About the song
Released in 1973, “Takin’ Care of Business” by Bachman-Turner Overdrive (BTO) is a hard rock anthem that has become a beloved classic among rock fans worldwide. Its infectious energy, catchy lyrics, and driving guitar riffs have made it a staple of classic rock radio for decades.
The song was written by Randy Bachman, the guitarist and primary songwriter for BTO. It is said to have been inspired by Bachman’s observation of his then-wife working at a bank, leading him to reflect on the blue-collar work ethic and the pride of taking care of one’s responsibilities.
“Takin’ Care of Business” was released as the lead single from BTO’s second album, Bachman-Turner Overdrive II. The song quickly rose to the top of the charts, reaching number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 in August 1974. It also reached number 3 on the Canadian RPM charts. The song’s success helped to make BTO one of the most popular rock bands of the 1970s.
The song’s lyrics are a celebration of the working man and the pride of taking care of one’s responsibilities. The song’s narrator sings about how he loves his work and how he is always “takin’ care of business.” The song’s message of hard work and dedication has resonated with listeners for decades.
“Takin’ Care of Business” has been covered by many artists over the years, including Bon Jovi, KISS, and Van Halen. The song has also been featured in a number of films and television shows, including Superbad and The Simpsons.
In 2009, “Takin’ Care of Business” was inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame. The song is considered to be one of the greatest Canadian rock songs of all time.
Video
Lyrics
You get up every morning from your alarm clock’s warning
Take the 8:15 into the city
There’s a whistle up above and people pushin’, people shovin’
And the girls who try to look pretty
And if your train’s on time, you can get to work by nine
And start your slaving job to get your pay
If you ever get annoyed, look at me I’m self-employed
I love to work at nothing all day
And I’ll be taking care of business (every day)
Taking care of business (every way)
I’ve been taking care of business (it’s all mine)
Taking care of business and working overtime, work out
If it were easy as fishin’ you could be a musician
If you could make sounds loud or mellow
Get a second-hand guitar, chances are you’ll go far
If you get in with the right bunch of fellows
People see you having fun just a-lying in the sun
Tell them that you like it this way
It’s the work that we avoid, and we’re all self-employed
We love to work at nothing all day
And we be taking care of business (every day)
Taking care of business (every way)
We be been taking care of business (it’s all mine)
Taking care of business and working overtime
Mercy
Whoo
All right
Take good care of my business
When I’m away, every day
Whoo
They get up every morning from their alarm clock’s warning
Take the 8:15 into the city
There’s a whistle up above and people pushin’, people shovin’
And the girls who try to look pretty
And if your train’s on time, you can get to work by nine
And start your slaving job to get your pay
If you ever get annoyed, look at me I’m self-employed
I love to work at nothing all day
And I be taking care of business (every day)
Taking care of business (every way)
I’ve been taking care of business (it’s all mine)
Taking care of business and working overtime, take care
Takin’ care of business, whoo
Takin’ care of business
Takin’ care of business
Takin’ care of business
Takin’ care of business (every day)
Takin’ care of business (every way)
Takin’ care of business (it’s all mine)
Takin’ care of business and working overtime, whoo
Takin’ care of business
Takin’ care of business
We be takin’ care of business
We be takin’ care of business
Takin’ care of business
Takin’ care of business
Takin’ care of business