Do It Again

By "Steely Dan"

From the LP-Can't Buy a Thrill 1972

Written By: Donald Fagen & Walter Becker

Steely Dan:
Donald Fagen-Vocals, Keyboard
Denny Dias-Lead Guitar
Jeff Baxter-Guitar
Walter Becker-Bass
Victor Feldman-Percussion
Jim Hodder-Drums

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 singin'
As they drag you by your feet
But the hangman isn't hangin'
And they put you on the street, yeah


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, yeah


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, yeah


You go back, Jack do it again
Wheel turnin' 'round and 'round
You go back, Jack do it again

``Do It Again'' was the first single ever released by the jazz-rock group known as Steely Dan. The song comes from their 1972 debut album ``Can't Buy A Thrill.'' The single version and album version are very different. The single is edited down for radio airplay with a shorter intro/outro and two shorter instrumental sections. ``Do It Again'' peaked on the U.S. charts at number 6 in 1973. The song also reached number 39 on the U.K. charts. This was Steely Dan's breakthrough hit, putting them on the map in both the U.S. and U.K.

William Becker and Donald Fagan are well known for writing provocative lyrics that deal with controversial themes. Due to this reputation, many fans look deeply into the meaning of Steely Dan's lyrics. While this works for certain songs, ``Do It Again'' is not one of those songs. The general belief is that the lyrics, which touch upon an old time western scene, infidelity, abuse of trust, and gambling, are merely metaphoric scenarios used to describe man's complete failure to learn from past mistakes.

This general ineptitude is examined in each example. Overwhelming guilt plagues the subject of the first example. He apparently received a very lucky break with a much-needed second chance. However, he will most likely fall right into the same trap, making the same type of mistakes, acting on the same impulses without thinking of the consequences, and finding himself once again with the deck stacked against them.

The second example used in the song deals with being used by a two timing woman. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.

The third scenario describes an apparent gambling problem, which represents the vices, addictions, and compulsive tendencies that someone is most likely to repeat over and over again, regardless of the trouble that they bring to themselves and their loved ones.

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"Hold on to what is good 
even if it is a handful of earth. 
Hold on to what you believe 
even if it is a tree which stands by itself. 
Hold on to what you must do 
even it is a long way from here. 
Hold on to life 
even when it is easier letting go. 
Hold on to my hand 
even when I have gone away from you." 

— Native American Prayer