This song came off the Can’t Buy a Thrill album. It’s a song about an affair from the man’s point of view. The song is well known but it did not chart and I will add that I am surprised. I have double checked the charts… Donald Fagen and Walter Becker wrote the song and it was sung by David Palmer.
Becker and Fagen debated leaving the song on the album. It has since also recorded by other artists, including The Pointer Sisters, Iain Matthews, and Melissa Manchester.
David Palmer has recently sued Steely Dan in 2014 for digital royalties.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dirty_Work_(Steely_Dan_song)
Dirty Work
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 lovin’
Cause your man is out of town
That’s the time you get me runnin’
And you know I’ll be around
I’m a fool to do your dirty work
Oh yeah
I don’t want to 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 want to do your dirty work
No more
I’m a fool to do your dirty work
Oh yeah
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The song sounds a lot like the band Bread. It’s much different from the other songs they did.
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It’s more commercial
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This may be the only Steely Dan song I like. It’s nice. I know they are a loved band, but their music that actually sounds like them isn’t my taste.
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This is the most commercial thing they ever did…them guys lived in a studio. Their stuff is a little too slick for me…over produced.
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I’m shocked it didn’t chart. Love love love the voice and the melody on this one. Steely Dan is one of my favorites.
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That is why I checked it twice to make sure. I couldn’t believe it.
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A great song, I grew up hearing a version by a Canadian-ish band Songbird from 1973, which was a hit in Canada (although i can find barely any info on its chart history or the band itself) and was surprised to years later find it was a Steely Dan tune. the band Songbird, near as I can tell, was a precursor to Heart, American musicians working out of Vancouver before Ann and Nancy joined in.
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I have heard that one! I knew I heard another version of it before and that is the one… when I don’t know… I can’t believe Steely Dan’s didn’t chart.
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yes, quite surprising. Glad it’s on their various “best of ” compilations
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