Steely Dan - Dirty Work Lyrics

I guess this is where I'm supposed to say my age? I'm like 42. There.

Very similar to the eagles, the vocalist even sounds much like glenn frey.

A great blend of brass, vocals, instrumentals ....... & a touch of socio-labor commentary. Lots of jobs just plain suck. I've had my share. * Cav *

American Hustle anyone 💪???

Saw some Steely Dan Leitmotif from JJBA and after like a 100 related videos, I'm here. Absolutely loved everything. JJBA does a great job introducing great ol' names to the new generation.

While my younger foolish yrs are past and long gone..I can still aqqreciate lyrics🤣#SteelyDanTheMan

That's why I'd rather get stuck in my parent's era... Good music with actual talent and instruments, no lil pump sh!t.

Chevy Chase was once the drummer for Steely Dan..He couldn't miss becoming rich..

You Tube has its downfalls but they have connected me to songs that I love that I forgot about, considering I grew up during the best years in music history

Sopranos

I love David Palmer's vocals here. He knows this is all a really bad idea and he's being exploited, but he can't resist the seduction of it all. He sounds so vulnerable and self-aware. I don't think Donald Fagen could have delivered it this way.

I foresee terrible trouble
But I stay here just the same ...

You don’t always have to hit someone hard to knock them out. San Jose California 2013

born in 1959 still lovin this 01/26/2020

David Palmer had one of the purest, most beautiful male singing voices ever. He was the perfect one to sing this great song. The production on this entire album is so amazing that this album _still_ doesn't sound like 1972.

My mom and my uncle, and later my husband, are all major Steely Dan fans, and so I've been hearing and loving their music since the 70's. I'm so glad I got to see them twice, especially the latter show which was about a year before Walter Becker passed on.

The best song of Steely Dan.

I am singing this in 2020, this song is eternal and I love it. I get messages from various songs, that apply perfectly to where I am at in life. This song has been in my head for the last 3 days and now I AM HERE.

this is the real version. my favorite song by the band.

Good choice! I am a lifelong Steely Dan fan. I wrote "A Steely Dan Bedtime Story." It combines their song titles and lyrics into an amusing tale. You can find it on the first "Do it Again" video on YouTube in the newest comments about 170 comments from the newest one. If you like it, leave a reply on the story itself. Thank you.

Cue that pimp gif

I'm a 32 soon to be 33 year old who seems to be constantly and consistently findind these gems left behind from so many artist and bands. This is a treasure. Any other suggestions of magic?..
Thank you in advance🙏

Tfw you’re getting tired of being in the Mafia

STOP RIGHT THERE. IF YOU KILL ME JOSEPH JOESTAR WILL DIE TOO.

Good times...

Such a great organ and horn intro...not a single harmonic clam to be heard. The note choices give some subtle-yet-sophisticated harmonies hinting at the greatness to come on future 'Dan' albums.

One of my favorite songs!

When i found out just what steely dan was talking about in this song all i could do was laugh and think about all of my sex escapades worls wide LOL 😂😂😂😂

Which vocal part do you all sing in the chorus?

The sopranos!!!!

I miss the old stuff grew up with my parents music 1950's and 1960's and threw up with the 1970''s stuff as well born in 1975 disco bubblegum rock can't turn back the clock wish I could

my dad listens to steely dan all the time in the car and this has got to be one of my favorite songs

Any other Steely Dan favorites?

dont let your mom find out

after my mom and dad split up she found me listening to steely dan.... this particular song.... she asked me who this band was... so i shared.... she was hooked... and this song is her favorite.... among other songs that they did.... rock on,mom!

My 75 year old parents loves this song, as well :)

I will be 70 in 2020 and still listen to this in fact I don't listen to anything past 1992 or3.

One of the greatest songs of all. Touching.

Great song from my High School Years!

You drive Mrs Crazy. Got pulled over for u. 😣

Always reminds me of my brother. Always getting into trouble. Passed away 13 years ago. His demons finally caught up with him.

Thank you The Morning Show for making me remember how awesome this song is 💕

Donald Fagan ✨✨✨✨✨

hella lit

Who's listening to this song in 2020? Yeah, me neither, but soon, very soon ...

The Dan - so flawless.


I know there is still good music around today - shame we don't hear it on the radio.


