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Steely Dan — Bodhisattva
Album: Countdown to Ecstasy
Avg rating:
7.2

Your rating:
Total ratings: 3396









Released: 1973
Length: 5:13
Plays (last 30 days): 1
Bodhisattva
Would you take me by the hand
Bodhisattva
Would you take me by the hand
Can you show me
The shine of your Japan
The sparkle of your china
Can you show me
Bodhisattva

Bodhisattva
I'm gonna sell my house in town
Bodhisattva
I'm gonna sell my house in town
And I'll be there
To shine in your Japan
To sparkle in your China
Yes, I'll be there
Bodhisattva

Bodhisattva
Would you take me by the hand
Bodhisattva
Would you take me by the hand
Can you show me
The shine of your Japan
The sparkle of your china
Can you show me
Bodhisattva

Bodhisattva
I'm gonna sell my house in town
Bodhisattva
I'm gonna sell my house in town
And I'll be there
To shine in your Japan
To sparkle in your China
Yes, I'll be there
Bodhisattva

Bodhisattva, Bodhisattva, Bodhisattva
Bodhisattva, Bodhisattva, Bodhisattva
Bodhisattva, look out
Comments (307)add comment
 gatorade wrote:

1973 and it still holds up so well. Nothing like them. Nothing.




    RIP Walter 
Booty-slappa! I love it!
Awesome writing and playing by stellar folks
I love to get ripping high and listen to SD
great music is always great no matter the age—who cares what era it’s from 
So...I have this internal debate inside myself.  What's more impressive: the guitar work or the piano playing. 

The guitar works just kills it.  But that piano playing...I hear Monk and Tyner riffs. 

Meanwhile...each time I hear this I fight myself until I'm bruised and battered.       
 WilliDoc wrote:


Thanks! I'll never get that out of my head now...

LOL!  Too Funny!  
There are probably maybe 5-10 songs that still do for me now what they did for me as a high school stoner 50 years ago. This is in the top 3.
 Essbee63 wrote:

When I was ten years old and hearing this on the radio, I thought they were singing "What is happened? What is happened? What is happened?"



Thanks! I'll never get that out of my head now...
Some of the best studio musicians since the wrecking crew worked oin these songs.
And their album covers were works of art.  Like Little Feat album covers. 
 lily34 wrote:


if you're still around, can you share a link or some links? i'd love to watch that stuff.


For some reason, I can't cut and paste links and embed into my comments. 

But just Google search Steely Dan and musicians under the video tab.  You'll see more and more musicians rave about them. 

They are my favorite band of all time.  Their first seven albums compare quite well with Beatles, Dylan, Joni, and Van. 

Each album is a masterpiece.  
 dischuckin wrote:
"In Buddhism, a bodhisattva or bodhisatva is a person who is on the path towards bodhi ('awakening') or Buddhahood."




Thank You for the info.
 idiot_wind wrote:

I've been watching videos  with musicians explaining how and why each of their seven albums were so freakin great. 

Becker and Fagen were just exceptional musicians and they attracted similar people.   



if you're still around, can you share a link or some links? i'd love to watch that stuff.
There will NEVER be another Steely Dan. sigh.....
This came out the summer before my HS senior year. It was a GREAT summer!!!
just WOW!!
 fredriley wrote:

Here's a link to the Wikipedia article on Bodhisattva if anyone's interested.

"In Buddhism, a bodhisattva or bodhisatva is a person who is on the path towards bodhi ('awakening') or Buddhahood."

When I hear any Steely Dan tune, I get the same expression on my face as the guy on the right-hand side of the cover illustration.   ;-)

edit, after reading other comments: Yeah, Mr Becker's bass line is ecstatic and Skunk Baxter's guitar work is just ... so GREAT!
 jr2571 wrote:

underrated guitar on this song 



that's an understatement
underrated guitar on this song 
When I was ten years old and hearing this on the radio, I thought they were singing "What is happened? What is happened? What is happened?"
These are just great musicians. They are fun to listen to because of how inventive they are. 
Like this  song...the playing has a chanting effect to it at the end ...

Bodhisattva

 
I've been watching videos  with musicians explaining how and why each of their seven albums were so freakin great. 

