David Crosby said that listening to Steely Dan’s 1977 song ‘Aja’ helped sustain him during a difficult period, describing music as something that “hung in there” when other parts of life felt uncertain. The remark highlights Crosby’s long-standing admiration for the band and the personal importance he attached to music beyond his own work.

‘Aja’ was the title track of Steely Dan’s 1977 album, which became one of the group’s most acclaimed and commercially successful releases. Crosby, best known for his work with The Byrds and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, faced major personal and professional struggles over his career, including addiction and imprisonment, making his account a reflection on music’s role in recovery and resilience.