Work for the Working Man FULL SONG

The video below includes Jon's complete performance of new song "Working Man" from the National Conference on Volunteering and Service earlier this year.



I don't know what the final version sounds like but considering I've been critical at times of Bon Jovi's seeming preference for quantity over quality this decade, I'm really, really liking this song. Aside from the acoustic intro sounding an awful lot like the acoustic intro of "Livin' on a Prayer"... :P

These are the lyrics to "Working Man" as far as I can hear (corrections are welcome):

I'm here trying to make a living
And I ain't living just to die
Never getting back what I'm giving
Won't someone help me, someone justify
Why these strong hands are on the unemployment line
And there's nothing left, what's on my mind

Who's gonna work for the working man?
Work for the working man
Get their hands in the dirt, who's gonna work off the curse?
Brother I'll be damned if I don't raise a hand
For the work work work for the working man
Working man

Empty pockets are full of worry
I had to get two jobs and it was hard enough just getting by
But with the grace of God I'll get us through
I only know what I know how to do
And I'm the only one who's gotta look my family in the eye
Day after day and night after night

Who's gonna work for the working man?
Work for the working man
Get their hands in the dirt, who's gonna work off the curse?
Brother I'll be damned if I don't raise a hand
For the work work work for the working man
Working man...

I lost my pension
They took my ID
These were my friends
These were my dreams
These were my hopes
These are my streets
Can you hear me?

Who's gonna work for the working man?
Work for the working man
Get their hands in the dirt, who's gonna work off the curse?
Brother I'll be damned if I don't raise a hand
For the work work work for the working man
Working man...

These were my friends
These were my dreams
These were my hopes
These are my streets

More of JBJ on volunteering

More videos from the National Conference on Volunteering and Service.

Jon talks about the Philadelphia Soul Foundation and the "power of we". The video includes the first 45 seconds of "Working Man".


Freelancer Melissa Jun Rowley interviews Jon Bon Jovi for Causecast:


Also, Part 2 of Anthony Kuzminski's These Days review is now up at The Screen Door. One particular line I think sums up Bon Jovi quite well:

Bon Jovi’s 1995 reflective and somber These Days is a record that would be hailed as a masterwork only if it had been created by any other artist on the planet.

But this part of the review is particularly interesting because Tony delves into his personal connection with this album. These Days is a great record musically, but what makes it special is the way it has touched and changed people's lives. Check out the rest of the review here.

NEW BON JOVI SONG debuts in San Francisco

Jon Bon Jovi, representing the Entertainment Industry Foundation at a national volunteering conference, performed a new song for the first time. Here is a 30-second snippet:



If this is on the new album, it doesn't quite scream "big loud rock". ;) Then again, it's an acoustic "JBJ & Friends" performance, and the clip is quite short so it's probably best to reserve judgment. And it does seem like a more socially conscious song (see article below) than much of what has been released this decade which is what I've been pining for. In these tough economic and indeed political times, I want music that I can feel and bleed to, not music that glosses over the harsh realities of the world. In the 90s, Bon Jovi captured a level of social and political awareness and creativity that they've never reached since.

At the end of the day, Bon Jovi will still be my favourite band and the critics will still pan them. But it would be great if this album could prove they are still be those amazing artists we heard on These Days, Keep the Faith, Stranger in this Town, Destination Anywhere, Blaze of Glory, and Undiscovered Soul. I'm just after an awesome album whether it is the rock record Jon promised or not.

Here is most of "Livin' on a Prayer" from the same performance:


And from the San Francisco Business Times:

Those who stayed found almost greater reason to cheer when Jon Bon Jovi arrived as a surprise guest.

An afternoon that had the distinct feel of a rock concert finally became one.

“I’m preaching to the converted,” he said. So he started to sing.

Bon Jovi started with a not-yet-released song from a forthcoming album that he clearly sees as the working stiff’s anthem for this recession and the unemployed.

Called “Work for the Working Man,” the refrain was a catchy, if unsubtle, “Who’s gonna work for the working man?”

The lyrics are as direct: “Empty pockets, full of worry/Had to get two jobs and hard enough just getting by,” goes one line. Near the end, the song lists the woes of the laid off: “Lost my pension/They took my I.D./These were my friends/These were my dreams/These were my hopes/These are my streets/Can you hear me?”

The new song was followed by a down tempo arrangement of “Living on a Prayer” and a decidedly upbeat “Who Says You Can’t Go Home.”

And while the message was a downer, Bon Jovi garnered cheers almost as loud as did Mrs. Obama.