Workin' Man's Blues
Encyclopedia
"Workin' Man Blues" is an American country music
song performed by its writer, Merle Haggard
. Released in 1969, the song was released during his early peak and became one of several signature songs during his career.
, he fills the role of one of those workers expressing pride in values such as hard work and sacrifice, despite the resulting fatigue and the stress of raising a large family. He admits to relaxing during the off-working hours ("I drink my beer in a tavern, sing a little of these workin' man's blues.") and vows that as a result of keeping his values, he will never need to go on welfare ("... cause I'll be working, long as my two hands are fit to use.").
"Workin' Man Blues" was a track on Haggard's 1969 album A Portrait of Merle Haggard
. Music critic Mark Deming noted that the song was among three of Haggard's finest songs to appear on the album; "Silver Wings" and "Hungry Eyes
" were the other two. "(M)ost country artists would be happy to cut three tunes this strong during the course of their career, let alone as part of one of six albums Hag would release in 1969," wrote Deming.
Session Personnel: Guitar: James Burton, Lewis Talley. Bass: Chuck Berghofer. Drums: Jim Gordon.
chart.
, along with guitarists Steve Wariner
and Lee Roy Parnell
, recorded a cover of the song, crediting themselves to Jed Zeppelin. This cover, included on a tribute album called Mama's Hungry Eyes,was not officially released to radio, although it peaked at #48 on the Billboard country charts, and a music video
was made for it.
Daron Norwood
recorded a Christmas
-themed parody
entitled "Workin' Elf Blues" for the Giant Records album Giant Country Christmas Volume 1. This parody went to #75 on the country charts in 1995.
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
song performed by its writer, Merle Haggard
Merle Haggard
Merle Ronald Haggard is an American country music singer, guitarist, fiddler, instrumentalist, and songwriter. Along with Buck Owens, Haggard and his band The Strangers helped create the Bakersfield sound, which is characterized by the unique twang of Fender Telecaster guitars, vocal harmonies,...
. Released in 1969, the song was released during his early peak and became one of several signature songs during his career.
Background
"Workin' Man Blues" is Haggard's tribute to a core group of his fans: The American blue-collared working man. Backed by a strong electric guitar beat that typified Haggard's signature Bakersfield SoundBakersfield sound
The Bakersfield sound was a genre of country music developed in the mid- to late 1950s in and around Bakersfield, California. The many hit singles were largely produced by Capitol Records country music head, Ken Nelson. Bakersfield country was a reaction against the slickly produced, string...
, he fills the role of one of those workers expressing pride in values such as hard work and sacrifice, despite the resulting fatigue and the stress of raising a large family. He admits to relaxing during the off-working hours ("I drink my beer in a tavern, sing a little of these workin' man's blues.") and vows that as a result of keeping his values, he will never need to go on welfare ("... cause I'll be working, long as my two hands are fit to use.").
"Workin' Man Blues" was a track on Haggard's 1969 album A Portrait of Merle Haggard
A Portrait of Merle Haggard
A Portrait of Merle Haggard is an album by country singer Merle Haggard, released in 1969.Two number one singles were contained on the album — "Workin' Man's Blues" and "Hungry Eyes" — both would become signature songs for Haggard.-Track listing:...
. Music critic Mark Deming noted that the song was among three of Haggard's finest songs to appear on the album; "Silver Wings" and "Hungry Eyes
Hungry Eyes (Merle Haggard song)
"Hungry Eyes" is an American country music song written and recorded by Merle Haggard. Recorded in December 1968, the song became one of the most famous of his career.-Background:...
" were the other two. "(M)ost country artists would be happy to cut three tunes this strong during the course of their career, let alone as part of one of six albums Hag would release in 1969," wrote Deming.
Session Personnel: Guitar: James Burton, Lewis Talley. Bass: Chuck Berghofer. Drums: Jim Gordon.
Chart performance
"Workin' Man Blues" was released in July 1969, and reached No. 1 on the Billboard magazine Hot Country SinglesHot Country Songs
Hot Country Songs is a chart published weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States.This 60-position chart lists the most popular country music songs, calculated weekly mostly by airplay and occasionally commercial sales...
chart.
| Chart (1969) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles | 1 |
| Canadian RPM Country Tracks | 1 |
Cover versions
In 1994, country music band Diamond RioDiamond Rio
Diamond Rio is an American Country music/Christian music band formed in 1984 in Nashville, Tennessee. Since its foundation, the group has comprised the same six members: Gene Johnson , Jimmy Olander , Brian Prout , Marty Roe , Dan Truman , and Dana Williams...
, along with guitarists Steve Wariner
Steve Wariner
Steven Noel "Steve" Wariner is an American country music singer, songwriter and guitarist. He has released eighteen studio albums, including six on MCA Records, and three each on RCA Records, Arista Records and Capitol Records...
and Lee Roy Parnell
Lee Roy Parnell
Lee Roy Parnell is an American country music artist. Active since 1990, he has recorded eight studio albums, and has charted more than twenty singles on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks charts...
, recorded a cover of the song, crediting themselves to Jed Zeppelin. This cover, included on a tribute album called Mama's Hungry Eyes,was not officially released to radio, although it peaked at #48 on the Billboard country charts, and a music video
Music video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
was made for it.
Daron Norwood
Daron Norwood
Daron Norwood is an American country music singer. Signed to Giant Records in 1993, he released two albums for the label and charted six singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts. His singles "If It Wasn't For Her I Wouldn't Have You" and "Cowboys Don't Cry" both made the country Top 40...
recorded a Christmas
Christmas
Christmas or Christmas Day is an annual holiday generally celebrated on December 25 by billions of people around the world. It is a Christian feast that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, liturgically closing the Advent season and initiating the season of Christmastide, which lasts twelve days...
-themed parody
Parody
A parody , in current usage, is an imitative work created to mock, comment on, or trivialise an original work, its subject, author, style, or some other target, by means of humorous, satiric or ironic imitation...
entitled "Workin' Elf Blues" for the Giant Records album Giant Country Christmas Volume 1. This parody went to #75 on the country charts in 1995.