Work Hard, Play Harder
Encyclopedia
"Work Hard, Play Harder" is the title of a song co-written and recorded by American country
artist Gretchen Wilson
. It was released in October 2009 as the lead-off single for her fourth studio album, I Got Your Country Right Here
, which was released on March 30, 2010. Additionally, "Work Hard, Play Harder" serves as the first single release from Wilson's own Redneck Records. Wilson co-wrote the song with John Rich
and Vicky McGehee (a team responsible for writing her 2005 hit "All Jacked Up
").
.
In July 2008, the song was featured in a commercial for Saving Grace
. The rock band The Black Crowes
, who believed that "Work Hard, Play Harder" copied their song "Jealous Again
", filed a lawsuit against Gretchen Wilson. The lawsuit also covered then-label Columbia Nashville, her publishing company, and the cable network.
." She felt that although Wilson is a "decidedly talented artist," she should be free to make better music now on her own record label.
, premiered on CMT
on October 13, 2009. In the video, Wilson is shown driving through the countryside, standing beside a barn with a projector screen showing footage of her previous music videos, and performing with her band in the evening at an outdoor concert.
chart for the week of November 14, 2009; it is Wilson's first chart single since "Don't Do Me No Good" in 2008. After 33 weeks on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, the song reached a peak of #18 for the week of June 26, 2010, becoming Wilson's first Top 20 single since "All Jacked Up" reached #8 in 2005.
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
artist Gretchen Wilson
Gretchen Wilson
Gretchen Frances Wilson is an American country music artist. She made her debut in 2004 with the Grammy Award-winning single "Redneck Woman," a number-one hit on the Billboard country charts. The song served as the lead-off single of her debut album, Here for the Party...
. It was released in October 2009 as the lead-off single for her fourth studio album, I Got Your Country Right Here
I Got Your Country Right Here
I Got Your Country Right Here is the fourth studio album by American country music artist Gretchen Wilson, released on March 30, 2010 via Redneck Records, her own label...
, which was released on March 30, 2010. Additionally, "Work Hard, Play Harder" serves as the first single release from Wilson's own Redneck Records. Wilson co-wrote the song with John Rich
John Rich (musician)
John Rich is an American country music singer-songwriter. From 1992 to 1998, he was a member of the country music band Lonestar, in which he played bass guitar and alternated with Richie McDonald as lead vocalist...
and Vicky McGehee (a team responsible for writing her 2005 hit "All Jacked Up
All Jacked Up (song)
"All Jacked Up" is a single, released in 2005, by American country music artist Gretchen Wilson. On the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs chart dated for August 6, 2005, "All Jacked Up" debuted at #21, setting a record for the highest ever debut by a female artist on the country charts...
").
Content
"Work Hard, Play Harder" is an up-tempo song, backed primarily by electric guitar and fiddle. The song's narrator describes having a busy work schedule, but highlights that on Friday she has free time to go out and party. The song serves as the debut single for Gretchen Wilson's Redneck Records label, following her departure from Columbia NashvilleColumbia Records
Columbia Records is an American record label, owned by Japan's Sony Music Entertainment, operating under the Columbia Music Group with Aware Records. It was founded in 1888, evolving from an earlier enterprise, the American Graphophone Company — successor to the Volta Graphophone Company...
.
In July 2008, the song was featured in a commercial for Saving Grace
Saving Grace (TV series)
Saving Grace is an American television crime drama series which premiered on TNT on July 23, 2007 and ran until June 21, 2010. The show stars Academy Award-winner Holly Hunter in her first television series, as well as Leon Rippy, Kenny Johnson, Laura San Giacomo, Bailey Chase, Bokeem Woodbine,...
. The rock band The Black Crowes
The Black Crowes
The Black Crowes are an American rock band formed in 1989. Their discography includes nine studio albums, four live albums and several charting singles. The band was signed to Def American Recordings in 1989 by producer George Drakoulias and released their debut album, Shake Your Money Maker, the...
, who believed that "Work Hard, Play Harder" copied their song "Jealous Again
Jealous Again (The Black Crowes song)
"Jealous Again" is a blues/southern rock song by American band The Black Crowes. It was the debut single of their 1990 debut album Shake Your Money Maker, reaching the 75th position on the Billboard Hot 100 and the 5th position on the Mainstream Rock charts.A music video directed by Pete Angelus...
", filed a lawsuit against Gretchen Wilson. The lawsuit also covered then-label Columbia Nashville, her publishing company, and the cable network.
Reception
The song has received mixed reception among music critics. Juli Thanki of The 9513 gave the song a thumbs down, noted that while "it is catchy, and far from horrible," the song was too similar in theme to several of Wilson's previous singles. Matt Bjorke of Roughstock positively described the song as "the perfect kind of song to play while driving to and from work or getting ready to go out on the weekend." He also thought that it would re-capture Wilson's fanbase. Leeann Ward of Country Universe gave the song a B- rating, describing its theme and production as an "inferior carbon copy" of her debut single "Redneck WomanRedneck Woman
"Redneck Woman" is the debut single of American country music artist Gretchen Wilson. Released in 2004, the single served as the lead-off to her multi-platinum debut album Here for the Party. The song was also Wilson's only number one single on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks...
." She felt that although Wilson is a "decidedly talented artist," she should be free to make better music now on her own record label.
Music video
The music video for the song, directed by Deaton-Flanigen ProductionsDeaton-Flanigen Productions
Deaton-Flanigen Productions is a music video directing duo composed of Robert Deaton III and George Flanigen IV. The two have directed multiple music videos, primarily in the field of country music...
, premiered on CMT
Country Music Television
Country Music Television, or CMT, is an American country music-oriented cable television network. Programming includes music videos, taped concerts, movies, biographies of country music stars, game shows, and reality programs...
on October 13, 2009. In the video, Wilson is shown driving through the countryside, standing beside a barn with a projector screen showing footage of her previous music videos, and performing with her band in the evening at an outdoor concert.
Chart performance
The song debuted at #56 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country SongsHot Country Songs
Hot Country Songs is a chart published weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States.This 60-position chart lists the most popular country music songs, calculated weekly mostly by airplay and occasionally commercial sales...
chart for the week of November 14, 2009; it is Wilson's first chart single since "Don't Do Me No Good" in 2008. After 33 weeks on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, the song reached a peak of #18 for the week of June 26, 2010, becoming Wilson's first Top 20 single since "All Jacked Up" reached #8 in 2005.
| Chart (2009-2010) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Billboard Billboard (magazine) Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis... Bubbling Under Hot 100 |
15 |