1973: Reelin' In The Years

Well, it’s the second week of the month and time for our “Second Week Special.” This coming Saturday, I’ll be joining members of the East Allegheny High School class of 1973 for our 40 year reunion. I’ve made it to every reunion except one – the 25th, as I didn’t get the invitation due to moving. All this week, I’ll be featuring songs that were on the radio during the first half of the year – our final semester in high school.

Our first featured song from 1973 contains the epitome of guitar solos, as Elliott Randall cranks it up on Steely Dan’s “Reelin’ in the Years.” In addition, guitarists Jeff “Skunk” Baxter and Denny Dias both contributed to overall guitar sound of this classic anthem.

“Reelin’ in the Years” was the second of two singles from the 1972 album “Can’t Buy a Thrill.” While “Do it Again” peaked at #6, “Reelin’” didn’t crack the Top 10 and charted at #11. Written by Donald Fagen and Walter Becker, Fagen takes the lead vocals and plays piano on this cut, and Becker adds the bass. In addition to others who were previously mentioned, the song features drummer Jim Hodder and percussionist Victor Feldman. In an unusual twist of fate, the tune named “Reelin’ in the Years” was identified on the single as “Reeling in the Years.”