The Royal Scam

The Zoo Crew is spinning “The Royal Scam” by Steely Dan, a track from their 1976 album of the same name, and the Zoo Freaks are surely digging the cynical grooves. This song, like much of the album, is steeped in the band’s signature cryptic storytelling. In a 2000 BBC interview, Donald Fagen and Walter Becker were tight-lipped about its exact meaning, with Becker noting, “The mystery is what makes it interesting, isn’t it? If we were to tell you what that song meant we would be doing a disservice to the song.” He suggested it doesn’t have one definitive interpretation, leaving fans to speculate about its narrative of scams and societal disillusionment. Some fans on r/SteelyDan have theorized it’s a metaphor for political or cultural betrayal, while others, like a user named Chuck from Tennessee on Songfacts, describe its “magical ageless vibe” that sparks endless “read-between-the-lines theories.” The track features a standout choir toward the end, adding a haunting layer, as noted by a fan on the Synner Official Website forums, making it a perfect fit for the Zoo Freaks’ eclectic taste.

Another tidbit about “The Royal Scam” comes from its production. The album marked a shift for Steely Dan, leaning heavily on distorted guitars, with Larry Carlton’s work shining on tracks like “Don’t Take Me Alive.” However, the title track’s intricate arrangement, including horns and background vocals, frustrated some fans seeking a clear musician lineup. A user named Jack Via from Ohio on Songfacts expressed annoyance at Wikipedia’s vague credits for the song, listing only Fagen, Carlton, Rainey, and Becker, omitting details about the drummer or horn players. The album’s cover art also has a story: originally created for a shelved Van Morrison project, it depicts a man dreaming of skyscraper-beast hybrids, a satirical jab at the American Dream. Fagen and Becker, in the 1999 remaster liner notes, called it “the most hideous album cover of the seventies,” a sentiment that adds to the album’s quirky legacy for Zoo Freaks tuning in.

Steely Dan began as a collaboration between Walter Becker and Donald Fagen, who met in 1967 at Bard College in Annandale-on-Hudson, New York. Fagen overheard Becker practicing guitar in a café and was struck by his professional, soulful style, later recalling in a 1995 interview, “It sounded like, you know, like a black person, really.” After bonding over shared musical tastes, they started writing songs together, playing in local bands before moving to Los Angeles. Initially, they worked as songwriters for ABC Records, but their complex compositions didn’t suit other artists. With producer Gary Katz, they formed Steely Dan, named after a dildo from William S. Burroughs’ novel Naked Lunch. Their debut album, Can’t Buy a Thrill (1972), blended rock, jazz, and R&B, with hits like “Reelin’ In The Years.” By 1974, Becker and Fagen ditched live performances to focus on studio work, using elite session musicians, a practice that defined albums like The Royal Scam.

You can keep up with Steely Dan on their official website and Facebook. Donald Fagen also maintains a personal Facebook page for concert and merch updates. The band doesn’t have an official Instagram, as confirmed by fans on r/SteelyDan, who noted fake accounts posting memes. There’s no verified X account either, but fans share news on platforms like Steely Dan Fans. For Zoo Freaks wanting more, check out the tribute band The Royal Scam, a New York-based group performing Steely Dan’s catalog for over 25 years. Fan communities thrive on r/SteelyDan and the Steely Dan Fans Facebook group, where discussions range from song theories to vinyl pressings, perfect for the Zoo Crew’s vibe.