The Working Man
Background
“The Working Man” is an album track on the eponymous debut album of Creedence Clearwater Revival. It was written by John C. Fogerty and was recorded at Coast Recorders in San Francisco in winter 1968.
This bluesy song is partially autobiographical. Fogerty got the inspiration from the jobs the band members had before turning professionals. They worked in a gas station, and as truck drivers and janitors (Craig Werner, Up Around the Bend, 1999).
Equipment
John Fogerty used three-quarter-size Rickenbacker 325 guitars in the sessions for the first album. They had a Bigsby tremolo arm and a humbucker in each, the tremeloes being switched out. One “Rick” was black, and the other sported a Fireglo finish. As for the amplifiers, his choice was the 100-watt Kustom K200.
In the movies and TV series
"The Working Man" is featured in The First Snow directed by Mark Fergus (2006).
It also appears in TV series Parenthood in the episode "Meet the New Boss" (2011).
Live versions
Creedence Clearwater played "The Working Man" at Deno & Carlo's (later Keystone Korner) in San Francisco each week from February 2nd through until April 28th 1968.
John Fogerty hasn't played the song live during his solo era.
Critical reception
"--- there's one gruff and menacing guitar tone for you! Scary! And the way he soars on that first solo... man, I haven't heard anybody doing the same stuff. He really goes to show you that guitar solos which are carefully thought over can intoxicate people far more successfully than improvised ones." -George Starostin.
Written by John C. Fogerty.
Recorded at Coast Recorders, San Francisco, CA, USA in February 1968.
Appears on Creedence Clearwater Revival album.
Released on May 28th 1968.