Classical Composer Reacts to Working Man (Rush) | The Daily Doug (Episode 453)

#rush #rushreaction #workingman #laborday
In this episode of #thedailydoug, I'm again returning to music by Rush to pay homage to Labor Day here in the United States. This is the first time that I have listened to any music off of Rush's debut album, and I very much enjoyed the song. I hope you enjoy!
Reference Video: • Working Man
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[@Duncan_Idaho_Potato]

Funny story: When Working Man was first played on that Cleveland radio station in 1974, Rush still did not have a record deal. The album was entirely self-produced and self-funded. No one in Canada was interested. Cleveland rock radio DJ Donna Halper had received a copy from a Canadian friend/associate. Tellings of this tale have varied over the years, but it looks like the real reason the song was played for the first time was that Halper had to use the bathroom and dropped the needle on the longest track on the album, Working Man. The phones lit up immediately, the song was an instant hit in that city, and Rush very soon had an American record deal as a direct result. It's just funny to think that the phenomenon that was Rush began because a radio DJ in Cleveland had to poop... and of course that the song spoke directly to the working men and women of Cleveland, Ohio.

[@UFO314159]

Fun Fact: "Here Again," not "Working Man," is the longest track on "Rush."

[@WillieDuitt1]

I have met many people in Cleveland who first saw Rush here in area High Schools

[@heltonfalusi9201]

You're right and audience thought it was a zeppelin song...

[@jean-francoisferland9183]

Most of this great story is accurate, except the "bathroom" part. Donna Halper listened to the whole album and chose to play "Working Man" while being at the console. 😉

[@tcarafi]

@@heltonfalusi9201 yup, I remember watching them talk about it on Beyond the Lighted Stage

[@chrisandersen5635]

The last song in the last Rush show officially was Working Man August 1, 2015. In Los Angeles.

[@paulkostyack7517]

I was 6 years old when this came out & loved it!! Totally hooked after Neil Peart joined...Drummer here for 48 years....

[@grife3000]

You really need to revisit this song using the live Time Machine Tour (recorded in Cleveland) version of the song. They played the hell out of this song.

[@byronness7385]

Yes they did!

[@sapinva]

What are you talking about? They played the hell out of every song.

[@jasonwilliams6005]

AGREE. AND I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO BE THERE

[@kippsguitar6539]

Unbelievable performance

[@canman87]

I've never seen/heard it, so I'm gonna check it out right after I'm finished here!

[@zepgirl6495]

One of the best and my favorites from Rush! As you said, you can crank this and let that blues rock sound wash over you! I was fortunate to have seen them twice and one of the best bands ever! If you haven't done so, take a listen to the entire album as it is superb.

[@wuphat]

Geddy's voice aside, this song, especially the extended jam portion, has strong Black Sabbath vibes. This could have easily been on Paranoid.

[@folkme3042]

That never occurred to me before but yes,you're dead right.

[@KaneJustus]

Ive always thought this. Totally reminds me of some of the instrumental jams on Black Sabbaths first album or Paranoid.

[@ronbock8291]

Yeah man, it's like a Sabbath tune that occasionally has Jimmy Page drop in for some of the solo licks, but mostly Iommi.

[@hurdygurdyguy1]

I think that's a stretch...Sabbath would never have had such a tribute and uplifting tune about working stiffs, it wasn't doom and gloomy enough ...

[@KaneJustus]

@@hurdygurdyguy1 The music. Not the lyrics.

[@John_Mack]

In Canada its also Labour Day... bit different, we have a "u"....

[@johnbaumgardner4924]

Hey Doug, you should listen to the live version, All The World's A Stage, with Peart's first drum solo.

[@Gary-zq9dr]

The Live in Cleveland version is even better. ...according to me. ;)

[@chevken1831]

You got that right!

[@williamdemerchant7295]

The first Rush album I purchased. It still sounds great 46 years later (OMG!). Neil starts off Working Man with a cow bell, and ends it with my favourite drum solo. The Working Man / Finding My Way medley would be an AWESOME Daily Doug listen.

