Steely Dan's 12 greatest songs

6. “Any Major Dude” from Pretzel Logic (1974)

“I never seen you looking so bad, my funky one – You tell me that your superfine time has come undone.” That’s how “Any Major Dude” begins. And yet, it remains one of Steely Dan’s most romantically optimistic songs. From the simple bright acoustic chords that open the song, this is the warmest, most reassuring song they ever did. Certainly, Fagen never sounded warmer than he does here.

Fagen and Becker could be wry, sardonic, and sarcastic. They usually were. But on Pretzel Logic, despite some obvious harder-edged tracks, they seem to be examining rebirth more than on their other albums. “When the demon is at your door – In the morning it won’t be there no more. Any major dude will tell you.”

This is a song that Fagen’s voice fits perfectly. His edge keeps it from being syrupy. Had Palmer still been with the band, this is the type of song he might have sung. It still would have been good – but not this good.

5. “Black Friday” from Katy Lied (1975)

“Black Friday” doesn’t exactly rock. It just pulses forward with a dirty blues funk. It’s almost as if Fagen and Becker heard the Doobies “Black Water” the previous year and decided to take a stab at their own version. The two songs don’t really sound alike, but they bubble up from the same swamp. Becker throws in a kicking guitar solo – something “Black Water” didn’t have.

“Black Friday’s” lyrics are nothing like those of “Black Water.” They depict an apocalypse in the snarky way that Fagen often sang about heavy matters. They are typically pointed and clever. But what sets “Black Friday” apart is the way the musicians all come together. This is what Fagen and Becker were looking for when they broke up the band. Chuck Rainey, at 35, was already a legendary bass player. Jeff Porcaro, at 21, was a fledgling star drummer. They contribute mightily to the groove. This is Steely Dan functioning on all cylinders.