Working for the Man (song)

Last updated
"Working for the Man"
Single by Roy Orbison
B-side "Leah"
PublishedSeptember 27, 1962 (1962-09-27) Acuff-Rose Publications, Inc. [1]
ReleasedSeptember 8, 1962 [2]
RecordedAugust 14, 1962 (1962-08-14) [2]
Studio RCA Victor Studio B, Nashville, Tennessee [2]
Genre Rock and roll
Label
Songwriter(s) Roy Orbison
Roy Orbison singles chronology
"The Crowd"
(1962)
"Working for the Man"
(1962)
"In Dreams"
(1963)

"Working for the Man" is a song composed and sung by rock and roll performer Roy Orbison. Released in 1962 as a double A-side with "Leah", it reached number one in Australia, number thirty-three in the US, [3] and the top 50 in Canada and England. [4]

Contents

Details

"Working for the Man" and "Leah" were both recorded on August 14, 1962. [5] It was the first release after the dissolution of Orbison's writing partnership with Joe Melson. [6] In many releases it was subtitled, "with Bob Moore's Orchestra and Chorus".

"Working for the Man" was inspired by Orbison's time after school. He said, "I was working for El Paso Natural Gas in the daytime, cutting up steel and loading it onto trucks and chopping weeds and painting water towers. Our straw boss was Mr. Rose, and he wouldn’t cut me any slack." [6] Elsewhere he added, "I worked in the blazing heat, hard, hard labor, and then I’d play at night, come home and some nights be too tired to eat or even to undress. I’d lay down, and I wouldn’t even turn over. I’d wake up in the same spot and hit the oil patch again." [7] He added, "Most of the songs I've written are based on experiences I recall. It may be some years after a thing has happened to me that I'll think about it and then write a song." [8]

Reception

At the time of release, Billboard noted "Working for the Man" was a "fine song" and "a smartly styled work song that reached a powerful climax". [5] The BBC noted, " Orbison could be playful. The yodelling, gleeful "Working for the Man" is a double-edged paean to hard-nosed capitalism." [9]

Mental as Anything version

"Working for the Man"
Single by Mental As Anything
B-side "Seems Alright to Me (AUS)
Red To Green (Canada)"
ReleasedNovember 1983 [10]
Genre Pop, Rock
Length3:31
Label Regular Records
Songwriter(s) Roy Orbison
Producer(s) Mark Moffatt, Ricky Fataar
Mental As Anything singles chronology
"Brain Brain"
(1983)
"Working for the Man"
(1983)
"Apocalypso (Wiping the Smile Off Santa's Face)"
(1984)
Music video
"Working For The Man" on YouTube

Australian band Mental as Anything released the song as a non-album single in November 1983. It peaked at number 20 in Australia and 49 in New Zealand. [11] [12] It was subsequently added to the North American version of Creatures of Leisure .

Track listings

Regular Records (RRSP 730
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Working for the Man" Roy Orbison 3:31
2."Seems Alright to Me" Martin Plaza 3:29

Charts

Chart (1983/84)Peak
position
Australian (Kent Music Report) [13] 20
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ) [14] 49

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crying (Roy Orbison song)</span> 1961 song by Roy Orbison and Joe Melson

"Crying" is a song written by Roy Orbison and Joe Melson for Orbison's third studio album of the same name (1962). Released in 1961, it was a number 2 hit in the US for Orbison and was covered in 1980 by Don McLean, whose version went to number 1 in the UK.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Only the Lonely</span> 1960 song by Roy Orbison and Joe Melson

"Only the Lonely (Know the Way I Feel)" is a 1960 song written by Roy Orbison and Joe Melson. Orbison's recording of the song, produced by Fred Foster for Monument Records, was the first major hit for the singer. It was described by The New York Times as expressing "a clenched, driven urgency". Released as a 45 rpm single by Monument Records in May 1960, "Only the Lonely" went to No. 2 on the United States Billboard pop music charts on 25 July 1960 (blocked by Brenda Lee's "I'm Sorry") and No. 14 on the Billboard R&B charts. "Only the Lonely" reached number one in the United Kingdom, a position it achieved on 20 October 1960, staying there for two weeks (out of a total of 24 weeks spent on the UK singles chart from 28 July 1960). According to The Authorized Roy Orbison, "Only the Lonely" was the longest charting single of Orbison's career. Personnel on the original recording included Orbison's drummer Larry Parks, plus Nashville's regulars, Floyd Cramer on piano, Bob Moore on bass, and Hank Garland and Harold Bradley on guitars, Joe Melson and the Anita Kerr Singers on backing vocals. Drummer Buddy Harman played on the rest of the songs on the session.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Running Scared (Roy Orbison song)</span> 1961 song by Roy Orbison and Joe Melson

