Working Man

Rush

About Working Man

"Working Man" is a song by rock band Rush from their self-titled debut album. The song's guitar solo was voted 94th in Guitar World magazine's list of the 100 greatest guitar solos. In an interview on the Rolling Stone youtube channel, bassist and lead vocalist Geddy Lee said that Working Man is his favorite song to play live. Donna Halper, then a disc jockey and music director at WMMS in Cleveland, Ohio, is credited with getting Rush noticed in the United States by playing "Working Man" on the air. The song proved particularly popular in the working-class city. The response resulted in a record deal for the band, which gave her special thanks for her part in their early history and dedicated their first two albums to her. Like all of the songs on the band's first album, the song features original drummer John Rutsey, who was replaced by Neil Peart in 1974. On the 1976 live album All the World's a Stage, the song segues into "Finding My Way" and a drum solo by Peart. After not being performed live for most of the 1980s and 1990s, it returned to Rush's setlists during the 2002 Vapor Trails Tour. With the exception of the 2007-08 Snakes & Arrows Tour, the song appeared on every live setlist through the R40 Live Tour of 2015, the band's last. It was included on the live albums and videos of the tours in which it was used, except for Clockwork Angels Tour; for R40 Live, it was played as part of a medley with "What You're Doing" and ended with a snippet of "Garden Road," a song from the band's early catalog. 


Year:
1978
40 
#2

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I get up at seven, yeah
And I go to work at nine
I got no time for livin'
Yes, I'm workin' all the time

It seems to me
I could live my life
A lot better than I think I am
I guess that's why they call me
They call me the workin' man

They call me the workin' man
I guess that's what I am

'Cause I get home at five o'clock
And I take myself out a ice, cold beer
Always seem to be wond'rin'
Why there's nothin' goin' down here

It seems to me
I could live my life
A lot better than I think I am
I guess that's why they call me
The workin' man

They call me the workin' man
I guess that's what I am

Well they call me the workin' man
I guess that's what I am

I get up at seven, yeah
And I go to work at nine
I got no time for livin'
Yes, I'm workin' all the time

It seems to me
I could live my life
A lot better than I think I am
I guess that's why they call me
They call me the workin' man

Well they call me the workin' man
I guess that's what I am

They call me the workin' man
I guess that's what I am

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Rush

Rush is a Canadian rock band formed in August 1968, in the Willowdale neighbourhood of Toronto, Ontario. The band is composed of bassist, keyboardist, and lead vocalist Geddy Lee, guitarist and backing vocalist Alex Lifeson, and drummer, percussionist and lyricist Neil Peart. The band and its membership went through a number of re-configurations between 1968 and 1974, achieving their iconic lineup when Peart replaced original drummer John Rutsey in July 1974, two weeks before the group's first United States tour. Rutsey's departure stemmed primarily from health concerns regarding his diabetes. In 2015 the band played their final show due to Peart's declining health. more »

17 fans

Written by: Alex Lifeson, Geddy Lee

Lyrics © OLE MEDIA MANAGEMENT LP

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


13 facts about this song

Genre Classification
"Working Man" by Rush falls under the genre of hard rock, with elements of progressive rock.
Released Date
The song "Working Man" was originally released on March 1, 1974, as part of the Canadian band's self-titled debut album "Rush."
Song's Popularity
The song is known as the band's breakthrough hit, especially in the United States. It caught the attention of a radio station in Cleveland, WMMS, which helped introduce Rush to an American audience.
Influence
"Working Man" features heavy guitar riffs and long instrumental sections, a style that was highly influential and helped shape the sound of early heavy metal.
Lyrics
The song's lyrics speak to the life of a hard-working man, giving voice to blue-collar workers and everyday people, a recurring theme in much of Rush's work.
Artist Contribution
"Working Man" was written by band members Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson. Lee is known for his distinctive high-pitched vocals, which are showcased in the song, while Lifeson contributes a memorable guitar solo.
Unique Composition
Despite not featuring a typical chorus, "Working Man" has a well-structured composition that has helped it endure as a fan favorite and classic rock radio staple.
Live Performances
"Working Man" was a regular feature of Rush's live shows and often extended for up to 15 minutes with improvisation and solos.
Cover Versions
The song has been covered by various artists, demonstrating its influence and popularity. Notable covers include those by musicians like Sheavy, Sebastian Bach, and Fu Manchu.
Music Video
The original music video of "Working Man" showcases vintage concert footage, capturing early performances of the band.
Album Success
Backed by the popularity of "Working Man", the "Rush" album achieved significant success, going platinum in Canada and reaching gold status in the United States.
Recognition
In 2016, "Working Man" was recognized by the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame as one of five iconic songs that have shaped the identity of Canadian rock.
Musical Structure
"Working Man" follows blues rock influences in some of its chord progressions, and it is characterized by its strong use of repetition.

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