Working Class Dog is the fifth studio album on by Australian rock musician Rick Springfield, released by RCA Records in 1981. The album was certified Platinum in America and eventually sold over three million US copies. It produced Springfield's biggest career hit with the #1 million-selling smash, "Jessie's Girl". Springfield was awarded the 1982 Grammy Award for Best Rock Vocal Performance, Male.
The album was re-released on CD in 2006 as a "25th anniversary edition" with three bonus tracks.
"Love Is Alright Tonite" was used to comedic effect in the film Wet Hot American Summer.
Track listing
All tracks written by Rick Springfield, except "I've Done Everything for You" by Sammy Hagar.
Album cover
The album cover features a picture of a Bull Terrier dog dressed in a white shirt with a black tie. The dog was Rick's pet named Ronnie, who died in 1994. The album cover (credited to Mike Doud) was nominated for a Grammy Award for "Best Album Package" in 1981. The 2011 Jonathan Coulton song "Je Suis Rick Springfield" makes reference to the album cover. The dog was also used in the subsequent album's cover art.
Chart position
Singles
- "Jessie's Girl" â€" #1 on Billboard Hot 100
- "I've Done Everything for You" â€" #8 on Billboard Hot 100
- "Love Is Alright Tonight" â€" #40 on Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks
Personnel
- Rick Springfield - vocals, guitar, bass, keyboards
- Robben Ford - guitar
- Neil Giraldo - guitar, bass
- Gabriel Katona - keyboards
- Jeff Eyrich - bass
- Mike Baird - drums
- Jack White - drums
- Jeremiah Cox - French horn, background vocals
- Tom Kelly - background vocals
Credits
- Produced by Rick Springfield, Bill Drescher and Keith Olsen
- Engineered by Bill Drescher, Chris Minto and Doug Pakes at Sound City
- Mastered by Greg Fulginiti at Artisan Sound Recorders