In 1970, he moved to Los Angeles to record an album with his early band, Shiloh. Shiloh's album was produced by fellow Texan Kenny Rogers. Shortly thereafter, Henley met Glenn Frey. They both became members of Linda Ronstadt's backup band. Touring with her was the catalyst for forming the group. As a result, two months later they, along with Bernie Leadon and Randy Meisner, became their own act, Eagles.
Henley's music is often social commentary. One of his more famous songs is "Dirty Laundry" (from his I Can't Stand Still album, released in 1982). Its origins date back to 1980, when Henley was put on probation for possession of a narcotic and fined for contributing to the delinquency of a minor. The ensuing media circus and on-air pundits claiming that his career was over led to the writing of the song, which continues to be an indictment against the broadcast news media. Similarly, "Johhny Can't Read" (also from the Can't Stand Still album), continues to resound as a commentary on the educational system.
Workin' It
Don Henley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It always is; it always has been
Welcome, welcome to the U.S.A.
We're partying fools in the autumn of our heyday
And though we're running out of everything
We can't afford to quit
Before this binge is over
We've got to squeeze off one more hit
Workin' it
Soon you will be dancing face-to-face
With the limits of ambition and the scars of the marketplace
Welcome to the land of flame and fizz
Where you will learn that packaging is all that heaven is
We got the little black car, the little black dress
Got the guru, the trainer, the full court press
We got the software, hard drive, CD-ROM
We got the exploitation.com
We got the pager, cell phone, bootleg methaqualone
The media, the message: you are what you own
We got the agent, lawyer, lapdog, voyeur
Talk show, book deal, round mouth, square meal
We're so busy covering our asses, we just can't commit
"Oh, back off, don't bother me, baby
Can't you see I'm workin' it?
Workin' it
It's plain to see Miss Liberty has not yet come of age
But, she loves to feed the animals as long as they're locked up in the cage
And everybody knows the girl's got balls of brass
Aw, kiss my ass
We've got a whole new class of opiates
To blunt the stench of discontent
In these corporation nation-states
Where the loudest live to trample on the least
They say it's just the predatory nature of the beast
But, the barons in the balcony are laughing
And pointing to the pit
They say, "Aw look, they've grown accustomed to the smell
Now, people love that shit
And we're workin' it?
Workin' it
We got the short-term gain, the long-term mess
We got the suffocating, quarterly consciousness
Yes man, run like a thief
New York to Hollywood, hype and glory
Special effects, no story
Yes man, run like a thief
Workin' it
Workin' it
Well, you don't know who the enemy is
You don't know
You don't know who the enemy is
Company man
Eight for me, one for you?
(Workin' it)
Very fair?
Business as usual, business as usual
The song "Workin' It" by Don Henley is a commentary on the current state of capitalism in America. The opening lines of the song "it's open season here my friend, it always is, it always has been" immediately suggest that people in America are always on the hunt for success and money, and this mindset is ingrained in American culture. The verses that follow describe the ways in which people in America pursue success, using items like designer clothing, technology, and celebrities as status symbols. Henley describes the feeling of being constantly busy and covering up insecurities rather than finding true fulfillment in life. The song suggests that America has become a corporation nation-state where people are chasing a never-ending cycle of material wealth and financial success.
The chorus of the song is the repeated phrase "we're workin' it," and it serves as a mantra for people struggling to survive in American capitalism. The verses of the song discuss different aspects of this struggle, including the exploitation of workers, corporate greed, and the feeling of being overwhelmed by the desire for success. Henley uses metaphorical language to describe the current state of capitalism in America, comparing it to a "binge" where people need to "squeeze off one more hit" before they can stop.
Overall, "Workin' It" is a critique of American capitalism, but it isn't an entirely hopeless message. Henley suggests that people need to take a step back and reevaluate their priorities rather than continuing to blindly chase success. The song offers a cautionary tale of the pitfalls of the American Dream, encouraging listeners to consider what truly matters in life.
Line by Line Meaning
Ah, it's open season here my friend
It's always open hunting time here, my friend.
It always is; it always has been
It has always been that way and it will never change.
Welcome, welcome to the U.S.A.
Welcome to the United States.
We're partying fools in the autumn of our heyday
We are foolishly partying in the peak of our lives.
And though we're running out of everything
Despite the shortage of everything.
We can't afford to quit
We cannot afford to stop.
Before this binge is over
Before this period of excessive indulgence comes to an end.
We've got to squeeze off one more hit
We need to produce one more big success.
We're workin' it
We are working hard to achieve our goal.
Soon you will be dancing face-to-face
In the near future, you will confront.
With the limits of ambition and the scars of the marketplace
You will face the restrictions of your ambition and learn from your business failures.
Welcome to the land of flame and fizz
Welcome to the world of showbiz.
Where you will learn that packaging is all that heaven is
You will learn that marketing is the essence of heaven.
We got the little black car, the little black dress
We have the luxury car and outfit.
Got the guru, the trainer, the full court press
We have the expert, the coach, and are pushing ourselves to the limit.
We got the software, hard drive, CD-ROM
We have the latest technology.
We got the exploitation.com
We have the exploitative website.
We got the pager, cell phone, bootleg methaqualone
We have the pager, cell phone, and illegal drug.
The media, the message: you are what you own
The media tells you that you are identified by what you possess.
We got the agent, lawyer, lapdog, voyeur
We have the representatives, advisers, sycophant, and peeping tom.
Talk show, book deal, round mouth, square meal
We have the publicity, book contract, and fancy dinner.
We're so busy covering our asses, we just can't commit
We are constantly protecting ourselves and cannot fully commit.
"Oh, back off, don't bother me, baby
Can't you see I'm workin' it?
"Leave me alone, I'm busy trying to succeed.
It's plain to see Miss Liberty has not yet come of age
It's apparent that America has not yet reached its best times.
But, she loves to feed the animals as long as they're locked up in the cage
However, America likes to care for captive animals.
And everybody knows the girl's got balls of brass
And it's widely known that America is courageous.
Aw, kiss my ass
Oh, go away.
We've got a whole new class of opiates
We have a new kind of drug.
To blunt the stench of discontent
To alleviate our unhappiness.
In these corporation nation-states
In these countries with companies as key institutions.
Where the loudest live to trample on the least
Where the most vocal people suppress the insignificant ones.
They say it's just the predatory nature of the beast
They claim this is simply how it works in life.
But, the barons in the balcony are laughing
However, the powerful individuals in their seats are laughing.
And pointing to the pit
And directing their attention towards the less fortunate.
They say, "Aw look, they've grown accustomed to the smell
They say, "Oh, they have become used to the situation.
Now, people love that shit
Now, people enjoy the circumstances.
And we're workin' it?
And we are trying to exploit it?
We got the short-term gain, the long-term mess
We have the quick and easy benefit but are causing problems in the future.
We got the suffocating, quarterly consciousness
We have the overwhelming, quarterly awareness.
Yes man, run like a thief
New York to Hollywood, hype and glory
Special effects, no story
Yes man, run like a thief
The person who follows them entirely should work hard without questioning their decision like a thief. They make fake drama with the help of special effects without any real story.
Workin' it
Workin' it
They are constantly hustling to succeed.
Well, you don't know who the enemy is
You don't know
You don't know who the enemy is
You cannot identify the opposition.
Company man
Eight for me, one for you?(Workin' it)
Very fair?
Business as usual, business as usual
If you work for them, they will expect you to work hard while they get more wealth than you do. They call it fair, but it's nothing new.
Contributed by William J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
William Shynne
on You're Not Drinking Enough
There isn't a man alive who can't relate to this song.