Feedback Throwback
On June 29, 2004, Rush released the EP, Feedback featuring 8 cover songs that were chosen by the band as favorites during their early years. The opening track on the record is Summertime Blues, a perfect fit for this time of year! The lyrics of Summertime Blues tell of a young guy who has “the blues” because of having to work during the summer, when he would rather be out having fun. Perhaps Rush’s “Working Man” continues to tell the story of this young man as he is now slightly older and still discontented with his work obligations? Have a look below at the lyrics for each song and decide for yourself!
Well thankfully the band didn’t have the blues when they embarked upon their R30 Anniversary World Tour around the same time as this release. The tour covered 57 concerts in 10 different countries, and wrapped up in Rotterdam on October 1, 2004.
SUMMERTIME BLUES (Eddie Cochran, Jerry Neal Capehart)
I’m gonna raise a fuss, I’m gonna raise a holler
About a-workin’ all summer just to try to earn a dollar
Every time I call my baby, try to get a date
My boss says, “no dice son, you gotta work late”
Sometimes I wonder what I’m a-gonna do
But there ain’t no cure for the summertime blues
Well, my mom and pop told me, “son, you gotta make some money”
If you want to use the car to go ridin’ next Sunday
Well, I didn’t go to work, told the boss I was sick
“Well, you can’t use the car ’cause you didn’t work a lick”
Sometimes I wonder what I’m a gonna do
But there ain’t no cure for the summertime blues
I’m gonna take two weeks, gonna have a fine vacation
I’m gonna take my problem to the United Nations
Well, I called my congressman and he said “whoa!”
“I’d like to help you son but you’re too young to vote”
Sometimes I wonder what I’m a gonna do
But there ain’t no cure for the summertime blues
WORKING MAN (Alex Lifeson, Geddy Lee)
Well I get up at seven, yeah
And I go to work at nine
I got no time for livin’ yeah
I’m workin all the time.
It seems to me
I could live my life
A lot better than I think I am
I guess that’s why they call me,
They call me the working man.
They call me the working man
I guess that’s what I am
I get home at five o’clock
And I take myself out a nice cold beer
Always seem to be wonderin
Why there’s nothin’ goin’ down here.