"Peg" by Steely Dan

Strong Songs has covered Steely Dan songs from 1976’s The Royal Scam, 1980’s Gaucho, and even 2000’s Two Against Nature, but somehow 1977’s Aja has remained unaddressed… until now. On this episode, Kirk takes a look under the hood of “Peg,” one of the most loved songs on The Dan’s most celebrated album, with all the double-stop bends, lyricon solos, and multi-tracked Michael McDonalds that entails.  

Written by: Donald Fagen and Walter Becker

Produced by: Gary Katz

Album: Aja, 1977

Listen/Buy via Album.Link

ALSO REFERENCED/DISCUSSED:

• Strong Songs episodes on:
  •  "Babylon Sisters" (Full song)
  •  "Janie Runaway" (Chris Potter's solo) 
  • "Kid Charlemagne" (Larry Carlton's solo)
• "Babylon Sisters" by Steely Dan from Gaucho, 1980
• "Kid Charlemagne" by Steely Dan from The Royal Scam, 1976
• "Janie Runaway" by Steely Dan from Two Against Nature, 2000
• "Deacon Blues" from Aja, 1977
• Classic Albums: Steely Dan: Aja, 2000 Documentary
• "Peg" live from Steely Dan, Two Against Nature tour DVD, 2000
• "Midnight at the Oasis" by Maria Muldaur w/ Amos Garrett from Maria Muldaur, 1974
• Tom Scott playing lyricon on "Say You Love Me," 1987
• "What a Fool Believes" by Michael McDonald and Kenny Loggins, recorded by The Doobie Brothers, 1978
• Steve Kahn's blog post recalling the "Peg" recording session
• 2020 Wall Street Journal interview with Fagen on the meaning of "Peg"'s lyrics
• Rick Beato interviews with Jay Graydon and Michael McDonald
• Donald Fagan's "Peg" piano lesson
• PlayLikeTheGreats.com - a fantastic transcription resource

--------------------SEPTEMBER 2026 WHOLE NOTE PATRONSDave Florey - AccessViolation - Jeremy Dawson - Sami Samhuri - Paul Delaney - Jenness Gardner - Melanie Andrich - Ken Hirsh - Joe Laska - David Mascetti - Christopher McConnell - Jamie White - Christopher Miller - Daniel Hannon-Barry - Jay Swartz - Damon White - Catherine Warner - Pablo Castro - Ben Barron - Corpus Frisky - Cesar - Robyn Metcalfe - Scott Lystig Fritchie - Lisa Crotty - Andy - Melissa Lucas - Greg - Julie Rowe - Rich Fish - Greer Bevel - Butch Vig - Greg - Matt R - Wendy Moore - Cerise Gay - Erica Smolinski - Brute Farce - John Pultz

SEPTEMBER 2026 HALF NOTE PATRONSColin Hodo - James Johnson - Arjun Sharma - Justin McElroy - Alexander Polson - Richard Toller - Melanie Stivers - Matt Betzel - Jeffrey Olson - Brett Douville - Brian Amoebas - Andrew Fair - Andrew Baker - Amanda Furlotti - Brad Callahan - Jennifer Bush - AJ Schuster