[@orange8167]

This on "All the Worlds a Stage", and then transitions into "Finding My Way" and then into Peart's drum solo is an awesome live recording.

[@sants.guitar]

Imagine working in a harsh Cleveland industrial job. Slaving away all day and hearing this song in the radio for the first time ever. All because whoever was on the radio put the “bathroom” song on.

[@funkster007]

"When is the new Zeppelin album coming out?"

[@randylee1777]

I would imagine just being in Cleveland would be reason for despair.

[@WillieDuitt1]

@@randylee1777 At times you sir are correct, but Clevelanders truly appreciate the simple things, an ice cold beer and some great rock n roll were loved, Cleveland was having a tough time in the 1970's and a song like Working Man fit right in. Toronto isn't far geographically so it doesn't surprise me it got early airplay here. It was hard not to hear this tune especially in the summer when cars rolled by with windows open and radios cranked up. I invite you to visit Cleveland, what it has to offer may surprise you.

[@st3v444]

@@randylee1777 As would be living in most American cities

[@beeragainsthumanity1420]

I was laboring for brick layers in Houston the first time I heard this banger. Related to them right away...fan ever since and forever.

[@chrispalo5122]

It's funny how your facial expressions mirror my own when I first listened to Rush extensively.

[@francisseidel8014]

Rush with Dave Grohl on Drums did an excellent live version of this combined with 2112 Overture this past weekend at the Taylor Hawkins tribute concert. Excellent choice.

[@dougshankle7946]

That solo SMOKES!!!!!!

[@lastborn11]

The drive time afternoon DJ at a local rock station has stated this was part of his “coffee break” playlist … no dead air, just aire fresheners … on the other side of the Rush radio play storyline …

[@graysonberry]

John R. was an incredible drummer, and would’ve been given more credit had he not been followed by ‘the Professor’. ‘Take Yourself A Friend’ is a hidden gem on that album.

[@christianwilliamson9752]

Take yourself a friend

[@graysonberry]

@@christianwilliamson9752 thanks Christian yes:) Geddy’s Voice never sounded so good on the early albums

[@JohnLRice]

"John R. was an incredible drummer" indeed 👍but . . . . for a micro second my heart leaped and thought someone was mentioning ME and appreciated my drumming from way back in the day! 🤦‍♂😭🤣

[@bobthebear1246]

Dude, you just literally mentioned the only bad track on the entire album. 🙄

[@graysonberry]

@@bobthebear1246 damn man even on rush KZbin topics there are tasteless trolls smh

[@gwooledge]

Radio stations have been playing this song all weekend. ;)

[@laxcdn]

Rush and Triumph are THE classic Canadian bands to listen to.

[@Sunnywarm12]

I LOVE that you have “Close to the edge” over your shoulder!!!

[@debilarge]

Keep in mind....the were 20 years old! Geniuses at work.

[@LuisGarcia-ee2tr]

One of the top ten best Rush's songs

[@johnmedeiros3763]

I love RUSH 100% My favorite band & there one of my biggest inspirations for the music i make & there from Toronto Canada were I'm from

[@Stoneylfm]

That’s right! Rock on 🤘🏼🤛🏼 that’s my shiz right there.

[@timculp4126]

I believe the name is Donna Halper.

[@Brian-kl1gf]

Hello from New England..This song always gave me strong Black Sabbath vibes..The guitar solo is pure Iomi and it's the heaviest Rush album I'm aware off..Just 3 guys making a RocknRoll album.. Peace from the Northeast...

[@Moondirts]

Agree. Always thought it sounded like Sabbath.

[@sethcashman1011]

Where in New England? New York/Vermont here!

[@sethcashman1011]

And yes, totally agree with you guys re: Sabbath. Those riffs are right out of their realbook.

[@ajcoopa]

The story goes that people rang the radio station to find out when the new Zeppelin album was coming out when it was first played.

