Why Don’t You Get a Job? (1998) – The Offspring

At the tail end of the 1990s alternative rock and punk scene, The Offspring exploded with a run of hits, and Why Don’t You Get a Job? was one of the catchiest of them all. It’s a song as much about attitude as melody – playful, and so singable. Singer Dexter Holland delivers each line with a blend of sneer and smirk, so while some lyrics might come off as abrasive – particularly in the opening and closing verses – it never feels too mean-spirited. To me, the whole thing plays out as tongue-in-cheek banter.

Musically, the song always reminded me of The Beatles’ Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-D”, especially when he sings – “Say, no way, say no way-ya, no way.” As it turns out, I wasn’t imagining it because Wikipedia notes: The song drew attention from multiple music writers for its similarities to the song “Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da”, the Beatles’ 1968 hit from their self-titled double album (also known as the White Album).

Oh, I still remember Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da being played endlessly (along with Yellow Submarine) during morning exercise back in primary school – and feeling utterly powerless to stop it. It didn’t exactly leave me with the most endearing memories of The Beatles from an early age – quite the opposite if I’m being frank. But I’ll leave that rabbit hole for another day.

Musically Why Don’t You Get a Job? evokes the feel of a laid-back beach tune. The rhythm guitar chops on the off-beat, in classic ska and reggae fashion, giving it a bouncy groove rather than a driving punk pulse. – making their song sound cheeky and tropical – kinda California punk on holiday.

The song appears as the 11th track on The Offspring’s fifth studio album, Americana (1998), and was released as its second single. It shot into the top ten in several countries, reaching number two in the UK, Australia, Iceland, and Sweden, though curiously it only peaked at No. 94 on the US Billboard Hot 100. I would’ve assumed it was a bigger hit in the U.S. than anywhere else, but the opposite was true.

The music video below was shot on the backlot of Universal Studios Hollywood. I like when the beats are added by a girl with a boombox – such a simple touch, but it makes the groove come alive right from the start.

[Verse 1]
My friend’s got a girlfriend, man, he hates that bitch
He tells me every day
He says, “Man, I really gotta lose my chick
In the worst kinda way.”

[Verse 2]
She sits on her ass, he works his hands to the bone
To give her money every payday
But she wants more dinero just to stay at home
Well, my friend, you gotta say

[Chorus]
“I won’t pay, I won’t pay ya, no way
Na-na, why don’t you get a job?”
Say, “No way,” say, “No way-ya, no way
Na-na, why don’t you get a job?”

[Verse 3]
I guess all his money, well, it isn’t enough
To keep her bill collectors at bay
I guess all his money, well, it isn’t enough
’Cause that girl’s got expensive taste

[Chorus]

[Bridge]
Well, I guess it ain’t easy doing nothing at all, oh yeah
But hey man, free rides just don’t come along every day
(Let me tell you ’bout my other friend now)

[Verse 4]
My friend’s got a boyfriend, man, she hates that dick (And the guy)
She tells me every day (Woo! Every day now)
He wants more dinero just to stay at home (Stay at home!)
Well, my friend, you gotta say (Gotta say!)

References:
1. Why Don’t You Get a Job? – Wikipedia