Dirty Work

This song is about a guy who is being used for sex by a wealthy married woman who has no intention of keeping him around. His clandestine visits make him feel dirty, but he does it nonetheless. Steely Dan called their music "smart rock," and this song is a great example why. In just over three minutes, it conveys a feeling of helplessness as the guy feels dirty and used even though he's getting commitment-free sex, something to be celebrated in most "dumb rock."

If you didn't peg this as a Steely Dan song when you first heard it, you're to be forgiven. The lead vocal is by David Palmer, whom group leaders Donald Fagen and Walter Becker brought in midway through making the album. He sang lead on just two Steely Dan songs: "Dirty Work" and "Brooklyn (Owes the Charmer Under Me)." On most of their later work, Fagen handles the lead vocals.

"Dirty Work" wasn't released as a single, but endured as a favorite on soft rock radio. It was part of Steely Dan's first album, Can't Buy A Thrill, whose two singles were "Do It Again" and "Reelin' In The Years."