This is a great opening song and the band used it as an opener for many of their concerts. The song is autobiographical in many ways. It was an open letter to their new record company at the time…”But I’ll sign my contract baby, and I want you people to know
That every penny that I make, I’m gonna see where my money goes”
I wrote this post a while back…A Sound Day just told me that today is the 47th anniversary of this album…Second Helping was released on April 15th 1974.
MCA was Lynyrd Skynyrd’s record company. This song is based on how they were signed. The “Yankee Slicker” that is mentioned in the song is no other than Al Kooper. They actually were signed for $9,000.
The “seven years of hard luck” in the opening line is the time from 1966 to 1973. 1966 was when the group changed their name to Lynyrd Skynyrd, and 1973 was when their first album was released.
This song was on their second album called Second Helping. While Skynyrd were in Los Angeles in The Record Plant in a studio, the Eagles were recording in another. One day they were shocked when John Lennon came to see Kooper to talk music and see what he was working on. Lennon’s presence overwhelmed the band so much that they began to fumble over notes they had played thousands of times, Rossington admitted. Lennon introduced himself and shared small talk with the musicians.
After recording “Sweet Home Alabama,” Lynyrd Skynyrd performed at the “Sounds of the South” press party. According to the booklet included with their box set, “When Skynyrd hit the stage with a roaring version of ‘Workin’ For MCA,’ written especially for the event, the party stopped while 500 hardened industry vets stood on chairs to get a glimpse of the unknown band.” A few months later, Lynyrd Skynyrd opened for The Who on their “Fallout Shelter” tour.
The song was written by Ed King and Ronnie Van Zant.
From Songfacts
In spite of the suspicious tone to this song, “Workin’ For MCA” had its perks. Al Kooper, in his memoir Backstage Passes and Backstabbing Bastards, goes to great lengths to describe the studio where Second Helping, Skynyrd’s second album, was recorded. The Record Plant in Los Angeles was a Hollywood crib of decadence and hedonism, with all the hallmarks of 1970s sleaze. Jacuzzis and bedrooms in the building, squealing groupies bounding naked down the halls, and a staff which had standing orders to cater to every whim of the guests. And as for the decor, if it wasn’t wood paneled, it was tie-died.
Workin’ For MCA
Seven years of hard luck, comin’ down on me
From the Florida border, yeah up to Nashville, Tennessee
I worked in every joint you can name, mister every honky tonk
Along come Mr. Yankee Slicker, sayin’ maybe you’re what I want
[Chorus:]
Want you to sign your contract
Want you to sign today
Gonna give you lots of money
Workin’ For MCA
Nine thousand dollars, that’s all we could win
But we smiled at the Yankee Slicker with a big ol’ Southern grin
They’re gonna take me out to California, gonna make me a superstar
Just pay me all of my money and mister maybe you won’t get a scar
[Chorus:]
Suckers took my money since I was seventeen
If it ain’t no pencil pusher, it got to be a honky tonk queen
But I’ll sign my contract baby, and I want you people to know
That every penny that I make, I’m gonna see where my money goes
[Chorus:]
First time listening to this, but these guys could sure play guitar.
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Yea…the lead singer worked them until they were great.
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AND each lead in the song is SO DISTINGUISHED as to whether it’s King ,Collins or Rossington …… Allen Collins was one of the most UNDERRATED, underrecognized guitarists and songwriters of all time !
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I agree with you…Freebird alone is enough for a career.
Allen was great and I hate he had such a bad life from the plane wreck on.
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I’m sure they represent for a lot of groups with this song. Sounds good.
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Who were they signed to – atlantic? LOL! Never heard this one but pretty good lyrics. Coincidentally, ‘Second Helping’ came out on this day in 1974.
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Oh cool…I didn’t know that. You and Hans usually have the anniversaries covered…I lucked out today! This post was a pure coincidence.
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Good track about working for the Bossman which we all can relate too …
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Another dude shooting the bird in the picture….that must have been the thing to do in rock bands lol.
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It’s great rock boogie–and that’s primarily a Southern thing. Lynyrd Skynyrd does it very well. But, it’s not all they do…
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No it’s not all they do…I thought this song was pretty cool…a warning to their record company.
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This is a great tune. For the longest time, “Sweet Home Alabama” had been the only Skynyrd tune I had known. I caught them during their farewell tour a few years ago – cool show!
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If you want a solid show…they were the band to see…they are always well rehearsed and on the mark. I saw them a few times…but that was in the late 80s and 90s.
I sure wish I could have seen the original band.
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What a good cut. I’m lovin this stuff more and more.
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It’s some good old fashion guitar rock…I love the riffs they come up with.
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Ive been on a ABB binge.
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That is always a good thing man. They were one of the most talented rock/blues/ jazz bands ever…
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Ive been binging heavy. Might have to go to rehab.
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