 can't buy a thrill is the debut album by american rock band steely dan, released in november 1972 by abc records. it was produced by gary katz and written by band members walter becker and donald fagen. the album was recorded at the village recorder in los angeles. == background ==  the album was originally released in two-channel stereo and also in a special four-channel quadrophonic mix. there are some significant musical differences between the two mixes, such as extra lead guitar fills in the quad mix of "reelin' in the years". the album cover features a line of prostitutes standing in a red light area waiting for clients, an image which was chosen because of its relevance to the album title. the cover was banned in francisco franco's spain and was replaced with a photograph of the band playing in concert. the title of the album is taken in reference to the opening line of the bob dylan song "it takes a lot to laugh, it takes a train to cry". walter becker and donald fagen themselves commented on the album art in their liner notes to the reissued the royal scam, saying that album possessed "the most hideous album cover of the seventies, bar none (excepting perhaps can't buy a thrill)." two songs recorded during the can't buy a thrill sessions were left off the album and released as a single ("dallas" and "sail the waterway"). this is the only steely dan album to include david palmer as a lead vocalist
1972_debut_albums ABC_Records_albums Albums_certified_platinum_by_the_Recording_Industry_Association_of_America Albums_produced_by_Gary_Katz Steely_Dan_albums