"Countdown to Ecstasy" is the second studio album by American rock band Steely Dan, released by ABC Records in July 1973. Recorded primarily at the Village Recorder in West Los Angeles, California, it notably features Rick Derringer's slide guitar part on "Show Biz Kids," recorded at Caribou Ranch in Colorado.
Following vocalist David Palmer's departure, Donald Fagen took over lead vocals on every track. Despite critical acclaim, the album did not produce a hit single in the US and reached number 35 on the Billboard Top LPs & Tapes chart. However, it was later certified Gold by the RIAA in 1978. Over time, "Countdown to Ecstasy" has earned perfect scores from music critics in retrospective reviews, solidifying its status as a classic in Steely Dan's discography.
