The List of Steely Dan Albums in Order of Release
Steely Dan Albums in Order: An American rock band founded in 1971 in New York by Walter Becker (guitars, bass, backing vocals) and Donald Fagen (keyboards, lead vocals)…
Steely Dan, an iconic American rock band, emerged on the music scene in 1971, when Walter Becker and Donald Fagen, both alumni of Bard College in Annandale-on-Hudson, New York, joined forces. With Becker on guitars, bass, and backing vocals, and Fagen handling keyboards and lead vocals, they set out to craft a distinctive sound that would leave an indelible mark on the music world.
Initially, Steely Dan boasted a stable lineup, but in 1974, Becker and Fagen made a pivotal decision to retire from live performances, choosing instead to become a studio-only band, collaborating with a revolving cast of skilled session musicians. This strategic shift allowed them to focus on their craft, resulting in a string of albums that blended an eclectic mix of rock, jazz, Latin rhythms, R&B, blues, and sophisticated studio production, all complemented by cryptic and ironic lyrics. Their debut album, “Can’t Buy a Thrill” in 1972, set the tone for a remarkable career, and they continued to captivate audiences with their innovative music through seven studio albums, reaching a zenith with their best-selling record, “Aja,” in 1977.
Despite a hiatus in the 1980s, Steely Dan reunited in 1993, maintaining their creative prowess and even earning a Grammy Award for Album of the Year with “Two Against Nature.” While the band’s studio releases ceased after “Everything Must Go” in 2003, they continued to engage their dedicated fanbase with compilations, box sets, and live albums. After the passing of Walter Becker in 2017, Donald Fagen carried on the legacy of Steely Dan as its sole official member. With over 40 million albums sold worldwide, induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and recognition as one of the greatest musical duos of all time, Steely Dan has left an enduring imprint on the music landscape. So, if you are a die heart fan of Steely Dan Albums then check out here we have list of Steely Dan albums in order of release so far.
Steely Dan Albums Available on: Apple Music
How many albums does Steely Dan have?
The discography of American jazz rock band Steely Dan consists of nine studio albums, 21 singles, two live albums, one live set on DVD, seven compilations in the United States, one box set, and numerous other appearances.
All Steely Dan Albums in Order: Check Out The List of Steely Dan Albums in Order of Release Here!
- Can’t Buy a Thrill — November 1972
- Countdown to Ecstasy — July 1973
- Pretzel Logic — February 20, 1974
- Katy Lied — March 1975
- The Royal Scam — May 31, 1976
- Aja — September 23, 1977
- Gaucho — November 21, 1980
- Two Against Nature — February 29, 2000
- Everything Must Go — June 10, 2003
All Steely Dan Album List
1. Can’t Buy a Thrill (1972)
Tracks
- Do It Again
- Dirty Work
- Kings
- Midnite Cruiser
- Only a Fool Would Say That
- Reelin’ In the Years
- Fire in the Hole
- Brooklyn (Owes the Charmer Under Me)
- Change of the Guard
- Turn That Heartbeat Over Again
Released in November 1972, ‘Can’t Buy a Thrill’ stands as the debut studio album from the influential American rock band Steely Dan, founded by Walter Becker and Donald Fagen. Recorded at the Village Recorder in West Los Angeles under the production of Gary Katz, the album showcases a remarkable fusion of musical genres, blending soft rock, folk rock, jazz-rock, and pop, all underscored by the band’s trademark philosophical and elliptical lyrics. This eclectic masterpiece climbed to number 17 on the Billboard albums chart in the United States and earned Platinum certification from the RIAA, propelled by hit singles ‘Do It Again’ and ‘Reelin’ In the Years.’
Revered by critics, it continues to be featured on lists of the greatest albums ever, including Rolling Stone magazine’s ‘500 Greatest Albums of All Time’.
2. Countdown to Ecstasy (1973)
Tracks
- Bodhisattva
- Razor Boy
- The Boston Rag
- Your Gold Teeth
- Show Biz Kids
- My Old School
- Pearl of the Quarter
- King of the World
“Countdown to Ecstasy,” Steely Dan’s second studio album, debuted in July 1973 on ABC Records. Recorded primarily at the Village Recorder in West Los Angeles, California, with the exception of Rick Derringer’s slide guitar contribution on “Show Biz Kids,” which was recorded in Nederland, Colorado. Notably, this album marked the transition to Donald Fagen as the lead vocalist after David Palmer’s departure. While it didn’t spawn a major hit single in the United States, the album received critical acclaim, though it peaked at number 35 on the Billboard Top LPs & Tapes chart. It later earned Gold certification by the RIAA in 1978 and maintains a perfect score in retrospective reviews.
3. Pretzel Logic (1974)
Tracks
- Rikki Don’t Lose That Number
- Night by Night
- Any Major Dude Will Tell You
- Barrytown
- East St. Louis Toodle-Oo
- Parker’s Band
- Through with Buzz
- Pretzel Logic
- With a Gun
- Charlie Freak
- Monkey in Your Soul
“Pretzel Logic,” the third studio album by the American rock band Steely Dan, was released by ABC Records on February 20, 1974. Produced by Gary Katz and recorded at the Village Recorder in West Los Angeles, California, it marked the end of an era for the band as their last album created while actively touring. Featuring the quintet-lineup of Becker, Fagen, Dias, Hodder, and Baxter (who later joined The Doobie Brothers), along with contributions from notable Los Angeles studio musicians, the album achieved both commercial and critical success. Its hit single, “Rikki Don’t Lose That Number,” revitalized Steely Dan’s radio presence, and subsequent reissues have garnered retrospective critical acclaim.
