"Out of Work" by Gary U.S. Bonds

Song#:  1069
Date:  06/12/1982
Debut:  69
Peak:  21
Weeks:  16
Genre:  Rock



Pop Bits:  After his Bruce Springsteen-produced comeback album yielded the #11 hit "This Little Girl," Bonds teamed up once again with Springsteen and Steven Van Zandt for a follow-up LP titled "On the Line." Springsteen wrote seven of the eleven tunes including this first single. Just as his previous hit missed the Top 10 by one spot, this single missed the Top 20 by one. Bonds would release a few more albums over the years, but this song would be his final pop chart showing.

ReduxReview:  This song is in the same vein as Springsteen's "Hungry Heart." However, the missing element here is that Springsteen isn't singing the song. I would imagine if this was a new single from him, it probably would have done better. But Bonds' vocal is perfect for the song and he most likely sings it better than Springsteen would have.

ReduxRating:  6/10

Trivia:  The Springsteen tunes were recorded with most of the E Street band members. There were three additional songs recorded during the sessions, but they were not placed on the final album. Later, Springsteen would issue his own versions of two of those songs. "Lion's Den" appeared on his 1998 box set "Tracks" and Rendezvous" showed up on his 2010 compilation "The Promise."

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