About the song
A Bluesy Ballad of the Working Man: Jim Croce’s “Workin’ at the Car Wash Blues”
In the annals of American music history, Jim Croce stands as a figure of enduring popularity, his songs weaving tales of love, loss, and the everyday struggles of the common man. Among his most beloved works is the 1974 ballad “Workin’ at the Car Wash Blues”, a poignant reflection on the monotony and unfulfilled dreams of working-class life.
“Workin’ at the Car Wash Blues” paints a vivid picture of the protagonist’s dreary existence, toiling away at a menial job that offers little more than physical exhaustion and emotional drudgery. The lyrics capture the monotony of the task, the relentless cycle of spraying, scrubbing, and rinsing, all under the watchful eye of the boss, “Mr. Meyers.”
Croce’s masterful storytelling extends beyond the mundane details of the car wash job, delving into the protagonist’s inner turmoil. The verses are laced with a sense of longing and regret, as the singer yearns for a life beyond the confines of his menial labor. He dreams of escaping the “steady depressin’ low-down mind-messin'” work and finding solace in the arms of his lover, but these dreams remain just that – distant fantasies amidst the harsh realities of his daily grind.
The song’s melancholic tone is accentuated by its musical arrangement. The slow, steady tempo mirrors the protagonist’s plodding routine, while the mournful guitar riffs and bluesy harmonica accents underscore the emotional weight of the lyrics. Croce’s vocals, imbued with a world-weary weariness, perfectly convey the protagonist’s resignation and despair.
“Workin’ at the Car Wash Blues” is more than just a song about a car wash worker; it’s an anthem for anyone who has ever felt trapped in a monotonous or unfulfilling job. Croce’s poignant lyrics and evocative melody capture the universal human experience of yearning for something more, of striving to break free from the shackles of drudgery and find meaning in life.
Despite its somber themes, “Workin’ at the Car Wash Blues” offers a glimmer of hope. The protagonist’s dreams of a better life, though seemingly out of reach, serve as a reminder that the human spirit can endure even the most trying circumstances. Croce’s song is a testament to the power of music to connect with listeners on a deeply personal level, offering solace and understanding in the face of adversity.
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Lyrics
“Workin’ At The Car Wash Blues”
Well, I had just got out from the county prison
Doin ninety days for non-support
Tried to find me an executive position
But no matter how smooth I talked
They wouldnt listen to the fact that I was a genius
The man say, we got all that we can use.
Now i got them steadily depressin, low down mind messin
Working at the car wash bluesWell, I should be sittin in an air conditioned office in a swivel chair
Talkin some trash to the secretaries
Sayin, here, now mama, come on over here.
Instead, Im stuck here rubbin these fenders with a rag
And walkin home in soggy old shoes
With them steadily depressin, low down mind messin
Workin at the car wash bluesYou know a man of my ability
He should be smokin on a big cigar
But till I get myself straight I guess Ill just have to wait
In my rubber suit a-rubbin these carsWell, all I can do is a shake my head
You might not believe that its true
For workin at this end of niagara falls
Is an undiscovered howard hughes
So baby, dont expect to see me
With no double martini in any high-brow society news
Cause I got them steadily depressin, low down mind messin
Workin at the car wash blues
So baby, dont expect to see me
With no double martini in any high-brow society news
Cause I got them steadily depressin, low down mind messin
Workin at the car wash blues
Yeah I got them steadily depressin, low down mind messin
Workin at the car wash blues