[@sethcashman1011]

@@ajcoopa Yup, Donna Halper said they were inundated with calls inquiring about the "new Led Zeppelin album."

[@daredevildaryl2645]

Haha, I was just searching KZbin for Rush-Working Man and found this just uploaded. I am a front liner working this labor day weekend Sa-Tu

[@gmas8589]

1979...I used to play this song every day, right before going to work, as dishwasher in our college cafeteria! Happy Labor Day!

[@cozmicpfunk]

Hi Doug, thank you for paying Homage to our working class and bringing it in with Canadian Band Rush- one of my All Time Favorites! If you're a Guitar player, the solos in WM are still among the most challenging to learn and play- you can definitely hear the "Jimmy Page" influences all the way through! I just love them so much, really that whole debut album is a real treat to enjoy :)

[@ephesians.6]

It's amazing that listeners thought this was the new Zeppelin when it "debuted" (for lack of better words) on a radio station in Cleveland. It sounds way more like early 70s Sabbath, just less gloomy. The drums were mixed up fine, John just wasn't a heavy-handed player, and he didn't have a whole lot of flash. Just a straight-ahead bluesy rock guy. He needs to be remembered as the drummer that got them hired. While revered, naturally, Peart's contribution nearly got them fired. Hard to believe now, but it's true. John was sadly let go, but understanding of the reasons why. If it wasn't for John they wouldn't have got signed. Without Peart, they wouldn't have lasted. BOTH are necessary to the band's history and legend. That's why Geddy and Alex always fondly called Neil "the new guy" up to the day of his death as he wasn't a part of the original triumvirate. This song got picked to play cause it was long, and the DJ could go to the bathroom and have a cigarette. Haha. True story! Great review Doug! I suggest this whole album as a rock and roll good time. Much love!

[@kujibo]

It's funny, I've heard this song hundreds of times and heard the Zep comparisons many times, but it wasn't until half way through listening to today's video that it suddenly dawned on me that musically at least this sound very close to Sabbath. Was surprised to see someone think the same.

[@ephesians.6]

@@kujibo right? The only thing missing is drop-D tuning and open 5th chords. Full-blown Sabbath sounds from that exact time. And I don't know for sure if Sabbath even influenced Rush. I know John's influences were like Bad Co., stuff like that. I also know Geddy and Alex listened to a lot of Blue Cheer, ELP and Genesis. But I don't recall if Sabbath influenced their early sounds at all. Especially this track.

[@jackteppo9633]

John Rutsey was the original drummer from this album. Just a note: Donna Halper from WMMS 100.7 Cleveland. "Home of the Buzzard." She brought Rush to us.

[@chriskangeter8993]

That "back n fourth" riff replicates the "tick tock" of the clock.

[@NoviJimB]

One of their better songs, and yes, exactly, just straight ahead rock and roll. That's exactly how I describe this album. 'Finding My Way' is my favorite from that first album, a fantastic riff and just a great, song. I saw Rush at The Michigan Palace in December of 1974, not long before the 'Fly By Night' album was released. They were fantastic. they opened for Kiss, but we were there to see Rush. Pretty sure this was their finale. My mom dropped us off (it was in downtown Detroit, we lived about10 miles NW of there). We were all 14 years old, and we took the Grand River bus home that night, along with about 30 other long haired teenagers. Quite an experience! That was my third or fourth concert, saw Led Zeppelin at Olympia stadium about a month later.

[@Keith_KC8TCQ]

This song was what got them their big break in the US. When the album came out, a lady at a Cleveland Ohio radio station was looking for "bathroom songs", longer songs a DJ could put on to give them time to use the restroom, She came across this song, and as Cleveland was an industrial town she thought it was perfect. Once it played, the phone lines blew up, and word spread out from there and Rush became a hit in the US.

[@michaelschroeck2254]

I love your channel! I have never has a music appreciation class ever. I can’t tell one cups from another. So when you pick these things out it astounds me! But for you and those like you it is part of the territory!! I love it though!

