Hooky: “I think this should be a single. It’s d… Read Full Bio ↴Band comments (2005)
Hooky: “I think this should be a single. It’s dead rocky. I play it when I DJ and people go mad.”
Steve: “I love this one because it’s based around my drum riff. It sounds a bit Stoogey, but it’s not meant to be. But most of music is thievery isn’t it? Sometimes I hear a song on the radio and think, This is good, is it one of ours? Then the red mist descends and I think, You robbing bastards!”
Bernard: “I was worried that things were getting a bit flowery and melodic and chordy, so it’s great to have a track like this, with a dumb one finger riff. You should never forget that the best music is simple and you don’t have to be a great musician to make it.”
Working Overtime
New Order Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Looks like he don't care
Almost lost his mind
Too much working overtime
Gotta get out every night
City gates are open wide
Gotta get away from here
He don't need no one
He's the rising sun
He won't shed no tears
Got no time to break down here
Hey
He's going nowhere fast
Just a piece of dirty trash
All alone, by his self
He don't need nobody else
Walking down the street
So much going on
People everywhere
Look at him but they don't care
See that world out there
Make it go away
You can't change his mind
Too much working overtime
Hey
Overtime
Hey
Overtime
Hey
Overtime
Hey
Overtime
Hey
Overtime
Overtime
Overtime
Overtime
He crossed that picket line
In trouble all the time
Where did it all go wrong
House music all night long
All those girls out there
Looking for the one
Do they really care
Could they just be having fun
He did all he could
Tried to get it right
Somewhere he went wrong
Too much working overtime
Hey
Overtime
Hey
Overtime
Hey
Overtime
Hey
Overtime
Hey
Overtime
Overtime
Overtime
Overtime
The lyrics of New Order's song Working Overtime tell the story of a man who is exhausted and worn out from working too hard. He has almost lost his mind due to the pressures of working overtime, and he just wants to escape from it all. He feels alone and neglected by the people around him, who don't seem to care about his struggles. The man is depicted as a rising sun, strong and independent, but also as a piece of dirty trash, disposable and insignificant.
The chorus of the song repeats the word "overtime" numerous times, emphasizing the central theme of the song. The man has been working so much that he has lost his sense of direction and purpose. He wants to get away from it all, but he is trapped in a cycle of work and exhaustion. The verses describe his attempt to find a way out, to escape his mundane existence, but ultimately he is unable to do so.
The lyrics also touch on themes of social commentary, such as crossing a picket line and the prevalence of house music at the time. Overall, Working Overtime is a powerful song that captures the feeling of being trapped in a cycle of work and exhaustion that many can relate to.
Line by Line Meaning
Who's that over there
The singer sees someone and is wondering who it could be.
Looks like he don't care
The person seems indifferent or apathetic.
Almost lost his mind
The person may be struggling with their mental health.
Too much working overtime
The person may be overworked and stressed.
Gotta get out every night
The artist feels the need to escape or socialize every night.
City gates are open wide
The city is open and welcoming.
Gotta get away from here
The singer feels the need to leave their current surroundings.
Take that car and push that gear
The artist plans to use their car to get away and drive fast.
He don't need no one
The person is independent and doesn't rely on anyone else.
He's the rising sun
The person is confident and powerful.
He won't shed no tears
The person is strong and doesn't show any weakness or emotion.
Got no time to break down here
The person is too busy or focused to allow themselves to break down.
He's going nowhere fast
The person feels stuck or directionless.
Just a piece of dirty trash
The person feels worthless or unimportant.
All alone, by his self
The person is isolated and doesn't have anyone else around.
He don't need nobody else
The person is independent and doesn't need anyone else to rely on.
Walking down the street
The artist is observing the person walking down the street.
So much going on
There are a lot of things happening around the person.
People everywhere
There are a lot of people around the person.
Look at him but they don't care
Despite being observed by others, the person is ignored or overlooked.
See that world out there
The artist sees the world around them.
Make it go away
The artist wants to escape or avoid the world around them.
You can't change his mind
The person is set in their ways and cannot be influenced or persuaded.
He crossed that picket line
The person may have defied authority or challenged norms.
In trouble all the time
The person may be constantly getting into difficult or risky situations.
Where did it all go wrong
The person may be reflecting on their past and wondering what went awry.
House music all night long
House music may represent hedonism or escapism for the person.
All those girls out there
The artist sees many women around them.
Looking for the one
The women may be seeking a romantic partner.
Do they really care
The singer is questioning whether the women are truly interested or genuine.
Could they just be having fun
The women may be enjoying themselves without any deeper intentions.
He did all he could
The person has tried their best.
Tried to get it right
The person attempted to do something correctly or well.
Somewhere he went wrong
The person made mistakes or missteps along the way.
Hey Overtime
The chorus repeats the phrase "overtime" as a sort of musical mantra.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: PHILIP CUNNINGHAM, BERNARD (GB 2) SUMNER, PETER HOOK, STEPHEN PAUL DAVID MORRIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind