Show Biz Kids

Zoo Freaks, get ready for some juicy trivia about Show Biz Kids from Steely Dan’s 1973 album Countdown to Ecstasy! This track is a biting satire of the glitzy, self-absorbed Los Angeles entertainment scene, with lyrics like “Show business kids making movies of themselves, you know they don’t give a f*** about anybody else” delivering a raw edge. Fans on Reddit have noted its relevance to today’s social media culture, comparing it to TikTok and YouTube self-promotion, with one user calling it prophetic for capturing “the self-centeredness of the social media age.” The song’s bold use of profanity was shocking for its time, and as a Reddit commenter pointed out, it’s one of the rare times Steely Dan used the f-word, making its impact unforgettable. The backing vocals, chanting “Go to Lost Wages,” playfully mock Las Vegas, and an interview cited on Songfacts reveals Walter Becker and Donald Fagen left in a mispronunciation of “Las Vegas” as “Lost Wages” for charm. The song’s groove, driven by Rick Derringer’s gritty slide guitar, was tough to nail in the studio—engineer Roger Nichols described in Brian Sweet’s biography how they used a massive tape loop to keep the rhythm steady, a pioneering move since drum machines weren’t around yet.

Another cool tidbit: Show Biz Kids is Steely Dan’s only song built on just three chords, as detailed on Hak Wright’s guitar tab site, making it deceptively simple yet hypnotically groovy. Fans on Songmeanings speculate the line “I detect the El Supremo from the room at the top of the stairs” refers to high-quality marijuana, a nod to the band’s love for cryptic drug references, though some argue it’s about a fancy cigar. The song’s self-referential “Steely Dan T-shirt” lyric, as noted on Songfacts, shows Fagen and Becker poking fun at their own merch culture early in their career. A 2023 post on X by @baddantakes hyped a previously unreleased 1973 performance video of the song, proving its enduring fan appeal. The Welsh band Super Furry Animals sampled the profanity-laden line heavily in their track The Man Don’t Give a Fuck, but as a Reddit user noted, they got sued for it—guess Steely Dan did give a f***!

Now, let’s rewind to how Steely Dan got their start. Walter Becker and Donald Fagen met in 1967 at Bard College in Annandale-on-Hudson, New York, bonding over their love for jazz, blues, and Beat Generation literature. Fagen overheard Becker practicing guitar in a café, later recalling on Wikipedia that Becker’s playing sounded “professional and contemporary, like a black person, really.” They started writing songs together, playing in local bands before moving to New York City in 1969 to work as songwriters. After stints on a movie soundtrack and backing an oldies act, they landed in Los Angeles in 1971 as staff writers for ABC Records. With producer Gary Katz, they secretly formed Steely Dan—named after a steam-powered dildo from William S. Burroughs’ Naked Lunch—and released their debut album, Can’t Buy a Thrill, in 1972. Hits like Do It Again and Reelin’ in the Years launched them, blending rock, jazz, and cryptic lyrics, setting the stage for their unique sound.

Steely Dan’s official online presence is a goldmine for Zoo Freaks. Check out their official website for tour dates and news. Their Facebook page keeps fans updated with throwback photos and concert clips, while their Instagram offers behind-the-scenes vibes and album art. On X, they share quick updates and engage with fans. For deeper dives, fan sites like Dandom offer detailed discographies and song analyses. Join the Steely Dan Fans Facebook group to connect with fellow obsessives swapping stories and rare vinyl finds. Keep spinning those records, Zoo Crew!