Barnes was born… Read Full Bio ↴Jimmy Barnes (b. 1956) is an Australian rock singer.
Barnes was born James Dixon Swan on the 28th April 1956 in Glasgow, Scotland, and moved to Australia with his family when he was six years old.
He first came to public attention as the lead singer with popular Australian pub-rock band Cold Chisel, which he joined in 1973 and with whom he recorded seven albums between 1978 and 1983. When the band split up in 1983 he launched a solo career almost immediately; his first album, Bodyswerve, entered the Australian charts at number one. It was the first of a remarkable run of top charting albums for Barnes, as each of his first six solo albums entered the charts at number one, a feat that no other Australian artist is likely to match.
In 1986 Barnes recorded two singles with INXS, duetting with that band's singer Michael Hutchence on a cover of The Easybeats' "Good Times", and "Laying Down the Law", which was co-written by Barnes with INXS members Andrew Farriss and Hutchence. "Good Times" was used as the theme song for the Australia Made series of concerts that toured the country in the summer of 1986-1987. Both songs later appeared on the soundtrack of the 1980s teen vampire film The Lost Boys.
Following Hutchence's death in 1997, Barnes appeared live on stage with INXS at shows throughout Australia between 1999 and 2001.
His album Double Happiness, released in July 2005, reaffirmed his popularity, entering the ARIAnet albums chart at number one, his seventh album to do so. Barnes was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame on the 23rd October 2005 for his solo career efforts. Coupled with Cold Chisel's previous induction, Barnes is the only artist to be entered into the Hall of Fame twice.
Barnes is also the father of singer David Campbell, who recently starred in the Australian production of the musical Sunset Boulevard, and was a contestant on the Australian television programme Dancing with the Stars. The two perform the duet "Wichita Lineman" on Double Happiness.
Working Class Man
Jimmy Barnes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Bringing shelter from the rain
A father's son left to carry on
Blue denim in his vein
Oh oh oh, he's a working class man
Well he's a steel town disciple
He's a legend of his kind
Across the wild mid western sky
Oh oh oh, he's a working class man
He believes in god and Elvis
He gets out when he can
He did his time in Vietnam
Still mad at Uncle Sam
He's a simple man
With a heart of gold
In a complicated land
Oh he's a working class man
Well he loves a little woman
Someday he'll make his wife
Saving all the overtime
For the one love of his life
He ain't worried about tomorrow
'Cause he just made up his mind
Life's too short for burning bridges
Take it one day at a time
Oh oh oh, he's a working class man
Oh oh oh, he's a working class man
Oh yeah
Yes he is
Well he's a working class man
Oh
Ma ma ma ma ma ma ma ma ma ma ma ma ma ma ma ma ma ma ma ma
I tell you he's a working class man
Working class
Working class man
Yes he is
Working class
Working class man
I want to tell you he's a working class man
Working class
Working class man
Ma ma ma
Working class
Working class man
I got to tell you he's a working class man
Working class
Working class man
Working class
Working class man
I tell you he's a working class man
Working class
Working class man
Working class
Working class man
I tell you he's a working class man
Working class
Working class man (know he is)
Working class
Working class man
I tell you he's a working class man
The song "Working Class Man" by Jimmy Barnes is an ode to the hardworking, blue-collar men who make up a significant portion of the population. The song tells the story of a man who is working hard to provide for himself and his family, despite the challenges he faces. He is proud of his status as a working class man, and he is determined to succeed in life despite the obstacles that he faces.
The lyrics of the song are very powerful, and they speak to the struggles of everyday people. The song is a celebration of the working class, and it highlights the many sacrifices that these people make in order to provide for their families. The song is also a tribute to the strength and resilience of the working class, and it serves as a reminder that no matter what challenges we face in life, we can still succeed if we have determination and perseverance.
Overall, "Working Class Man" is a song that resonates with people from all walks of life. It is a reminder that no matter what our background or circumstances may be, we can all achieve great things if we work hard and believe in ourselves.
Line by Line Meaning
Working hard to make a living
He works tirelessly to earn a living.
Bringing shelter from the rain
He provides a roof over his family's head and protects them from harm.
A father's son left to carry on
He takes on the family legacy and maintains his father's values.
Blue denim in his vein
He is proud of his working-class roots and symbolizes it through his outfit.
Oh oh oh, he's a working class man
This line serves as a chorus; it emphasizes that he belongs to the working class and is proud of it.
Well he's a steel town disciple
He is a dedicated worker in a steel town and adheres closely to the city's beliefs and culture.
He's a legend of his kind
He is celebrated for being a hardworking, reliable worker in his community.
He's running like a cyclone
He is constantly in motion, putting in the sweat and effort to make ends meet.
Across the wild mid western sky
He travels far and wide to make a living.
He believes in god and Elvis
He holds onto his faith and is a big fan of Elvis Presley.
He gets out when he can
He enjoys his time off whenever he can manage it.
He did his time in Vietnam
He served in the Vietnam War.
Still mad at Uncle Sam
He is resentful of the government's treatment of Vietnam veterans.
He's a simple man
He lives a modest lifestyle and is content with the simple things in life.
With a heart of gold
He has a kind, selfless nature and a generous spirit.
In a complicated land
He endures the complexities of modern society while maintaining his simplicity and straightforwardness.
Well he loves a little woman
He is in love with a woman who means the world to him.
Someday he'll make his wife
He intends to marry the woman he loves and create a stable, loving home for their future family.
Saving all the overtime
He works extra hours to save money for his future with his wife.
For the one love of his life
He is committed to the love of his life and values her above all else.
He ain't worried about tomorrow
He chooses to live in the present moment and not be consumed by worry or anxiety about the future.
'Cause he just made up his mind
He has decided to live his life with a positive attitude and a determined spirit, no matter what.
Life's too short for burning bridges
He believes that it is important to maintain positive relationships with people and not to cause unnecessary conflict.
Take it one day at a time
He approaches life with a patient, steady mindset, knowing that success comes with persistence and consistency.
Ma ma ma ma ma ma ma ma ma ma ma ma ma ma ma ma ma ma ma ma
These lines serve as the chorus and emphasize his working-class identity.
Lyrics © Word Collections Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Jonathan Cain
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind