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"Workin' for a Livin'" is a single by American rock band Huey Lewis and the News, released in 1982. Included on their 1982 album Picture This, the song peaked at number 20 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks charts, and number 41 on the Billboard Hot 100. A live version appears as a B-side to the single "The Heart of Rock & Roll".[2]

History

According to Huey Lewis, the song was a semi-autobiographical one about past jobs he had before he became a musician.[3] Lewis had written it during his time as a truck driver.[3] "I wrote it when I was actually working," Lewis said. "I thought about all of the jobs which just sort of popped out."[3] Some of the jobs listed in the song (busboy and bartender) were also jobs Lewis had before becoming a musician.[3]

The song was used in the 1988 film Big starring Tom Hanks.[4]

The 1992 Fox sitcom Rachel Gunn, R.N. used a version of the song sung by lead actress Christine Ebersole as its opening theme.[5]

Later version

In 2007, Lewis recorded the song as a duet with country music singer Garth Brooks. This duet version is included on Brooks' 2007 album, The Ultimate Hits, and was released as a single. It is Lewis' first appearance on the Hot Country Songs chart, where the single reached the top 20.

Charts

Huey Lewis and the News version

Chart (1982) Peak
position
US Billboard Hot 100[6] 41
US Mainstream Rock (Billboard)[7] 20

Garth Brooks & Huey Lewis version

Chart (2007–2008) Peak
position
US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles (Billboard)[8] 15
US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[9] 19

References

  1. ^ "Huey Lewis And The News - Working For A Livin'".
  2. ^ "ultratop.be - Huey Lewis And The News - The Heart Of Rock & Roll". ultratop.be. Retrieved 2009-03-20.
  3. ^ a b c d Exclusive Interview with Huey Lewis by Steve Wosahla, Song Hits Magazine, July 1984
  4. ^ Bierly, Mandi. "Huey Lewis' favorite music in films". Entertainment Weekly. Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 17 September 2022.
  5. ^ (10 July 1992). Rachel Gunn, R.N., Entertainment Weekly
  6. ^ "Huey Lewis The News Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  7. ^ "Huey Lewis The News Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard.
  8. ^ "Garth Brooks Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard.
  9. ^ "Garth Brooks Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard.
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