Hello! Below you'll find my "Dirty Work" chords & lyrics chart as well as a tutorial video on how to play the piano accompaniment.
This classic song by Steely Dan features a Wurlitzer electric piano, and that's the part I focus on teaching in the video.
Enjoy!
Dirty Work Piano Tutorial
Here's a piano tutorial video for Dirty Work:
Dirty Work Chords & Lyrics
[Intro]
| C# | F# |A#m7 | B (C)| X3
| C# | F# |
| C# | F# |A#m7 | B (C)| X3
| C# | F# |
[Verse]
A#m7 D#m7 G#7 C#maj7
Times are hard, you're afraid to pay the fee so you
F# B C#
Find yourself somebody who can do
G#/C A#m7 G#
The job for free
F#maj7 A#m7 D#m7
When you need a bit of lovin'
F#maj7 A#m7 D#m7
When you need a bit of lovin'
G#7 C#maj7
Cause your man is out of town
F# B
That's the time you get me runnin'
Cause your man is out of town
F# B
That's the time you get me runnin'
C# D#m7
And you know I'll be around
[Chorus]
C# F# A#m7 B (C)
I'm a fool to do your dirty work, oh yeah
C# F# A#m7 B (C)
I don't wanna do your dirty work, no more
C# F#maj7 A#m7 B (C) C# F#
I'm a fool to do your dirty work, oh yeah
[Verse]
A#m7 D#m7 G#7 C#maj7
Light the candle, put the lock upon the door, you have
F# B
Sent the maid home early like
C# G#/C A#m7 G#
A thousand times before
F#maj7 A#m7 D#m7 G#7 C#maj7
Like the castle in its corner, in a medieval game
F# B C# D#m7
I foresee terrible trouble, and I stay here just the same
F#maj7 A#m7 D#m7 G#7 C#maj7
Like the castle in its corner, in a medieval game
F# B C# D#m7
I foresee terrible trouble, and I stay here just the same
[Chorus]
C# F# A#m7 B (C)
I'm a fool to do your dirty work, oh yeah
C# F# A#m7 B (C)
I don't wanna do your dirty work, no more
C# F#maj7 A#m7 B (C) C# F#
I'm a fool to do your dirty work, oh yeah
[Solo]
| G# | G# | Fm | Fm | X2
| F# | F# | G# | G# | D#m7 | 2/4 Dm7 |
| G# | G# | Fm | Fm | X2
| F# | F# | G# | G# | D#m7 | 2/4 Dm7 |
[Chorus]
C# F# A#m7 B (C)
I'm a fool to do your dirty work, oh yeah
C# F# A#m7 B (C)
I don't wanna do your dirty work, no more
(Repeat and fade)
This document is the author's own work and represents his interpretation of this song. It's intended solely for private study, scholarship or research.
This chord chart is here only to support online learning. We recommend buying official transcripts from a licensed and reputable publisher.
Dirty Work Piano Tips
1. Take It Slow: It's counterintuitive, but the quickest way to get comfortable and sound great playing a song is to practice it very slowly at first. Steady rhythm and counting are crucial to sounding like a pro, so let yourself get used to feeling the beat at a slow, easy tempo. Once you can nail "Dirty Work" slowly, *gradually* speed it up. You'll sound much better than if you jumped in at full speed!
2. Use The Pedal Wisely: Utilize the sustain pedal to connect the chords smoothly, timing your lifts with the arrival of a new chord. For help with sustain pedal timing, check out this video.
3. Simplify if need be: "Dirty Work" still sounds great even if you simply hold out the chords and ignore most of the rhythm patterns and extra details in the tutorial video. Feel free to keep it simple, especially if you sing while playing. As you get comfortable, you can always add the fancy stuff later.
