Here at the Western World

The Zoo Crew is spinning "Here at the Western World" by Steely Dan, a track from the 1993 compilation Citizen Steely Dan, and the Zoo Freaks are surely vibing to its sultry jazz-pop groove. This song, recorded during the 1976 sessions for The Royal Scam, was left off that album and Aja, only surfacing on the 1978 Greatest Hits compilation before its inclusion on Citizen. Fans on Reddit have called it an "absolute beauty," praising its orchestration and quintessential Steely Dan chords, with some speculating that the title’s use of “at” instead of “in” or “of” hints at a specific, seedy locale—perhaps a drug den or brothel named The Western World. One Reddit user suggested the “silver key” in the lyrics symbolizes a syringe, painting a gritty picture of high-society decadence.

A 2012 review notes the song’s “darkly sarcastic” take on drug-fueled depravity, with its lush production and female backing vocals foreshadowing the polished sound of Aja. Rolling Stone calls it one of Steely Dan’s greatest non-album tracks, highlighting its “gentle wistfulness” juxtaposed against sinister lyrics about a shadowy den of vice, possibly even alluding to escaped Nazis in Argentina. A Reddit post laments its compilation-only status, with fans wishing it had been a single or B-side, and one user even shared a story of teaching it to their band, initially claiming they wrote it due to its brilliance. The song’s rarity and perfectionist sheen make it a gem for Zoo Freaks tuning in.

Steely Dan, formed in 1971, began when Walter Becker and Donald Fagen met at Bard College in Annandale-on-Hudson, New York, in 1967. Bonding over their love for jazz, blues, and Beat Generation literature, they played in various bands before moving to New York City in 1969. There, they worked on a movie soundtrack and toured as backing musicians for Jay & the Americans under pseudonyms—Becker as Gustav Mahler and Fagen as Tristan Fabriani. In 1971, they relocated to Los Angeles as staff songwriters for ABC Records, where producer Gary Katz encouraged them to form a band. Naming themselves after a steam-powered dildo from William S. Burroughs’ Naked Lunch, they assembled Steely Dan with guitarists Denny Dias and Jeff “Skunk” Baxter, drummer Jim Hodder, and vocalist David Palmer. Their 1972 debut, Can’t Buy a Thrill, blended rock, jazz, and cryptic lyrics, spawning hits like “Do It Again” and “Reelin’ in the Years.”

By 1974, Becker and Fagen ditched live performances, focusing on studio work with top session musicians, a move that defined their meticulous sound. Their albums, including Pretzel Logic and Aja, became critical darlings, cementing their status as “the perfect musical antiheroes for the seventies,” per Rolling Stone. After a hiatus in the 1980s, they reunited in the 1990s, releasing Grammy-winning albums like Two Against Nature. Fans can connect with Steely Dan on their official website, Facebook, and X. No official Instagram exists, as Reddit discussions confirm, with accounts being fan-run or fake. The Steely Dan Facebook Group and r/SteelyDan on Reddit are vibrant fan hubs, while Steely Dan Archive and Dave Gott’s Steely Dan page offer deep dives into their discography for Zoo Freaks craving more.