The Fez

"The Fez," a track from Steely Dan's 1976 album The Royal Scam, is a funky, enigmatic gem that has sparked plenty of debate among fans and critics. One of the most persistent rumors is that the song's title refers to a condom, with the lyrics "No, I'm never gonna do it without the fez on" interpreted as a cheeky nod to safe sex. This theory gained traction after Songfacts reported that Donald Fagen allegedly confirmed it in an interview, though Steely Dan's penchant for messing with journalists leaves some skepticism. Others argue it's a double entendre, referencing both the iconic hat and safe sex, with the hat imagery tied to the tassel resembling a condom's tip. However, not all fans buy this interpretation—some, like a commenter on Songfacts, insist it’s about partying Shriners, inspired by a hotel stay during a Shriner convention. The song's groove, driven by Bernard Purdie's unmistakable drumming, and its eerie synth lick make it a standout, with fans on Reddit calling it an "absolute banger" and praising Walter Becker's searing guitar solo.

Another layer of intrigue comes from the song's rare third writer, organist Paul Griffin, who contributed the main melody. In a 2016 interview with Ultimate Classic Rock, Fagen and Becker jokingly debated whether Griffin truly wrote it, with Becker quipping they gave him credit to avoid a potential "scandal." Fans on Reddit also note its personal resonance—one user shared how it was their "private favorite" in high school, evoking memories of "high times" in 1976. The song's minimalist lyrics and infectious bassline, highlighted by R SPEEN, add to its cult status, with some speculating it parodies disco or even occult rituals. Its cultural reach extends to pop culture, with one fan on Reddit humorously suggesting it could be actor Faizon Love's theme song.

Steely Dan began as a partnership between Donald Fagen and Walter Becker, who met in 1967 at Bard College in Annandale-on-Hudson, New York. Fagen, passing by a café, heard Becker practicing guitar and was struck by his skill, later recalling in a 1995 interview that it "sounded like a black person, really." They bonded over shared musical tastes and started writing songs together, playing in local bands. After moving to Los Angeles, they assembled a band with guitarists Denny Dias and Jeff "Skunk" Baxter, drummer Jim Hodder, and singer David Palmer, signing with ABC Records under producer Gary Katz. Their 1972 debut, Can't Buy a Thrill, blended rock, jazz, and cryptic lyrics, setting the template for their career. Named after a dildo from William S. Burroughs' Naked Lunch, the band embraced irony and sophistication, evolving into a studio-only duo by 1974, relying on elite session musicians like Larry Carlton and Bernard Purdie.

You can explore more about Steely Dan on their official website, steelydan.com, though it mainly focuses on tour updates. Donald Fagen maintains a Facebook page for concert and merchandise news, but the band has no official Instagram presence, as fans noted on Reddit, with only fan accounts populating the platform. On X, accounts like Good Steely Dan Takes share humorous memes and fan riffs, amplifying their cult following. Fan communities thrive on Reddit's r/SteelyDan, where enthusiasts discuss everything from song meanings to live performances, and on Facebook groups like Steely Dan Fans, where devotees share memories and trivia. For deeper dives, fan sites like The Steely Dan Reader compile decades of interviews and reviews, offering a treasure trove for Zoo Freaks spinning "The Fez."