Blue Swede was a Swedish pop/rock band from the early to mid-70s that succe… Read Full Bio ↴Blue Swede was a Swedish pop/rock band from the early to mid-70s that succeeded with a few singles that covered other artists' material, played in a deliberately 'kitsch' and 'novelty' sound. The band was originally called "Blåblus" (Swedish for "blue denim shirt") and featured vocalist Björn Skifs of the band Slam Creepers singing the lead vocals. The band got their international break-through in 1974 with their cover of the 1969 B. J. Thomas ballad "Hooked on a Feeling" as adapted by British pop eccentric Jonathan King. Their "Hooked on a Feeling" was a commercial juggernaut, shooting all the way to the number one spot in the U.S. Hot 100 chart and gaining serious airplay worldwide.

The group additionally had a U.S. top 10 hit with "Never My Love", a cover of pop band The Association's tune. Also of note, the group recorded a 1975 medley that combined Tommy James and the Shondells' "I'm Alive" and Deep Purple's "Hush", which played better in Scandinavia than anywhere else and brought them to a bombastic arena rock sound more aggressive than their general style. Over the years, Björn Skifs has had a moderately successful solo career in Europe. "Hooked on a Feeling" has experienced many surges of popularity, happening more recently in 2014 as part of its inclusion in the film 'Guardians of the Galaxy'.

Working In The Coalmine
Blue Swede Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Workin' in the coal mine
Goin' on down, down
Workin' in a coal mine
Oops, about to slip down
Workin' in a coal mine
Goin' on down, down
Workin' in a coal mine
Oops, about to slip down

Five o'clock in the mornin'
I'm already up and gone
Lord, I'm so tired
How long can this go on?

Workin' in the coal mine
Goin' on down, down
Workin' in a coal mine
Oops, about to slip down
Workin' in a coal mine
Goin' on down, down
Workin' in a coal mine
Oops, about to slip down

'Cause I make a little money
Haulin' coal by the ton
When Saturday rolls around
I'm too tired for havin' fun

Workin' in the coal mine
Goin' on down, down
Workin' in a coal mine
Oops, about to slip down
Workin' in a coal mine
Goin' on down, down
Workin' in a coal mine
Oops, about to slip down

Lord I'm so tired
How long can this go on?

Workin' in the coal mine
Goin' on down, down
Workin' in a coal mine
Oops, about to slip down
Workin' in a coal mine
Goin' on down, down
Workin' in a coal mine
Oops, about to slip down

Five o'clock in the mornin'
I'm already up and gone
Lord, I'm so tired
How long can this go on?

Workin' in the coal mine
Goin' on down, down
Workin' in a coal mine
Oops, about to slip down
Workin' in a coal mine
Goin' on down, down

Workin' in a coal mine
Oops, about to slip down

Overall Meaning

Blue Swede's song "Working in the Coal Mine" is a classic tune about the struggles of a coal miner. The lyrics describe the monotony and exhaustion of working long hours in the mines, hauling tons of coal, and the difficulty of maintaining a normal life due to the strenuous work. The first verse talks about slipping down, which could be symbolic of the miners' constant struggle to stay afloat as they navigate the treacherous conditions of the coal mines. The repetition of "Goin' on down, down" reinforces the idea of how difficult this work is.

The second verse emphasizes the early morning hours and admits that the singer is already up and gone while everyone else is sound asleep. The lyrics "Lord, I'm so tired, how long can this go on?" capture the weariness and hopelessness that the miners must have felt during their arduous work.

The third verse highlights the irony of earning money for their hard work, but being too exhausted to enjoy any leisure time once the weekend rolls around. It shows how the constant grind of the work takes a toll on the mind and body.

In conclusion, "Working in the Coal Mine" serves as a reminder of the struggles and hardships of blue-collar work during a time when the working class was largely overlooked.

Line by Line Meaning

Workin' in the coal mine
The singer is currently employed in a coal mine.

Goin' on down, down
The work is hard and physically demanding.

Oops, about to slip down
The conditions in the mine are dangerous and the singer is at risk of injury or worse.

Five o'clock in the mornin'
The work day starts very early.

I'm already up and gone
The artist has already left for work.

Lord, I'm so tired
The work is exhausting and takes a toll on the singer's body and mind.

How long can this go on?
The singer is questioning the sustainability of this line of work.

'Cause I make a little money
Despite the difficulties, the artist continues to work in the mine because it provides a source of income.

Haulin' coal by the ton
The artist's job involves moving large amounts of coal.

When Saturday rolls around
The artist looks forward to the weekend, specifically Saturdays, as a break from work.

I'm too tired for havin' fun
The singer's exhaustion from work makes it difficult to enjoy leisure time on the weekends.