<P> Steely Dan FAQ author Anthony Robustelli describes "Dirty Work" as a "song of self - loathing ." The lyrics describe an affair between a man and a married woman, sung by the man . The Guardian describes the narrative as soap operatic . The singer recognizes that the woman is using him but is too infatuated to end the affair . The lyrics make an oblique reference to the game of chess, which was a hobby of Becker's . Several critics have described the music of "Dirty Work" as more commercial - sounding than most Steely Dan songs . The Guardian says that it sounds like "a radio - friendly stroll of a song," at least at first . Allmusic critic Stewart Mason attributes this in part to the "upward - modulating" refrain and "soulful" clavinet, as well as the tenor saxophone part played by guest musician Jerome Richardson . Steely Dan biographer Brian Sweet describes Richardson's sax solo as being "perfectly understated ." </P> <P> "Dirty Work" is one of the songs on Can't Buy a Thrill on which David Palmer provided the lead vocal . Steely Dan biographer Brian Sweet hypothesizes that Fagen did not want to sing the song himself because he and Becker did not even want to include it on the album . But the executives at ABC Records wanted some more conventional tunes on the album and so they insisted that "Dirty Work" be included . The ABC executives had also thought the song would be ideal for Three Dog Night or The Grass Roots to record . After Palmer left the group, Steely Dan ceased playing the song live in concert, but revived it in 2006 with their female backing vocalists singing it and the perspective changed to that of a woman having an affair with a married (or attached) man . </P> <Ul> <Li> Donald Fagen--Wurlitzer electric piano, plastic (YC - 30) organ, and backup vocals </Li> <Li> Denny Dias--acoustic guitar </Li> <Li> Jeff Baxter--electric guitar </Li> <Li> Walter Becker--bass guitar, backup vocals </Li> <Li> Jim Hodder--drums, backup vocals </Li> <Li> David Palmer--lead vocals </Li> <Li> Jerome Richardson--tenor saxophone </Li> <Li> Snooky Young--flugelhorn </Li> </Ul> <Li> Donald Fagen--Wurlitzer electric piano, plastic (YC - 30) organ, and backup vocals </Li>

Who sings vocals on dirty work by steely dan