Fagan provided the foundational piano and keyboard work, ensuring the track retained the Steely Dan signature.
The final soundscape was layered with incredible talent. Percussion was handled by Toto’s Jeff Porcaro, while the saxophone featured Pete Christlieb. For the shimmering backing vocals, they brought in Timothy B. Schmidt, who introduced the harmonizing voices of the Eagles’ Glenn Frey and Don Henley. The result was a groove that was effortlessly catchy yet steeped in complex musicality.
While the film FM”>FM itself may not have received widespread acclaim, the song proved to be a massive commercial success. The soundtrack garnered platinum status shortly after release, thanks to stellar contributions from artists like Tom Petty, the Heartbreakers, Bob Seger, Foreigner, the Eagles, and Linda Ronstadt.
The title track, an afterthought for the group, ultimately became one of Steely Dan’s signature songs. It stands as a fascinating testament to how a perfectly crafted piece of music, born from a quick mandate, can transcend its original purpose and become an enduring classic.
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