Dirty Work Lyrics

Lyric discussion by WritingIsMyReligion 

Cover art for Dirty Work lyrics by Steely Dan

Quite obviously this is a gorgeous bit about a "back-door man" who is aware every moment of how he is being used, and yet submits to this strange woman's every will.

I agree. The guy fully realizes he's playing second fiddle to her husband/boyfriend but for one reason or another cannot turn her sexual requests down even knowing sooner or later that he will probably get caught or tossed aside when she is is bored with him. David Palmer does a wonderful job; haven't heard any of the other vocalists quite catch the bittersweet soulfulness of the song.