The Most Popular Steely Dan Song, Ranked

Choose the song you think is the most popular!

Author: Gregor Krambs
Updated on May 2, 2024 06:50
Fans of Steeple Dan often find themselves deep in debate over which song stands as their finest work. With a catalog that spans dynamic genres and intricate compositions, identifying a favorite can be a rewarding challenge. This list provides a space for fans to cast their votes, helping to form a consensus on the most beloved tracks. By participating in this voting, each fan contributes to a more definitive ranking, offering newcomers and long-time listeners alike a guided tour of Steeple Dan's discography. This dynamic ranking adjusts in real-time with each new vote, presenting an up-to-date reflection of collective preferences and insights. Engage with this list to see where your favorites rank and perhaps discover some new tunes to enjoy.

What Is the Most Popular Steeple Dan Song?

  1. 1
    21
    votes

    Do It Again

    Steely Dan
    This song is often cited as one of the band's most iconic and recognizable tracks, featuring a catchy guitar riff and memorable lyrics.
    Do It Again is a popular rock song by Steely Dan. It was released as a single in 1972 and later included in their debut album 'Can't Buy a Thrill.' The song features a combination of jazz and rock elements, combined with intricate guitar work and catchy melodies. It showcases Steely Dan's signature sound, with its smooth vocals, tight harmonies, and complex musical arrangements. Do It Again is known for its memorable chorus and storytelling lyrics, which allude to themes of nostalgia, regret, and the cyclical nature of life.
    • Year of Release: 1972
    • Album: Can't Buy a Thrill
    • Genre: Rock, Jazz-Rock
    • Duration: 5 minutes and 57 seconds
    • Songwriters: Walter Becker, Donald Fagen
  2. 2
    39
    votes
    Another classic Steely Dan song, "Reelin' In The Years" features a memorable guitar solo and has been covered by a number of other artists over the years.
    Reelin' In The Years is a popular rock song by Steely Dan. It was released in 1972 as a single from their debut album 'Can't Buy a Thrill'. The song features a catchy guitar riff and strong harmonies, combined with Donald Fagen's distinct vocals. Reelin' In The Years showcases Steely Dan's unique blend of jazz, rock, and pop elements, which became their signature style. The lyrics of the song convey a sense of nostalgia and introspection, reflecting on past experiences and personal growth.
    • Year of Release: 1972
    • Album: Can't Buy a Thrill
    • Genre: Rock
    • Length: 4 minutes and 37 seconds
    • Songwriters: Donald Fagen and Walter Becker
  3. 3
    29
    votes
    This song is known for its catchy melody and lyrics, and is often cited as one of the band's most popular tracks.
    Rikki Don't Lose That Number is a popular song by the American rock band Steely Dan. It was released in 1974 as the lead single from their third studio album, Pretzel Logic. The song is known for its catchy melody, smooth vocals, and intricate jazz-influenced instrumentation. It features a combination of electric guitar, piano, saxophone, and distinctive harmonies. The lyrics tell a story about a man urging a woman named Rikki to not lose his phone number and to call him if she needs a friend. The song was a commercial success, reaching the top 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and becoming one of Steely Dan's most recognizable and beloved songs.
    • Album: Pretzel Logic
    • Released: 1974
    • Genre: Rock, Jazz-Rock
    • Length: 4:04
    • Label: ABC Records
  4. 4
    13
    votes

    Peg

    This song is known for its funky, upbeat sound and features some of the band's most memorable lyrics.
    Peg is a popular song by the American jazz rock band Steely Dan. It was released in 1977 as part of their album 'Aja'. The song features a mix of jazz, funk, and rock elements, with intricate guitar work and catchy melodies.
    • Album: Aja
    • Year: 1977
    • Genre: Jazz rock
    • Length: 3:57
    • Songwriters: Walter Becker, Donald Fagen
  5. 5
    10
    votes
    This song features a funky, danceable groove and is known for its catchy chorus and memorable guitar solo.
    Josie is a pop-punk song by the American rock band Blink-182. It was released as the fourth single from their second studio album, Dude Ranch, in 1998. The song has upbeat tempo and catchy melodies, displaying the band's signature energetic sound. The lyrics tell a story of a boy's infatuation with a girl named Josie.
    • Released: 1998
    • Album: Dude Ranch
    • Genre: Pop punk
    • Length: 3:20
    • Label: MCA
  6. 6
    18
    votes

    Hey Nineteen

    Steeley Dan
    This song features a catchy melody and lyrics that are often cited as some of the band's wittiest and most clever.
    Hey Nineteen is a popular song by the American jazz rock band Steely Dan. It was released in 1980 as part of their seventh studio album titled 'Gaucho'. The song combines elements of jazz, rock, and R&B, featuring smooth vocals and intricate instrumental arrangements. Hey Nineteen tells the story of an older protagonist trying to connect with a much younger love interest, highlighting the generation gap and the challenges of navigating relationships in a changing world.
    • Year of Release: 1980
    • Album: Gaucho
    • Genre: Jazz rock, R&B
    • Length: 4:55
    • Songwriters: Walter Becker, Donald Fagen
  7. 7
    4
    votes

