Show Biz Kids
"Show Biz Kids" is the fifth track of Steely Dan's second album Countdown To Ecstasy and opener of the second side of the vinyl release. It was the album's lead single and peaked at #61 on the Billboard 100 charts. The song was slightly controversial at the time due to its use of the word "fuck" in the bridge.
"Show Biz Kids" was first performed in 1973, both at shows and on the Midnight Special television series. The latter performance is notable for its censoring of "fuck" with a loud, drawn-out bleep. The track returned early in 1974 as an encore alongside "This All Too Mobile Home", with Michael McDonald on lead vocals.
After 32 years, "Show Biz Kids" returned in 2006, being performed as a band introductions instrumental which would lead into the track itself. A different arrangement was created to make the song funkier, as well as duplicating the bridge. Michael McDonald returned as the lead vocalist, although only during this particular year. After being skipped in 2007, "Show Biz Kids" would become a staple, being performed every tour from 2008 forward. However, the track would become less common starting in 2017, with under 10 performances each year since then.
First performance: [Unknown, early 1973]
Latest performance: November 1, 2019: Orpheum Theatre, Boston, Massachusetts, US
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