At any time when anyone asks me what I feel is America’s best band, I at all times provide you with three doable solutions–The Wu-Tang Clan (Sure, I take into account them a band), They Would possibly Be Giants, or Steely Dan.
Whereas we’ve gotten the TV present, Wu-Tang: An American Saga (which was co-created by The RZA), the closest we’re seemingly going to get to a They Would possibly Be Giants film or TV present might be the 1971 movie that the band obtained their identify from. Nevertheless, the band that I’m most upset that we would by no means get a biopic for is Steely Dan, as a result of like, what the hell, man?
Sure, I do know, this is likely to be a tough one because the surviving member, Donald Fagen, doesn’t look like the form of man who would desire a biopic made concerning the band. In different phrases, this doesn’t look like the Elton John film, Rocketman, or one in every of one of the best music films of all time, Ray, as these frontmen appeared to relish being within the limelight. That mentioned, we have gotten MULTIPLE films about Bob Dylan now, and the superb Johnny Money biopic, Stroll the Line, and people musicians appear extra guarded. So, right here’s why I desperately need, nay, NEED a Steely Dan biopic.
Steely Dan Has An Fascinating Historical past That Might Translate Properly To The Display screen
First query. Are you aware why the band known as Steely Dan within the first place? I imply, followers know, however I’m not likely writing this text for followers. I’m writing this text to persuade nonfans {that a} Steely Dan film could be superior.
Time’s up. They’re named after a intercourse toy. I’m useless severe. A steam-powered one at that. They obtained their identify from the William S. Burroughs novel, Bare Lunch (Which was become one in every of David Cronenburg’s finest films, by the best way), and, uh, yeah. So, why is that vital? Properly, I feel it completely represents each the band’s cheekiness, which frequently will get ignored, and the literary high quality of their music, as I’ve at all times seen Steely Dan because the cerebral music fan’s band.
Title apart although, the historical past of the band itself is fairly fascinating. Beginning off as a extra typical band (Their debut album, Can’t Purchase a Thrill, really has David Palmer–the musician, not 24’s David Palmer, foolish–as a lead singer), they then turned extra of a two-piece band with simply Fagen and Walter Becker on subsequent albums.
Actually, they stopped touring altogether for some time and simply turned studio musicians, inviting different musicians in to report with them. And, you understand how Stanley Kubrick (Who’s my favourite director) is usually described as being a perfectionist? Properly, Becker and Fagen had been just like the Stanley Kubrick of musicians, since they supposedly would make different musicians report sections again and again till they obtained the actual sound that they needed.
Becker and Fagen additionally broke up within the ‘80s and did their very own factor for some time earlier than coming again collectively within the ‘90s, which I feel could possibly be an attention-grabbing dynamic to see since they each look like they had been made to play collectively but in addition had attention-grabbing work aside, too. I largely simply assume that Steely Dan is cool, and a film going via their historical past could be neat. Oh, and in addition…
Whomever Would Play Donald Fagen Would Doubtless Be Up For Finest Actor
The largest attraction of Steely Dan is their music, in fact, but in addition Donald Fagen himself, who’s an enigmatic determine. After Timothee Chalamet wowed us all as Bob Dylan (Although there are extra tales to be instructed!), he was, in fact, up for Finest Actor. Actually, numerous actors who painting well-known musicians find yourself being nominated for Finest Actor.
Not solely that, however a few of them even win, with Jamie Foxx and Rami Malek being two such examples for Ray and Bohemian Rhapsody, respectively. Properly, I feel anyone who will get behind these black shades to painting Donald Fagen would seemingly be up for Finest Actor, too, because it looks like a extremely complicated function.
For one factor, Fagen has a few of the most attention-grabbing, mysterious lyrics of all time (I imply, have YOU ever seen a squonk’s tears?), however he additionally looks like the form of man who could be silent for a complete night should you went out to dinner with him.
He’s additionally suffered from melancholy. A number of this may be heard in his music (Particularly his solo albums–which might be one other cool space to discover in a biopic), however I feel an incredible actor may actually sink their tooth into a job like this, and it may create some film magic.
It actually all depends upon what interval of Steely Dan this hypothetical movie would cowl, although. Oh, and about that…
The Soundtrack Would Be Implausible
Now, right here’s my caveat. The one manner that I might ever desire a Steely Dan biopic is that if we really obtained to listen to the band’s music! I don’t need something just like the Jimi Hendrix film, Jimi: All Is by My Facet, by which we didn’t have any songs written by Hendrix. That simply doesn’t work for me.
This is likely to be the toughest a part of all about getting a Steely Dan biopic as a result of I’m not sure that Fagen could be okay with letting anyone else have inventive management over the band’s music. Sure, if he offered enter and was deeply concerned with the undertaking, I may see that taking place, however I actually don’t assume he would need to be deeply concerned with a undertaking that showcased each the band’s highs and lows.
That mentioned, let’s simply say that Fagen did give the go-ahead for a Steely Dan biopic and was okay with individuals utilizing each the band’s music in addition to his solo tasks. Properly, then I feel that might be one of many best film soundtracks of all time.
The band modified so much all through their prolonged profession, and their sound on Can’t Purchase a Thrill was utterly completely different (and but related) to albums like Aja, Pretzel Logic, and their Album of the 12 months-winning, Two In opposition to Nature.
And that evolution (and but, consistency) of their sound would make for such a wonderful soundtrack. I can already hear it in my head. It might be so good!
It Might Deal with Their Break Up, As Properly As Walter Becker’s Dying
Steely Dan is understood for his or her jazzy sound, and Donald Fagen is usually the face of the band, however Walter Becker’s contribution cannot be ignored. When the band was cooking within the ‘70s, Becker’s work on the strings undoubtedly contributed to their signature sound.
They made seven wonderful albums collectively, from 1973’s Cannot Purchase a Thrill to 1980’s Gaucho, after which they broke up.
Becker’s drug use and the dying of his girlfriend is usually cited as the rationale why they stayed aside for therefore lengthy, however I would like to see this part of each Becker’s and Fagen’s lives explored earlier than they got here again collectively within the ‘90s, after which finally launched their two final albums, 2000’s Two In opposition to Nature, and 2003’s All the things Should Go.
And, since they gained Album of the 12 months for Two In opposition to Nature, I may see this hypothetical film ending right here.
Or, it may finish at Becker’s dying in 2017, with Fagen deliberating whether or not he would retire the band out of respect for his pal or proceed the legacy with out him (he saved going). Both manner, a movie like this might present their fascinating relationship.
It Might Get Younger Folks Who Know Nothing About The Band To Be taught About Them
Lastly, I would love a Steely Dan film because it may get younger individuals who know nothing concerning the band into the group.
As a result of do you need to know the primary time I ever actually heard of Steely Dan? In the Paul Rudd film, Knocked Up. Within the movie, Seth Rogen’s character principally says that Steely Dan sucks, and for the longest time, I simply believed him. Why else would they put that within the film in the event that they had been really good?
Then, after I really purchased a Steely Dan report (it was their Best Hits), I could not consider what I used to be listening to.
Steely Dan did not suck. They’re superior! That is what I need non-fans to be taught via a film about them. Steely Dan is among the coolest bands with one of many best album catalogs ever, and I need extra individuals to know that.
However, what do you assume? Do you additionally love Steely Dan? I would love to listen to your ideas.