"FM (No Static at All)" by...

Tune into Steely Dan's "FM (No Static at All)," the smooth 1978 hit written for the movie soundtrack of the same name. This jazz fusion gem captures the allure of late-night radio with impeccable musicianship and sophisticated style. A classic Steely Dan track.

Specifically written by Steely Dan for the 1978 film FM, "(No Static at All)" became a successful single charting that year. Displaying their signature jazz fusion style with a soft rock vibe, the track features a relaxed groove, complex harmonies, and the band's trademark meticulous studio production, perfectly fitting the movie's theme about FM radio culture.

As a popular single released in 1978, "FM" showcased Steely Dan's sophisticated jazz fusion sound outside of a standard studio album. The song's smooth atmosphere is notably enhanced by prominent saxophone lines, including a lyrical solo. Its lyrics touch on the idealized image of FM radio, delivered with Steely Dan’s characteristic cool irony, making it another uniquely polished gem in their discography.

SONG MEANING: "FM (No Static at All)" captures and somewhat romanticizes the sophisticated, laid-back culture surrounding FM radio in the late 1970s. The lyrics evoke the smooth listener experience ("No static at all") and the mystique of the DJs ("What kind of muzak can your buddies really dig?"). It's less a narrative and more an atmospheric ode to the perceived coolness and intimate connection offered by FM radio during that specific era.