"Why Don't You Get a Job?" is a song by American rock band the Offspring. The song is the 11th track on the Offspring's fifth studio album, Americana (1998), and was released as its second single on March 15, 1999. The song also appears as the eighth track on the band's Greatest Hits album (2005). The single peaked within the top 10 of the charts in several countries, including reaching number two in the United Kingdom, Australia, Iceland, and Sweden.
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). Alt URL
Music video The music video, directed by McG, was shot on the backlot of Universal Studios Hollywood. Lead singer Dexter Holland hang-glides down to a suburban street and starts singing acapella while walking down the street, beats are soon added by a girl with a boombox, the rest of the band and a man playing the steelpan. As the video progress, the group walks through several TV and movie set locations, such as Colonial Street and Courthouse Square. More and more people join them as the video progress into an impromptu parade, including a marching band, female contestants walking out on the filming of a dating game show, and both friends with terrible partners discussed in the song. Eventually the crowd walks up to a large red button labelled "Do not push" which Holland presses. This triggers an explosion and the crowd scatters in a panic.
Several cameos are featured: Bob Eubanks hosts the parody dating show, Chris "X-13" Higgins and Pussycat Dolls member Carmit Bachar are the deadbeat boyfriend and his girlfriend mentioned in the third verse, and Guy Cohen, who played the main character in the "Pretty Fly (for a White Guy)" video, makes an appearance shortly before the video ends. The video appears on the Complete Music Video Collection DVD, released in 2005.
Track listings Australia CD maxi
Part 2
Later version
Personnel
The Offspring
Dexter Holland – vocals, rhythm guitar Noodles – guitar Greg K. – bass Ron Welty – drums
Additional musicians
Gabrial McNair – horn Álvaro Macías – vihuela Phil Jordan – horn Carlos Gómez – guitar Derrick Davis – flute
Charts
Weekly charts Chart (1999)PeakpositionArgentinaArgentina Airplay Charts Archive3Denmark (Hitlisten)Danish Charts Archive. 21 May 1999.13Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)6Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)14Greece (IFPI)10Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40)2Italy (Musica e dischi)12Latvia (Latvijas Top 40)2Lithuania (M-1)1Quebec Airplay (ADISQ)13Scandinavia Airplay (Music & Media)15 Chart (2017)Peakposition
Year-end charts Chart (1999)PositionAustralia (ARIA)9Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)94Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)95Canada Rock/Alternative (RPM)29Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)85Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)57Netherlands (Single Top 100)46Romania (Romanian Top 100)27Sweden (Hitlistan)11UK Singles (OCC)117US Mainstream Rock Tracks (Billboard)38US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)91US Modern Rock Tracks (Billboard)14
Certifications
Release history RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)United StatesJanuary 25, 1999Active rock radioColumbiaAustraliaMarch 15, 1999CDUnited StatesMarch 23, 1999Contemporary hit radioEuropeMarch 30, 1999CDUnited KingdomApril 26, 1999JapanJune 19, 1999CDEpic
Cover versions Australian country singer John Williamson covered the song as part of the Andrew Denton's Musical Challenge album in 2000
South African singer Snotkop translated the song into Afrikaans as "Kry jou ass by die werk" (radio edit titled "Kry jouself by die werk").
References