4. Katy Lied (1975)
Tracks
- Black Friday
- Bad Sneakers
- Rose Darling
- Daddy Don’t Live in that New York City No More
- Doctor Wu
- Everyone’s Gone to the Movies
- Your Gold Teeth II
- Chain Lightning
- Any World (That I’m Welcome To)
- Throw Back the Little Ones
“Katy Lied,” the fourth studio album by iconic American rock band Steely Dan, debuted in March 1975 under ABC Records, later reissued by MCA Records following ABC’s acquisition in 1979. Marking a significant shift for the band, it was their first album without touring commitments and introduced backing vocals by Michael McDonald. In the US, the album reached #13 on the Billboard Top LPs & Tape chart and earned Gold certification from the RIAA. The single “Black Friday” achieved moderate success, peaking at #37 on the Billboard Hot 100. “Katy Lied” stands as a pivotal release in Steely Dan’s illustrious discography.
5. The Royal Scam (1976)
Tracks
- Kid Charlemagne
- The Caves of Altamira
- Don’t Take Me Alive
- Sign In Stranger
- The Fez
- Green Earrings
- Haitian Divorce
- Everything You Did
- The Royal Scam
“The Royal Scam,” Steely Dan’s fifth studio album, made its debut in 1976 under ABC Records, later reissued by MCA Records following ABC’s acquisition in 1979. Produced by Gary Katz, the album reached the 15th spot on the Billboard Top LPs & Tape chart in the United States. Recognized for its musical brilliance, it garnered a Gold certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). This masterful creation showcases the band’s signature blend of rock, jazz, and intricate lyrics, cementing its status as a classic in Steely Dan’s celebrated discography.
6. Aja (1977)
Tracks
- Black Cow
- Aja
- Deacon Blues
- Peg
- Home at Last
- I Got the News
- Josie
“Aja,” the sixth studio album by American jazz-rock band Steely Dan, released on September 23, 1977, marked a pivotal moment in their career. Donald Fagen and Walter Becker, the band’s leaders, expanded their musical horizons, collaborating with nearly 40 session musicians to craft intricate compositions and arrangements. This experimentation paid off, as the album reached number three on the Billboard Top LPs & Tape chart and number five on the UK Albums Chart, becoming their most commercially successful release. It featured hit singles like “Peg,” “Deacon Blues,” and “Josie.” “Aja” earned critical acclaim, winning a Grammy for Best Engineered Recording, and its enduring significance led to its preservation in the National Recording Registry.
7. Gaucho (1980)
Tracks
- Babylon Sisters
- Hey Nineteen
- Glamour Profession
- Gaucho
- Time Out of Mind
- My Rival
- Third World Man
“Gaucho,” Steely Dan’s seventh studio album, debuted on November 21, 1980, under MCA Records. This release marked a notable shift in the band’s style, emphasizing rhythm and atmosphere over their earlier, harmonically complex work. The album’s creation was marked by the band’s meticulous perfectionism, involving over 42 different musicians and spanning more than a year in the studio, surpassing their record label’s initial advance. At the 24th Annual Grammy Awards, it earned Best Engineered Recording – Non-Classical and nominations for Album of the Year and Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals.
Yet, behind its success lay a tumultuous production journey, involving legal disputes and copyright controversies, ultimately leading to a lengthy hiatus for Steely Dan.
8. Two Against Nature (2000)
Tracks
- Gaslighting Abbie
- What a Shame About Me
- Two Against Nature
- Janie Runaway
- Almost Gothic
- Jack of Speed
- Cousin Dupree
- Negative Girl
- West of Hollywood
“Two Against Nature” marks Steely Dan’s triumphant return, their eighth studio album arriving after a two-decade hiatus, recorded between 1997 and 1999. Released on February 29, 2000, under Giant Records, the album garnered widespread acclaim and clinched four Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year. The infectious single “Cousin Dupree” secured Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals. On the charts, it soared to number six on the U.S. Billboard 200 and sold over a million copies, earning the esteemed Platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America. This release solidified Steely Dan’s enduring legacy in both critical and commercial spheres.
9. Everything Must Go (2003)
Tracks
- The Last Mall
- Things I Miss the Most
- Blues Beach
- Godwhacker
- Slang of Ages
- Green Book
- Pixeleen
- Lunch with Gina
- Everything Must Go
“Everything Must Go,” the ninth studio album by iconic American rock band Steely Dan, marked their return after a 20-year hiatus, following the release of “Two Against Nature” in 2000. Released on June 10, 2003, via Reprise Records, it holds the distinction of being the band’s most recent studio album. Tragically, it also serves as the final album featuring founding member Walter Becker, who passed away in 2017. This album, like its predecessors, showcased Steely Dan’s signature blend of jazz-infused rock and witty lyricism, solidifying their enduring legacy in the world of music.
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