The album was originally released in two-channel Stereo and also in a special four-channel Quadrophonic mix. There are some significant musical differences between the two mixes, such as extra lead guitar fills in the Quad mix of Reelin’ in the Years.
The album cover features a line of prostitutes standing in a red light area waiting for clients, an image which was chosen because of its relevance to the album title. The title is taken from a line from Bob Dylan’s song “It Takes a Lot to Laugh, It Takes a Train to Cry”.
Do It Again
Steely Dan Lyrics
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And you fire 'til 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
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
The lyrics to Steely Dan's "Do It Again" paint a vivid picture of a person caught in a cycle of repeating their mistakes. The first verse describes someone seeking revenge against a man who stole their water, but they end up getting caught and killed. The mourners sing as the person is dragged away, but the hangman doesn't follow through, leaving the person to face the consequences of their actions in the streets. The chorus, "You go back, Jack, do it again, wheel turnin' 'round and 'round," emphasizes the cyclical nature of their behavior and their inability to break free from it.
The second verse introduces a new scenario, where the person enters a room and finds their lover with someone else. Despite this, they continue to pursue relationships that only bring them sorrow. The line "all the time you know she's smilin' you'll be on your knees tomorrow" suggests that they know deep down that they will be hurt by this person, but they continue to chase after them anyway. In the chorus, they are urged to "do it again," continuing the cycle.
The final verse introduces gambling as another symptom of their addictive behavior. They try to convince others that they aren't a "gamblin' man," but end up back in Vegas with a handle in their hand. They hide their black cards (a reference to high-value playing cards) when they're able, suggesting that they're ashamed of their actions. But in a place where money flows freely, they can't resist putting their cards on the table, continuing the cycle once again.
Overall, the lyrics to "Do It Again" paint a bleak picture of someone caught in a cycle of destructive behavior, unable to break free from it. Despite their best efforts to escape, they keep winding up in the same situations, repeating the same mistakes over and over again.
Line by Line Meaning
In the mornin' you go gunnin' for the man who stole your water
In the morning, you seek revenge on the person who stole your valuable resource.
And you fire 'til he is done in but they catch you at the border
Although you may succeed in taking down the thief, you will eventually be caught and punished for your actions.
And the mourners are all singin' as they drag you by your feet
As you are taken away, the people around you mockingly sing and celebrate your downfall.
But the hangman isn't hangin' and they put you on the street
Despite the crowd's desire for punishment, you are instead released back onto the streets to continue your actions.
You go back, Jack, do it again, wheel turnin' 'round and 'round
Despite the potential consequences, you continue your cycle of seeking revenge and repeating your actions.
When you know she's no high climber then you find your only friend
When you are in a tough situation, you latch onto anyone who shows you kindness or support, even if they may not be the best company.
In a room with your two-timer, and you're sure you're near the end
You find yourself in a situation where you are being deceived and may suffer the consequences for your actions or naivety.
Then you love a little wild one and she brings you only sorrow
You become involved with someone who brings excitement but ultimately causes you pain or hardship.
All the time you know she's smilin' you'll be on your knees tomorrow, yeah
Despite being aware of the consequences, you continue to be drawn to someone who will cause you pain or difficulty in the future.
Now you swear and kick and beg us that you're not a gamblin' man
You attempt to claim that you are not someone who takes risks or indulges in dangerous behavior.
Then you find you're back in Vegas with a handle in your hand
Despite your protestations, you find yourself returning to a place of risk and temptation.
Your black cards can make you money so you hide them when you're able
You have access to resources that are valuable but that you feel ashamed of or need to keep hidden.
In the land of milk and honey, you must put them on the table, yeah
In a place of abundance and opportunity, you feel compelled to reveal your hidden resources to try and gain more of what you desire.
You go back, Jack, do it again, wheel turnin' 'round and 'round
Despite knowing the potential risks and consequences, you continue to engage in risky and harmful behavior.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network
Written by: Donald Jay Fagen, Walter Carl Becker, Donald Fagen
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind