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Donald Fagen is primarily hailed as the co-founder of the band Steely Dan, a powerhouse of the 70s and 80s rock-pop-jazz fusion scene. Known for his sardonic lyrics and signature, smooth vocals, Fagen's contribution to the music industry is beyond repute. But most interesting is perhaps his relatively low-profile solo career, which kicked off in 1982, punctuated by the hit single and accompanying video, "I.G.Y." Set against the backdrop of a more innocent era of American optimism, it feels like a rocket trip through an alternative, retro-futuristic 1950s, with a tone both eerily nostalgic and a satirical commentary on the 'American dream'.
Donald Fagen has always been synonymous with meticulously crafted music and witty, intellectual lyrics. He brought the same philosophy to his solo music videos as well. A prime example is another one of his singles, "New Frontier," which was accompanied by a video that juxtaposed upbeat rhythms with visuals of atomic-era paranoia and Cold War tensions. The song became an MTV favourite, and the video even went on to win the 'Video of the Year' at the New York Film Festival. This marriage of music and visuals encapsulates Fagen’s brand - a clear example of how he used the medium’s capacity for narrative to comment on society. Oddly enough, Fagen, who wasn’t fond of featuring himself in videos, appeared in this one as an animated figure, nonchalantly playing his keyboard as the world around him hangs in uncertainty. And if that’s not the most Fagen thing to do, I don’t know what is.
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