"Workin' at the Car Wash Blues" is a 1974 single written and recorded by Jim Croce

Jim Croce

James Joseph "Jim" Croce January 10, 1943 – September 20, 1973 was an American singer-songwriter. Between 1966 and 1973, Croce released five studio albums and 11 singles...

. It was the second single released from his album Life and Times. It reached a peak of #32 in July 1974 on the Billboard Hot 100. It was also the third single released after Jim Croce's passing in September 1973.

Content

Jim Croce described this song as having a "funky street feel". During a performance, he explained the song as "a story about a guy who thinks he thinks he should be ruling the universe somewhere, but he is really working at a car wash". Croce explained he came up with the idea for the song while in the military at Fort Jackson running telephone cables on poles and thinking he should be doing something else. While on top of the pole he thought about everyone in the same situation thinking they should be doing another "gig" and have a different job.

In the song a man has just been released from county prison. He goes out looking for a job in an executive position but nobody will hire him. The only job he can get is at a car wash and it causes him to have the blues and be unhappy. He fantasizes about working in an air-conditioned office and flirting with his secretary but the reality of working at the car wash sets in again.

Live performances

A live version of the song was released on his album "Have You Heard: Jim Croce Live

Have You Heard: Jim Croce Live

Have You Heard: Jim Croce Live is a live album by American singer-songwriter Jim Croce, released in 2006, over thirty years after his death. The album is a companion to a DVD released previously in 2003 of Jim Croce's performances. The recordings were taken from different television programs that...

" which includes an introduction to the song where he explains the origin of it.

Covers

The song "Workin' at the Car Wash Blues" was covered by American country singer Tony Booth

Tony Booth (musician)

Tony Booth is an American country music singer who participated in Buck Owens' "Bakersfield sound" revolution.-Early years:...

 in 1974, the same year as Jim Croce's single. It was also covered by Jerry Reed on his tribute album Jerry Reed Sings Jim Croce

Jerry Reed Sings Jim Croce

Jerry Reed Sings Jim Croce is an album by American country music singer Jerry Reed, released in 1980. The album is a tribute album for Jim Croce who died in 1973 in a plane crash during the peak of his career. Seven of the ten songs were singles released by Croce. The album peaked at number 56 on...

.

Gonzo the Great

Gonzo the Great

Gonzo the Great is a puppet character, one of Jim Henson's Muppets. He was developed and performed by Dave Goelz. The character made his first appearance in a 1970 Christmas special entitled "The Great Santa Claus Switch". Known as a "Whatever" , he is considered one of The Frackles...

 performed the song with some chickens on an episode of The Muppet Show

The Muppet Show

The Muppet Show is a British television programme produced by American puppeteer Jim Henson and featuring Muppets. After two pilot episodes were produced in 1974 and 1975, the show premiered on 5 September 1976 and five series were produced until 15 March 1981, lasting 120 episodes...

.

Track listing

7" Single (ABC-11447)

1. "Workin' At The Car Wash Blues" - 2:30
2. "Thursday" - 2:20

Jim Croce

Chart (1974)	Peak position
U.S. Billboard Hot 100	32
U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary	9
U.S. Cash Box Top 100	20
Canadian RPM Top Singles	18
Canadian RPM Adult Contemporary	2

Tony Booth

Chart (1974)	Peak position
U.S. Billboard Country Singles	27
Canadian RPM Country Singles	18