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Joe Ely — You're Workin' For the Man
Album: Twistin' in the wind
Avg rating:
6.6

Your rating:
Total ratings: 229









Released: 1998
Length: 3:44
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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I been workin' all my life tryin' to beat the company clock
In a Louisiana gravel pit, breakin' up rock
My baby's had enough, she's packin' up and leavin'
She says you're workin' for the man and you ain't breakin' even
Workin' for the man and you ain't breakin' even

Jackhammer Jimmy said to Shallowwater Slim
If you see Doctor Danny then you better talk to him
Life's too short to be sittin' 'round grievin'"
You're workin' for the man and you ain't breakin' even
Workin' for the man and you ain't breakin' even

Breakin' up rock, breakin' up rock
Working for the man on the company clock
Breakin’ up rock, got everyone belivin'
You're workin' for the man and you ain't breakin' even

My daddy tried to tell me when I was just a kid
Don't work in the pit like your poor ol' daddy did
Some days you sit and wonder what it is that you're achievin'
You're workin' for the man and you ain't breakin' even
Workin' for the man and you ain't breakin' even

Breakin' up rock, breakin' up rock
Working for the man on the company clock
Breakin' up rock, got everyone belivin'
You're workin' for the man and you ain't breakin' even
Comments (38)add comment
 tkosh wrote:

That's so funny!  And my wife has coffee every flippin' morning!  And who cares?

 
I know, right? Because IT"S ALL SO BORING!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLwc9lbJlIQ
Posted 9 years ago by cayenne    [ Reply ]
God this is rubbish. Lyrically predictable and pretentious, it makes a parody of the hard working guy.
Posted 10 years ago by The_Walrus    [ Reply ]
 i can atest tHat this is Austin. probably would be classified as Americana. some could say inspiration for red-dirt movement.  one of my local favorites, Dale Watson, puts a nice twist on rockabilly honky tonk. he will be on letterman monday...hopefully fully recovered from sunday funday...he hosts chicken shit bingo on sundays. bet on a number and win if 'it'  lands on your number. 
bev wrote:


"Outlaw" country? To me it's distinctly Austin, Texas singer/songwriter music.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_of_Austin

ftp://ftp.dot.state.tx.us/pub/txdot-info/library/pubs/travel/tx_music_guide.pdf

 

Posted 10 years ago by CrackerjaxATX    [ Reply ]
 kingart wrote:
Repetitive. Jeez. Was the button stuck?
 
As yer man's singing about a highly repetitive punishment task, do you not think that repetition was a 'design feature' of the song?
Posted 11 years ago by fredriley    [ Reply ]
 kingart wrote:
Thought it was Mark Knopfler. 
 
 
Ditto. 
Posted 11 years ago by onelittlemoose    [ Reply ]
Repetitive. Jeez. Was the button stuck?
Posted 11 years ago by kingart    [ Reply ]
Thought it was Mark Knopfler. 
 
Posted 11 years ago by kingart    [ Reply ]
 Byronape wrote:

I suppose its semantics, but I don't know if this could be considered Country and Western.  Southern Rock maybe, Rockabilly?  Perhaps a country/rock hybrid...

 

"Outlaw" country? To me it's distinctly Austin, Texas singer/songwriter music.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_of_Austin

ftp://ftp.dot.state.tx.us/pub/txdot-info/library/pubs/travel/tx_music_guide.pdf
Posted 11 years ago by bev    [ Reply ]
 cayenne wrote:

Cornflakes, cornflakes, cornflakes,cornflakes,cornflakes,cornflakes,cornflakes,cornflakes,cornflakes.

 
That's so funny!  And my wife has coffee every flippin' morning!  And who cares?
Posted 11 years ago by tkosh    [ Reply ]
Sounds very Dire Straits (but not as good) - at least this tune - don't know him at all....I'll give it a 6 with potential to grow to a 7 if it grows on me!
Posted 12 years ago by aspicer    [ Reply ]
 Byronape wrote:
I suppose its semantics, but I don't know if this could be considered Country and Western.  Southern Rock maybe, Rockabilly?  Perhaps a country/rock hybrid...
 
Labels are for cans, baby.
Posted 12 years ago by cc_rider    [ Reply ]
Joe Ely at Gruene Hall > bliss
Posted 12 years ago by djengs    [ Reply ]
 crockydile wrote:
repetitive.repetitive.
repetitive.repetitive.repetitive.
repetitive.repetitive.repetitive.repetitive.
 
Yeesh! Whaddya want - an PhD thesis? Most songs are repetitive, in whatever genre. It's what choruses are for.

8 from the foot-tappin' head-noddin' Nottingham jury.

