FM (Radio Broadcast / Wildcard Remaster)

The Zoo Crew, those groovy hippie DJs at THE ZOO radio station, are spinning "FM (No Static at All)" by Steely Dan, a track that’s got the Zoo Freaks vibing. This 1978 gem, tied to the movie soundtrack FM, is a jazzy critique of FM radio’s polished playlists, with lyrics longing for "hungry reggae" and "funked-up Muzak" over the usual "blues and Elvis." Donald Fagen once shared in a 2013 American Songwriter interview that he and Walter Becker were wrapping up Aja in California when they got the call to write the title track for the film. They were given free rein, with the only rule being it had to be about FM radio. Fagen recalled knocking it out in a day or two, a quick creative burst that captured their sly wit. The song’s pristine production, helmed by engineer Roger Nichols, even snagged a Grammy for Best Engineered Recording, Non-Classical in 1979, a rare win for a single track.

Digging into the trivia, "FM" exists in multiple versions, from a 4:50 cut with Becker’s guitar solo to a 5:06 hybrid with a sax outro on compilations like Gold (Expanded Edition). Fans on Songfacts have pointed out its layered meanings, with some interpreting "no static at all" as a nod to the party girls who don’t resist the vibe, a classic Steely Dan double entendre. The track’s lush sound, featuring Johnny Mandel’s string arrangements and backing vocals from Eagles members, reflects its Aja-era polish. A post on X by user @carlquintanilla in 2024 noted the song’s rapid creation for the film’s premiere, highlighting its cultural splash. The Empire State Building even synced its LED lights to "FM" in 2015 to mark the 50th anniversary of its FM antenna, a nod to the song’s enduring radio legacy.

Steely Dan, the brainchild of Donald Fagen and Walter Becker, kicked off in 1971 at Bard College in Annandale-on-Hudson, New York. Fagen, passing by a café called The Red Balloon, heard Becker shredding electric guitar and was struck by his skill, later telling NPR it sounded “like a black person, really.” Bonding over shared tastes in jazz, blues, and Bob Dylan, they started writing songs together. After college, they hustled in New York, playing in bands and penning tunes for others before moving to Los Angeles. There, they assembled a band with ace players like Denny Dias and Jeff “Skunk” Baxter, signing with ABC Records. Their 1972 debut, Can’t Buy a Thrill, blended rock, jazz, and cryptic lyrics, spawning hits like “Do It Again.” By 1974, they ditched touring to focus on studio perfection, becoming the “antiheroes of the Seventies,” as Rolling Stone put it, with albums like Aja and Gaucho.

You can keep up with Steely Dan on their official website, where tour dates and news drop. They’re active on Facebook, sharing updates and throwback photos, and on Instagram, posting tour snippets and fan art. Their X account keeps the vibe alive with song clips and fan shoutouts. Fans gather at spots like the Steely Dan Fan Group on Facebook, where Zoo Freaks trade vinyl finds and concert stories. Another hot spot is Steely Dan NL, a fan site packed with discography details and rare photos. Whether you’re chilling with the Zoo Crew or geeking out online, Steely Dan’s slick sound and sharp wit keep the Freaks coming back.