Working for the Weekend

The Zoo Crew is spinning the classic anthem "Working for the Weekend" by Loverboy, a track from their 1981 album Get Lucky, and the Zoo Freaks are surely loving it. This song, a staple of '80s rock, came to life when guitarist Paul Dean was strolling along a deserted beach on a Wednesday afternoon, struck by the absence of people who were all at work. In an interview, Dean shared, "I’m out on the beach and wondering, ‘Where is everybody? Well, I guess they’re all waiting for the weekend.’" This sparked the song’s original title, "Everybody’s Waiting for the Weekend," until lead singer Mike Reno suggested the catchier "Working for the Weekend." The result was a power-pop hit that climbed to number 29 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number two on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock chart, later earning the number 100 spot on VH1’s "100 Greatest Songs of the 80s."

Another tidbit about "Working for the Weekend" comes from its low-budget music video, filmed in 1981 when MTV was just launching. Mike Reno recounted in the book MTV Ruled the World - The Early Years of Music Video that the director had the band repeatedly perform the song, changing outfits and lighting to simulate different shoots on the same stage. This bare-bones approach reflected Loverboy’s Canadian roots, where music video outlets were scarce. The song’s cultural impact also shines through in pop culture, like a memorable Saturday Night Live sketch featuring Chris Farley and Patrick Swayze in the Chippendales Audition, where the song’s upbeat energy fueled the comedic performance. Posts on X often celebrate the song’s nostalgic vibe, with users like @landofthe80s noting its release alongside Get Lucky in October 1981.

Loverboy formed in Calgary, Alberta, in 1979, emerging from the local music scene with a blend of hard rock and pop sensibilities. The band, led by Mike Reno on vocals and Paul Dean on guitar, came together after Reno, previously with the band Moxy under the name Mike Rynoski, and Dean, a veteran of Scrubbaloe Caine and Streetheart, connected over shared musical ambitions. Drummer Matt Frenette, also from Streetheart, keyboardist Doug Johnson, and bassist Jim Clench (later replaced by Scott Smith) rounded out the lineup. Rejected by American labels, they signed with Columbia/CBS Records Canada and recorded their self-titled debut album in 1980, which sold over a million copies in Canada and two million in the US. Their relentless touring—over 200 shows in 1980 alongside acts like Cheap Trick and Def Leppard—helped hits like "Turn Me Loose" and later "Working for the Weekend" dominate airwaves.

Fans of Loverboy can stay connected through their official Facebook, Instagram, and X accounts, where they share tour updates and nostalgic throwbacks. The band’s official website offers tour dates, merchandise, and news, keeping the Zoo Freaks in the loop. For deeper fan engagement, the Loverboy Fan Club on Facebook is a vibrant community where fans discuss the band’s music, share concert experiences, and celebrate their legacy. While independent fan websites have waned in the social media era, as noted in a 2022 Reddit thread on r/popheads, Loverboy’s enduring appeal thrives through these online hubs, ensuring the band’s anthems like "Working for the Weekend" keep rocking.