Bodhisattva

The Zoo Crew is spinning the infectious grooves of Steely Dan's "Bodhisattva" from their 1973 album Countdown to Ecstasy, and the Zoo Freaks are surely digging this jazzy, tongue-in-cheek banger. This track, a fan favorite, is packed with trivia that highlights its unique place in the Dan's catalog. According to Songfacts, the song features two blistering guitar solos, with Denny Dias taking the first at 1:35 and Jeff "Skunk" Baxter closing it out at 4:09, as noted in the cryptic 1998 reissue liner notes: "Dias the Bebopper meets Baxter the skunk beneath the Bo Tree in this altered blues." Donald Fagen, in an interview cited on Nights with Alice Cooper, revealed that "Bodhisattva" is a parody of Western oversimplifications of Eastern religion, poking fun at the hippie fascination with Buddhism. He quipped, "We thought it was rather amusing. Most people don't get it." Interestingly, this was the first popular song to use the term "Bodhisattva," predating the Beastie Boys' "Bodhisattva Vow" by nearly two decades.

Another juicy tidbit comes from a Reddit thread on the r/SteelyDan community, where a fan recounts their wedding band playing "Bodhisattva" in 1990, a testament to its enduring appeal. The song's complexity also shines in gaming culture, as Rock Band Wiki notes its notorious "Fast Picking" section, making it one of the toughest guitar tracks in Rock Band 2. A commenter on Songfacts also speculated that the lyrics play on puns like "the shine of your Japan" (furniture polish) and "the sparkle of your China" (porcelain), adding a layer of Steely Dan's signature wit. The track's production quirks are legendary too—rumors swirl that Denny Dias strummed piano strings for the climactic crescendo, though this remains unconfirmed.

Steely Dan, the brainchild of Donald Fagen and Walter Becker, began in the late 1960s at Bard College in Annandale-on-Hudson, New York. The duo, both literature buffs and jazz enthusiasts, bonded over their love for Charlie Parker and Beat writers like William Burroughs, from whose novel Naked Lunch they took their band name—a reference to a dildo. After college, they hustled as songwriters in New York’s Brill Building, penning tunes for artists like Jay and the Americans. Frustrated by the lack of control, they formed Steely Dan in 1971 with Denny Dias, Jeff Baxter, Jim Hodder, and David Palmer. Their debut, Can't Buy a Thrill (1972), spawned hits like "Do It Again" and "Reelin' in the Years," blending jazz, rock, and sardonic lyrics. Becker and Fagen’s perfectionism led to a revolving door of session musicians and a studio-focused approach, cementing their reputation as "the perfect musical antiheroes for the Seventies," per Rolling Stone.

Fans can dive deeper into Steely Dan's world through their official website, which offers tour updates and discography details. Connect with them on Facebook, where they share news and archival photos, or follow their Instagram for behind-the-scenes glimpses. On X, they engage with fans and post about releases. The r/SteelyDan subreddit is a vibrant hub for Zoo Freaks to discuss trivia, share memes, and debate albums. Fan sites like Steely Dan's official page and the Steely Dan Wiki on Fandom offer detailed histories and song analyses. For community vibes, check out the Steely Dan Fans Facebook group, where devotees swap stories and vinyl finds.