This was the song that put Rush into the public consciousness. It started at a radio station in Cleveland, blue collar town that it is. The song took off there, and the rest is history. This is also the very first song I ever heard on headphones (The live version), as a 7th or 8th grader at Rainbow Records in Oklahoma City in '77 or '78. The roar of the crowd in both ears sounded to me like I was in the arena!

This started it all for the band, R.I.P. John Rutsey who doesn’t get enough love.

Alex Lifeson played all the guitar parts on this track. When they played it live, he just switched between lead & rhythm whenever necessary. There’s a great version of this song on their 1976 live album, All the World’s a Stage, which also has Neil Peart on the drums. The album version of the song had John Rutsey on percussion, so it’s interesting to hear what Neil does with the song.

When Neil Peart joined the band for their 2nd album, They were completely a different animal after that! Rest In Power, Professor...

Now watch them live some 40 years later closing the Time Machine show in Cleveland with this song. These guys were better at 60 that they were at 20.

I was 13 when this album was released. I wore this album out. Finding My Way is another banger.

I lost count how many times I saw these guys in concert as a teenager in the 70s ! These are the guys you slept out overnight to get your tickets so that you got first row , They would blow your socks off ! Miss those days !

Ok NOW you gotta watch it llive 40ish years later! Look up Rush Workin Mann live in Cleveland! Frkn amazing!! Dif vibe and even harder. Love you guys

The later live version is absolutely great but this will always be my favorite. Used to listen to this every day going to work. (Retired now though.) HE HE HE!!!

This song never gets old.

These were the Led Zeppelin hang over days. Every band and there brother had to sound like them to get radio play back then. This first album was that package. After this album, their whole dynamic changed. This is probably their best song ever recorded as a single play. It’s by far their most radio played song. There’s before Peart and after Peart with this band and then there’s songs that test the sands of time. This was one of those songs.

Favorite Rush song. Excellent reaction fellas!!! Appreciate you 🙏 ❤

Instant speeding ticket song. God I love this anthem!

Love Heavy Rush. This was METAL. Meat and Potatoes, Metal. Lifeson's biggest Brontosaurus Stomping Riff. I love it.

Straight forward kick ass rock and roll brought RUSH into the fold! I love Neil but this was and always will be my go to. Thanks for hitting this one guys, Alex Lifeson killing that guitar

You have to hear the drum solo on this song on all the world is a stage!!!

Full studio version. Sweet! Yeah, I'd say Alex has rhythm mixed in on the studio version. However, Geddy seems to cover it live quite well. You don't miss it.

My favorite RUSH song from my favorite RUSH album!

Geddy said this was the one song they played at every concert they ever did for 40 years.

The track just before this is "Before and After" and deserves a listen before moving on to Neil's debut album, "Fly By Night" from 1975

RusH's first radio song... instantly resonated with the "working men".

It's like Metal Rush, so heavy. Great song.

Love how Rush evolved, but they sure could rock with the best of them in the traditional sense! This song put them on the map. If you can catch the documentary on them, they talk about hanging out in the dressing rooms of then bigger rock bands while opening for them- I think they said they were usually reading books.😂🤦🏼‍♀️

I LOVE Rush, have since I was a teenager several decades ago. Watching younger people finding and experiencing phenomenal music like this puts a huge smile on my face. You guys show a true love and appreciation of music which is what keeps me coming back to your channel.

When this song was 1st played on the radio in Cleveland the station got a flood of calls asking when this Led Zeppelin album was released!

They played the hell out of this on WMMS in Cleveland.

Best Rush song ever. God I have not heard this in forever. You guys have a great channel. Keep it growing and bringing on the best of this period of rock and soft rock.

Rush is my all-time favorite band . They rock so hard on this one.

