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This was the breakout hit from Steely Dan's first album. Like many of their songs, it's hard to make sense of the lyrics, which seem to be about some combination of addiction, second chances and the inevitability of fate.

The instrument used on the first instrumental break is an electric sitar. This is followed by an organ solo. (thanks, stewart - dundee, Scotland)

Jeff "Skunk" Baxter, guitarist on the Dan's first album, joined the Doobie Brothers in 1975. Denny Dias, who played lead guitar on this album, is now a computer programmer. (thanks, Charles - Charlotte, NC, for above 3)

Baxter continues to be active as a musician and has for many years been a consultant in the audio industry. He has also leant his technical expertise to the defense industry. (thanks, Richard - Los Angeles, CA)

This song is described as "Trad." (meaning "traditional," like many Folk songs) in the album credits. This is a fairly typical Donald Fagen/Walter Becker prank. (thanks, Michael - Somerville, MA)

Waylon Jennings, Falco, Tori Amos and Smash Mouth have all covered this song.

Comments:

guess it goes to show what the desert can do to you! Spend some time there, 120 degree heat, nights filled with visions, and whatever else you need to feel you are alive!
- gary, denver, CO

Kyle from Kansas city, that is a spectacular analysis of the song. It makes alot of sense though. I had a more vague, simplistic explanation, but you actually cited specific word usage like the water, which actually give more depth to the meaning. I always thought it was something like this: first theme: guilt (not paying the consequences for your crimes/actions, ill fated compulsiveness, getting off the hook - not necessarily relating to murder, but any act which my confer guilt; the border/lynch mob/hangman theme could be a composite metaphor for one's conscious torturing him, but since the hangman isn't hanging, the mind dismisses/rationalizes the whole thing, perhaps by sinister internal dialogue) second theme: dignity (lack of self confidence, compromise of self worth/self image/pseudo masochism/short changing oneself, allowing oneself to be abused by a second party) third theme: vice/addiction/obsession/compulsion (being out of control - not necessarily as related to a gambling problem, rat race, ends justifies means, indescriminate opportunism, failure to restrain compulsive tendencies, gross mismanagement of resources) I think that its no coincidence that the (relative) protangonist in the first theme (guy who gets gunned down) is a mirror of the antagonist in the last theme (the desperate gambler, for whom the consideration of petty theft would not be an inconceivable option when he runs out of money (hence, stealing someone elses water/small change). That would certainly tie the first and last themes, thematically consistent with the overall cyclic tone of the song.
- Kaleo, Los Angeles, CA

Quite simply its about the seductive power of addiction.The song also features two lengthy solos
- Dan, Winthrop, MA

I think it's about a border coyote/smuggler. Has money and is addicted to gambling and kills without repentance, is frequently in tangles withthe law, like a border mafia. Or something.
- Ian, Paddock Lake, WI

There's are so many alternative views and many levels to this song, that's why it resonates with so many has so many interpretations that make sense and so filled with such irony - the basic identity of the song is the patterns we are all caught up in and how that's an essential aspect of life - the willingness to get up and do it again is considered a virtue in most circumstances - in fact sometimes the only thing we can do if we are to continue living - gamblin' being just a extreme metaphor for how uncertain life is and we are all caught up in the game. The wheel turning round and round is the world itself and it keeps doing so no matter what we do. And how can we walk away? We all go back and do it again every single day of lives - at work, in love, in our hopes - at once absurd and yet exhibiting a raw courage and a desperate hope - both hope and courage are, ironically, sustained by denial of experience.
- Marcus, Alexandria, VA

Kyle , from Kansas , I believe you are 100% correct about this , well put ! I couldn't have said it all any better.
- Shauna, Seattle, WA

Because of its rythm and blues roots it can be related to white men killing black men, especialy in the days of segregation in the USA, because in the first verse it´s about a man (presumably a white man) with a gun protecting his property and another stealing his water(a black poor man?).then he kills him and goes on the run but is caught on the border(mexico?) but not put on trial,he´s back on the streets to kill again .then the rest is even more hard to make any sense out of it. it can also be about a loser addicted to gambling, but in that sense it would be more symbolical. even so I think it´s about life and it´s different counteracting circumstances and its vicious circles.
- george, san nicolas ARUBA, Other

I think this song is just about a loser addicted to gambling (the wheel could be a roulette wheel) and he's squandering his money for card games. Terrific song though. Love the electric sitar solo! The Dan have to be one of the greatest bands (if not cults) ever.
- John Settle, Wakefield, England

AH-I LOVE THE AFRO-LATIN RYTHEM!
- Andrew, L.A., CA

This song is essentially Buddhist in it's view, in that it's about the difficulty of completing a righteous life, of attaining enlightenment and moving on after death to Nirvana. Those who don't can't escape the Mandala, the Wheel of Life, they return to the mortal world to try to get it right another time. They keep screwing up, and at the end, Wheel turning 'round and 'round, they go back, Jack, do it again...
- Julian, Minneapolis, MN

This song was used in a few movies that came out in the 90's. One was in the Movie "Air America" starring Mel Gibson and Robert Downey Jr. Which dosen't make sense considering the movie was set in 1969 and the song was not made until 1972.
- Chuck, Houston, TX

Actually Fagen and Becker's first release was for a low budget thriller in 1971 called You Gotta Walk It Like You Talk It. Be safe, Gary
- Gary, Seattle, WA

Comedian Steve Martin played banjo on the bridge in this song.
- Jay, Atlanta, GA

Ok... my ma always told me the first lyric was about a girl getting pregnant. (the man who stole your water) The rest man..... maybe just about how you can't resist some things/how gullible you are to keep doing it again.
- Tye, Edmond, OK

