I always thought this song from 1975's "Katy Lied" album was using the same instrumental groove as 1974's "Pretzel Logic." Probably why it was immediately one of my favorite tracks. Put those 2 songs on a loop and I'm a happy fan.
Mike Mcdonnell's comment below from a year ago merits discussion. Is it possible that Becker & Fagen borrowed the music for "Chain Lightning" from The Revels 1959 Halloween novelty song "Dead Man's Stroll" (retitled "Midnight Stroll" after radio stations complained the former title was too gruesome). The similarities in melody, vocal blend and tempo are obvious. Walt and Don would have been ages 9 and 11 respectively when it was first released in the Philly market in October 1959. It may have been replayed every Halloween thereafter and had a lasting impact on our future Steely Dan composers.
