Workin' for a Livin'

"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".[1]

"Workin' for a Livin'"
Single by Huey Lewis and the News
from the album Picture This
Released1982
Recorded1981
GenreRock
Length2:36
LabelChrysalis
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'"
Single by Garth Brooks and Huey Lewis
from the album The Ultimate Hits
ReleasedDecember 17, 2007
Recorded2007
GenreCountry
Length2:44
LabelBig 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)

History

According to Huey Lewis, the song was a semi-autobiographical one about past jobs he had before he became a musician.[2] Lewis had written it during his time as a truck driver.[2] "I wrote it when I was actually working," Lewis said. "I thought about all of the jobs which just sort of popped out."[2] Some of the jobs listed in the song (busboy and bartender) were also jobs Lewis had before becoming a musician.[2]

The 1992 Fox sitcom Rachel Gunn, R.N. used a version of the song sung by lead actress Christine Ebersole as its opening theme.[3]

Later version

In 2007, Huey Lewis himself 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.

Chart performance

Huey Lewis and the News version
Chart (1982) Peak
position
US Billboard Hot 100 41
US Billboard Top Tracks 20

Garth Brooks & Huey Lewis version
Chart (2007–08) Peak
position
US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles (Billboard)[4] 15
US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[5] 19

References
  1. "ultratop.be - Huey Lewis And The News - The Heart Of Rock & Roll". ultratop.be. Retrieved 2009-03-20.
  2. Exclusive Interview with Huey Lewis by Steve Wosahla, Song Hits Magazine, July 1984
  3. (10 July 1992). Rachel Gunn, R.N., Entertainment Weekly
  4. "Garth Brooks Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard.
  5. "Garth Brooks Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard.


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