This great bluesy pop rocker by Huey Lewis and the News has been on my mind lately, as I’ve found myself in a nerve-wracking uncertain job situation for the past seven months, which fortunately just turned to the better. To me this tune perfectly describes the reality of the American Dream and rings as true today as it did when it first came out in 1982. Unless you’re a senator’s son or another fortunate one, to borrow from John Fogerty, you’re taking what they’re givin’, coz, baby, you’re workin’ for a livin’.
Don’t get me wrong. I realize how many folks have lost their jobs due to the pandemic and the science deniers who have played it down from day one and continue to do so, even as new cases and now death rates are spiking in many U.S. states. So, yes, I’m grateful I can work from home and still have a job, even though it’s workin’ for a livin’. That being said, the income inequality in one of the richest nations on earth remains a disgrace!
Co-written by Huey Lewis and News guitarist Chris Hayes, Workin’ for a Livin’ appeared on the band’s second studio album Picture This from January 1982. The song was also released separately in July 1982 as the fourth and last single from the record. The above clip is the official video.
Sources: Wikipedia; YouTube
Christian's Music Musings 
Good to hear that the job situation has turned for the better!
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Thanks – best birthday present ever, especially when you’re the only breadwinner in the family! 🙂
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I’m glad your situation turned better. It’s rough out there because some companies are taking advantage of this and hiring at lower rates.
I feel extremely luck…I worked from home between March and May…now I work in an empty office. I’m an IT Director but currently…I direct myself and one guy that had covid…but he works from home.
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I feel very fortunate as well. I work in public relations, which is a job you can easily do remotely. But there wasn’t much work at my old agency. My new agency, one the other hand, has remained busy through the pandemic; more importantly, they needed somebody with my skill set, so fortunately, I was in the right place at the right time.
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I’m happy to hear that Christian. I work in a corp office for a Restaurant Chain which has been hit bad bad…but the owner thankfully owns other companies as well so I stay busy.
Technically I could do my work from home also…especially now.
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Whew! This seemingly never-ending pandemic is truly frightening.
And while I don’t want to paint doomsday scenarios here, I’m afraid we haven’t seen the worst yet!
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I’m totally with you…I hope we are both wrong. I just hope the vaccine is out by the end of the year.
Oh Christian…I’m not avoiding your New Music post…I just have to wait til I get peace and quiet to listen to it…if I take a while on listening posts…that is the reason.
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No worries. This blogging thing is supposed to be fun, not some sort of an obligation! 🙂
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Oh I know Christian… It gets aggravating every time I come across it someone comes in and starts yakking or the TV pops on LOL
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Ha, please no stress! Though I’d be curious to know what you think about David Gilmour’s new single. But it has time! 🙂
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Now that one I will tell you now because another blogger featured that single early in the week. On her blog…And after a couple or more listens I really liked it …though it was really different for him.
I just forgot it was him and went with it although I can hear a little Pink Floyd in it by the way he phrased things.
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I’m 100% with you. At first, I was a bit lukewarm about it, but then the tune started growing on me. Because it’s Gilmour, I guess I was also more willing to listen repeatedly!
Even though it kind of was accidental, I like his daughter’s involvement on harmony vocals and harp. The two of them really blend nicely together.
I also can hear the Floyd traces. I think it’s some of the chord changes and the phrasing!
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Yes he did seep through it is old style that is. I started to notice it by the third or fourth listen.
I’m just now exploring Pink Floyd for the first time in my life the pre-1972 Pink Floyd
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If you primarily know and came to dig Pink Floyd because of “Wish You Were Here” and
“Dark Side of the Moon,” it may be a bit of an acquired taste – at least that’s what I experienced!
From the pre-1972 period, I now dig “The Piper at the Gates of Dawn” and “Meddle” in particular.
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Glad your situation has worked out – must be tough over there. We’ve largely controlled it in NZ, although it’s obviously tough for tourism-based businesses.
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Thanks! Job insecurity definitely can keep you up at night, especially when you’re the only breadwinner in the family. I’m hopeful my new job will bring a more sustainable situation!
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I love this song too. I featured it once on a three-song post. Great stuff. Glad to hear you’re not takin’ what they’re givin’. My guess is you joined a band and are in the (socially distant) studio to produce your latest REH-cord. (Pronounced the British way.)
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Ha, I’m afraid it’s not as exciting. But it’s definitely a welcome improvement, especially from the standpoint of being able to continue to take care of my family!
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