Chain Lightning

The Zoo Crew is spinning the smooth, bluesy grooves of Chain Lightning by Steely Dan from their 1975 album Katy Lied, and the Zoo Freaks are vibing to its jazzy swagger. This track, a fan favorite, carries a mysterious edge with its cryptic lyrics. One intriguing piece of trivia comes from fan discussions and analyses, particularly around an early demo version of the song that included the line “thirty years later” before the final verse. This led some fans to speculate that Chain Lightning might be commenting on the quiet resurgence of fascism or even Nazism, with lyrics like “Some turnout, a hundred grand / Get with it, we’ll shake his hand / Don’t bother to understand.” While Donald Fagen and Walter Becker never confirmed this interpretation, they’ve left the song’s meaning open-ended, sparking endless debates among fans on platforms like r/SteelyDan. The guitar solo, laid down by Rick Derringer, adds a breezy yet biting tone, perfectly complementing the song’s enigmatic vibe.

Another tidbit about Chain Lightning ties to its place on Katy Lied, an album marked by technical woes. During recording at ABC Recording Studios, Becker and Fagen were frustrated by a malfunctioning dbx noise reduction system, which they felt compromised the album’s sound quality. In a 1999 CD reissue essay, the duo humorously downplayed the album’s polish, but fans and critics, like those at AllMusic, still praise its sophisticated blend of jazz, rock, and pop. Chain Lightning stands out as a breezy blues shuffle, contrasting with the album’s darker themes of betrayal and disillusionment, as seen in tracks like Doctor Wu. Posts on X from accounts like @in_yacht highlight the album’s shift to session musicians, including Derringer, Jeff Porcaro, and Michael McDonald, who brought a new level of precision to tracks like Chain Lightning.

Steely Dan began as the brainchild of Donald Fagen and Walter Becker, who met in 1967 at Bard College in Annandale-on-Hudson, New York. Both were jazz enthusiasts with a love for Beat literature, which inspired their band name—a nod to a dildo in William Burroughs’ Naked Lunch. Initially, they worked as songwriters for hire at ABC Records in Los Angeles, crafting tunes that didn’t quite fit artists like Dusty Springfield. Frustrated, they formed Steely Dan in 1972 with producer Gary Katz, recruiting guitarist Denny Dias, drummer Jim Hodder, and guitarist Jeff “Skunk” Baxter. Their debut album, Can’t Buy a Thrill, featured the hit Do It Again, blending jazz, rock, and pop with witty, obscure lyrics. This set the stage for their meticulous studio approach, which fully emerged by the time they recorded Katy Lied as a studio-only outfit.

Fans can dive deeper into Steely Dan’s world through their official website for tour updates and merch, or follow Donald Fagen’s Facebook page for concert and release news. While Steely Dan doesn’t maintain an official Instagram presence, searching the #SteelyDan hashtag reveals fan posts and tributes. On X, the band’s account shares occasional updates, though fan accounts like @ExpandingDan offer richer content, including archived interviews. For community vibes, the r/SteelyDan subreddit is a hub for Zoo Freaks to discuss trivia, like the meaning behind Chain Lightning, while Steely Dan fan groups on Facebook connect devotees sharing vinyl finds and concert memories. Sites like ProgArchives also offer detailed discographies and reviews for hardcore fans.