Hear the top 20 most popular Steely Dan covers

"Josie," the closing track on Steely Dan's acclaimed 1977 album “Aja”, exemplifies the band's sophisticated blend of rock, jazz, and funk. Written by Donald Fagen and Walter Becker, "Josie" features intricate harmonies, engaging rhythms, and sharp lyrics. Here's an accessible breakdown of its musical elements.

Deacon Blues - Steely Dan cover

"Deacon Blues," a track from Steely Dan's 1977 album “Aja”, is a quintessential example of the band's sophisticated style, blending jazz, rock, and pop elements.

Room 335 - Larry Carlton cover

Room 335 is Larry Carlton's seminal track. It was track 1 on his first solo album. It remains a firm favorite in his live sets and quite a challenge for any guitarist.

Peg - Steely Dan cover

This one's another fave track off the Aja album that I have turned into a guitar instrumental. I didn't try the Jay Gradon guitar solo though!

Walk Between The Raindrops - Steely Dan cover

This is typical Steely Dan territory, even though it was on Donald Fagen's Nighfly album (which I contend is the best album Steely Dan never released!).

Steely Dan Jam track #1 Chain Lightning

karaoke guitar A Pentatonic Have fun jamming along with this. I always do!

The Fez - Steely Dan cover

If you don't know what a Fez is, it's a Moroccan hat worn popularly by comedic characters; Tommy "just like that" Cooper (UK) and Groucho Marx was apt to wear one in his more sartorial moments!

Kid Charlemagne - Steely Dan cover

This track features THAT guitar solo. It is rated by many as one of the top ten guitar solos of all time. The original guitarist on the record, Larry Carlton, pulled a real classic out of the bag and I kept putting off doing this track because I knew I had to recreate it note for note.

Ruby Baby - Donald Fagan cover

Not strictly a Steely Dan Track this is from Donald Fagen's Nightfly album. It's as close as he gets to classic Steely tracks. I always thought Fagen wrote it but it is actually a cover they did of a Liber Stoller song. They know a good song when they see one.

Reelin' In The Years - Steely Dan cover

Michael Herndon (Moody Mo) and I have already done one version of this so we thought why not do an acoustic version too! This time I sing vocals on the verse and Michael does those cool harmonies on the chorus.

I.G.Y. (What a Beautiful World) Donald Fagen cover

This is from Donald Fagen's Nightfly album. It's as close as he gets to classic Steely tracks like Doctor Wu.

Chain Lightning - Steely Dan cover

Here I've arranged the horns to take the main role on what is ostensibly a 12 bar. The guitar is left to do the improvisation, keeping it slow and buesey. This is yet another Steely Dan track that is timeless.

My Old School - Steely Dan cover

The great track off the Pretzel Logic album

Green Earrings by Steely Dan cover

At first glance this is a 12 bar blues and on one level it is but on another this is actually modal jazz with three tonal centres. Great to solo over, once you've worked out the key changes! It's a driving piece and I use a dirtier guitar sound to be in character. It's got a bit of a House beat lurking underneath if you can spot it!

The Nightfly - Donald Fagan

The title track from Donald Fagen's 1982 solo album.

Bad Sneakers - Steely Dan cover

"Bad Sneakers" is a song by Steely Dan from their 1975 album "Katy Lied."

Haitian divorce by Steely Dan cover

This track was marked by its distinctive 'voicebox' guitar, quite an innovation at the time when it was initially released Technology has moved on so much since the original track was recorded. The original voice box was a tube attached to your amp the sound from which went up a plastic tube and you mouthed vowels etc with your mouth close to a microphone. I have a pedal with a superb setting that does in digitally! I don't use it often but when I do I love it. So you get a clean guitar solo and a voice box one too for the same money! I always wondered why the almost reggae beat - that would mean it was called Jamaican Divorce! Slick move Donald to not do the obvious).

Black Cow- Steely Dan cover

Plenty of melody and emotion to hang your hat on in this tune. I opt for a nice clean 'American' sound to get my Ovation Breadwinner over. Another from the Aja album.

FM (no static at all) - Steely Dan cover

This is a song that was specifically written to order to be the title theme to the 1978 film FM. It made the US Top Forty that year when released as a single. It had been recorded during the same sessions as Aja and employed some of the same studio musicians and recording personnel, in addition to band members and songwriters Walter Becker and Donald Fagen. Among them were saxophonist Pete Christlieb and drummer Jeff Porcaro; several members of the Eagles sang backing vocals. It only appears on compilation albums.

Don't Take Me Alive - Steely Dan cover

Guitar fans... I recreate, rather successfully, the original iconic Larry Carlton guitar solo on the intro note for note. The track wouldn't have been the same!

Most popular Steely Dan covers