<Tr> <Th> Songwriter (s) </Th> <Td> Donald Fagen and Walter Becker </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Producer (s) </Th> <Td> Gary Katz </Td> </Tr> <P> "Dirty Work" is a song written by Donald Fagen and Walter Becker that was first released on Steely Dan's debut album Can't Buy a Thrill in 1972 . It was also recorded by other artists, including the Pointer Sisters, Iain Matthews, and Melissa Manchester . </P> <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>

Who sings i don't want to do your dirty work