    Deacon Blues

    Steeley Dan
    This song features a jazzy, melancholic sound and is known for its introspective lyrics.
    Deacon Blues is a popular song by the American jazz rock band Steely Dan. It was released in 1977 as a single from their album 'Aja.' The song is known for its smooth jazz sound, intricate harmonies, and clever lyrics. Deacon Blues tells the story of an aspiring musician who dreams of becoming a 'deacon' of jazz, longing for a more meaningful and glamorous life. The song seamlessly combines elements of jazz, rock, and blues, showcasing the band's musical versatility.
    • Album: 'Aja'
    • Release Year: 1977
    • Genre: Jazz rock
    • Length: 7:37
    • Billboard Chart: Peak position: #19
  8. 8
    9
    votes

    Kid Charlemagne

    Steeley Dan
    This song features a memorable guitar riff and is known for its lyrics that tell the story of a drug dealer.
    Kid Charlemagne is a song by the American rock band Steely Dan. It was released in 1976 as a part of their album called 'The Royal Scam.' The track has become one of their most popular and beloved songs, known for its memorable guitar work, complex musical arrangements, and thought-provoking lyrics. It showcases the band's unique blend of jazz, rock, and pop elements, highlighting their meticulous attention to detail and studio craftsmanship. Kid Charlemagne has been praised for its engaging storytelling and evocative imagery, painting a vivid portrait of a notorious drug dealer in 1960s California. The song's powerful vocals, tight rhythm section, and innovative guitar solos make it a standout in Steely Dan's discography.
    • Album: The Royal Scam
    • Release Year: 1976
    • Genre: Rock, Jazz
    • Length: 4:38
    • Main Instruments: Guitar, Keyboards, Drums, Bass
  9. 9
    5
    votes

    Dirty Work

    Steely Dan
    This song features a catchy melody and is known for its clever lyrics about a failed relationship.
    Dirty Work is a song by Steely Dan, an American rock band formed by Donald Fagen and Walter Becker. It was released as a single in 1972 and later included in their debut studio album 'Can't Buy a Thrill'. The song features a soulful and bluesy sound, combined with the band's signature jazz-influenced arrangements and harmonies. Its lyrics depict a tale of heartbreak and betrayal in a relationship.
    • Song Title: Dirty Work
    • Release Year: 1972
    • Album: Can't Buy a Thrill
    • Genre: Rock
    • Style: Bluesy, Soulful
  10. 10
    6
    votes

    Aja

    This instrumental track is known for its intricate, jazzy sound and is often cited as one of the band's most impressive musical achievements.
    Aja is a jazz rock song by Steely Dan. It was released as the title track of their 1977 album 'Aja'. The song features intricate instrumentals, complex harmony, and smooth vocals, showcasing the band's fusion of jazz, rock, and pop elements.
    • Album: Aja
    • Year of Release: 1977
    • Genre: Jazz rock
    • Duration: 8:00
    • Songwriter(s): Donald Fagen, Walter Becker

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Ranking factors for popular song

  1. Chart success
    The chart success of a song can indicate its overall popularity, as well as its commercial appeal.
  2. Radio airplay
    The number of times a song has been played on the radio can give a good indication of its popularity among the general public.
  3. Critical acclaim
    The critical reception of a song can speak to its artistic merit and lasting appeal.
  4. Cultural impact
    A song's influence on popular culture, such as its use in movies, TV shows, or commercials, can also be a factor in determining its popularity.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most popular Steeple Dan song. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or song is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

  • 1483 views
  • 154 votes
  • 10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each song once every 24 hours. The rank of each song is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most popular steeple dan song

Steely Dan is an American rock band that was formed in 1972 by Walter Becker and Donald Fagen. The band's unique sound blends elements of jazz, rock, and pop, and their music has been described as "sophisticated" and "intelligent". Over the years, Steely Dan has released numerous albums and singles, and their music has resonated with fans all over the world. One of the most popular aspects of Steely Dan's music is their songwriting. Their songs often feature complex lyrics and intricate arrangements, and they have been praised for their attention to detail and musical craftsmanship. Many fans have their favorite Steely Dan songs, and there are always debates about which ones are the best. In this article, we'll take a closer look at some of the most popular Steely Dan songs of all time, as voted on by fans through StrawPoll. From classics like "Reelin' in the Years" to newer hits like "Hey Nineteen", we'll explore the songs that have made Steely Dan one of the most beloved bands of all time.

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