Steely Dan’s Donald Fagen was candid when HBO documentary Yacht Rock: A Dockumentary director Garret Price asked about the band’s involvement with the genre.
Fagen’s frank answer to the word has gone viral when an X (previously Twitter) user published a clip.
“Hello, Mr. Fagen….” Price began.
“Yeah, this is he,” Fagen said.
Price introduced Garret. I made the ‘Yacht Rock’ documentary.”
After Price stated “Yacht Rock,” Fagen sarcastically remarked, “And what genre is that?” Hearing the reply, he joked, “Oh, ‘Yacht Rock.’” I’ll say. Why not f*ck yourself? Price laughed after Fagen hung up.
Despite this rough start, Fagen’s manager called back and let six Steely Dan songs in the documentary. Price told People, “I think it’s a wink. Yeah, I get it. I know this name is crucial to our music. But I’ll tell you my opinion.’ He is himself.”
At the DOC NYC festival on November 13, the HBO documentary explored “yacht rock,” a soft rock style. A 2005–2010 web series popularized the genre, which merges jazz, R&B, and soft rock and features pioneers like Toto, Michael McDonald, Kenny Loggins, Christopher Cross, and Steely Dan. Also featured are Black performers George Benson and Michael Jackson.
Fagen’s statement emphasizes his dislike of the “yacht rock” label, which he and others find reductive. Steely Dan’s impact remains a cornerstone of the movement, but the music and legacy delight listeners.