Posted 12 years ago by fredriley    [ Reply ]
I have a soft spot for such rather trad. muzak
I even give it a 8 (when tipsy - like now)
Posted 12 years ago by Stingray    [ Reply ]
Like the segue, Chain Gang to Workin' For The Man. Good call, Bill.
Posted 12 years ago by ferwoman    [ Reply ]
 crockydile wrote:
repetitive.repetitive.
repetitive.repetitive.repetitive.
repetitive.repetitive.repetitive.repetitive.
 
Cornflakes, cornflakes, cornflakes,cornflakes,cornflakes,cornflakes,cornflakes,cornflakes,cornflakes.

Posted 12 years ago by cayenne    [ Reply ]
You're working for the man and deeper in debt
Posted 12 years ago by martinc    [ Reply ]
He sounds a lot like Rodney Crowell here.
Posted 13 years ago by lmic    [ Reply ]
 kaybee wrote:
I've said this before, I don't like Country and Western but RP has converted me to some of the very best of it.  I suspect Joe here was a real Marty Robbins/Tennessee Earnie Ford fan.
 
I suppose its semantics, but I don't know if this could be considered Country and Western.  Southern Rock maybe, Rockabilly?  Perhaps a country/rock hybrid...

Posted 13 years ago by Byronape    [ Reply ]
ok.... thats enough.....
Posted 13 years ago by ckcotton    [ Reply ]
I used to play Joe Ely on an eclectic radio station in Texas. Man, those were the days!!! But it allowed me expand my ideas and influences...So here I am listening to the wonderful Radio Paradise.
Posted 13 years ago by natedog    [ Reply ]
 crockydile wrote:
repetitive.repetitive.
repetitive.repetitive.repetitive.
repetitive.repetitive.repetitive.repetitive.
 
Um, as are you, sillycrocky! {#Lol}
Posted 13 years ago by Cynaera    [ Reply ]
I've said this before, I don't like Country and Western but RP has converted me to some of the very best of it.  I suspect Joe here was a real Marty Robbins/Tennessee Earnie Ford fan.
Posted 14 years ago by kaybee    [ Reply ]
repetitive.repetitive.
repetitive.repetitive.repetitive.
repetitive.repetitive.repetitive.repetitive.
Posted 14 years ago by crockydile    [ Reply ]
I'm writing code and working for myself but I'm digging this!
Posted 14 years ago by onerb    [ Reply ]
New to me.  I like it.
Posted 14 years ago by Stefen    [ Reply ]
 keller1 wrote:
Wow, Bill, you're really trawling through your back catalog today.  I am diggin it —- please do it more often.

 
I have a music brother in law who lives in Austin and he likes this guy.  I think he knows something.


Posted 14 years ago by cohifi    [ Reply ]
Wow, Bill, you're really trawling through your back catalog today.  I am diggin it —- please do it more often.

Posted 14 years ago by keller1    [ Reply ]
  

<Love Joe...would love to see him live.>

Weeelllllllllll... let's see: if you don't mind seeing Jimmie Dale Gilmore and Butch Hancock at the same time, The Flatlanders are touring.

I've seen all three of them separately and the band several times. You won't be sorry! {#Wave}

Posted 15 years ago by toterola    [ Reply ]
Joe Ely is a tremendously talented guy who never got the recognition that he deserved. Thanks RP for playing him!
Posted 15 years ago by peter_james_bond    [ Reply ]
 peyotecoyote wrote:

Love Joe...would love to see him live.


 

Yes, you would. He's fantastic live.  Spent a night two stepping to live Joe.  Sublime.
Posted 15 years ago by karen    [ Reply ]

Love Joe...would love to see him live.


Posted 15 years ago by peyotecoyote    [ Reply ]
As a person whose musical tastes abhors country western, I am continually surprised when I hear Joe Ely. his music is awesome. Something about it speaks to the Soul, akin to Woody Guthrie. this new song offering here at RP affirms my response. Good stuff!
Posted 15 years ago by jadewahoo    [ Reply ]
Yet another Central Texas artist that makes me feel like some sort of TRAITOR because I cannot stand him...that said, he's a really nice guy.  Met him at a private party a couple of years ago.  REAL nice...hope he doesn't read this!{#Confused}
Posted 15 years ago by Randomax    [ Reply ]
Woof.

Repeat that line a few more dozen times. Forget that you had it stuck in my head after the first twenty times you sang it.

Arf. 

3 > 1
Posted 15 years ago by MojoJojo    [ Reply ]
Baby_M wrote:
You can play all the Joe Ely you want, Bill.
I agree!
Posted 16 years ago by MJB    [ Reply ]
You can play all the Joe Ely you want, Bill.
Posted 16 years ago by Baby_M    [ Reply ]
Yay!!! Joe Ely!
Posted 16 years ago by FlamingLotus    [ Reply ]