Donald Fagen - Century's End

[goinsane6]

Rick moranis.

[Juliaflo]

Pop quiz-Shrink the kids and name the actor who appears in the video of Tomorrow's Girls.

Good luck.

[jmillzz2]

Remember when people used to write bridges in songs? Simply amazing tune.

[pearlsfortheswines]

Donald Fagen rules in all aspects of music!

[mralleycat63]

Steely Dan is the most.Donald Fagen and Walter Becker forever.

[paje08]

except for right now

[BttfJunkie1]

Huge Steely Dan/ Fagen fan & I just recently heard this song & It is DEFINITELY a top 5 all time Donald Fagen track. This guy NEVER disappoints you

[wagn03251]

CLASS! No Doubt!

[santsok]

take out the shoulderpads and this song is still very relevant

[jp0531801]

This is what Steely Dan wouldve sounded like in 1988. Luv this song!!

[saturnhexagon]

The Don always loved NYC, you can hear it in his music.

[marymac1607]

Saw them in 2009, best concert I have ever seen. I saw The Doors in '68, Fagan's gang is so much better. My favorite concert EVER!!!!!!

[deeder747]

That solo at 1:51 ignited the funky white man in me

[louiseduvee]

Love your video; love the song:)

[notableword]

I found this track on my dad's old Steely Dan gold Cassette that I've been listening to in my buick's tape player lately. Couldn't be happier to have found this because its amazing!

[bf0rpd]

@notableword It can also be found on the CD Soundtrack to Bright Lights, Big City.

[ACLTony]

Would enjoy hearing the instrumental version of this.

[jayne2357]

"It's the dance, it's the dress, she's a conquest more or less... There's nobody new so she zeros in on you... What lyrics, way ahead of its time.

[tellitlikeitisalways]

@jayne2357 a concept more or less,not conquest. which incidently makes the line even better

[Juliaflo]

@jayne2357 Actually, it's 'she's a concept more or less'.

[tellitlikeitisalways]

@jayne2357 for the second time its CONCEPT NOT CONQUEST. i know don and walts lyrics and metaphors inside out. what 2 idiots give it thums up. retorical question so don't no idiots answer

[msOctober12]

Nice, I'd forgotten about it...

[buzzstinger]

Donald Fagan, Steely Dan...love all this man's music...it is for the mature grown folks!!!

[Hotdang234]

@buzzstinger except me. im 14 and devote my life to this guy.

[OlymPigs2010]

.....theres no disbelief to suspend......

[972marcus]

A bit of a karaoke video.

I was expecting to see Michael J. Fox run across the street at some point.

[norcalman415]

Great, great song.  The video, however, was pretty lacking.

[ReeseMac]

Love Fagen's music that has that cool vibe like this one. Babylon Sisters, IGY , FM. Thats like mature people's nightlife music. Just cool stuff.

[finaldraft71]

Fantastic track. Pure class.

[combsbruce]

Fagan's voice changed? How so?

[kell1reilly2]

well, listen to an early dan song, like "change of the guard" from their "cant buy a thrill album." then listen to a more recent song from "everything must go" (maybe listen to "godwhacker"). u can hear how different his voice changed. maybe im weird like this, but this his how ive split up his voice:

old voice: 1972-1980/81

medium voice: 1982-1992

new voice: 1993-current

i dont know if u guys agree with me or not, but thats just how i see it.

[ramon88us]

@kell1reilly2 I would put the medium voice up to 1993 but yeah I agree with your post.

[kell1reilly2]

@ramon88us actually, ive been noticing it for the last year about, but i think his voice is in a new stage :D haha

old voice: 72-80/81

medium voice: 82-92

later voice: 93-06

new voice: 07-current

im weird hahaha

[OlymPigs2010]

Who played the harp on this tune???

[gorillazgurl18]

is it a harp? I thought is sounded more like a Kalimba or some sort of xylophone...

[jml2621]

@OlymPigs2010 Fagen plays the synth blues harp...IGY or Godwhacker are other examples

[krizeans]

@OlymPigs2010 synth harp solo is Fagen

[japsnr]

Just Watched bright lights big city and this song is on end titles i had to wait till the end to find out who sung it Great song

[alexriesenbeck]

a music video for this song?? i had no idea! thanks for the GREAT upload!!

