Dirty Work Chords

Etap to play
Atap to play
Btap to play
C#mtap to play
Key
E
Difficulty
Beginner
Capo
None
Chords
E · A · B · C#m

Dirty Work Chords – Guitar

A classic tale of a transactional affair from Steely Dan’s debut album. Beginner difficulty in the key of E.

Light Rock (4/4 Time)
123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 4th fret and play C, F, and G shapes for an easier time matching the original recording’s key.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

 
E
Times are hard
A E B
You’re afraid to pay the fee
E
So you find yourself a
A E B
She’s nine on a scale of ten
E A E B E A
I guess you call her luck- y Jen- ny
 

Chorus

 
E A E B
You’ve been tellin’ me you’re a genius since you were seven- teen
E A E B
In the meantime I’ve been waitin’ in the vesti- bule
E A E B
I’ve been doin’ all your dirty work, that ain’t right
E A E B
I’ve been doin’ all your dirty work, that ain’t right
 

Verse 2

 
E A E B
Now you say you’re leavin’ Monday on the two-thirty-two
E A E B
And you’re gonna stay with some fi- nance dude
E A E B E A
A friend of your mother’s, yeah, she’s real proud of you
 

Chorus

 
E A E B
You’ve been tellin’ me you’re a genius since you were seven- teen
E A E B
In the meantime I’ve been waitin’ in the vesti- bule
E A E B
I’ve been doin’ all your dirty work, that ain’t right
E A E B
I’ve been doin’ all your dirty work, that ain’t right
 

Bridge

 
A E B
I’m a fool to do your dirty work, oh yeah
A E B
I don’t wanna do your dirty work, no more
 

Verse 3

 
E
I’m the one who must make
A E B
All the right kind of moves
E A E B E
I’m the one who must risk a thing to get a thing
A E B
I’m the one who’s tired of playing
E A E
I’m the one without a dream
 

Chorus

 
E A E B
You’ve been tellin’ me you’re a genius since you were seven- teen
E A E B
In the meantime I’ve been waitin’ in the vesti- bule
E A E B
I’ve been doin’ all your dirty work, that ain’t right
E A E B
I’ve been doin’ all your dirty work, that ain’t right
 

Practice tip: The chord progression E – A – E – B repeats often; get comfortable switching between these four chords before adding the lyrics.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Dirty Work"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: E, A, B and C#m.

Is "Dirty Work" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 4 chords in the key of E, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Dirty Work" in?

It is in the key of E.

Who wrote "Dirty Work"?

It was written by Walter Becker, Donald Fagen, and released in 1972.

Etap to play
Atap to play
Btap to play
C#mtap to play
Key
E
Difficulty
Beginner
Tuning
G-C-E-A
Chords
E · A · B · C#m

Dirty Work Chords – Ukulele

A classic tale of a transactional affair from Steely Dan’s debut album. Beginner difficulty in the key of E.

Light Rock (4/4 Time)
123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 4th fret and play C, F, and G shapes for an easier time matching the original recording’s key.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

 
E
Times are hard
A E B
You’re afraid to pay the fee
E
So you find yourself a
A E B
She’s nine on a scale of ten
E A E B E A
I guess you call her luck- y Jen- ny
 

Chorus

 
E A E B
You’ve been tellin’ me you’re a genius since you were seven- teen
E A E B
In the meantime I’ve been waitin’ in the vesti- bule
E A E B
I’ve been doin’ all your dirty work, that ain’t right
E A E B
I’ve been doin’ all your dirty work, that ain’t right
 

Verse 2

 
E A E B
Now you say you’re leavin’ Monday on the two-thirty-two
E A E B
And you’re gonna stay with some fi- nance dude
E A E B E A
A friend of your mother’s, yeah, she’s real proud of you
 

Chorus

 
E A E B
You’ve been tellin’ me you’re a genius since you were seven- teen
E A E B
In the meantime I’ve been waitin’ in the vesti- bule
E A E B
I’ve been doin’ all your dirty work, that ain’t right
E A E B
I’ve been doin’ all your dirty work, that ain’t right
 

Bridge

 
A E B
I’m a fool to do your dirty work, oh yeah
A E B
I don’t wanna do your dirty work, no more
 

Verse 3

 
E
I’m the one who must make
A E B
All the right kind of moves
E A E B E
I’m the one who must risk a thing to get a thing
A E B
I’m the one who’s tired of playing
E A E
I’m the one without a dream
 

Chorus

 
E A E B
You’ve been tellin’ me you’re a genius since you were seven- teen
E A E B
In the meantime I’ve been waitin’ in the vesti- bule
E A E B
I’ve been doin’ all your dirty work, that ain’t right
E A E B
I’ve been doin’ all your dirty work, that ain’t right
 

Practice tip: The chord progression E – A – E – B repeats often; get comfortable switching between these four chords before adding the lyrics.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Dirty Work"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: E, A, B and C#m.

Is "Dirty Work" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 4 chords in the key of E, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Dirty Work" in?

It is in the key of E.

Who wrote "Dirty Work"?

It was written by Walter Becker, Donald Fagen, and released in 1972.