Becker and Fagen were just exceptional musicians and they attracted similar people.   
Impossible for me to even pick my favorite Steely Dan song
I was around 11 or 12 when I heard this on the radio; Sixth Grade, I think... IT BLEW ME AWAY and sent me on an adventure, driving my parents crazy, trying to learn the meanings of such deep things tossed off like confetti by these geniuses, digging their jazzy, endlessly jamming ways and wry, sly, fun delivery!
Brilliant 
Music is timeless 
So is taste
Good on ya, RP
Just returned from Philippines first time after (?) pandemic, introduced Steely Dan to my ~30 year old step son. He asked me for a list of all my favorite Steely Dan songs, this is among it ....
RIP Walter
but the guitar work

oh my
Great Song!
Would love to hear the Toto version here too :)
 gatorade wrote:

1973 and it still holds up so well. Nothing like them. Nothing.



Agreed. This is one of those songs that never dates. My kids think it's cool. Fond memories of playing this loud in the car in the traffic jam on the way to work back in the day.
 Steely_D wrote:
Saw them a couple of months ago in Vegas, three of their nine show residency. They played this one every night, I think. And it cranks like a mofo. Still.

The whole band is really great. Worth your time.



Being in 'high' school when Steely Dan hit the South Florida airwaves (WSHE), I will forever be immediately brought back to those glorious days anytime Steely Dan makes it into my ear buds or car stereo. Radio Paradise is unquestionably the greatest radio station I've ever had the pleasure of experiencing. Listening to this last set reminded of that fact. Thank you, thank you, thank you, for always cueing up my slowly fading memories. 






 Proclivities wrote:


I'm not so sure about "underrated";  I guess it's a matter of perspective.  Steely Dan has sold millions of records - many were Top 10 and several are certified Platinum.  They have won a few Grammy awards and were nominated for several more over the years.



I think they're overhated.
I love the live version when they are introduced by the very inebriated Jerome Aniton.
And don't forget the album cover. 

It' s a work of art. 

If you stare at while you listen to this song, you can....well you can......yeah.
   
So how many bands would even dare to mix hard rnr guitar with the theme of  Budhist  spiritualism? 
 
Who? Foo Fighters? Arcade Fire?   Ha ha ha.
Play some other tunes from this album!! Thank You!!
If memory serves, it’s Denny Diaz and Jeff ‘Skunk’ Baxter dueling in perhaps the most incredible guitar duo exchange (as opposed to solos). Amazing that this was only their second album. If you’ve never heard the live version of Boddhisatva from the Steely Dan ‘Gold’ collection, you’re missing something (the drunken intro alone makes the purchase worthwhile)- although a couple of additional rare gems, including Here at the Western World (and harbinger of Fagen’s solo gem The Nightfly) are a significant bonus.
Dare I make comparisons to the Beatles,  but SD's first seven albums were so freaking unique and different from one another.   Each was a gem.

No bad album. Not even a mediocre one.   

That's why they are under-rated.  
 cely wrote:

Steely Dan is ridiculously underrated, but I kind of get it.  When your rock and roll head is on they complicate things, musically and lyrically.  It's cool, but they will have a higher place in history than they did in rock's first take.



I'm not so sure about "underrated";  I guess it's a matter of perspective.  Steely Dan has sold millions of records - many were Top 10 and several are certified Platinum.  They have won a few Grammy awards and were nominated for several more over the years.
 MayBaby wrote:

Wow, this is the only song from this album on RP? I mean it's great but there are so many more - the whole album is great - like "Show Biz Kids, Your Gold Teeth, King of the World, My Old School,  The Boston Rag, and my favorite Pearl of the Quarter" 
Might as well include the only other song "Razor Boy" It's pretty dang cool in its own way, too.
Edit: Just listened to "Razor Boy" Damn great tune. So yeah, the whole album is great!




I agree! Big time!
EXCELLENT!!!
 john_m_hopkins wrote:

the good days: girls still a terrifying mystery... Boones' Farm wine in the bong.

Mad Dog in the bong...God - not always the good days! But this tune and the album were amazing

GREAT TUNE!!! Brings back memories!  
 the_jake wrote:

I can't decide is it whom or who is that playing guitars on this tune?


I think I'd heard that it was Jeff Baxter that's wailing on guitar on this.
Wow, this is the only song from this album on RP? I mean it's great but there are so many more - the whole album is great - like "Show Biz Kids, Your Gold Teeth, King of the World, My Old School,  The Boston Rag, and my favorite Pearl of the Quarter" 
Might as well include the only other song "Razor Boy" It's pretty dang cool in its own way, too.
Edit: Just listened to "Razor Boy" Damn great tune. So yeah, the whole album is great!
 DW4554 wrote:


Age means nothing. Music is timeless. 


