Jimmy Barnes Celebrates 40 Years Of 'For The Working Class Man'

Scoop

6 days ago

Mushroom Music are proud to reissue a special 40th anniversary release collection of Jimmy Barnes ' seminal album For The Working Class Man.
The offering will be welcome news to collectors and music fans alike. Honouring the formats originally released in 1985 and newly remastered for the anniversary, For The Working Class Man will be released as a double vinyl 'flame' coloured, hand-poured vinyl in a gatefold jacket with exclusive reproduction of the original album poster, the first time it's been on two records since it hit shelves. Also for the first time since 1985, the singles will be available as an exclusive limited-edition boxset of coloured 7"s – 'Ride The Night Away', 'I'd Die To Be With You Tonight', 'Working Class Man' – and a new fourth single which includes a stripped back, re-worked version of 'Working Class Man' and a 10-minute reflection by Jimmy on the creation of the iconic music video. The 40th Anniversary Edition will also be available on CD and cassette.
'For The Working Class Man was such a significant album in my life. I got to make the record with some amazing people, and it really set up the rest of my solo career. I'm so excited to be celebrating For The Working Class Man with some of my dearest friends and favourite artists. And I can think of no better way to mark this milestone than by performing these songs in some of the most beautiful and iconic outdoor venues across Australia.' - Jimmy Barnes
For The Working Class Man is packed with classics, including Jimmy's first Top 10 solo single 'I'd Die To Be With You Tonight', the Top 40 smash 'Ride The Night Away', and the beautiful ballad that he wrote for his wife Jane, 'Without Your Love'. And, of course, the album features his signature song, the unofficial national anthem, 'Working Class Man'. For the Working Class Man also includes seven reworked songs from his chart-topping solo debut Bodyswerve, including 'No Second Prize', 'Daylight' and 'Promise Me You'll Call'.
The album's cultural impact is undeniable, it continues to hold lasting significance in the DNA of Australian music. Recently included in the triple j Hottest 100 of Australian Songs and ahead of a not-to-be-missed performance of 'Working Class Man' at this weekend's 65th TV Week Logie Awards, the juggernaut that is Jimmy Barnes is showing no signs of slowing down. The documentary based on his best-selling memoir Working Class Man will also be screening at the Melbourne International Film Festival and will premiere exclusively on Seven and 7plus later this year.
JIMMY BARNES is the most successful artist in Australian chart history. He's had 16 solo number one albums – no artist has had more – plus six chart-topping albums with Cold Chisel. Jimmy's 21st solo album, DEFIANT, entered the Australian charts at number one in June this year.
The anniversary also inherently honours a dear friend who was instrumental in the making of the album. The late-great Michael Gudinski said, 'I'm as proud of For The Working Class Man as any album the Mushroom Group has released.' Michael called the album Jimmy's gift to his fans – 'a record for everyone who's believed in him … For The Working Class Man.'