Workin' for a Livin'

Last updated
"Workin' for a Livin'"
Workin' for a Livin' - Huey Lewis and the News.jpg
Single by Huey Lewis and the News
from the album Picture This
Released23 July 1982 [1]
Recorded1981
Genre Rock
Length2:36
Label Chrysalis
Songwriter(s) Huey Lewis, Chris Hayes
Producer(s) Huey Lewis and the News
Bob Brown
Huey Lewis and the News singles chronology
"Hope You Love Me Like You Say You Do"
(1982)		"Workin' for a Livin'"
(1982)		"Heart and Soul"
(1983)
"Workin' for a Livin'"
Garth Brooks - Workin' for a Livin'.jpg
Single by Garth Brooks and Huey Lewis
from the album The Ultimate Hits
ReleasedDecember 17, 2007
Recorded2007
Genre Country
Length2:44
Label Big Machine, Pearl
Songwriter(s) Huey Lewis, Chris Hayes
Producer(s) Allen Reynolds
Garth Brooks singles chronology
"More Than a Memory"
(2007)		"Workin' for a Livin'"
(2007)		"Midnight Sun"
(2008)

"Workin' for a Livin'" is a single by American rock band Huey Lewis and the News, released in 1982. Included on their 1982 album Picture This , the song peaked at number 20 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks charts, and number 41 on the Billboard Hot 100. A live version appears as a B-side to the single "The Heart of Rock & Roll". [2]

Contents

History

According to Huey Lewis, the song was a semi-autobiographical one about past jobs he had before he became a musician. [3] Lewis had written it during his time as a truck driver. [3] "I wrote it when I was actually working," Lewis said. "I thought about all of the jobs which just sort of popped out." [3] Some of the jobs listed in the song (busboy and bartender) were also jobs Lewis had before becoming a musician. [3]

The song was used in the 1988 film Big starring Tom Hanks. [4]

The 1992 Fox sitcom Rachel Gunn, R.N. used a version of the song sung by lead actress Christine Ebersole as its opening theme. [5]

The song was also used in the trailer for Season 3 of Smiling Friends , and is featured in the movie Big , as well as in episodes of For All Mankind , South Park and Stranger Things .

Later version

In 2007, Lewis recorded the song as a duet with country music singer Garth Brooks. This duet version is included on Brooks' 2007 album, The Ultimate Hits , and was released as a single. It is Lewis' first appearance on the Hot Country Songs chart, where the single reached the top 20.

Charts

Huey Lewis and the News version

Chart (1982)Peak
position
US Billboard Hot 100 [6] 41
US Mainstream Rock ( Billboard ) [7] 20

Garth Brooks & Huey Lewis version

Chart (2007–2008)Peak
position
US Bubbling Under Hot 100 ( Billboard ) [8] 15
US Hot Country Songs ( Billboard ) [9] 19

References

  1. ↑ "Huey Lewis And The News - Working For A Livin'".
  2. ↑ "ultratop.be - Huey Lewis And The News - The Heart Of Rock & Roll". ultratop.be. Retrieved 2009-03-20.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Exclusive Interview with Huey Lewis by Steve Wosahla, Song Hits Magazine, July 1984
  4. ↑ Bierly, Mandi. "Huey Lewis' favorite music in films". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 17 September 2022.
  5. ↑ (10 July 1992). Rachel Gunn, R.N., Entertainment Weekly
  6. ↑ "Huey Lewis The News Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  7. ↑ "Huey Lewis The News Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard.
  8. ↑ "Garth Brooks Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard.
  9. ↑ "Garth Brooks Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard.
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