Rush live is the 8th wonder of the world sounds just like the album version

I have seen interviews with the 3 band members, and they talk about studio vs. playing live. In the studio, Alex would layer different guitar parts. When it came to playing live, they'd either sacrifice the rhythm part, Geddy (bass/vocals/keys) would handle it using a double-neck bass/guitar combo and/or bass foot pedals, or one of them would trigger a sample of a guitar part (if they were going for the most accurate reproduction of the studio version.) They never used another guitarist. Any sounds were made or triggered by one of the 3 on stage. The only exceptions to this were in the last couple of tours, they had one song called "Losing It" that used a guest electric violinist, which was also done on the studio version. And, during the "Clockwork Angels" tour the band used an ensemble of string instrument musicians set up behind the drums.

I used to listen to this on my way to work at the butcher shop after school. That was definitely a working man's job.

John Rutsey's drumming was good from their first album. RIP.

Structurally, the chorus placement, the blazing guitar solo, the bringing it all back home, this epic tune reminds me of another iconic rocker--Zeppelin's Dazed & Confused, from a couple of years before. Two of the best songs, and bands. AND reactors, for that matter.

Long live Rush!!

GREAT reaction gents!! Absolute BANGER of a song...and I don't care who disagrees, but John Rutsey (RIP) is a great drummer!! Sure he's no Neil (no one is), but John was brilliant on this whole album - his groove, fills & heavy-ness was top notch! Rush couldn't continue with him, but he was certainly not a weak link here! Alex & Geddy, per usual, are off the chain. Never get tired of hearing that opening guitar riff - and the whole song...Cheers!!

Radio station in Cleveland Ohio got a hold of this album and this song really resonated with the working class people in that town. Really ignited their careers.

This was their 1st album... no Neil Peart... still a banger.

I love this one. I remember those days when hearing this on the radio the first time. Then you gotta know who it is so you can buy the album. I didn't stop buying their albums until after Grace Under Pressure; it was my last. I didn't stop listening to them...just stopped buying the albums.

My favorite Rush tune too! Well done gents.

Recorded late 1973. Leap years ahead of their time.

So glad you played this version. They have a live version with a calypso beat. I absolutely hate it. This rocker is what I first heard from Rush. I love it.

Oh hell yeah now you guys are getting into RUSH that was there very first album before Neil Peart even joined the band 🥁 the guitar player is Alex Lifeson

Damn it...Memories...Really good ones.. Cheers! 🌲🍄🌲💥✨🌈😍

Now you know The Working Man!👍🎸🥁

If you want more classic, hard, Rush check out "2112 overture/Temples of Syrinx" off the "2112" Album. Those two song go together -no matter WHAT...

This album debuted live in 1974 on Canadian Bandstand, which was filmed at my high school, Laura Secord in St. Catharines (home of Lakeside Park, another great Rush tune). I was 13. Completely blew me away. You can find the full show on KZfaq. Worth a look just to see Rutsey.

One of my all-time faves!

A group you may not have done, featuring Paul Rogers,(Bad Company )vocals and Jimmy Page, (Led Zeppelin)guitar, ...The Firm -"Satisfaction Guaranteed" 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

The version of this song you should go listen to after you hear this is from their 1976 live album titled "All The World Is a Stage". That version of Working Man has Neal Peart playing drums, and he's killing it! Years ago I had heard the live one first and then listened to this one and l was wondering what happened? Then l found out that Neal wasn't playing on this their first album and joined them starting on their second album. Awesome drum solo on the live one too. As only Mr. Neal could deliver.

AGAIN: HOW does this amount of SOUND come out of THREE PEOPLE that sound like TEN!?!?!?! They will ALWAYS be completely AMAZING to ME!! They TRULY WERE a RUSH! GLAD ya'll are diving in on this one!! This was before Peart, though....his lyricism and unparalleled drumming changed the flavor of this band, in my opinion! ! But: STILL this album was JUST STUNNING, when it HIT!! HUGS, YA'LL!!

🏆🏆🏆🏆! 40 years later, RUSH does it 'LIVE IN CLEAVELAND", and it's so damn good!☮

Rush played this one in most every concert since it came out. It got them noticed and going. Totally different than their later songs but still a banger.. Cheers,

Working man is the song that got them known in the united states, a radio station in Cleveland female disk jockey though5 this was the perfect song for the working class in Cleveland she was right it got requested over and over

Wow, it was really hard, how long the guitar solo played, 3 minutes probably no less, the end also pleased me, I would like to see this performance live.

