Pretzel Logic Songs Ranked
Pretzel Logic is the third studio album by the American rock band Steely Dan, released on February 20, 1974, by ABC Records. It was written by principal band members Walter Becker and Donald Fagen, and recorded at The Village Recorder in West Los Angeles with producer Gary Katz. It was the final album to feature the full quintet lineup of Becker, Fagen, Denny Dias, Jim Hodder, and Jeff “Skunk” Baxter (who left to join the Doobie Brothers) and also featured significant contributions from many prominent Los Angeles-based studio musicians and the last to be made and released while Steely Dan was still an active touring band. The album was a commercial and critical success. Its hit single “Rikki Don’t Lose That Number” helped restore Steely Dan’s radio presence after the disappointing performance of their 1973 album Countdown to Ecstasy. Pretzel Logic was reissued on CD in 1987 and remastered in 1999 to retrospective critical acclaim. Here are all of Pretzel Logic’s songs ranked.
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10. Charlie Freak
“This song is about a homeless man who sells his gold ring to a guy on the street and uses the money to buy drugs. He overdoses and dies. “Charlie Freak” is a genuinely harrowing tale of human cruelty and regret, set to a taut spiral of melody.”
9. With a Gun
“With A Gun” is a smooth `n’ speedy slice of pop-rockabilly. The lyrics are pure post-modern film noir; Fagan takes on the role of a murder witness. The narrator fearlessly taunts the murderer, assuring him that he’ll be caught while snidely asserting that the murderer will never learn from his mistakes.”
8. Monkey in Your Soul
“Monkey In Your Soul” closes the proceedings with in ultra-hip burst of soul-rock goodness. Another masterpiece, then. Get it if you have even the vaguest liking of rock, pop, or jazz.”
See more: Steely Dan Albums Ranked
7. East St. Louis Toodle-Oo
“East St. Louis Toodle-Oo” has some addictive “wha-wha” effects that adds a nice color to the album. The title track is also one of my favorites (also one of the longer cuts). It’s got my favorite chorus on the album.”
6. Barrytown
“Barrytown” has a shimmering melody with soaring lyrics and a delicious meld of piano and acoustic guitar. Barrytown is yet ANOTHER work of sarcastic brilliance, this time in the form of all-out rocker.”
5. Parker’s Band
“Parker’s Band” is a hipster’s tribute to jazz legend Charlie Parker, with some soaring melodies and a propulsive rhythm. The intro guitar solo is really neat.”
See more: Steely Dan Songs Ranked
4. Night by Night
“Night By Night” is downright funky (the Dan were really good at getting funky), with some wicked guitar breaks and a gritty vocal. This song is about going out and experiencing the darker sides of the city and living the dark life.”
3. Any Major Dude Will Tell You
“Any Major Dude Will Tell You” takes a similar approach; it’s a lush, beautiful sung with layer upon dreamy layer of instrumentation, and some genuinely uplifting lyrics that nevertheless carry an ironic bite.”
2. Pretzel Logic
“The title track, “Pretzel Logic” is my favorite track on the album, a jazzy blues number with outstanding guitar solos. Aptly titled, the lyrics are nonsense leaps from one space-time continuum to another (Becker and Fagen are fans of “beat” science fiction: authors like Harlan Ellison and Kurt Vonnegut Jr.) “
1. Rikki Don’t Lose That Number
“The sumptuous “Rikki Don’t Lose That Number” is one of the greatest singles ever released, thanks to its swinging, jazzy groove and cocksure keyboard strut. Lyrically, it’s a cheeky farewell to an ex-girlfriend, with subtle references to egotism and obsession.”