"Do It Again" is a song by American jazz-rock group Steely Dan, which was released as a single from their debut 1972 album Can't Buy a Thrill. The single version differed from the album version, shortening the intro, outro and two instrumental sections of the song.
Released in 1972, the song debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 on November 18, 1972, and reached number 6 on the US charts in 1973, making it Steely Dan's second highest charting single.[1]
On the 1972 release, the song was credited as "Trad" (for traditional), although it was actually written by Walter Becker and Donald Fagen.[2]
It was also included in the 2008 video game Guitar Hero World Tour.
Contents[]
Lyrics[edit][]
The lyrics are sung to a man who is addicted to nightlife. His addictions include sex and gambling. The narrator describes the realities of 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.
Structure[edit][]
The original version of "Do It Again" is in the key of G minor, with Donald Fagen on lead vocals. The song uses a large amount of syncopation in the vocal melody, not particularly common in rock music of the time.
The tune features an electric sitar solo by Denny Dias. The "plastic organ" solo by Donald Fagen was performed on a Yamaha YC-30 with a sliding pitch-blending control.[3]
Credits[edit][]
- Donald Fagen- Electric Piano, Organ and Vocals
- Walter Becker- Bass Guitar
- Denny Dias- Electric Sitar
- Jeff Baxter- Guitar
- Jim Hodder- Drums
- Victor Feldman- Percussion
Cover versions[edit][]
- The Brazilian funk jazz instrumentalist Eumir Deodato recorded an extensive funk jazz orchestration on the 1973 concert recording Live at Felt Forum: The 2001 Concert. He has covered the song on numerous occasions in the studio and live. A Deodato hit collection released in 2007 bears the title Do it Again.
- Waylon Jennings recorded a cover of this song in 1980 on his album Music Man. Played at a faster pace, Waylon's version of the song is shorter than the original. This version also features his distinctive guitar solo in the middle of the song.
- In 1983, Italian dance music act Clubhouse released "Do It Again / Billie Jean", a mashup/medley of the track with Michael Jackson's (then recent) hit. This charted well across Europe. In the United States, while the Clubhouse version performed best in pop markets, a cover version by Slingshot performed better in R&B and dance markets. Another version of the same medley was made in that year by Brooklyn Express, a disco group from New York.
- In 1983 Italo disco act Asso covered the track on a 12" including B Side "Don't Stop" .
- Austrian pop star Falco covered the song on his 1988 album Wiener Blut.
- Art of Noise sampled the song for their version of Prince's "Kiss" with Tom Jones in 1988.
- The disco-funk orchestra Rhythm Heritage covered the song, coupling it with War's "Cisco Kid".
- A short lived funk/alternative band, The Organization, composed of all former Death Angel members, less Mark Osegueda, covered this song on their 1995 album Savor The Flavor.
- In 1997, Paul Hardcastle offered his version from the album Cover to Cover.[4]
- Latin urban group Kumbia Kings released a Spanish-language rendition of the song, entitled "Ella Sabe" ("She Knows") on their 2004 album, Fuego.
- The electro-Latin 2007 release Bossa Nova Is Not A Crime by The Juju Orchestra features a cover with Carolyn Leonhart and Robert Smith on vocals.
- Alternative rock band Smash Mouth covered the song in 2000 for the Jim Carrey film Me, Myself & Irene. The song is played during the end credits of the film.
- Soul singer Ronnie Jones included the song on his album Again (2006).
- American musician Tori Amos covered the song in 1998 during the recording sessions for her fourth album, From the Choirgirl Hotel. The song can be found on the UK edition of the single "Spark".
- The Jamaican band The Jolly Boys recorded a mento style cover of "Do It Again" on their 2010 album Great Expectations.
- Swedish singer/songwriters Sara Isaksson and Rebecka Törnqvist, on their album Fire in the Hole - Sara Isaksson and Rebecka Törnqvist sing Steely Dan (2006, Moule Records).
- 1970s funk group Deep Heat released a cover of the song backed with the track "She's A Junkie (Who's The Blame)" on the Cu Wu record label.[5]
Sampled by[edit][]
- Reggae fusion band Sublime in their cover of Peter Tosh's "Steppin' Razor" on their album Robbin' the Hood
- Cumbia group A.B. Quintanilla Y Los Kumbia Kings in the song "Ella Sabe" on their album Fuego.