Thank you for playing this of all days! Earlier today, I was thinking of my friend Lubby (RIP) who is the only kid from my hood who saw Bob Marley live in concert; he was 8 years old in 1978 when his mom took him to the Philadelphia Spectrum. His mom was the only white woman I ever saw wearing dashikis, saw Bob Marley and The Wailers many times since 1974. Good times and good review. Take care, and Happy New Year ⏳️👶🏻⌛️

This album this song still my favorites after all these years Alex #1of all time just listen

Will Always be my favorite RUSH jam!

Gentlemen, pertaining to this song that was recorded back in their beginnings, I highly suggest you listen to the live version of working man in Cleveland. Fellow Rush fans will know exactly what I’m talking about. They are later in their years and still perform like they just recorded the album. Especially when it comes to Alex.

I'm a huge Rush fan and a lot of people almost consider the first album not to exactly be a part of the catalog but it really is a crucial part of it, since this is what got them noticed. The only thing that changed was the drummer after this. That was still Alex Lifeson tearing it up on guitar, and to me it sounded a lot like they sounded live doing this in the early days.

Bad ass song by Rush, I wore deep grooves in that album!

My 80s sludge Band did a version called Velveeta Man.

The album cover said it all “ RUSH “

Great band! Great tune!

The live version from Cleveland on the Time Machine tour is epic - trust me.

Great song, great reaction. Laughed seeing you both bobbing your heads to this man. You are now headbangers. Lol

Canadian Led Zeppelin. Thank you, Cleveland. RIP OG Rush drummer John Rutsey.

I saw Rush when there 2nd album came out in the 70's in Detroit. I was amazed. "Anthem" and "Bytor and the Snowdog" were two song that stood out to me. great show!

I first heard this song and Rush in January 1975. To me this was hard core rush. They just announced that they will be touring again in 2024 with a new drummer. Yeah I am older than dirt and grew up in the 60's and 70's and to me these songs you're reacting to sound timeless.

This was a big Anthem for the blue collar workers here in Pittsburgh in the 1970s before most of the Steel Mills shut down. Still heard on the local Classic Rock radio station that of the old farts like myself listen to.

Yup, that's a banger for sure.

As a teen, listening to the vinyl with my brothers in my parent's basement in 1975, this was the ultimate air guitar experience.

All The World's A Stage version.......legend. First band I saw in concert. With UFO, Max Webster opening. Haven't been right since.

And they're all babies on this album like 21yrs old❤🇨🇦

John Rutsey on drums here. He was a founding member with Geddy and Alex. They were from Willowdale in what was then the city of North York. They cut their teeth playing social halls and school dances in Toronto when I was in middle school there. They're a few years older than me. John was diabetic and liked to party which was a recipe for trouble. They replaced him with Neil Peart and the rest is history!

This is my all-time favorite Rush song too.

I don't know if you guys are picking the tracks to react to or if someone else is doing it for you, but whoever is doing it is batting .1000. Just an amazing variety of pop, rock and soul. Start dipping your toes into the classic country stuff from the 60's and 70's and you'll really knock it outta the park.

You can find an old you tube video of a real young Rush playing this live with John Rutsy on drums.

You can think the great city of Cleveland ohio , for bringing RUSH to the world.. with this song right here.

Another great reaction this debut Rush album is excellent from start to finish a more rock album with drummer John Rutsey which would be his only album with the band. Once Neal joined the band they went in a more progressive rock direction.

The transitions on this early record are the Playskool versions they would perfect and dazzle a few years later!

You have to check out Working Man Live in Cleveland! One hell of a live performance.

This groove is just raw and heavy and slaps the taste out ya face.

This is THE song that put Rush on the map and all by accident. A Cleveland DJ decided to play a song he received from some obscure band from Toronto and the rest they say is history

I love the live version of this where they start out reggae.

So much better than the live version.