With these commercial radio station's nowadays, it's all about money rather than giving the real music fans what they want.

I created a Christmas present for Steely Dan fans called "A Steely Dan Bedtime Story." It combines their song titles and lyrics into an amusing tale. It can be found on the first "Do it Again" video on YouTube in the newest comments about 28 replies down from the newest reply. I hope you laugh as much reading it as I did writing it.

When a 17 years old is fed up doing your dirty work

jim gordon he went insane, he lost his mind, S.o.D made a song about the man. ''jim gordon .

GTFOH, this song has absolutely nothing to do with Jim Gordon and there's no way Steely would make a song about that type scandalous garbage.

jim gordon was a drummer who took his mothers life, he used a hammer first so she wouldent feel the knife.

Had a couple of wives that I did dirty. Sorry babes. 😞😞😞😞

I created a Christmas present for Steely Dan fans called "A Steely Dan Bedtime Story." It combines their song titles and lyrics into an amusing tale. It can be found on the first "Do it Again" video on YouTube in the newest comments about 28 replies down from the newest reply. I hope you laugh as much reading it as I did writing it.

Jotaro does NOT enjoy doing Dirty Work for Steely Dan

Real music

How long have you been a Steely Dan fan?

I am 77 years old and a retired musician. I wish that I had got the chance to jam with all the musicians that have been involved in the tracks made by this fantastic band.

Did you know that over 100 different musicians and singers recorded with Steely Dan?

I did know there were quite a few from my AJA studio sessions dvd that I have, but, wow not as many as 100. Were you one of them Ed?

Steely Dan was the man

I remember this one in AIT training right after boot camp at Ft Brag. Right before going overseas.

How long were you in Fayettenam?

@Edward Sholar What are you talking about?

@willieboy3011 Jonas
I used to live in Fayetteville, North Carolina near Ft. Bragg. The nickname they used for that area was a combination of Fayetteville and Vietnam. Just a little history lesson for you.

@Edward Sholar I did not write that correctly. My bad. I was stationed at Ft Jackson, S.C for boot camp and AIT. While I was at AIT a fellow soldier and I went to Ft Brag for the weekend. His Dad was stationed there. We played the whole LP that weekend at Ft Brag. Crazy weekend. Ended up at some hotel with chicks. I do not remember Bragg at all, but I remember Sand Hill at Jackson.

@willieboy3011 Jonas
If you want a good laugh, I wrote "A Steely Dan Bedtime Story." It combines their song titles and lyrics into an amusing tale. It can be found on the first "Do it Again" video on YouTube in the newest comments. I hope you laugh as much reading it as I did writing it.

what a song . makes me feel real

Lyrics

Times are hard
You're afraid to 
Pay the fee
So 
You find yourself somebody
Who can do the job for free

When you need 
A bit of loving
Cause your man 
Is out of town
That's the time 
You get me running
And you know 
I'll be around

I'm a fool to
Do your dirty work,
Oh yeah
I don't wanna do 
Your dirty work no more
I'm a fool to 
Do your dirty work, 
Oh yeah

Light the candle
Put the lock upon the door
You have sent the 
Maid home early
Like a thousand times before

Like the castle 
In its corner
In a medieval game
I foresee terrible trouble
And I stay here 
Just the same

I'm a fool to
Do your dirty work,
Oh yeah
I don't wanna do 
Your dirty work no more
I'm a fool to 
Do your dirty work, 
Oh yeah

[Bridge: sax solo]

I'm a fool to
Do your dirty work,
Oh yeah
I don't wanna do 
Your dirty work no more
I'm a fool to 
Do your dirty work, 
Oh yeah
I don't wanna do 
Your dirty work no more
I'm a fool to 
Do your dirty work, 
Oh yeah
I don't wanna do 
Your dirty work no more

Everybody comes here for the song, but I come here for the JoJo reference.

Who is Jo Jo?

Why don't you people go away?

jojo gang 👉👉

pick up your tuned six string and tap on it

WORE THIS ALBUM OUT WHEN I WAS A TEEN I AM 65 AND STILL LOVE IT.

LOVE THIS SONG SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO MUCH.

Anyone enjoying this song in 2025 ?

When your listening to a Steely Dan play list....you skip the Fleetwood Mac !

