Do It Again

The Zoo Crew is spinning "Do It Again" by Steely Dan, a standout track from their 1972 debut album Can't Buy a Thrill, and the Zoo Freaks are surely grooving to its infectious Latin jazz beat. This song, one of Steely Dan's first hits, reached No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100, showcasing the band's knack for blending sophisticated musicianship with catchy hooks. A fascinating piece of trivia is the use of an electric sitar, played by band member Denny Dias, during the song's first instrumental break, adding a distinctive texture that sets it apart from typical rock tracks of the era. This performance was notably featured when Steely Dan played "Do It Again" on The Midnight Special in February 1973, with David Palmer taking lead vocals for the live show, though Donald Fagen's voice graces the album version. The song's lyrics, laced with sardonic wit, paint a vivid picture of a wayward soul caught in cycles of vice, a hallmark of Steely Dan's cryptic storytelling that invites fans to decode its deeper meanings.

Another layer of intrigue comes from the song's cultural impact, as seen in social media posts over the years. For instance, a 2021 post on X from @carlquintanilla quoted the late Walter Becker, highlighting the band's aim for a "forward rush of jazz" in their music, perfectly embodied by "Do It Again." The song's resurgence among younger audiences is notable too, with its use in modern media like HBO's Euphoria sparking viral moments on platforms like TikTok, where its upbeat vibe contrasts with the ironic bite of its lyrics. Fans on r/SteelyDan often discuss how the track's polished production and groove make it a gateway to the band's catalog, with some citing its "tight/feel/funk" as unmatched, as noted in a 2012 post on Mod Wiggler. This blend of accessibility and complexity has kept "Do It Again" a staple for both casual listeners and diehard Dan fans.

Steely Dan, the brainchild of Walter Becker and Donald Fagen, began in 1971 at Bard College in Annandale-on-Hudson, New York, where the two met in 1967. Fagen, passing by a campus café, heard Becker practicing electric guitar and was struck by his professional sound, sparking a partnership rooted in their shared love for jazz, blues, and eclectic influences like W.C. Fields and Kurt Vonnegut. After college, they moved to New York City in 1969, working as staff songwriters for ABC Records and touring as backing musicians. Their quirky, complex compositions didn’t quite fit the mainstream pop mold, though they did get one song recorded by Barbra Streisand. By 1971, they relocated to Los Angeles, assembling a band with guitarist Jeff “Skunk” Baxter, drummer Jim Hodder, and others, naming themselves after a steam-powered dildo from William S. Burroughs’ Naked Lunch. Their debut, Can’t Buy a Thrill, released in 1972, was a surprise hit, with "Do It Again" and "Reelin’ In the Years" catapulting them to fame.

The band's journey from college misfits to rock icons is a testament to their perfectionism and unapologetic individuality. After their early success, Becker and Fagen ditched live performances by 1974 to focus on studio work, employing top-tier session musicians to craft their increasingly jazz-infused sound. Despite a hiatus in the 1980s, they reunited in the 1990s, releasing Grammy-winning albums like Two Against Nature in 2000. Following Becker’s death in 2017, Fagen has continued to tour under the Steely Dan name. Fans can stay connected through the band’s official website, Facebook, and X accounts, though they lack an official Instagram presence, as confirmed by a 2023 Reddit thread noting only fan-run or fake accounts exist. Fagen maintains a personal Facebook page for concert and merch updates.

For Zoo Freaks looking to dive deeper, fan communities offer a treasure trove of discussion and memorabilia. The r/SteelyDan subreddit, dubbed “the best place on the internet to discuss Walter Becker and Donald Fagen,” is a vibrant hub for sharing trivia, like the Dylan-esque quality of Steely Dan’s lyrics, as debated in a 2022 thread. The Steely Dan Reader compiles decades of interviews and reviews, while sdarchive.com provides a detailed FAQ and timeline. Fan-run sites like steelydan.store sell exclusive merch, and Expanding Dan offers gift guides and podcast content for obsessives. These platforms keep the spirit of Steely Dan alive, ensuring the Zoo Crew and their listeners can keep spinning classics like "Do It Again" with fresh appreciation.