Hmm, I'm pretty sure this is a song about a murderer being let out of prison only to murder someone else. It was a real life story Steely Dan picked up from the papers and penned a song out to it.
- Elizabeth, Miami, FL

This song was used as the opening theme to the 2003 NBC Drama 'Kingpin', about a Mexican crime family and their journey to reach the top of a billion dollar drug empire. The critically acclaimed show only lasted one season. I loved the show and having this song as an opener really set the tone.
- , New York, NY

A brilliant song. Lyrically genious combined with awesome guitar and keyboard work.
- Kyle, Huntington, NY

Kyle from Kansas, that is awesome. I've always thought those same things about this song (there's a public education doing its work...I can't not analyze=P) and it's good to see someone agrees.
- John, Millersville, MD

Yea.... its about a uy with a gambling problem.... NOTHING ELSE!!!!
- mitch, new york, NY

I'm pretty sure, (although the irony reference has a certain amount of truth to it, definately), the whole song is actually about the falseness of life in L.A. The 'Land of Milk and Honey' is not a reference to Heaven, but probably to California. 'Do It Again' I think is probably just a reference to the mundane and wholly 'plastic' and fake way of life that Fagen's describing
- Liam, Liverpool, England

Im sure im probably wrong on this one but i have always thought the song was about an illegal immigrant "And you fire till he is done in but they catch you at the border" "But the hangman isn't hangin' so they put you on the street" "You go back, Jack, do it again"
- kyle, Kansas city, KS

Here is a more precise in depth translation of every line in the song. The first verse's theme is irony. The guy gets his water stolen (critical that it's WATER being stolen, the most abundant resource there is) and shoots the guy who stole it. This is a very harsh and irrational decision... The cops catch him at the border and bring him to justice. He gets his trial and all those who love and miss the dead guy are singing, cause they guy is being brough to justice. However, since he only shot the man due to him being a thief, "the hangman" (a metaphor for the justice system as a whole) isn't hanging, and they put him on the street. A man commits such a petty crime like stealing water, and pays for it with his life; another man shoots a man and goes free. Irony. The second verse is about discord in relationships. The guy finds out his girl "is no high climber" (doesn't have high standards) and finds his best (only!) friend in a room with his girl, having an affair. He lost his only friend and his girl, and he's sure he's near the end (of his rope? patience? sanity?) He rebounds with a girl who is very high maintenance. She goes crazy with him and his belongings, when in the end she's only using him. She doesn't give him what he wants (a relationship here, not sex) yet he keeps getting strung along and playing into her game (all the time you know she's smiling)... in the end, she will betray him just like the first girl did (you'll be on your knees tomorrow) The third verse is about the "bad guys" in the world. Gambling is used as a metaphor here. You swear and kick and beg us that you're not a (lying/manipulative/cheating/etc.) man, then you find you're back in Vegas with a handle in your hand. This basically says that all people have some elements of "darker natures" in them, or some form of a vice, and as much as they deny it, it is still there and they are still a slave to it "Black cards" refer to all the sins and "dark talents" you may have -- abilities you have which can get you an unfair advantage over others... However, in the Land of Milk and Honey (a common term used for Heaven) you will be judged on them. All three verses share a common theme of things repeating themself. Crime perpetuates in the first verse, a man's unlucky streak with love in the second, and cheating/vindication in the third (as a man will cheat, but then be cheated at the Pearly Gates). However, as all three verses hint, there is nothing we can do about it; the first verse, the guy gets off due to a legal loophole; the second verse, the guy is doomed to live a loveless life; and in the third verse, you may swear you have no vices, but in reality, you're "back in Vegas with that handle in your hand." What else would we expect, though, with a song titled "Do It Again?" History repeats itself. Bottom line. =)
- kyle, Kansas city, KS

well it makes sense to be about gambling then. to go back and do something insanely again and again expecting a different result. thats like gambling.
- Jeanette, Irvine, CA

Good point Jay (NYC)! Actually a quote of Einsteins is: "Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results" (or something close to that). This song has one of the best intro's ever and it means to me being intrigued, obsessive or addicted to that which is dangerously questionable. Curiosity killed the cat syndrome...so to speak.
- Scott, Columbus, OH

What a great song with such cool lyrics
- kevin, Carteret, NJ

I've always liked the lines "Then you loved a little wild one, but she brings you only sorrow All the time you know she's smiling You'll be on your knees tomorrow" Who among us hasn't loved someone that you KNEW would only break your heart. I might be wrong with the lyrics and he's talking about cards or something
- seth, Toronto, Canada

Jeff Baxter got the nickname "skunk" because he farted a lot.
- Martijn, Helmond, Netherlands

Well, if you look at the facts, Jax, John has the "feeling" for the song correct, as an obsession can be very detrimental to one's well being. There's a term for something we do, always expecting a different outcome...mmm... irrational thinking, bordering on insanity...
- Jay Wm., NYC, NY

Ivy is correct Windle. Listen closer next time.
- John, Wilmington, NC

Actually, Ivy's correct about the lyric. In fact, this is one of my favorite rhymes: "beg us" and "Vegas"
- Jack, Boston, MA

to ivy in los angeles....the lyric is "So you swear your kicking vegas and your not a gambling man.
- windle, montgomery, AL

I think this song is more about people who don't learn lessons the first time around and therefore keep doing things even when they know that the outcome won't be to his/her benefit.
- John, Wilmington, NC

A song about compulsive gambling. "Now you swear and kick and beg us that you're not a gambling man but you find you're back in Vegas with a handle in your hand...." also the reference to the black cards, and the wheel spinning round and round, referring to the roulette wheel
- Ivy, Los Angeles, CA

Donald Fagen used a primitive keyboard called a plastic organ for his solo.
- John, Boca Raton, FL