Artists
Musicians featured in this piece are:
Donald Fagen – lead vocals, piano, organ
Walter Becker – bass guitar, backing vocals
Jeff “Skunk” Baxter – guitar, pedal steel guitar
Denny Dias – guitar, electric sitar solo
Jim Hodder – drums, backing vocals
David Palmer – backing vocals
Written by Walter Becker & Donald Fagen (the album’s liner notes fabricated a “traditional” credit for the song, though it’s an original composition). Produced by Gary Katz, released as the opening track and lead single on Can’t Buy a Thrill (ABC Records, November 1972), with “Fire in the Hole” as the B-side. It reached No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100.
“Do It Again” was the song that finally got Steely Dan’s music noticed after years of Becker and Fagen struggling as staff songwriters, and it remained a rare early example of Donald Fagen singing lead even during live shows, despite the band having brought in David Palmer as a frontman specifically so Fagen wouldn’t have to. Guitarist Denny Dias contributed the track’s distinctive electric sitar solo.
Steely Dan – Do It Again Lyrics
In the mornin you go gunnin’
For the man who stole your water
And you fire till he is done in
But they catch you at the border
And the mourners are all sangin’
As they drag you by your feet
But the hangman isn’t hangin’
And they put you on the street
You go back, Jack, do it again
Wheel turnin’ ’round and ’round
You go back, Jack, do it again
When you know she’s no high climber
Then you find your only friend
In a room with your two timer
And you’re sure you’re near the end
Then you love a little wild one
And she brings you only sorrow
All the time you know she’s smilin’
You’ll be on your knees tomorrow
You go back, Jack, do it again
Wheel turnin’ ’round and ’round
You go back, Jack, do it again
Now you swear and kick and beg us
That you’re not a gamblin’ man
Then you find you’re back in Vegas
With a handle in your hand
Your black cards can make you money
So you hide them when you’re able
In the land of milk and honey
You must put them on the table
You go back, Jack, do it again
Wheel turnin’ ’round and ’round
You go back, Jack, do it again
To listen to other songs from the Teleskop 17 program and the full program, click here.