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Forty Hour Week (For A Livin’) – Alabama

About the SongForty Hour Week (For A Livin')

“Forty Hour Week (For A Livin’)” by Alabama is a heartfelt tribute to the hardworking men and women who keep America running, celebrating those who put in their time and effort to support their families and communities. Released in 1985 as the title track and single from Alabama’s album 40-Hour Week, this song struck a chord with listeners across the country, particularly those in blue-collar professions who rarely received recognition. Written by Dave Loggins, Don Schlitz, and Lisa Silver, “Forty Hour Week (For A Livin’)” became an anthem for the working class and one of Alabama’s most memorable hits, reaching the top of the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.

The lyrics of “Forty Hour Week” paint a vivid picture of everyday heroes—factory workers, truck drivers, miners, and office clerks—all contributing their part to keep the wheels of society turning. The song opens by addressing different professions, acknowledging those often-overlooked roles that are crucial to daily life. It pays homage to people from all walks of life, from “steel mills” to “auto workers,” and expresses deep appreciation for their commitment and labor. With lines like “Hello America, let me thank you for your time,” Alabama emphasizes that these workers deserve respect and gratitude for the essential roles they play in the country’s economy and infrastructure.

Musically, “Forty Hour Week” is both patriotic and reflective, with a steady rhythm and stirring melody that feels as grounded and steadfast as the people it celebrates. Alabama’s vocal harmonies lend warmth and sincerity to the song, capturing the pride and dignity of the working class. The instrumentation includes electric and acoustic guitars, supported by a driving beat that mirrors the persistence of a long workday. The song’s mix of country and rock elements gives it a broad appeal, making it a favorite not just among country fans but also anyone who resonates with its message of hard work and resilience.

This song was a significant release for Alabama, known for their ability to blend country music with Southern rock and appeal to a wide audience. With “Forty Hour Week,” they tapped into a theme that went beyond just music—it was a tribute, a thank-you note, and a reminder of the sacrifices made by millions of Americans. The song’s popularity helped solidify Alabama’s role as a voice for the everyday American, an image that would become central to their identity as one of country music’s most successful bands.

Decades later, “Forty Hour Week (For A Livin’)” continues to resonate, particularly with those who see themselves reflected in its lyrics. Its timeless message reminds us of the value of hard work and the importance of showing gratitude to those who make daily life possible. Through this song, Alabama not only created a hit but also a lasting tribute to the backbone of America—the working men and women who devote their lives to building and sustaining the nation, one week at a time.Picture background

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Lyrics: “Forty Hour Week (For A Livin’)”

 

There are people in this country
Who work hard every day
Not for fame or fortune do they strive
But the fruits of their labor
Are worth more than their pay
And it’s time a few of them were recognized.Hello Detroit auto workers,
Let me thank you for your time
You work a forty hour week for a livin’,
Just to send it on down the line
Hello Pittsburgh steel mill workers,
Let me thank you for your time
You work a forty hour week for a livin’,
Just to send it on down the line.This is for the one who swings the hammer,
Driving home the nail
Or the one behind the counter,
Ringing up the sale
Or the one who fights the fires,
The one who brings the mail
For everyone who works behind the scenes.You can see them every morning
In the factories and the fields
In the city streets and the quiet country towns
Working together like spokes inside a wheel
They keep this country turning around.Hello Kansas wheat field farmer,
Let me thank you for your time
You work a forty hour week for a livin’,
Just to send it on down the line
Hello West Virginia coal miner,
Let me thank you for your time
You work a forty hour week for a livin’,
Just to send it on down the line.This is for the one who drives the big rig,
Up and down the road
Or the one out in the warehouse,
Bringing in the load
Or the waitress, the mechanic,
The policeman on patrol
For everyone who works behind the scenes.

With a spirit you can’t replace with no machine
Hello America, let me thank you for your time…

 

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FIRST RECORD GEORGE JONES EVER CUT DIDN’T SOUND LIKE A LEGEND BEING BORN — IT SOUNDED LIKE A NERVOUS 22-YEAR-OLD IN A SMALL TEXAS HOUSE, TRYING TO SING OVER THE NOISE OF PASSING TRUCKS. The song was one he had written himself, and the title was almost too perfect: “No Money in This Deal.” It was not Nashville. It was not a polished studio. It was Jack Starnes’ home studio — small, rough, and so poorly soundproofed that trucks passing on the highway could ruin a take. George Jones later remembered egg crates nailed to the walls, and sometimes they had to stop recording because the outside noise came through. He was twenty-two years old, fresh out of the Marines, still trying to sound like Lefty Frizzell, Hank Williams, and every hero he had studied. At the time, it sounded like a young man’s joke. But looking back, the title feels almost prophetic. There really was no money in that room. No fame. No guarantee. No crowd waiting outside. Just a nervous young singer, a cheap recording setup, and a voice that had not yet learned it was going to break millions of hearts. And years later, George Jones would admit the strangest part about that first record: the voice that became one of country music’s greatest was still trying to sound like somebody else. But what George Jones later confessed about that first recording makes the whole story even more haunting — because before the world heard “the Possum,” George Jones was still hiding behind the voices of other men.

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