I love Steely Dan. I was in a stagnate relationship years ago. I had this song in my head and started singing it. Ex said, "what's that crap?" It turned out to be my breakup anthem. Last thing I said to him. It was glorious.

Come Inside My Mind, the Robin Williams documentary, used this beauty to great and poignant effect 😢

I am an interdimensional entity, countless millions of years old, and have been sleeping at the core of your planet since the dawn of time. I have awoken to bring KAAAAATHR'AAK upon you all and I love Steely Dan. Anyone else?

Kansokusha lol

The Morning Show?...anyone?

Denise zPETTET

👌👍👏

Thanks to The Morning Show for reminding us about this beautiful song 🎧

That's exactly why I came here! The Morning Show has amazing music!

Aye Tone!

I saw them in concert

Steely Dan is my favorite

Many years ago I thought this was CSN.

Funny. Very similar harmonies. All top musicians with too much talent.

Were you heavily-drugged at the time?!? 👻 🍺💊🍺

American hustle

I miss u

Legendary

Love the chess metaphor.....and the sax-solo.
"Like the castle in its corner
In a medieval game
I foresee terrible trouble
And I stay here just the same"

That line has echoed in my head for decades. I don't know why. Hit a deep spot, I guess.

Are you a chess player and a Steely Dan fan?

Tony soprano bring me here

Steely Dan is probably in my top five favorite bands , my dad had the cassette for this album, fell in love with it as a kid

- - repeating - - the only PERFECT band in the world is Steely Dan.

You and I are on the same page. I believe Steely Dan has no equal for these reasons:
1. They could do it all- rock, jazz, blues, funk, reggae, pop, soul, R&B, metal, Latin and even classical, if you throw in the string arrangement on "FM,"
2. Everyone wanted to record with them. Over 100 different musicians and singers recorded with Steely Dan
3. They sold over 40 million albums.
4. They have been described, not just as a band, but as an "aesthetic."

Walter Becker and Donald Fagen strove for perfection in the studio which made their music sound so naturally beautiful.

There is one real poet in American popular music, and his name is Donald Fagan.

And who is Walter Becker?

Bob Dylan begs to differ.

Prone to hyperbole, are ya?!?

I won't be born for another 5 years but I love this song

American Hustle brought me here

American Hustle

Catch my review of this awesome debut album Just never ages

I'm 55 and I love this song !

I'm 65 and I've loved this song since 1975.

40 next month and loved it as a toddler, ever since I can remember... I know it disappeared from the radar for 10-15 years or so and when it came back it was like, Ooh yeah, I remember THAT - I love that!

Yes one of my best groups ever ❤️ steely

love this

Like if American Hustle brought you here

I knew this song way before American hustle but hearing it makes me wanna watch it again.

American Hustle brought me here.

TONY SOPRANO Fellings

Thank God for Classick Rock. Sometimes i need to hear soothing music to keep me from killing someone.

wow me too WOW

It does seem to take the edge off alright. I'm 58 and I think that May be one reason teens and young people didn't resort to violence he way they do now. That and all the pot we smoked. I mean from 13 to 25. Almost constantly. Ah such good times.

Yeah man. Don't kill anyone. You'll be up to your neck in paperwork.

Yeah, rap music IS enough to make someone go over the bridge....
When I hear that arrogant, angry sound blasting out of 90% of the cars, I'm amazed we don't have more shootings. Our parents listened to big band music while they fought then Nazis and the samurai, and they seemed to keep their control and dignity. This music made the 70's pretty fuckin cool. The modern world is quite a bit more.... abrasive. I think its the shitty music and reality TV...

PAIN. in spleen

she told me was not marry

This song has a great groove. The sax solo is great!

I was a fool !!!

Son I'm 64 still dirty workin

Thank the Lord

I'm a fool to do your dirty work. Sure I jam this all the time in 2019
and expect to still be like this in 2020.

Straighten up worms.

this song is so underrated :(

Margot McDonald .......never! Some of us were “rating” this song and album almost 50 years ago. If you’ve just discovering the band, that’s one thing but seriously, every artist/band I grew up enjoying has suddenly gone from classic to “underrated”, the word has lost all meaning. There was so much fabulous music around in these years but this album was a staple in any collection and (like most of the music from then) has aged beautifully.

It was insane for Fagen to fire David Palmer as lead singer so that he could be the singer. David Palmer was an excellent singer and mad this song his own.