Josie (Live 1995)

Zoo Freaks, get ready to groove with the Zoo Crew as we spin "Josie (Live 1995)" by Steely Dan from their album Alive in America. This track, originally from their 1977 masterpiece Aja, is a fan favorite, and the live version captures the band’s jazzy precision with a fresh spark. One juicy piece of trivia comes from drummer Jim Keltner, who played on the studio version of "Josie." Keltner revealed he used a garbage can lid for percussion, saying, “the beauty of those guys is that they truly wanted something weird.” That quirky touch adds to the song’s infectious vibe. The live 1995 recording, featured on Alive in America, swaps Keltner for Dennis Chambers, whose frisky drumming and climactic solo bring a new energy, though some fans on r/SteelyDan argue the tempo feels 6 to 8 BPM too fast, tightening the song’s signature guitar riff.

Another tidbit from a 2011 Wall Street Journal interview with Donald Fagen sheds light on the lyrics. Fagen and Walter Becker loved inventing slang, and in "Josie," they coined “battle apple” for a fictional street gang weapon, chosen because it sounded cooler than any real weapon they could think of. Fans on Songfacts have spun wild theories about Josie’s identity—some say she’s a party girl, others a street-racing hot rod, or even Becker’s dog from his Malibu days. Kentucky musician Chris Gast offers a grounded take, suggesting Josie could be a college student returning home for the holidays, her “pride of the neighborhood” status reflecting her escape from small-town life. Whatever the truth, the song’s cryptic lyrics and funky groove make it a staple for Steely Dan lovers.

Steely Dan began as a musical partnership between Walter Becker and Donald Fagen, who met in 1967 at Bard College in Annandale-on-Hudson, New York. Bonding over their love for jazz, Beat Generation literature, and sardonic humor, they played in local bands before moving to New York City in 1969. There, they worked on a movie soundtrack and backed an “oldies” act, eventually landing in Los Angeles as staff songwriters for ABC Records. With producer Gary Katz, they formed Steely Dan—named after a steam-powered dildo from William S. Burroughs’ Naked Lunch—with guitarists Denny Dias and Jeff “Skunk” Baxter, drummer Jim Hodder, and singer David Palmer. Their 1972 debut, Can’t Buy a Thrill, spawned hits like “Do It Again” and “Reelin’ in the Years,” blending rock, jazz, and cryptic lyrics. By 1974, Becker and Fagen ditched touring to focus on studio work, enlisting top session players like Larry Carlton and Michael McDonald, cementing their reputation as perfectionists.

After their 1980 album Gaucho, Becker and Fagen parted ways, with Fagen releasing the acclaimed solo album The Nightfly and Becker becoming an avocado farmer in Hawaii. They reunited in the late 1980s, and by 1993, Steely Dan was back, touring as the Citizen Steely Dan Orchestra, which led to Alive in America. Their 2000 comeback album, Two Against Nature, won four Grammys, proving their enduring genius. Sadly, Becker passed away in 2017, but Fagen continues to lead the band. You can keep up with Steely Dan on their Facebook, Instagram, and X accounts. Fans also gather on the r/SteelyDan subreddit and the Steely Dan Fans Facebook group, while The Steely Dan Database offers a treasure trove of discography details. Zoo Freaks, keep those vibes high and stay tuned for more from the Zoo Crew!