Working on It

For other uses, see Workin' on It.
"Working on It"
Single by Chris Rea
from the album New Light Through Old Windows
B-side
  • "One Golden Rule"
  • "Loving You Again (Live Version)"
Released30 January 1989[1]
Length3:47 (US edit)
4:24
LabelWEA
Geffen (US)
Songwriter(s)Chris Rea
Producer(s)Chris Rea, Jon Kelly
Chris Rea singles chronology
"Driving Home for Christmas"
(1988) 		"Working on It"
(1989) 		"The Road to Hell"
(1989)
Music video
"Working On It (Live TV 6-7-1989)" on YouTube

"Working on It" is a song by British singer-songwriter Chris Rea, released in 1989 as the fifth and final single from his compilation album New Light Through Old Windows (1988).[2] It was written by Rea, and produced by Rea and Jon Kelly.[3] "Working on It" reached No. 53 in the UK and No. 73 on the US Billboard Hot 100.[4][5] It also topped the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart.[6]

The song has appeared on the soundtracks of the American adventure comedy film Camp Nowhere and the TV film Beyond the Law.[7][8]

Critical reception

Upon release, Billboard listed the song as a recommended pop single and commented: "Top-five hit at album rock shows Rea's new label affiliation to be a smart career move. Straight-ahead, four-on-the-floor power rock could find a home at pop outlets as well."[9] The Philadelphia Inquirer commented that the song "deserve[s] hit status".[10]

Track listing

7" single (US release)
  1. "Working on It" – 3:47
  2. "Loving You Again" (Live Version) – 5:20
7" single (UK/European release)
  1. "Working on It" – 4:24
  2. "One Golden Rule" – 4:29
7" single (Australian release)
  1. "Working on It" – 4:24
  2. "Driving Home for Christmas" – 3:58
7" single (US promo)
  1. "Working on It" – 3:47
  2. "Working on It" – 3:47
12" single (UK/European release)
  1. "Working on It" (Extended Mix) – 5:55
  2. "One Golden Rule" – 4:29
Cassette single
  1. "Working on It" (Edit) – 3:47
  2. "Loving You Again" (Live Version) – 5:20
CD single (German release)
  1. "Working on It" – 4:25
  2. "Working on It" (Extended Mix) – 5:55
  3. "One Golden Rule" – 4:30
  4. "Stainsby Girls" – 4:07
CD single (US release)
  1. "Working on It" (LP Version) - 4:24

Chart performance

Chart (1989) Peak
position
UK Singles Chart[4] 53
US Billboard Hot 100[5] 73
US Billboard Mainstream Rock Songs[6] 1

Personnel

  • Chris Rea - vocals, instruments, producer
  • Jon Kelly - producer
  • Justin Shirley-Smith - engineer
  • Paul Lilly, Danny Hyde - mixing on "Loving You Again (Live Version)"
  • Chris Rea, David Richards - producers of "One Golden Rule"
Other
  • Kav Deluxe - design (US sleeve)
  • Elizabeth Brady - illustration (US sleeve)
  • Greg Jakobek - illustration (UK/European sleeve)

References

  1. ^ "New Singles" (PDF). Music Week. 28 January 1989. p. 51. Retrieved 16 September 2024 – via World Radio History.
  2. ^ Mike DeGagne (1988-10-17). "New Light Through Old Windows: The Best Of Chris Rea - Chris Rea | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 2018-04-10.
  3. ^ "Chris Rea - Working On It / One Golden Rule - WEA - UK - YZ 350". 45cat. Retrieved 2018-04-10.
  4. ^ a b "CHRIS REA | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". Officialcharts.com. Retrieved 2018-04-10.
  5. ^ a b Billboard. "Chris Rea Working On It Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved 2018-04-10.
  6. ^ a b Billboard. "Chris Rea Working On It Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved 2018-04-10.
  7. ^ "Camp Nowhere (1994) - IMDb" – via www.imdb.com.
  8. ^ "Beyond the Law (1993) - IMDb" – via www.imdb.com.
  9. ^ Billboard magazine - Single reviews - March 11, 1989 - page 89
  10. ^ The Philadelphia Inquirer - February 16, 1989 - page 84