[@squamishfish]

You really need to hear the workingman live in Cleveland , this was used as the concert closer, it has three transitions from medium to to Rocking Absolute Fire , The guitar player it right up the neck , Alex the guitar player was influenced by an Irish Guitar player Rory Gallagher, They backed up Rory when they started out , Later hen Rush got bigger Rory backed them up , Alex use to watch Rory from the side when he played during both tours , They became very close friends , their is an interview where Alex talks about Rory ,

[@erikhesjedal3569]

Everybody should check out Rory Gallagher, way underappreciated

[@throwabrick]

One of my favourite Rush songs, and top 100 songs of all time. Happy Labour Day from Vancouver!

[@tsisqua]

Just found you, and I'm loving it! Subscribed! Thank you.

[@videogeekin]

This is actually their 'Glam Rock' period...they actually wore makeup and platform shoes. (not Neil Peart on drums here).

[@thomasgoodwin2648]

Seemed like it was on the radio about twice an hour, more if you searched channel hopping. At the time most peeps in the U.S. though they were a Cleveland band. To an aspiring young guitar player having just gotten his 1st electric, it was the perfect vehicle to learn the art of pitch recognition well enough to play it. It's still fun to play (not the solo, I'll never be that good in that way so the magic still lives). Admittedly, it was the 2nd song I intentionally sat down to learn (The 1st is always the 1st for any guitar player of my era - Smoke on the Water). The 3rd song I tried was Roundabout. Still working on getting that right, but these days it's more fun to play from my own heart than try to recreate someone else's magic (yes it's still way fun to learn new tunes though). Advice to aspiring musicians: Music is as much the language of emotion as English (or any other spoken language) is used to express ideas. Use popular music to learn the language, understand how it makes you feel as you play it. The final goal is to find your own voice, and share with us mere mortals what it is that YOU feel. If you're going to do a cover tune, do it YOUR way!

[@fatihsendur7544]

Rush is such a great band that they have influences on many others. You might wanna check Royal Philharmonic Orchestra covering "Red Barchetta" with Adrian Smith on guitars who is also a fan of the band.

[@christophercook4819]

This is my favorite album of their’s probably my favorite songs from this album are take yourself a friend and here again

[@basila33]

Workers of the world, unite!

[@cygnus976]

Perfect song for today!! Really love your content and your reactions especially to Rush, my all time favorite group 🤘

[@patriciastewart2239]

I can't even imagine having another drums to bang on how groovy right?

[@79personalities]

Sometime down the road. Here Again off this same album is something special too.

[@Fredzeppelin15]

You know you’re in for a good time when Doug starts doing his dance

[@smokieintexas7634]

This is my driving song on the way to work on Fridays. It has been for years. For the way home it is the Easybeat’s “Friday On My Mind”.

[@squamishfish]

Alex and Geddys parent were immigrants from Europe , Geddys parents were survivors of the German death camps and were hard working , Same with Alex’s dad he worked a few jobs at once

[@jcarlosfig]

Should see this live

[@revtom58]

There is a statement on the back of the album cover that says, "For best results, play at full volume"

[@billhawkins1236]

First time I saw RUSH the buddy I went with say's to me, " what kind of band plays for 2 hour's, takes a 20 minute break and then plays for another hour" I said, " this one"! 😂😂😂

[@zacknicley8150]

I believe the meaning of this song is whether or not your employment is a means to an end or an identity. Most people’s jobs are not important in and of themselves, and should be a means to greater, more noble pursuits. However, so many allow their jobs to become their personal identity. We are people-so much more than just our secular occupations.

[@The_Original_Geoff_B]

I was lucky enough to enjoy my job (mostly), and it allowed me to visit a number of countries, write (and publish) a dozen papers, gain a higher degree, and meet a lot of very interesting people. One of the most rewarding aspects, however, was being a Union Rep (supporting and working for about 400 colleagues in my area). The US lags far behind Europe in union representation in the workforce, and this is reflected in many of the working conditions there. I was lucky - I had a management team in my area of the company who wanted to work with me to make things better.