Im watching your vids while trying to fall asleep for the night and im getting pumped up with Hall and Oates and Rush 🤣🤣🤣

Killer drop in the middle there.

This was John Rutsey on the drums... RIP Neil start writing their lyrics, yeah, the band changed a lot with Neil...and we're all grateful

This is where it all started for Rush! Much more primal in the beginning.

When you get around to it the live version from Time Machine Tour is the best version of this song!

"CLOSER TO THE HEART" is something special....

Blues based, in your face rock and a song that must be cranked to the max. As much as I like when Peart started with them, I always prefer this sound because it is raw. My weekly anthem.

When Neil joined the band and they played this live, he added a killer drum solo.

Awesome guys, the first RUSH song me and all the music dudes back in the day heard, unreal, killer groove and Alex does Page like things on lead guitar, their first of many great songs. It was always the encore when I saw them, at least 6 times between 1974 and 2004, always a tremendous show. Best time for me is when they opened for Blue Oyster Cult when Rush was doing the 2112 tour and BOC was doing their famous laser light show on the Specters album tour. One of the best double bills ever, sent us into orbit, they were in peak mode. For more early Rush, do Bytor and the Snow Dog, another early epic that is freaking Face Melting! Enjoy! 🎵🎸🎤🎸🎹🎶

First Rush album from 1974... John Rutsey was the band's drummer (Neil Peart joined that year months, replacing Rutsey on drums after Rush had released this self-titled album and did their first N. American tour). Alex Lifeson (guitar) had started Rush as a teen and Geddy Lee (bass & vocals) joined the band soon after and the line-up solidified by 1972 w/ John Rutsey (drums) as Rush graduated from playing high school gigs and events to the local clubs & bars of Toronto. The trio had decided to quit high school at 17 so that they could focus on making a career... but their manager Ray Danniels could not find 1 record label to sign Rush on the original demo songs that they were writing... So, Danniels funded the recording of the first Rush album and released it independently in 1974... Lee and Lifeson wrote the songs on the record. A copy of the first Rush album arrived at a radio station in Cleveland and a female DJ looking for a 'bathroom break' track picked 'Working man' off the record to put on the air and felt it was the perfect song for the working class city of Cleveland... Callers immediately mistook Rush for a new Led Zeppelin album(!) and demand for the record in Ohio grew overnight. Rush played Cleveland for the first time as well. Mercury Records ended up signing Rush that year and hired producer Terry Brown to remix and re-release the first Rush album... Terry Brown produced all the Rush albums until 1982. Rush was getting offers to tour in 1974 and got an advance from the record label, new equipment and had tour dates in USA opening for bands like Uriah Heep... Kiss... and others. Unfortunately, their drummer John Rutsey was not in good shape from diabetes and did not seem enthusiastic about going on an extensive tour. Their managers agreed that they could not put John Rutsey on tour w/ the band when his health was an issue... So, he was out of the band. Neil Peart was contacted by Rush's managers about auditioning for the band (Peart had never heard of them)... Lee & Lifeson thought he was 'goofy', but he impressed them w/ his skills on drums and was selected to do the tour and joined Rush... While on tour, they got to know Neil and were impressed how many books he read and how opinionated he was... Geddy Lee felt that his lyrics were not the best on the first record, so he and Alex asked Neil if he could write lyrics for Rush... It was a perfect fit because Rush wanted to progress musically and Neil shared that goal w/ Lee and Lifeson... This way, Neil would write lyrics from his depth of knowledge and inspirations, while Geddy and Alex could focus better on the music and melodies... 'Fly by night' was Rush's 2nd album in 1975 and was a natural step forward and a better record than the debut album.

cool. my fav band.. more rush, got to read the lyric's..

Ya wanna see this song live? Oh lawdy. Live in Cleveland. It will change your life.

“I wonder how they do that live” wow what a question to be asked… especially since there is a legendary live version that is SOOOO GOOOOD!!! It’s better than the original in my honest opinion. Btw in this live version you will see how it’s done. I recommend checking out the liver version

Check out Working Man Live in Cleveland to see it live. It's even better live!!!

That’s my one too, Che!!