[GreatBigSea1968]

Pick up the excellent "Nightfly Trilogy" box set, and you'll get this video, plus ones for New Frontier, Tomorrow's Girls and Snowbound :-D

[kell1reilly2]

we all know that fagens voice changed between the split of steely dan & the reunion. it sounds like he sang this song right in the middle between his "old voice" & his "new voice"

i dont know if that made sense :D

i love this song

[persiano13]

Excellent song!!

[jst1998]

Looks more like 80s.

[gorillazgurl18]

I LOVE this video! All the crazy early 90s dancing that I'm way to young to remember haha! I love the guy walking at 0:15 he just sets the mood!

[lacewoodstrat]

Donald Fagan is amazing and always has been. This song could have been released ten years from now and it would still be relevant, fresh, and on the mark. If you ever get a chance to see Steely Dan in concert,a definite "do not miss".

[msmomo2u]

I agree Lace!!

[nicklandrover]

One of Marcus Miller's greatest bass parts

[nswms992000]

My favorite song of all time to my favorite movie of all time: Bright Lights, Big City! Thanks for uploading this, LesterTheNightfly2!! :-)

[DancingSpiderman]

I miss the smell of air scented with moist cow pies.

I miss the skyline of fertile farm land, with grassy hills and forested mountains even farther off in the distance, in the same view.

I miss people who are not aloof.

[NORRIN68]

Perfect song to play footsie with and drink cocktails in a high rise apartment

[medpilot21]

Fagen is greatness! This song was the theme of a sitcom that lasted a hair longer than Pat Sajak. Good music though...

[gorillazgurl18]

Which show was that?

[dnumgeis]

Marvelous Fagen!!! Keep on doing great songs with or without Walter but on the other hand, Walter is also such a genius when it comes to music.

[philaman1972]

Terrific piece of music.

[mratfauver]

@philaman1972 Cant argue with that.

[Wildcock23]

Type slick ill

[ftsjr]

Donald Fagen has an undeniable genius for musical arrangements.

[OlymPigs2010]

Steely Dan took me to levels I had previously only dreamed of!!!

[tweezey]

superrrrrslick

[StrayGator]

Does anyone have a copy of Fagens version of Bright Lights, Big City? Its not on the soundtrack, and I dont know if its ever been released.

[fluffydolly]

fagen....hell yeah

[ZANTEDESH]

ok, i'm not done. Shall we all agree Walter Becker is like the best bass player ever? If you have not, spend some time listening to nothing but the baselines. You will discover new things and be amazed. thanks.

[BourneInDenver]

Bro,

You're way off. I think this is Marcus Miller. They've had an array of bassists that come and do stuff. Chuck Rainey, Marcus Miller, Larry Graham, Freddy Washington ect.. I don't think Walter did this one. It doesn't sounds like his style.

[levanyzzuf]

Becker doesn't play on any of Fagen's solo work except "Snowbound".

[ZANTEDESH]

thanks for clarification, levanyzzuf

[ZANTEDESH]

i will add one other thing for now.... my TRUE soulmate - is a HUGE Steely Dan fan, and feels as i do - that SD is THE band - no other band like that, no other Fagan - and we fight over who is the bigger fan. :) We are not together, unfortunately, but i just think it is so interesting that we are both rabid fans. It just had to be that way. thanks.

[MrNytn2001]

let's give rob mounsey some props too!

great horn charts... and performances.

[Flap999]

Every time I hear the guy make his music it gets better by light years. Jeebus...to have this level of talent man..trade my left arm for a little.

[wackernie2009]

Now, I must butt in.....that is NOT a shitty drum machine, it is Leroy Clouden, and THAT, is what I call a "black pocket"! So fucking deep, LIGHT cannot escape! 'sall I'm sayin'.......

[chalkmiller]

not just a wordsmith but one of the best funk keyboard composer/players of all time RESPECT TO DON THE CAT!

[MrNytn2001]

don the cat.

you're right about that chalkmiller!

well said...

Don's definitely not a dog.

Donald's too sly , finicky and sophisticated for that. lol!

[newarrior3000]

This was the best song from 1988 !