[@bluetopguitar1104]

We loved this song back in high school days when we first heard it. Who the hell could sing it? Thanks for your positive comments on labor. Cool story about the radio play.

[@nordvegfigg7746]

This was the closer of my first band's first paid gig ($450 for three nights/3 sets a night) . And playing it in ours and Rush's hometown of Toronto meant we'd better do a damn good job of it. I guess we did it (and the rest of our covers) justice because at the end of that three nights we had our first manager and started working the Ontario/Quebec bar circuit with a 5 of us crammed into a van and our 2-man crew riding in luxury in a rented 5-ton equipment truck two weeks later.

[@cdnmetelhead4013]

What was the name of the band?

[@patriciastewart2239]

I woke with this song in my brain today. 🙏☕🎤🎹

[@Spiritbro77]

One of my absloute favorite Rush songs.

[@johnnyblade8044]

Understand that Rush had no Idea if they would get another record deal, so this is them playing their Magus Opus

[@robertkroberjr.157]

There's a video of them playing in a high school, of this song! 😎✌

[@johnnymegabyte]

this ---> kzbin.info/www/bejne/pWLLipulm8eBr68

[@SylviusTheMad]

A song which first got radio play by virtue of being the longest song on the record, so DJs could play it to create bathroom breaks.

[@digibirder]

Perfect choice Doug! The song resonates because the riff sounds like working hard. The whole song is puttin' in the work!

[@MikhailKovalenko-h1b]

Hey, Doug, there's a cool Pink Floyd's song named High hopes (live in Gdansk). I guarantee it'll blow your mind. Also there's an iconic rock guitarist that you can't miss out - Jimi Hendrix. Because of him and his albums "Are you experienced" 1967, "Axis: Bold as love" 1967 and "Electric Ladyland" 1968 rock as a genre was invented. He died too soon. But it's impossible to overestimate his contribution in rock music. Exactly after him new bands was created such as Led Zeppelin, Deep purple, pink floyd... Hello from Vladivostok

[@Arrow2theACL]

Check out Daily Doug Episode 385 Edit: although it is the video and not the live version.

[@MikhailKovalenko-h1b]

@@Arrow2theACL there's no high hopes there. what are you talking about?

[@Arrow2theACL]

@@MikhailKovalenko-h1b Apologies. I thought it was on Doug's KZbin Channel. High Hopes is on his Patreon. Sorry.

[@rush2112pete]

About time, Doug! Beg my pard…👊🏻😊

[@Ninang363]

It started out with that DJ needing a song that was long enough for her to take a bathroom break yet be cool enough to hold the audience's attention so she chose this by this new group from Canada

[@kellynine7438]

Somewhere out there in the multiverse, there's a timeline where Rutsey stayed with the band and they developed in a different direction, and I'd love to hear what that catalog sounds like. The band transformed overnight when Peart joined, and became one of the greatest of all time, but there are just enough signs of brilliance in that first album to make me want more. Working Man is definitely the shining star of that album, though, and the energy they have on stage when playing it, even 40 years later when they used it to close out their final shows, was amazing.

[@vickiconley3638]

Foreigner's blue collar man, and lover boy's, Everybody's working for the weekend are 2 good ones!

[@sarah2.017]

BCM was by Styx, not Foreigner.

[@vickiconley3638]

@@sarah2.017 oh yes!

[@davmtu]

One of my favorite Rush songs.

[@spydrmike1]

My favorite RUSH song. Been rocking to this song since it came out.

[@hurdygurdyguy1]

This was my introduction to Rush in college in the mid '70's! I was the staff graphics artist on our college newspaper and in the wee hours of the morning on the usual all nighter ascwe were furiously putting the paper "to bed" this came on the office radio and I was blown away and immediately called the station to ask what it was (this was back in the day when radio stations answered with a real person)!

