About the song
“Reelin’ In the Years” is a timeless classic from Steely Dan’s debut album, Can’t Buy a Thrill, released in 1972. The song’s catchy melody, witty lyrics, and virtuosic guitar solo have made it a fan favorite for decades. Written by Donald Fagen and Walter Becker, the song features Fagen on vocals and showcases the band’s unique blend of jazz, rock, and pop influences.
The song’s guitar solo, performed by session player Elliott Randall, is widely regarded as one of the greatest of all time. Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page has praised the solo, scoring it 12/10 and calling it his favorite solo of all time. The solo’s innovative use of phrasing, tone, and technique has influenced countless guitarists and continues to inspire new generations of musicians.
The song’s reception was overwhelmingly positive upon its release in 1973. Billboard praised the song’s “easy sounding guitar solos” and “easy sounding piano break,” while Cash Box called it a “winner highlighted by some expert guitar playing.” Record World predicted that the song would “reel in whopping sales,” and it indeed peaked at No. 11 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and at No. 15 in Canada.
Throughout the years, “Reelin’ In the Years” has been recognized as one of the greatest guitar tracks of all time. In 2005, Q magazine ranked the song No. 95 in its list of the 100 Greatest Guitar Tracks, and in 2016, Guitar World magazine ranked the solo the 40th best guitar solo of all time. With its timeless melody, clever lyrics, and groundbreaking guitar work, “Reelin’ In the Years” remains a beloved classic in Steely Dan’s discography.
Video
Lyrics
Your everlasting summer you can see it fading fast
So you grab a piece of something that you think is gonna last
Well you wouldn’t even know a diamond if you held it in your hand
The things you think are precious I can’t understand
Are you reelin’ in the years?
Stowin’ away the time
Are you gatherin’ up the tears?
Have you had enough of mine?
Are you reelin’ in the years?
Stowin’ away the time
Are you gatherin’ up the tears?
Have you had enough of mine?
You been tellin’ me you’re a genius since you were seventeen
In all the time I’ve known you I still don’t know what you mean
The weekend in the college didn’t turn out like you planned
The things that pass for knowledge I can’t understand
Are you reelin’ in the years?
Stowin’ away the time
Are you gatherin’ up the tears?
Have you had enough of mine?
Are you reelin’ in the years?
Stowin’ away the time
Are you gatherin’ up the tears?
Have you had enough of mine?
I spent a lot of money and I spent a lot of time
The trip we made to hollywood is etched upon my mind
After all the things we’ve done and seen you find another man
The things you think are useless I can’t understand
Are you reelin’ in the years?
Stowin’ away the time
Are you gatherin’ up the tears?
Have you had enough of mine?
Are you reelin’ in the years?
Stowin’ away the time
Are you gatherin’ up the tears?
Have you had enough of mine?