Album:
The song is on Aja which entered the Kent Music Report album chart on 17 October 1977 and peaked at #9.
Songwriters:
Walter Becker, Donald Fagen
Producer:
Gary Katz
Record label of Australian release:
ABC
Bonus clip below – the making of Peg
Songfacts:
In this song, Peg is an aspiring actress who is breaking into the business. It’s told from the perspective of her ex-boyfriend, whom she ditched because he couldn’t advance her career.
Walter Becker and Donald Fagen of Steely Dan are very particular in their choice of musicians, and they picked some good ones for Peg: Michael McDonald sang backing vocals, and Jay Graydon played the guitar solo. McDonald is famous for his work with The Doobie Brothers and as a solo artist, and Graydon is a very successful producer and songwriter in addition to his work as a guitarist. Graydon told Songfacts that Becker and Fagen brought in seven or eight guitarists to try the solo, and worked him for about six hours until he got it right.
Read more: www.songfacts.com/facts/steely-dan/peg
Personnel:
Donald Fagen – lead vocals
Rick Marotta – drums
Chuck Rainey – bass guitar
Paul Griffin – Fender Rhodes piano, backing vocals
Don Grolnick – clavinet
Steve Khan – guitar
Jay Graydon – guitar solo
Victor Feldman, Gary Coleman – percussion
Tom Scott – Lyricon
Michael McDonald – backing vocals
Lyrics:
I’ve seen your picture
Your name in lights above it
This is your big debut
It’s like a dream come true
So won’t you smile for the camera
I know they’re gonna love it, Peg.
Click for full lyrics
This song is also on our Spotify playlist Bang a Gong – the 70s
Find more songs to enjoy: Bang a Gong song finder
BONUS CLIP – The Making of Peg
Walter Becker, Donald Fagen and other musicians talk about the track they laid down for Peg:
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