Mostly true; except in the case of disco...
SD on the other hand... Perfect for any occasion - or decade!!
the good days: girls still a terrifying mystery... Boones' Farm wine in the bong.
 Rockit9 wrote:

Stranded on an Island...You have to pick 5 groups 4 Ever to listen 2. My pics & yours?
1) Beach Boys
2) Steely Dan
3) Beck
4) Rush
5) The Beatles


I'm with you on four out of five, but Rush?!!
They would be on my "trapped in Hell" list.  ; )
 Kereall wrote:

bad song

...did it not 'roll over' when you commanded?

 no matter how many x ... zesty
 idiot_wind wrote:

wow...that guitar smokes

What is it smoking?

one of the best bands ever, for sure....
 idiot_wind wrote:

wow...that guitar smokes


I can't decide is it whom or who is that playing guitars on this tune?
Before the drugs and ennui set in.
idiot_wind wrote:
 
 

wow...that guitar smokes
one of their best

the guitar work is magnificent

maybe their best album

Supposedly from the album's liner notes.-

“Dias the bebopper meets Baxter the skunk beneath the Bo tree in this altered blues.”
 Rockit9 wrote:
Stranded on an Island...You have to pick 5 groups 4 Ever to listen 2. My pics & yours?
1) Beach Boys
2) Steely Dan
3) Beck
4) Rush
5) The Beatles
 
Can we go with associated artists too? 

1  Nightwish (and Tuomas' side works. Auri, FLoor's and Marco's would be apreciated too)
2 Aryeon (okay, not associated artists as that is half the planet)
3 Steely Dan (and Fagen)
4 Dire Straights (Knopfler's sides too)
5 J.S. Bach

Stranded on an Island...You have to pick 5 groups 4 Ever to listen 2. My pics & yours?
1) Beach Boys
2) Steely Dan
3) Beck
4) Rush
5) The Beatles
Steely Dan is ridiculously underrated, but I kind of get it.  When your rock and roll head is on they complicate things, musically and lyrically.  It's cool, but they will have a higher place in history than they did in rock's first take.
It's a fucking perfect song...sorry. You can dip low or dance.  Anything goes here and it is  expertly arranged and performed.
 DW4554 wrote:
Exceptional tune. One of the better SD compositions to cover while jamming with your band in an all night free for all. If everyone takes a solo, one run through can last an hour or more.

Exhilarating. Better than sex.
 
You had me right up until that last sentence.
More of The Dan pls BillG!
 daveinnj wrote:
Listening to RP for 20 years now I can honestly say it's the Gold Standard of Radio. But Steely Dan isn't 20 years old, it's 40 years old. And that moves RP squarely into the genre of 'Oldies Station'. So much of the must isn't 20 years old, it's 40. 
 

"There are only two kinds of music - good and bad" - Duke Ellington.
This is why I listen to RP. It's the strongest collection of "good music" I've encountered on the web yet. 
 daveinnj wrote:
Listening to RP for 20 years now I can honestly say it's the Gold Standard of Radio. But Steely Dan isn't 20 years old, it's 40 years old. And that moves RP squarely into the genre of 'Oldies Station'. So much of the must isn't 20 years old, it's 40. 
 

Age means nothing. Music is timeless. 
 daveinnj wrote:
Listening to RP for 20 years now I can honestly say it's the Gold Standard of Radio. But Steely Dan isn't 20 years old, it's 40 years old. And that moves RP squarely into the genre of 'Oldies Station'. So much of the must isn't 20 years old, it's 40. 
 
If you've actually been listening to RP for 20 years then you'll have noticed that Bill not only keeps a pretty firm handle on the music he grew up with (that yes, is 40+ years old), but also manages to do a stellar job of keeping up with contemporary music across a fascinating array of genres. Maybe you're one of those folks that hits PSD each time something new comes on and you just don't notice how many decades are being offered?

My musical tastes were formed in the 70s onward, and sure, Bill covers decades fore and aft of that. I've only been an RP listener for 5 years now, but I am constantly being introduced to not only "new to me" but new, period, music here on RP - and it's one of the reasons I love it here. Keep it up, Bill - some of us think you're doing just fine.
 DW4554 wrote:
Exceptional tune. One of the better SD compositions to use jamming with your band in an all night free for all. If everyone takes a solo, one run through can last an hour or more.