And I agree with the New Yorker dudeu--I never lived in NYC but I went there 4 years in a row and it brought back the feel of the city more than anything else !

This song would also fit in on, "Wall Street"

[gorillazgurl18]

1988 was a good year.....year my twin and I was born....

[TTLTOY1]

I'm a native new yorker whos been living and working copenhagan for the last 4 years. Whgenever I get home sick I just put on some Donald. Hes music just capture the city to perfection for me and brings me back home at the blue note-)

[Agrippa4]

A rare song... I listen to it daily. Thanks LesterTheNightfly2.... Is Donald a genius or what?

[truck2112yes]

Excellent, I found it!

[levanyzzuf]

Why was this not nominated for Best Song of 1988?

[Juliaflo]

Probably because the biggies had the mentality of a parking meter. LOL.

[ramon88us]

I believe this song was nominated for best song for a movie.

[STIRKDAWG]

This video reminds me of the movie 'American Psycho.' Perhaps its the high fashion of socialites, the '80s theme and the vanity of it all. Very cool.

[gtristdan]

I love Donald Fagen!

[gmayster01]

Great first listen to this tune

Du grand Fagen !

gmayster01

thanx lesterthenightfly2

[barbie50a]

your right i seen him at montage scranton pa my jaw was also opened been listening to him since the 70's never seen him till then was so amazed. ill never forget it.. waiting to see him again maybe at borgata AC 2008......

[joelok48]

"He struggles to carry the tunes". With all due respect I saw him live a couple of years ago and I struggled to keep my jaw from dropping open at the thought that one guy could have written all those perfect songs and that I was lucky enough to be alive to see him in person.

[doctorw2]

now this is what i call music.

[Wildtch]

Donald is so great on so many levels (modern harmony and erudite, stimulating and sometimes cryptic but always interesting lyrics for two)

[SteelyDMan]

40 years of songwriting and no one has been able to emulate the sound of this lone songwriter...

Donald Fagen's astonishingly unique style sets him apart from the rest in a way that may never be repeated or fully understood.

[perecasa]

I've been years looking for this song. Here in Spain Steely Dan are not very popular. I saw this videoclip many years ago. I didn't know the title. I decided to download the film and then in the credits I saw the title. Thank you.

[mmad1963]

wonderful song, one of his best

[KejiaSista]

Thanks for sharing another great song. And cheers to those of us still in love at the century's end!

[dlt62465]

This song reminds me of my wife. We were married in 1988 about the time this song was released. 20 years later the wife is awesome.....so is the song.

[dlt62465]

Steely Dan and Fagen rule. The voice, the music is unmatched in quality. Century's End is one my alltime favorites. Thanks for posting it!

[SteveInNN]

Maybe its 1988 to you buddy, but it still sounds about 1000 better than most of the "dreck" out there! All of his single LPs show creativity with sharp lyrics ang great music. Most of the pop and rap and hip-hop since teh 1990's is just a third generation bad copy of actual music, mister!

[steelydan1979]

Well said....LOVE it!

[Gosshhx]

I LOVE FAGEN - he is truly a great singer /song writer and to think he only made 3 solo albums but in truth i now understand why as each album reflects parts of his life - thankyou nester

[levanyzzuf]

He's a great musician and composer for sure, but singing has never been his strong point which is cleverly disguised in his studio work. Check out some of his live performances on here - his vocals aren't so hot.

[Gosshhx]

what - without being too rude are you crazy!!

only joking!

seriously he is a great singer and truly unique!

steely dan - and solo album NIGHTFLY its his voice which has made him successful each to his own.

[levanyzzuf]

But that's exactly my point - on the albums he sounds wonderful due to the mixing and sound engineering - in reality and in live performances it's a different story. He rather struggles to carry the tunes.

[StrayGator]

Well they were always a studio band...or so they said :)

[levanyzzuf]

Actually, after having seen them live this summer, I have to take that back somewhat.

[Gosshhx]

today there is no real talent - fagen proves that from this song and the single albums he has released - to the above member 1988 will never go away!!!!!!!!!!