[@jjanusch67]

The first bass player in Rush was Jeff Jones, who blew off their second gig to go to a party. Alex called up Geddy who stepped in at the last minute. Jones later went on to play in the band Ocean, who had a #2 hit with their cover of "Put Your Hand in the Hand": kzbin.info/www/bejne/a3nLeJmIm5uYjJY

[@ericblankenburg]

Back in high school, we used to play this song in our band. Brings back memories.

[@kennethbenson2931]

Check out the Time Machine live in Cleveland version...one of the best things floating around the Internets these days.

[@snakeinthegrass7443]

I can't believe this...I was just listening to this album yesterday for the first time in years! And now here you are doing a reaction! WOW 🤟🏻🤟🏻

[@turkeytrac1]

You do know that in RUSH's homeland, we celebrate "Labour day" as well. On the same day as the USA.

[@turkeytrac1]

If you want a interesting cover of this song, look up the king of cigarbox guitars, Shane Speal's version.

[@casachezdoom2588]

Those guitar solos are very Tony Iommi-esque

[@nathanduke5323]

This is one of the most hard rocking songs ever recorded.

[@NSalonen]

Geddy has said in an interview that this is his favorite song to play live

[@moluscass]

7:25 - melodic figure used in The Trooper

[@brolinofvandar]

This was the first album I ever heard by Rush. Coming back from a concert in Evansville, IN, stopped at a friend's house to drop him off, and he lent me the album. It's been my favorite Rush album ever since. This was during my couple of years as a part time DJ, and this immediately went on the list. And we bought Fly By Night when it was released. This song in particular got a lot of airplay from me.

[@sarah2.017]

Wow, and I thought discovering them with "Hemispheres" as a 14-year-old GIRL in 1978 put me on the ground floor!

[@brolinofvandar]

@@sarah2.017 I think it was later that year, in Sept, that I saw (or actually, almost saw) Rush the first time. That was at Murray State University in Murray, KY. The show was Angel/Rush/BOC and a birthday gift from my sister. General admission in those days, no assigned seats. And this place was oversold, so it was very crowded inside. I saw the opening act from my usual position, on the floor as close to center stage as I could get. It was so packed, when you took a breath, you sorta pushed someone else away to make room. And, a tidal motion of a few steps forward, a few back. Spotted a friend in the crowd, met up, and headed for fresh air between bands when Angel finished. So, we're standing out in the concourse talking, cooling off, and we hear Rush coming on stage. We turned to go back in and were met with a solid wall of humanity. Ended up standing right there, at the concourse side of an entrance, hearing what we could, but seeing nothing of Rush. After Rush, the crowd broke again, and I headed in to find my sister and friends (my ride, etc.) and grab a seat for BOC, the main reason I was there. But, by this point, between the heat, the crowds, and the consumed beverages, etc. prior to arrival, I was beat. Mostly sat through BOC's show, standing up for key songs here and there. In fact, once we got back to the hotel, I collapsed across one of the beds and was out for the night. I was *supposed* to sleep on the floor and the four girls (my sister and her friends) were to take the beds. The ride home the next day wasn't quite as happy as the ride down had been....

[@albomusicman85]

Rush have done so much good to this world!! It's unbelievable!!!

[@fretless05]

From their very beginnings, Rush was a band that loved to give room in their songs to each of the three players. Geddy and Alex often played the same jams and then one or both went off in different directions, transitioning in and out of tempos and melodies (though their transitioning went to otherworldly levels later on). The story of John Rutsy breaks my heart; I was diagnosed with diabetes as a young kid around the time this album came out, and learning that it forced him out of what became such a huge musical dynasty was disheartening. Thankfully, treatments have progressed along with Rush's music, and we now see people with this disease touring with other bands.

[@bwaredapenguin]

Excellent Labor Day pick!

