From a first single in 1979, the group successfully combined a pop rock and power pop (and sometimes, a blues rock) influenced backing with harmony side-vocals and Lewis' strident voice, and the band had numerous hit songs during the 1980s and early 1990s. These include "The Power of Love" and "Back in Time" (both of which were featured in the film "Back to the Future"), "I Want a New Drug", "Doin' It All (For My Baby)", "Do You Believe in Love?" "Hip to Be Square", "Stuck With You", and "Jacob's Ladder". Huey Lewis shared three Grammy awards, an American Music Award, and a People's Choice Award along with several artists for his role singing the 1985 charity song "We Are the World" as well.
=Albums=
Huey Lewis & the News (1980)
Picture This (1982) [#13 U.S. Gold]
Sports (1983) [#1 U.S. 7x Platinum]
Back to the Future Soundtrack (1985) [Gold]
Fore! (1986) [#1 U.S. 3x Platinum]
Small World (1988) [#11 U.S. Platinum]
Hard at Play (1991) [#27 U.S. Gold]
The Heart of Rock & Roll - The Best of Huey Lewis and The News (1992)
Four Chords & Several Years Ago (1994) [#55 U.S.]
Time Flies: The Best of Huey Lewis and the News (1996) [#185 U.S.]
Plan B (2001) [#165 U.S.]
Live at 25 (2005)
Greatest Hits & Videos (2006) [#70 U.S.]
www.hueylewisandthenews.com
Workin' for a Livin'
Huey Lewis & The News Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'll be working here forever, at least until I die
Dammed if you do, dammed if you don't
I'm supposed to get a raise week, you know damn well I won't
Workin' for a livin' (workin')
Workin' for a livin' (workin')
Workin' for a livin', livin' and workin'
Hey I'm not complaining 'cause I really need the work
We're hitting up my buddy's got me feeling like a jerk
Car payment, insurance, alimony, rent
I get a check on Friday, but it's all ready spent
Workin' for a livin' (workin')
I'm workin' for a livin' (workin')
I'm workin' for a livin', livin' and workin'
I'm taking what they giving 'cause I'm working for a livin'.
Ahh, workin' for a livin'
Ahh, taking what they giving
Ahh, workin' for a livin'
Ahh ahh
Bus boy, bartender, ladies of the night
Grease monkey, ex-junky, winner of the fight
Walking on the streets its really all the same
Nascar, rock star any other day
Workin' for a livin' (workin')
I'm workin' for a livin' (workin')
I'm workin' for a livin', livin' and workin'
I'm taking what they giving 'cause I'm working for a livin'.
Workin' for a livin', livin' and workin'
The lyrics of Huey Lewis's song Workin' for a Livin' express an overall theme of the struggles and hardships of the working class, and the daily grind that comes with working to make ends meet. He sings about the monotonous nature of labor, with some days passing by quickly while others seem to drag on endlessly. The feeling of being trapped in a job is evident, as he says he will be working there until he dies, leaving no room for career advancement.
With a sense of resignation, Lewis sings about being "dammed if you do, dammed if you don't," feeling the expectation of receiving a raise at work, despite knowing deep down it is unlikely to happen. Despite feeling like he's caught in a cycle of work and expenditure, he is also grateful for having a job and the security it provides, even if it means putting up with the daily grind.
In the final verse, Lewis describes various occupations, highlighting the fact that regardless of one's job, the struggle of working for a living remains the same. The reference to women who work as a "ladies of the night" and those in blue-collar jobs such as "grease monkey" and "ex-junky" further emphasizes this point, as the struggle of making ends meet transcends gender, race, and occupation.
Overall, the song is a relatable anthem for those who have experienced the challenging realities of working for a living.
Line by Line Meaning
Somedays won't end ever and somedays pass on by,
Some days feel endless while others fly by.
I'll be working here forever, at least until I die
I'll be working this job forever or until I die.
Dammed if you do, dammed if you don't
I'm stuck in a situation where I can't win.
I'm supposed to get a raise week, you know damn well I won't
Even though a raise is promised, I know I won't receive it.
Hey I'm not complaining 'cause I really need the work
I'm not complaining because I need the job to survive.
We're hitting up my buddy's got me feeling like a jerk
My friends mooch off of me and make me feel foolish.
Car payment, insurance, alimony, rent
I have plenty of bills to pay every month.
I get a check on Friday, but it's all ready spent
Even though I get paid, it's already allocated to bills.
Bus boy, bartender, ladies of the night
All sorts of people work to make a living.
Grease monkey, ex-junky, winner of the fight
Many different types of people try to make ends meet.
Walking on the streets its really all the same
All people hustle for money regardless of their job or status.
Nascar, rock star any other day
Even famous people work hard for their money.
Workin' for a livin' (workin')
I'm working to make a living.
I'm workin' for a livin' (workin')
I'm working hard every day to survive.
I'm taking what they giving 'cause I'm working for a livin'.
I'm accepting what I can get because I need to work to make a living.
Workin' for a livin', livin' and workin'
I'm working hard to make a living and sustain my life.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BILL GIBSON, CHRISTOPHER JOHN HAYES, HUEY LEWIS, JOHN VICTOR COLLA, MARIO CIPOLLINA, SEAN THOMAS HOPPER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@davidcataldo1222
one of the things I like best about Huey Lewis and the News is they always look like they're having fun
@charlesberndt8230
their still alive lol
@grattanwalsh8704
Amen
@mooogg
👍
@traveler11
Correct I agree with you and that's great, I love that!!!! 😊
@adamdorgant9454
Agreed!!!!
@marialeavitt2605
Huey Lewis and the news was, is still one of the Best Bands to emerge!! Their various instruments, Harmonica, Saxophone, that blast the sound in your face !! Love Huey Lewis and the news!!
@jeffreygadson
Can't forget the Hammond Organ
@fretbuzz59
"Best Bands" unnecessarily--incorrectly, in fact--capitalized. Same with "Harmonica" and "Saxophone." But part of the band's name--"the news"--not capitalized. Twice. SMH.
@davidthompson9958
Lived in Bay area long enough to see The News several times. Always a great time!