Exhilarating. Better than sex.
 
Yea verily.  Nothing worse than an unexplored riff, especially a hooky one.
 daveinnj wrote:
Listening to RP for 20 years now I can honestly say it's the Gold Standard of Radio. But Steely Dan isn't 20 years old, it's 40 years old. And that moves RP squarely into the genre of 'Oldies Station'. So much of the must isn't 20 years old, it's 40. 
 
If you are really a loving long-time listener of RP you would already know that great music is timeless.  The old, older, new, and newest are all here for our enjoyment.
What a great playlist tonight! This another band a never appreciated until I was older.
Exceptional tune. One of the better SD compositions to cover while jamming with your band in an all night free for all. If everyone takes a solo, one run through can last an hour or more.

Exhilarating. Better than sex.
 Kereall wrote:
bad song
 
-ass
Darn Wiki, I know he's moved on from this planet, but it seems wrong to list Walter B as a "past" member. (...maybe passed member?)  His is a sound I miss.
 Kereall should've  wrote:
not a bad song
 
bad song
 WonderLizard wrote:

If I recall correctly, the cover artist submitted the proof to the suits at MCA, and the feedback she got was, "There's only three guys on the cover. There are five guys in the band." So she added the two "ghost" figures on the left. Bizarrely funny.
 

10+ !
Their live version of this song is really awesome too

I try not to pay attention to many of the comments. I like what I like. This is excellent. 
 Proclivities wrote:

I don't think Steely Dan was quite as polarizing a band back in the 1970s; at least not as much as it seems in these song comments.  An album like "Aja" proved that they had pretty universal appeal; some people may not have "loved" all of their output back then, but most people seemed to have at least liked some of their songs.  It wasn't as much of a black-or-white, binary thing as it seems in the song comments here.  After "Aja" they did progressively get more into an "easy listening" or "yacht rock" style which seemed to have less "edge", and may have soured some people - maybe that's where the animosity here comes from.
 

Pretty much wore out my cassette of The Royal Scam back then.
Warning:  Induces chicken skin.
My mood just went to “20”!!👍🏻💯🙌🏻
 Highspirits wrote:
oooh  two comments in a row!    ok, I'm out of my chair dancing around now......totally rocked me out of my bad mood!

who's dancing with me?
 
ME!
Listening to RP for 20 years now I can honestly say it's the Gold Standard of Radio. But Steely Dan isn't 20 years old, it's 40 years old. And that moves RP squarely into the genre of 'Oldies Station'. So much of the must isn't 20 years old, it's 40. 
Buddha may not be a god, but this is indeed godlike. Soooo good. Caught the first reunion tour in Vancouver (late 90s, early 00s?) and while not in my Top 10 concerts it was still a stellar show.
{#Devil_pimp}very zesty indeed! saw em at the seattle paramount in 74 or so touring on pretzel logic played that cover to cover 3 encores and this was last song all the original line up and believe me when I say denny dias every bit as talented as skunk / top 5 live concerts ever !
And Walter said, "I'll do the cookin' on this one..."
Wow...this segue was absolute perfection...to go from being sad and pensive (with Tom Petty song) to jumping out of my chair dancing!!
Got 7 CD's of Steely Dan, perfect music. Was so sad to hear about Walter Becker, R.I.P.
Saw them in Vegas in April...with Walter{#Bananajam}
Saw them in Dublin in October. Great performance! Unfortunately without Walter... ;-)
 On_The_Beach wrote:

My pick for best Dan album.

 
My pick for best Dan song.
 gatorade wrote:
1973 and it still holds up so well. Nothing like them. Nothing.
 
My pick for best Dan album.
1973 and it still holds up so well. Nothing like them. Nothing.
 boontonite wrote:
One of their very best!

 
The whole album is superb
R.I.P. Walter
Saw them a couple of months ago in Vegas, three of their nine show residency. They played this one every night, I think. And it cranks like a mofo. Still.

The whole band is really great. Worth your time.
 Highlowsel wrote:
...Anyway, over time I've noticed SD has always been a polarizer.  Love 'em, or can't stand 'em, there's seldom any in-between.  Being a person who appreciates them I've always been puzzled by those who don't seem to get them.  But there's all kinds of music appreciation out there isn't there?  Everyone can always find something more to their tastes. 
I will say this....back in 1973 there were a ton of groups playing a variety of stuff in their singular fashion.  And it was good stuff, too.  But the Steely seemed to reside in a Universe all their own.  And I, for one, thoroughly enjoyed them then; and still do today. 