"Running Scared" is a song written by Roy Orbison and Joe Melson and sung by Orbison. An operatic rock ballad, the recording of the song was overseen by audio engineer Bill Porter and released as a 45 rpm single by Monument Records in March 1961 and went to number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. "Running Scared" also reached No.9 in the UK Singles Chart. It sold over one million copies in the US alone. The song was included on Orbison's 1962 album Crying as the final track on the album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roy Orbison discography</span> Cataloging of published recordings by Roy Orbison

Roy Orbison was an American singer-songwriter who found the most success in the early rock and roll era from 1956 to 1964. He later enjoyed a resurgence in the late 1980s with chart success as a member of the Traveling Wilburys and with his Mystery Girl album, which included the posthumous hit single "You Got It". At the height of his popularity, 22 of Orbison's songs placed on the US Billboard Top 40 chart, and six peaked in the top five, including two number-one hits. In the UK, Orbison scored ten top-10 hits between 1960 and 1966, including three number-one singles.

"Love Hurts" is a song written and composed by the American songwriter Boudleaux Bryant. First recorded by the Everly Brothers in July 1960, the song is most well known from the 1974 international hit version by Scottish hard rock band Nazareth and 1975 Top 5 hit in the UK by English singer Jim Capaldi.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">When Will I See You Again</span> 1974 single

"When Will I See You Again" is a song released in 1974 by American soul group The Three Degrees from their third album, The Three Degrees. The song was written and produced by Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff. Sheila Ferguson sang the lead, accompanied by Fayette Pinkney and Valerie Holiday. Billboard named the song #67 on their list of 100 Greatest Girl Group Songs of All Time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Nips Are Getting Bigger</span> 1979 single by Mental As Anything

"The Nips Are Getting Bigger" is the debut single by Australian band Mental As Anything, released in July 1979. It was released as the first single from the album Get Wet and the song reached at number 16 on the Kent Music Report. The song was written by Mental As Anything lead vocalist Martin Plaza.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Wouldn't Have Missed It for the World</span> 1981 single by Ronnie Milsap

"I Wouldn't Have Missed It for the World" is a song written by Charles Quillen, Kye Fleming and Dennis Morgan, and recorded by American country music singer Ronnie Milsap. It was released in October 1981 as the second single from the album There's No Gettin' Over Me. The song became one of his biggest hits in his recording career and came during the peak of his crossover success.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oh, Pretty Woman</span> 1964 song by Roy Orbison and Bill Dees

"Oh, Pretty Woman" or simply "Pretty Woman" is a song recorded by Roy Orbison, written by Orbison and Bill Dees. It was released as a single in August 1964 on Monument Records and spent three weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 from September 26, 1964, the second and final single by Orbison to top the US charts. It was also Orbison's third single to top the UK Singles Chart.

<i>Creatures of Leisure</i> 1983 studio album by Mental As Anything

Creatures of Leisure is the fourth studio album released by Australian band, Mental As Anything. It was released in March 1983 and peaked at #8 on the Australian Album charts.

<i>Get Wet</i> (Mental As Anything album) 1979 studio album by Mental As Anything

Get Wet is the debut studio album released by Australian band, Mental As Anything. It was released in November 1979, and peaked at #19 on the Australian Album charts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Live It Up (Mental As Anything song)</span> 1985 single by Mental As Anything

"Live It Up" is a song by Australian rock band Mental As Anything, released in May 1985 in Australia and then in Europe and the United States in 1986 and 1987 after the song's appearance in the film Crocodile Dundee. At the 1985 Countdown Australian Music Awards, the song won Best Single.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blue Angel (song)</span> 1960 single by Roy Orbison

"Blue Angel" is a song by Roy Orbison, released as a single in August 1960. Released as the follow-up to the international hit "Only the Lonely ", "Blue Angel" peaked at number nine on the Billboard Hot 100 and number eleven on the UK's Record Retailer Top 50.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Candy Man (Roy Orbison song)</span> 1961 song by Roy Orbison

"Candy Man" is a song by Roy Orbison, released as the B-side to his international hit "Crying" in July 1961. It was later covered by British beat group Brian Poole and the Tremeloes, becoming a top-ten hit in the UK.