Etap to play
Atap to play
Btap to play
C#mtap to play
Key
E
Difficulty
Beginner
Left Hand
Root notes
Chords
E · A · B · C#m

Dirty Work Chords – Piano

A classic tale of a transactional affair from Steely Dan’s debut album. Beginner difficulty in the key of E.

Light Rock (4/4 Time)
123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 4th fret and play C, F, and G shapes for an easier time matching the original recording’s key.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

 
E
Times are hard
A E B
You’re afraid to pay the fee
E
So you find yourself a
A E B
She’s nine on a scale of ten
E A E B E A
I guess you call her luck- y Jen- ny
 

Chorus

 
E A E B
You’ve been tellin’ me you’re a genius since you were seven- teen
E A E B
In the meantime I’ve been waitin’ in the vesti- bule
E A E B
I’ve been doin’ all your dirty work, that ain’t right
E A E B
I’ve been doin’ all your dirty work, that ain’t right
 

Verse 2

 
E A E B
Now you say you’re leavin’ Monday on the two-thirty-two
E A E B
And you’re gonna stay with some fi- nance dude
E A E B E A
A friend of your mother’s, yeah, she’s real proud of you
 

Chorus

 
E A E B
You’ve been tellin’ me you’re a genius since you were seven- teen
E A E B
In the meantime I’ve been waitin’ in the vesti- bule
E A E B
I’ve been doin’ all your dirty work, that ain’t right
E A E B
I’ve been doin’ all your dirty work, that ain’t right
 

Bridge

 
A E B
I’m a fool to do your dirty work, oh yeah
A E B
I don’t wanna do your dirty work, no more
 

Verse 3

 
E
I’m the one who must make
A E B
All the right kind of moves
E A E B E
I’m the one who must risk a thing to get a thing
A E B
I’m the one who’s tired of playing
E A E
I’m the one without a dream
 

Chorus

 
E A E B
You’ve been tellin’ me you’re a genius since you were seven- teen
E A E B
In the meantime I’ve been waitin’ in the vesti- bule
E A E B
I’ve been doin’ all your dirty work, that ain’t right
E A E B
I’ve been doin’ all your dirty work, that ain’t right
 

Practice tip: The chord progression E – A – E – B repeats often; get comfortable switching between these four chords before adding the lyrics.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Dirty Work"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: E, A, B and C#m.

Is "Dirty Work" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 4 chords in the key of E, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Dirty Work" in?

It is in the key of E.

Who wrote "Dirty Work"?

It was written by Walter Becker, Donald Fagen, and released in 1972.

Etap to play
Atap to play
Btap to play
C#mtap to play
Key
E
Difficulty
Beginner
Tuning
gDGBD (Open G)
Chords
E · A · B · C#m

Dirty Work Chords – Banjo

A classic tale of a transactional affair from Steely Dan’s debut album. Beginner difficulty in the key of E.

Light Rock (4/4 Time)
123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 4th fret and play C, F, and G shapes for an easier time matching the original recording’s key.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

 
E
Times are hard
A E B
You’re afraid to pay the fee
E
So you find yourself a
A E B
She’s nine on a scale of ten
E A E B E A
I guess you call her luck- y Jen- ny
 

Chorus

 
E A E B
You’ve been tellin’ me you’re a genius since you were seven- teen
E A E B
In the meantime I’ve been waitin’ in the vesti- bule
E A E B
I’ve been doin’ all your dirty work, that ain’t right
E A E B
I’ve been doin’ all your dirty work, that ain’t right
 

Verse 2

 
E A E B
Now you say you’re leavin’ Monday on the two-thirty-two
E A E B
And you’re gonna stay with some fi- nance dude
E A E B E A
A friend of your mother’s, yeah, she’s real proud of you
 

Chorus

 
E A E B
You’ve been tellin’ me you’re a genius since you were seven- teen
E A E B
In the meantime I’ve been waitin’ in the vesti- bule
E A E B
I’ve been doin’ all your dirty work, that ain’t right
E A E B
I’ve been doin’ all your dirty work, that ain’t right
 

Bridge

 
A E B
I’m a fool to do your dirty work, oh yeah
A E B
I don’t wanna do your dirty work, no more
 

Verse 3

 
E
I’m the one who must make
A E B
All the right kind of moves
E A E B E
I’m the one who must risk a thing to get a thing
A E B
I’m the one who’s tired of playing
E A E
I’m the one without a dream
 

Chorus

 
E A E B
You’ve been tellin’ me you’re a genius since you were seven- teen
E A E B
In the meantime I’ve been waitin’ in the vesti- bule
E A E B
I’ve been doin’ all your dirty work, that ain’t right
E A E B
I’ve been doin’ all your dirty work, that ain’t right
 

Practice tip: The chord progression E – A – E – B repeats often; get comfortable switching between these four chords before adding the lyrics.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Dirty Work"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: E, A, B and C#m.

Is "Dirty Work" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 4 chords in the key of E, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Dirty Work" in?

It is in the key of E.

Who wrote "Dirty Work"?

It was written by Walter Becker, Donald Fagen, and released in 1972.

