Released: August 29, 1987

Songwriter: Warren Zevon

Producer: Warren Zevon Niko Bolas Andrew Slater

[Verse 1]
I was born in '63
Got a little job in the factory
I don't know much about Kennedy
I was too busy working in the factory

[Verse 2]
We got a kid that's two, we got another one due
We get by the best we can do
The factory's got a good medical plan
And, cousin, I'm a union man
Saying, "Yes, sir, no, sir
Yes, sir, no, sir
Yes, sir, no, sir"
Work!

[Instrumental Break]

[Verse 3]
I was born in Mechanicsburg
My daddy worked for Pontiac 'til he got hurt
Now he's on disability
And I got his old job in the factory
Saying, "Yes, sir, no, sir
Yes, sir, no, sir
Yes, sir, no, sir"
Work!
Yeah

[Instrumental Break]

[Interlude]
Ooh
Ooh-ooh-ooh

[Outro]
Early in the morning, I feel a chill
The factory whistle blows loud and shrill
I'd kill my wife or she'd kill me
But we gotta go to work in the factory
Six days a week at the factory
Up early in the morning at the factory
I've been working in the factory
Johnny, I've been working in the factory
Kickin' asbestos in the factory
Punchin' out Chryslers in the factory
Breathin' that plastic in the factory
Makin' polyvinyl chloride in the factory
Yeah

Warren Zevon

Warren Zevon (24 January 1947 – 7 September 2003) was an American rock singer-songwriter and musician. He’s known best for his dark and outlandish sense of humor.

Zevon’s life is a classic tale of someone caught-up in bipolar alcoholism, drug-dependence, paternity suits, and divorce – a virtual train wreck on two feet. Still, his writing stands out among songwriters as some of the most original, interesting (and, okay, bizarre) on record. He released 13 studio albums in his career.

Zevon was a session musician for the Everly Brothers in the early 1970s, and came into a circle of artists ranging from Waddy Wachtel to Jackson Browne to Linda Rhonstadt to Don Henley to Bonnie Raitt to Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham. That circle of friends cross-pollinated to create the California rock sound of the late 20th century. All of the artists just mentioned point to Zevon as a big influence on their music.