Come Around is a song by Australian band Mental As Anything, released in May 1980. as the only single from the group second album, Espresso Bongo. The song peaked at number 18 on the Kent Music Report Singles Chart. The song was written by their lead singer and guitarist, Martin Plaza.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">He's Just No Good for You</span> 1987 single by Mental As Anything

"He's Just No Good for You" is a song by Australian pop rock band Mental As Anything, released in July 1987. It was released as the second single from the band's sixth studio album, Mouth to Mouth. The song was written by Mental As Anything guitarist Greedy Smith and peaked at number 15 on the Australian charts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">If You Leave Me, Can I Come Too?</span> 1981 single by Mental As Anything

"If You Leave Me, Can I Come Too?" is a song by Australian band Mental As Anything, released in May 1981 as the lead single from their third studio album Cats & Dogs. The song peaked at number 4 on the Kent Music Report.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Too Many Times (Mental As Anything song)</span> 1981 single by Mental As Anything

"Too Many Times" is a song by Australian rock band Mental As Anything, released in September 1981 as the second single from their third studio album, Cats & Dogs. The song peaked at number 6 on the Kent Music Report.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">You're So Strong</span> 1985 single by Mental As Anything

"You're So Strong" is a song by Australian pop rock band Mental As Anything, released in 1985 through Regular Records. It was released from the band's fifth studio album Fundamental The song was written by Guitarist Greedy Smith. The song first charted on 25 March 1985, peaked at No. 11 on the Kent Music Report, and stayed in the charts for eighteen weeks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Date with Destiny</span> 1985 single by Mental As Anything

"Date with Destiny" is a song by Australian pop rock band Mental As Anything, released in 1985 through WEA Records. The song was written by Guitarist Greedy Smith. The song first charted on 9 September 1985, peaked at No. 25 on the Kent Music Report, and stayed in the charts for eleven weeks. It was released as the third single from the band's fifth studio album Fundamental.

References

  1. Library of Congress. Copyright Office. (1962). Catalog of Copyright Entries 1962 Music July-Dec 3D Ser Vol 16 Pt 5. United States Copyright Office. U.S. Govt. Print. Off.
  2. 1 2 3 Weize, Richard (2001). Orbison 1955-1965 (7-CD Deluxe Box Set) (booklet). Bear Family Records. BCD16423. Retrieved 2021-10-11.
  3. Whitburn, Joel (2013). Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles, 14th Edition: 1955-2012. Record Research. p. 631.
  4. David Kent (2005). Australian Chart Book 1940-1969. ISBN   9780646444390.
  5. 1 2 Alex Orbison, Roy Orbison, Wesley Orbison (2017). The Authorized Roy Orbison: The Authorized Biography. Center Street. ISBN   978-1478976547.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  6. 1 2 Colin Escott (2002). Roadkill on the Three-chord Highway: Art and Trash in American Popular Music . pp.  32. ISBN   978-0415937832.
  7. Steve Pond (26 January 1989). "Roy Orbison's Triumphs and Tragedies". Rolling Stone .
  8. June Harris. "Roy Orbison: Hits Are Great — But I Miss Those (MODEL) Planes". Rock's Backpages .(Subscription required.)
  9. Jaime Gill. "Roy Orbison The Monument Singles Collection". BBC.
  10. 45cat - Mental As Anything - Working For The Man
  11. Australian Music Database - Mental As Anything - Working For The Man
  12. David Kent (March 1993). Australian Chart Book 1970-1992. p. 198. ISBN   0-646-11917-6.
  13. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 19701992 . St Ives, NSW: Australian Chart Book. p. 198. ISBN   0-646-11917-6.
  14. "Mental as Anything – {{{song}}}". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 5 December 2021.