[totenkopf98k]

couldn't have been said any better.luv the screen name

[OlymPigs2010]

The amazing thing about the lousy music of today is the sheer amount of computer and electronic gadgetry that's available in recording studios - and still even with all that production,most of today's music is low grade garbage!

[theaxemeister]

Yup, and it can only help you write something smooth as glass, like Morph the Cat or H Gang, if your The Don.

[TVHello]

Is it 1988 yet?

[nswms992000]

My favorite song to one of my personal favorite movies in the world, "Bright Lights, Big City"! Thanks a lot, LesterTheNightfly2 for uploading the music video!

[MyJeckylDoesntHyde]

and that record company was suing John Fogerty's because his solo songs sounded like CCR?? Steely Dan's record company should've been all over him after this song!!!

Hahah, I'm just being facetious! I love SD and Fagen....I'm more pointing out the ridiculousness of that whole Fogerty-lawsuit BS.

[sgpnc]

...Nobody's holding out for heaven

It's not for creatures here below...

[sedryer]

I pretty much know when I meet someone who loves Steely Dan and Mr. Fagen, that person is going to be my friend.

[tjmpiano]

Could not have said it better.... there must be some secret decoder ring society.... best band of the century period...the end

[ZANTEDESH]

10-4 good buddy. Secret society, yeah. Hey, tell me how much you love when in Teahouse on the Tracks, they slip in that little "Gotta Daaaance" musical phrase! I laughed so hard first time i heard it. Right when they say, "last chance, to learn how to dance." they do that all the time, You hear more if you listen as you are drifting to sleep. Later.

[ACLTony]

Guys, wasn't this song used in a movie with Michael J. Fox years back? I think it was "bright lights, big city". As always, ultra cool music, strange lyrics.

[peaches647]

I can hardly believe its been over 32 years I've been following this band and the maestro Mr. Fagen...Back when, these guys were the real cool cats of rock n roll and they stil are...!.

[NORRIN68]

Kinda reminds you of FM from 78

[fuchuw]

hey hes probably just a kid dazz give him a break.

[ZANTEDESH]

No one can even touch Fagen. Steely Dan is number one for me. Fagen = Genius. His truth moves you, not just his music. When i meet a new person, i ask, "Are you a Steely Dan / Fagen fan" if they are not, i know it will not be a soulmate connection. I met a new friend, he heard Hey Nineteen on my car CD and got excited "You like Steely Dan?" Instant connection. No one "sort of likes" Steely Dan. Either you shoot it up or you don't get it, imo.

[JaYSpRE2007]

Heh! I agree man. I'm a hardcore Dan and Fagan fan... Their music is truely divine. They really were musical genious' to combine jazz, rock and roll, and R&B into one... They're really intricate about their music... not like todays "half ass (sometimes less) throw some chords together and slap on some electrical computer generated beats to go with it." Steely Dan knew what they were doing. For us musicians, they are genious'.

[prtzlgc]

I have been listening to Steely Dan for 25 years and I cannot get enough of Donald Fagan. Everything he writes is gold. I will always be found in the front row at at Steely Dan/ Fagan concerts. My dream is to be one of the back up singers, cuz I know all the words and notes to all the songs. This band is pure magic and once you hear them you are never the same- enough said!

[macboo582]

How in the world do you get in the front row?

[prtzlgc]

It's wild when you find others who connect to this music. It's true, when a person knows a SD song, we have an immediate connection. It's like another language all our own. I have listened to all of it since I was 13. Hearing the funked up chords and bizarre lyrics tuned my ear to the ubsurdity of life.

[gorillazgurl18]

So Fuckin True Man....you couldn't have summed it up any better then that. If you don't like them, I really can't befriend you...

[benjaminkenobi21]

Dazzdeadmeadow has embarassed himself. There's no need to compare musicians to see who's better anyway. Fagen is brilliant and always has been. The guys you mentioned are great musicians, but if you can't recognize Fagen's genius then you are truly a musical idiot. No argument against that.

[ZANTEDESH]

i mean, all i know is, when i first heard Steely Dan - NOTHING musically had ever moved my core like that, not even the blues greats. Something Fagen does is so pure of spirit and gritty at the same time. Chills inside your veins. It is the ONLY music that can defunk me every single time.