Etap to play
Atap to play
Btap to play
C#mtap to play
Key
E
Difficulty
Beginner
Tuning
G-D-A-E
Chords
E · A · B · C#m

Dirty Work Chords – Mandolin

A classic tale of a transactional affair from Steely Dan’s debut album. Beginner difficulty in the key of E.

Light Rock (4/4 Time)
123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 4th fret and play C, F, and G shapes for an easier time matching the original recording’s key.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

 
E
Times are hard
A E B
You’re afraid to pay the fee
E
So you find yourself a
A E B
She’s nine on a scale of ten
E A E B E A
I guess you call her luck- y Jen- ny
 

Chorus

 
E A E B
You’ve been tellin’ me you’re a genius since you were seven- teen
E A E B
In the meantime I’ve been waitin’ in the vesti- bule
E A E B
I’ve been doin’ all your dirty work, that ain’t right
E A E B
I’ve been doin’ all your dirty work, that ain’t right
 

Verse 2

 
E A E B
Now you say you’re leavin’ Monday on the two-thirty-two
E A E B
And you’re gonna stay with some fi- nance dude
E A E B E A
A friend of your mother’s, yeah, she’s real proud of you
 

Chorus

 
E A E B
You’ve been tellin’ me you’re a genius since you were seven- teen
E A E B
In the meantime I’ve been waitin’ in the vesti- bule
E A E B
I’ve been doin’ all your dirty work, that ain’t right
E A E B
I’ve been doin’ all your dirty work, that ain’t right
 

Bridge

 
A E B
I’m a fool to do your dirty work, oh yeah
A E B
I don’t wanna do your dirty work, no more
 

Verse 3

 
E
I’m the one who must make
A E B
All the right kind of moves
E A E B E
I’m the one who must risk a thing to get a thing
A E B
I’m the one who’s tired of playing
E A E
I’m the one without a dream
 

Chorus

 
E A E B
You’ve been tellin’ me you’re a genius since you were seven- teen
E A E B
In the meantime I’ve been waitin’ in the vesti- bule
E A E B
I’ve been doin’ all your dirty work, that ain’t right
E A E B
I’ve been doin’ all your dirty work, that ain’t right
 

Practice tip: The chord progression E – A – E – B repeats often; get comfortable switching between these four chords before adding the lyrics.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Dirty Work"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: E, A, B and C#m.

Is "Dirty Work" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 4 chords in the key of E, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Dirty Work" in?

It is in the key of E.

Who wrote "Dirty Work"?

It was written by Walter Becker, Donald Fagen, and released in 1972.

Etap to play
Atap to play
Btap to play
C#mtap to play
Key
E
Difficulty
Beginner
Harp Key
C Diatonic
Chords
E · A · B · C#m

Dirty Work Chords – Harmonica

A classic tale of a transactional affair from Steely Dan’s debut album. Beginner difficulty in the key of E.

Light Rock (4/4 Time)
123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 4th fret and play C, F, and G shapes for an easier time matching the original recording’s key.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

 
E
Times are hard
A E B
You’re afraid to pay the fee
E
So you find yourself a
A E B
She’s nine on a scale of ten
E A E B E A
I guess you call her luck- y Jen- ny
 

Chorus

 
E A E B
You’ve been tellin’ me you’re a genius since you were seven- teen
E A E B
In the meantime I’ve been waitin’ in the vesti- bule
E A E B
I’ve been doin’ all your dirty work, that ain’t right
E A E B
I’ve been doin’ all your dirty work, that ain’t right
 

Verse 2

 
E A E B
Now you say you’re leavin’ Monday on the two-thirty-two
E A E B
And you’re gonna stay with some fi- nance dude
E A E B E A
A friend of your mother’s, yeah, she’s real proud of you
 

Chorus

 
E A E B
You’ve been tellin’ me you’re a genius since you were seven- teen
E A E B
In the meantime I’ve been waitin’ in the vesti- bule
E A E B
I’ve been doin’ all your dirty work, that ain’t right
E A E B
I’ve been doin’ all your dirty work, that ain’t right
 

Bridge

 
A E B
I’m a fool to do your dirty work, oh yeah
A E B
I don’t wanna do your dirty work, no more
 

Verse 3

 
E
I’m the one who must make
A E B
All the right kind of moves
E A E B E
I’m the one who must risk a thing to get a thing
A E B
I’m the one who’s tired of playing
E A E
I’m the one without a dream
 

Chorus

 
E A E B
You’ve been tellin’ me you’re a genius since you were seven- teen
E A E B
In the meantime I’ve been waitin’ in the vesti- bule
E A E B
I’ve been doin’ all your dirty work, that ain’t right
E A E B
I’ve been doin’ all your dirty work, that ain’t right
 

Practice tip: The chord progression E – A – E – B repeats often; get comfortable switching between these four chords before adding the lyrics.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Dirty Work"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: E, A, B and C#m.

Is "Dirty Work" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 4 chords in the key of E, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Dirty Work" in?

It is in the key of E.

Who wrote "Dirty Work"?

It was written by Walter Becker, Donald Fagen, and released in 1972.