[@tomskelton4937]

Other commenters are correct. Definitely need to follow this one up with an analysis of the Cleveland Time Machine Tour edition of Working Man. They were about 1 second away from a train wreck and brought it all together in a most amazing fashion. It's also neat to hear Neil's embellishments on John's original drum track. He didn't create something new in his own way but embellished what John started in a truly masterful way. ps - just paid attention to your background - rock chalk

[@jomojojo6603]

Doug, I suggest the 1st Rush album with Neil Peart. The song kicks ass but is also very proggy. Quite impressive for 20 year olds. Song is "Anthem".

[@gazzie12000]

I think they were more like 20 or 21 year olds when they recorded Anthem

[@jomojojo6603]

@@gazzie12000 ooops... typo. Should be 20

[@sarah2.017]

I vote for "Rivendell" from FBN. And ATWAS's version of "By-Tor and the Snow Dog."

[@TheAcgtrs]

You really should watch ‘Beyond the lighted stage’, the Rush documentary. Not is it a really great rock doc, but there’s a particularly good story about this song “Working Man” and why a Cleveland radio station started playing it, and essentially broke Rush in the USA.

[@jamestucker5869]

You really need to list to the live version / Working Man from the time machine tour live in Cleveland. It's amazing!

[@DRUmBEaTTS]

I’d love to see you do an analysis of Rush’s Jacob’s Ladder. The layered time signatures during the intro, 4/4 over 5/4 & 6/4. And the drumming over the 6/8 & 7/8 guitar arpeggios in the second half of the song. And the harmonic content as well.

[@christopherdelo8622]

Need to watch working man live in Cleveland. This is were working man was first played in America radio station. So on there last tour they made it very special for Cleveland.

[@kujibo]

Even more appropriate as today's pick as Geddy and Alex just played this for the first time since retiring at the Taylor Hawkins tribute a couple of days ago.

[@davearthur4683]

Saw them in a bar in the summer of 1974 doing this album

[@Musical_Skye]

lol! Thank you for this, esp after just having done a reaction to Moving Pictures. A great choice for Labor Day! :)

[@randylee1777]

I saw Rush in 1979. I loved the album Hemispheres. They played Working Man. I didn’t care for it. I’m glad they became progressive.

[@garsongsmusic]

Great song - played this as a cover in my high school band - typically as the final song in our first set. Always a crowd favorite and just a fun song to play. I first saw Rush in 1974 right after Neil joined the band in a small venue in Akron, Ohio and have been a follower/fan ever since!

[@MrDevtun]

Yep, a straight-ahead rocker executed brilliantly. Luv your channel, Doug.

[@sethcashman1011]

This was GREAT! There are copious lazy/half-assed Rush reactions on KZbin (names withheld), but this was definitely not one of them. Excellent, as always. Happy Labor Day,, Doug.

[@williamjones6185]

I had the sad experience of living in Hawaii. I was there 3 1/2 years and that was 3 years 5 months too long. The only thing that kept me sane was a nearby nightclub that had live music every Friday and Saturday nights. There was a band that played this song and I requested it every time I went there. So when they came in and saw me they KNEW that was on the docket for that night. They will be Workin' Men! 🎸

[@caseyshawn5]

I am a working man. On behalf of all working people today I would like to say, “You’re welcome!”

[@Knightveil]

This first album is much more straightforward rock than most of the later material, even Working Man, with its extended solo, is solidly based in straight up rock n' roll. And that solo may be the impetus for Alex's reputation for "slash and burn" solos, a reputation that would follow him for the rest of his career.

[@atsz.]

The first verse repeating at the end is symbolizes the nature of the repetitive life of the working man

[@SpookyLuvCookie]

Ooo. If you like Rush, you should def get yr ears around "Big Rooster Jeff" - a rock trio from Leeds UK, their debut album "The Good Notes" is a winner. Glorious proggy rock that'll put a huge spring in your step. Instant classic! check it

[@steveclark9211]

Another good one for Labor Day would be "Finest Worksong" by R.E.M.