‘Do It Again’ by STEELY DAN The duo’s debut single released
50 years ago next November. Score: #6 in the US and Canada.
The song was credited on the sleeve as a traditional
song even though it was written by Becker/Fagen.
Fagan said: “You should never believe anything it ever says
on a Steely Dan record. It’s mostly a bunch of lies and bullshit
that we write just to confuse the listener.”
The lyrics are sung to a man who is addicted to nightlife. His addictions
include sex (hence a prostitute’s street on the front sleeve) and gambling.
The narrator describes the man’s addictions and the consequences of his
actions but emphasizes that he goes “back, Jack, do it again“, implying
that it is an addiction.
In the mornin’ you go gunnin’ for the man who stole your water
And you fire ’til he is done in but they catch you at the border
And the mourners are all singin’ 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
Back in 2001 New York legends STEELY DAN (Walter Becker (RIP)
and now 74-year-old Donald Fagen) recorded JONI MITCHELL‘s 1971
song CAREY for a tribute album to the singer-songwriter heroine (also
including Prince and Bjôrk among others).
The tribute wasn’t released until 2007, but without Steely Dan‘s cover.
Nobody knew where the track was archived. But a couple of days ago
a DJ named Steve Acri played the track on Pittsburgh Freeform radio. No
further details so far.
Anyway, the song found its way to the Internet via The Dan Vault (a fanatic Steely Dan fan looking for
and posting rare SD material).
Holly came from Miami, F.L.A.
Hitch-hiked her way across the U.S.A.
Plucked her eyebrows on the way
Shaved her legs and then he was a she
She says, “Hey, babe
Take a walk on the wild side”
Said, “Hey, honey
Take a walk on the wild side”
Give Ireland back to the Irish
Don’t make them have to get it
Give Ireland back to the Irish
Still makes Ireland Irish today
Great Britain, you are enormous
And nobody knows that better than me.
But really, what are you doing there?
In that land over the sea?
Tell me how you think
When you on your way to work
Would you be stopped by Irish soldiers?
Would you lie down and do nothing?
Would you give in or go mad?
Golden Nose Slim Golden Nose Slim
I know’s where you’ve been
Purple Pie Pete Purple Pie Pete
Your lips are like lightning
Girls melt in the heat
Telegram Sam
You’re my main man
It’s been a long time since I rock and rolled
It’s been a long time since I did the stroll
Ooh let me get it back, let me get it back
Let me get it back, baby, where I come from
There’s a starman waiting in the sky
He’d like to come and meet us
But he thinks he’d blow our minds
There’s a starman waiting in the sky
He’s told us not to blow it
‘Cause he knows it’s all worthwhile
He told me
Let the children lose it
Let the children use it
Let all the children boogie
We all came out to Montreux
On the Lake Geneva shoreline
To make records with a mobile
We didn’t have much time
Frank Zappa and the Mothers
Were at the best place around
But some stupid with a flare gun
Burned the place to the ground
Smoke on the water
A fire in the sky
Smoke on the water
I don’t want to drink my whisky like you do
I don’t need to spend my money but still do
Don’t stop now a c-‘mon
Another drop now c-‘mon
I wanna lot now so c-‘mon
That’s right, that’s right
I said Mama but we’re all crazy now
I said Mama but we’re all crazy now
Mmm yeah!
Women think I’m tasty, but they’re always tryin’ to waste me
Make me burn the candle right down
But, baby, baby, don’t need no jewels in my crown
In the mornin’ you go gunnin’ for the man who stole your water
And you fire ’til he is done in but they catch you at the border
And the mourners are all singin’ 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
Band: STEELY DAN
Walter Becker and Donald Fagen
(Annandale-on-Hudson, New York) Album: THE ROYAL SCAM Released: 31 May 1976
Artwork: The cover was created from a painting by American
painter Larry Zox and a photograph by Charlie Ganse, and was
originally made for Van Morrison‘s unreleased 1975 LP, Mechanical
Bliss, the concept being a satire of the American Dream.
AllMusic: The Royal Scam is the first Steely Dan record that
doesn’t exhibit significant musical progress from its predecessor?
not only are the lyrics bitter and snide, but the music is terse, broken,
and weary… The best songs on The Royal Scam, like the sneering “Kid
Charlemagne” and “Sign in Stranger,” rank as genuine Steely Dan
classics. Score: 4.5/5.
Turn Up The Volume: Sounds like the Eagles produced
this electrical and orchestral Motown soul LP. Music for
a cozy night at home.
Every week Turn Up The Volume jumps into the past! Relive 25 Crackers and 3 Top Longplayers per year/per week. Let’s start with the star-studded year of 1975
TURN UP THE VOLUME 