About the song
“Working for the Man” is a song by Roy Orbison, released in 1962. The song was written by Roy Orbison himself and became one of his signature hits.
The lyrics of “Working for the Man” tell the story of a blue-collar worker who toils away at his job, feeling like he’s under the thumb of his boss, “the man.” Despite the hard work and long hours, he feels like he’s barely making ends meet, with his boss reaping all the rewards. The song captures the frustration and disillusionment of working-class life, where the odds seem stacked against the common worker.
With its catchy melody and Orbison’s distinctive vocal delivery, “Working for the Man” became a popular anthem for the working class and remains a classic of Orbison’s repertoire.
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Lyric
Hey now you better listen to me everyone of youWe got a lotta, lotta, lotta, lotta work to doForget about your woman and that water canToday were working for the manWell pick up your feetWe’ve got a deadline to meetI’m gonna see you make it on timeDon’t relaxI want elbows and backsI want to see everybody from behind‘Cause your working for the man working for the manYou gotta make him a hand when you’re working for the manSo I’m pickin’ ’em up and I’m laying ’em downI believe he’s gonna work me into the groundI pull to the left, I heave to the rightI want to kill him but it wouldn’t be right‘Cause I’m working for the man, working for the manI gotta make him a hand when you’re working for the manWell the boss man’s daughter sneaks me waterEvery time her daddy’s down the lineShe says meet me tonight love a me rightAnd everything is gonna be fineSo I slave all day without much payAnd I’m just biding my time‘Cause the company and the daughter, you seeThey’re both gonna be all mineYah I’m gonna be the man, I’m gonna be the manGotta make him a hand if I’m gonna be the manWorking for the man, working for the manI gotta make him a handWorking for the man