[refriedfunkychickin]

thank you brother, for taking the time to produce this...you and melegorm are the "men"

[LesterTheNightfly2]

In case you think I made this video, I didn't. It's the official video and if I'm not mistaken it will be re-released on the upcoming Donald Fagen box.

I can't do what Melegorm does. But thanks anyway.

[doedoe1]

Donald Fagan is one of the LAST GREAT MUSICIANS OF ALL TIME.... Music if terrible today, but listening to Mr. Fagan or Steely Dan, it gives me hope for a better future in music....

[JaYSpRE2007]

Couldn't agree more man... Music today IS terrible...

[dazzdeadmeadow]

Ha ha ha, that is the funniest thing I have ever heard! Im pissing myself laughing here! "best musician of our time" ha ha ha! Ok, Fagen V Page, Fagen V Lennon, Fagen V Townsend, Fagen V Hendrix. Well in each contest Fagen is laying on the floor bruised and battered crooning for a towel in his irritating nasal drone!

[dazzdeadmeadow]

God Warner signed any old shit in those days!

[thecat029]

@mfc51

- check out donald fagen dot com, it'll be part of the Nightfly Trilogy.

[mfc51]

awesome post. where can i find an mp3 of this song? its nowhere to be found!

[gorillazgurl18]

Check Limewire now...

[mfc51]

does anyone know where an mp3 of this song can be found?

[sserpent21]

It can be found on Steely Dan Gold along with True Compannion

[gorillazgurl18]

Limewire has it now! I just got mine 2 weeks ago!

[thecat029]

It wasn't a drum machine. It was a computer developed by Steely Dan/Fagen's engineer Roger Nichols. The computer was named "Wendel" All the info is on the website Roger Nichols dot com. The same technique was used on "Gaucho" "The Nightfly" and Michael Jackson's "Thriller"

Peace

[grgrgrgff]

why did he use a shitty drum machine on this track?

[herbie747]

Cos it was all the rage in the 80's.

[grgrgrgff]

fagen's not one to follow the crowd. think it was a budget issue

[SPAZZOID100]

@grgrgrgff

Drum machines are far from shitty...without them music would still sound like the shitty 60's.

[StrayGator]

Who is the woman?

[michaelmoval]

Dumb love in the city at "CENTURY'S END".

The song and the music video is soothingly awesome like Steely Dan!

[KenTammenga]

as expected, the video captures the essence of the song flawlessly

[snoopdouggydougg]

A LOST CLASSIC - thanks for posting.

[4elbajo]

LENNON / McCARTNEY??? WHO?? LOL!! GO DONALD !!

[MrLapage]

yet another sd/fagen song which is made even more cryptic by the video.

awesome song, have always loved it and forgot that a vid existed.

[heelbeck]

Are you the 'Mr Lapage is your man' type of fame?!3 decades of listening to the coolest music on the planet.Cant wait for July and the UK tour!!

[heelbeck]

Never heard this before.Its absolutely brilliant!Where can I get ahold of the film?Fagen and Becker are simply gods!

[thecat029]

great song, why wasn't Patrick Bateman listening to this in American Psycho. Also, does anyone get a Martin Tupper/Dream On vibe from this tune...I dunno, anyway. It's amazing!

[SHANGHAICONFIDENTIA]

Drums: Leroy Clouden Bass: Jim Haslip

Guitar: Georg Wadenius Keyboards: Donald Fagen

Tenor Sax: Harold Vick, Michael Brecker

Baritone Sax: Ronnie Cuber Trombone: Gary Bargeron

Trumpet: Lew Soloff Backup Vocals: Frank Floyd, Zack Sanders, Angela Patrick. Horns arranged by Donald Fagen and Rob Mounsey

[humboldtmyche]

simply infectious !!! Thanks again from my entire family.

~Myche

[Melegorm]

The song and clip are simply masterful-- Donald Fagen does it again!

[nemozen1]

Pop jazz master! This man is one of the great composer of this century...

[ackerlaw2004]

You're absolutely correct. People will be listening to Fagen and Steely Dan long after they are gone!

[skuggafjadret]

They will never be gone!

I agree nevertheless.

[johndhackensacker]

Great song... and "Bright Lights" was a pretty darn good movie too.