Origin: Do It Again (Steely Dan)

Subject: RE: Origin of 'Do It Again' - Steely Dan
From: GUEST,Ninja Bob
Date: 24 Mar 10 - 09:04 AM

This song is nothing but a plot synopsis of the 1961 western movie "One Eyed Jacks" starring Marlon Brando and Karl Mauldin.Every line in the song is something that happens in the movie.

Subject: RE: Origin of 'Do It Again' - Steely Dan
From: GUEST,Q
Date: 02 May 03 - 05:50 AM

Roll Me Over, in the clover,
Roll me over, lay me down and do it again!

Subject: RE: Origin of 'Do It Again' - Steely Dan
From: Muskrat
Date: 01 May 03 - 11:35 PM

This isn't going to be too much help; in fact, it ob fuscates matters.

According to ASCAP, which determines where the money goes, Donald and Walter wrote "Do It Again."

But that doesn't mean that they wrote it. It may just mean that they claimed it, a la Alan Lomax and the Kingston Trio (among many others).

Ah, well. The search continues...

Subject: RE: Origin of 'Do It Again' - Steely Dan
From: Charley Noble
Date: 01 May 03 - 08:29 AM

Hmmm! But the phrase "do it again" does remind me of the old bawdy song chorus which runs:

For a sheepskin she'll do it, she'll do it;
And for a sheepskin she'll do it again,
And for a cow's horn she'll do it at mourn,
And merrily turn and do it again.

But this is probably inappropriate thread creepage.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Origin of 'Do It Again' - Steely Dan
From: mexican
Date: 30 Apr 03 - 11:32 AM

It sounds exactly the same as Childhoods End by Pink Floyd from the soundtrack Album OBSCURED BY CLOUDS which came out before Steely's first - Brilliant!!! - offering.

Subject: RE: Origin of 'Do It Again' - Steely Dan
From: 12-stringer
Date: 15 Mar 03 - 04:14 PM

The song is written by Becker and Fagen, of course.

On the vinyl jacket, the back cover has a listing of song titles, with ID of the featured soloists in each. Each song also gets a capsule description. Judge for yourself whether these comments are to be construed as CC or attributions:

DO IT AGAIN
Traditional

DIRTY WORK
How's my little girl?

KINGS
No political significance

MIDNIGHT CRUISER
The cruiser and his cronie [sic] out for a last fling

ONLY A FOOL WOULD SAY THAT
A message cha-cha

REELIN' IN THE YEARS
How's my little girl?

FIRE IN THE HOLE
How's my little girl?

BROOKLYN (OWES THE CHARMER UNDER ME)
President Street Pete is the beneficiary here

CHANGE OF THE GUARD
Remember this one from college?

TURN THAT HEARTBEAT OVER AGAIN
A solemn prayer for peace

The lyrics sheet is inside the double-fold jacket and identifies all songs as written by W Becker and D Fagen. Really, who else does it sound like?

Subject: RE: Origin of 'Do It Again' - Steely Dan
From: Mugwump
Date: 15 Mar 03 - 04:37 AM

please does anyone know the origin!!!

Subject: RE: Origin of 'Do It Again' - Steely Dan
From: melodeon king
Date: 15 Mar 03 - 04:35 AM

It's definitely a traditional song, but I think it's Irish

Subject: RE: Origin of 'Do It Again' - Steely Dan
From: Sliding Down The Bannister At My Auntie's House
Date: 15 Mar 03 - 03:59 AM

Not a very funny joke!
I'm sure the Perfoming Rights & Music Copywright organisations would not understand it. I certainly don't get the punch line.

Alyhough SD have updated the lyrics, I'm sure that the song is based on an old english folk song that I heard in St Martins In The Fields folk club in the late sixties.

Subject: RE: Origin of 'Do It Again' - Steely Dan
From: michaelr
Date: 14 Mar 03 - 03:26 PM

I still say it's a joke, or hoax. The song does not sound trad according to any tradition I'm familiar with.

Cheers,
Michael

Subject: RE: Origin of 'Do It Again' - Steely Dan
From: JohnnyBeezer
Date: 14 Mar 03 - 11:21 AM

Yes, GUEST, I remember hearing this song in a village pub just before the Great War. No, wait a minute.....Nurse the pills!!!
Shalom
Johnny N

Subject: RE: Origin of 'Do It Again' - Steely Dan
From: GUEST
Date: 14 Mar 03 - 11:07 AM

I can assure you michaelr that it says traditional on the CD also on the original vynil that I bought in the early '70's I think this is more reliable than a fan site.

Subject: RE: Origin of 'Do It Again' - Steely Dan
From: Dave Bryant
Date: 13 Mar 03 - 12:09 PM

There is a Music Hall song called: Don't do it again, Matilda.

Subject: RE: Origin of 'Do It Again' - Steely Dan
From: Willie-O
Date: 13 Mar 03 - 08:17 AM

Well let's see... there's a murder, a hangman, a two-timin woman, and a ramblin gamblin cardshark...yep, it's traditional alright.

W-O

Subject: Lyr Add: DO IT AGAIN (Steely Dan)
From: michaelr
Date: 12 Mar 03 - 07:54 PM

Does it really say that? Gotta be a joke! According to
this fan site, music and lyrics are, as usual with the Dan, by Donald Fagen and Walter Becker.

DO IT AGAIN

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

CHORUS:
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

CHORUS

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

CHORUS

Cheers,
Michael

Subject: Origin of 'Do It Again' - Steely Dan
From: GUEST,Charles Atlas
Date: 12 Mar 03 - 06:47 PM

On the album "Can't Buy A Thrill" the song "Do It Again" is credited to TRADITIONAL - is it? If so does anybody know the traditional version?