Highlow
American Net'Zen

 
I don't think Steely Dan was quite as polarizing a band back in the 1970s; at least not as much as it seems in these song comments.  An album like "Aja" proved that they had pretty universal appeal; some people may not have "loved" all of their output back then, but most people seemed to have at least liked some of their songs.  It wasn't as much of a black-or-white, binary thing as it seems in the song comments here.  After "Aja" they did progressively get more into an "easy listening" or "yacht rock" style which seemed to have less "edge", and may have soured some people - maybe that's where the animosity here comes from.
Wow...44 years ago and I'm still bopping in my chair to this.  Thanks, Bill, for reminding us that great rock still rocks.
Released in 1973.  Forty four....count 'em.....4...4....years ago.  Yeeesh.  Has it all gone by that fast?  A cautionary aside to the young ones here.  Enjoy your adventure...it all goes by in the blink of an eye if you don't keep the focus...and even if you do....here today, gone tomorrow. 

Anyway, over time I've noticed SD has always been a polarizer.  Love 'em, or can't stand 'em, there's seldom any in-between.  Being a person who appreciates them I've always been puzzled by those who don't seem to get them.  But there's all kinds of music appreciation out there isn't there?  Everyone can always find something more to their tastes. 

I will say this....back in 1973 there were a ton of groups playing a variety of stuff in their singular fashion.  And it was good stuff, too.  But the Steely seemed to reside in a Universe all their own.  And I, for one, thoroughly enjoyed them then; and still do today. 

Highlow
American Net'Zen
 tiler wrote:
the best of the best of players in one of the best of times 
SD...it's in the jazz fusion rockin poppin intelligent eclectic blues thoughts of our minds
 
YES! (at least, I think I agree)
the best of the best of players in one of the best of times 
SD...it's in the jazz fusion rockin poppin intelligent eclectic blues thoughts of our minds 
Just like RP 
 idiot_wind wrote:
The repetitive chanting at the end of the song (given the song content)...is so freakin cool.

 
This whole album is freakin cool!
The repetitive chanting at the end of the song (given the song content)...is so freakin cool.
Abso-frigging-lutley.  They can do guitar better than I can do split-f'ing-infinitives.

 

boontonite wrote:
One of their very best!

 


{#Notworthy}
 d48m02h1918 wrote:
Yes, like the post before me said......absolutely 
 
 
Wicked tune indeed! (Tim sure carries a dynamite smile)
 jhorton wrote:
Wow, when I was in high school, I thought this song sucked.

Now that I'm older and wiser, it still sucks but now it's real old too! 

But Look at how fast I can play the guitar while that other guy sings gibberish! 

 Steely_D wrote:

OTOH, it's my favorite frantic blues song about unattachment and spiritual enlightenment.

You see what they did there, combining those two completely different ideas into a song?

 
Well said.  I knew you'd be up to taking this h8r to task, Steely_D. 
This is why SD was one of the greatest bands of the 1970s. The guitar riffs are out of this world, the syncopation is fantastic, and the lyrics are spiritual and funny.

And their album covers were works of art.

Who else do this?  

 
Very cool
 jhorton wrote:
Wow, when I was in high school, I thought this song sucked.

Now that I'm older and wiser, it still sucks but now it's real old too! 

But Look at how fast I can play the guitar while that other guy sings gibberish! 

 
OTOH, it's my favorite frantic blues song about unattachment and spiritual enlightenment.

You see what they did there, combining those two completely different ideas into a song?
A workmate used to pick me up at the bus stop if he saw me standing there, and we'd hammer this song whilst sitting in the traffic jam. Love it!
One of their very best!
Bodhi-stoppa .... {#Drunk}
perfect 10! Saw them like in '73. there was nothing like skunk baxter on this guitar solo! they are still amazing live (short of skunk of course)…
Love the guitar!  Well, really the whole thing.  Tight.  Unfortunately those who may not be big fans of SD can't get past the Bodhisattva Bodhisattva, Bodhisattva....
Crazed excellence.
 markthecarp wrote:
rp underplayed.  some songs i would like to hear every day.  this is one....or any/all steely day.  ftm: the recent mark/almond 'california' reminded me that they are in that category too.

 
Wow, just what I was thinking, as that just happened again today.  Thanks Bill!! :)
Great song =) {#Dancingbanana_2}
Sofa king good.