Shiftwork (song)

"Shiftwork" is a song written by Troy Jones, and recorded by American country music artist Kenny Chesney with George Strait as a duet. It was released in December 2007 as the third single from Chesney's 2007 album Just Who I Am: Poets & Pirates.

History

Initially, "Shiftwork" first charted as an album cut by receiving unsolicited airplay that brought the song up to number 42 on the country music charts prior to its official release to country radio. Before the song was officially released, it was credited to both Chesney and Strait. However, once it was officially released as a single, Strait's name was removed from the song due to contractual agreements between his label (MCA Nashville) and Chesney's label (BNA Records).^[1] Starting with the Billboard chart dated February 9, 2008, the song was once again billed as the "Kenny Chesney duet with George Strait".^[2]

Content

The song is a moderate up-tempo, backed by percussion (mainly steel drums), in which the central characters (Chesney and Strait) express their frustration with constantly working shifts at a convenience store ("Workin' seven to three / Three to eleven / Eleven to seven"). Both characters point out that their job is "a bunch of shiftwork". In the second verse, Chesney talks about taking a trip to the beach to party "from seven to three / Three to eleven / Eleven to seven."

Critical reception

Allmusic critic Stephen Thomas Erlewine considered the song a highlight on Chesney's album, making note of how Strait and Chesney both "playfully soften the F in the title, making for a genuinely funny highlight" (thus making the line sound closer to "shit work").^[3] Brady Vercher of Engine 145 gave it a thumbs-down rating, saying "What makes this a bad song is that it’s dull and boring, with zero redeeming qualities. If music is supposed to make you feel something, then this song captures the monotony of 'shiftwork,' but who in their right mind is going to want to be bored when they listen to a song?"^[4] Kevin John Coyne of Country Universe, gave it a "B-", saying that " the ’big ol’ pile of shiiiiiftwork” wordplay in the chorus is funny. It doesn’t hold up much on repeated listenings, however" and that the song "still manages to become a song about getting drunk in the islands".^[5]

Chart performance

The song originally charted at number 42 from unsolicited airplay in September 2007, shortly after Just Who I Am: Poets & Pirates was released.

Chart (2007–2008)	Peak position
US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)^[6]	2
US Billboard Hot 100^[7]	47
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)^[8]	61

Year-end charts

Chart (2008)	Position
US Country Songs (Billboard)^[9]	38

References

↑ Bronson, Fred (2008-01-18). "Chart Beat Chat". Billboard. Archived from the original on 2007-12-31. Retrieved 2008-01-07.
↑ "Billboard chart listing for the week of February 9, 2008". Billboard. Archived from the original on August 17, 2014. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
↑ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Just Who I Am: Poets & Pirates – Overview". Allmusic. Retrieved 2008-07-07.
↑ Vercher, Brady (2007-12-12). "Kenny Chesney with George Strait - Shiftwork". Engine 145. Retrieved 2008-12-08.
↑ Coyne, Kevin John (2007-12-08). "Kenny Chesney - "Shiftwork"". Country Universe. Retrieved 2010-06-17.
↑ "Kenny Chesney – Chart history" Billboard Hot Country Songs for Kenny Chesney.
↑ "Kenny Chesney – Chart history" Billboard Hot 100 for Kenny Chesney.
↑ "Kenny Chesney – Chart history" Canadian Hot 100 for Kenny Chesney.
↑ "Best of 2008: Country Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 2008. Retrieved December 13, 2008.

Kenny Chesney singles

In My Wildest Dreams	"Whatever It Takes" "The Tin Man" "Somebody's Callin'"

All I Need to Know	"Fall in Love" "All I Need to Know" "Grandpa Told Me So"

Me and You	"Back in My Arms Again" "Me and You" "When I Close My Eyes"

I Will Stand	"She's Got It All" "A Chance" "That's Why I'm Here" "I Will Stand"

Everywhere We Go	"How Forever Feels" "You Had Me from Hello" "She Thinks My Tractor's Sexy" "What I Need to Do"

Greatest Hits	"I Lost It" "Don't Happen Twice" "The Tin Man" (re-release)

No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems	"Young" "The Good Stuff" "A Lot of Things Different" "Big Star" "No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems"

When the Sun Goes Down	"There Goes My Life" "When the Sun Goes Down" (w/ Uncle Kracker) "I Go Back" "The Woman with You" "Anything but Mine" "Keg in the Closet"

The Road and the Radio	"Who You'd Be Today" "Living in Fast Forward" "Summertime" "You Save Me" "Beer in Mexico"

Just Who I Am: Poets & Pirates	"Never Wanted Nothing More" "Don't Blink" "Shiftwork" (w/ George Strait) "Better as a Memory"

Lucky Old Sun	"Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven" (w/ The Wailers) "Down the Road" (w/ Mac McAnally)

Greatest Hits II	"Out Last Night" "I'm Alive" (w/ Dave Matthews) "Ain't Back Yet"

Hemingway's Whiskey	"The Boys of Fall" "Somewhere with You" "Live a Little" "You and Tequila" (w/ Grace Potter) "Reality"

Welcome to the Fishbowl	"Feel Like a Rock Star" (w/ Tim McGraw) "Come Over" "El Cerrito Place"

Life on a Rock	"Pirate Flag" "When I See This Bar"

The Big Revival	"American Kids" "Til It's Gone" "Wild Child" (w/ Grace Potter) "Save It for a Rainy Day"

Cosmic Hallelujah	"Noise" "Setting the World on Fire" (w/ Pink) "Bar at the End of the World"

Guest singles	"Hey, Good Lookin'" (w/ Jimmy Buffett, Clint Black, Alan Jackson, Toby Keith and George Strait) "Find Out Who Your Friends Are" (w/ Tracy Lawrence and Tim McGraw) "Every Other Weekend" (w/ Reba McEntire)

See also	Discography "Back Where I Come From" "Baptism" "Some People Change" "Take Me There" "Turning Home"

George Strait 2000s-2010s singles

Latest Greatest Straitest Hits	"The Best Day"

George Strait	"Go On" "Don't Make Me Come Over There and Love You" "If You Can Do Anything Else"

The Road Less Traveled	"Run" "Living and Living Well" "She'll Leave You with a Smile"

Honkytonkville	"Tell Me Something Bad About Tulsa" "Cowboys Like Us" "Desperately"

50 Number Ones	"I Hate Everything"

Somewhere Down in Texas	"You'll Be There" "She Let Herself Go" "The Seashores of Old Mexico"

It Just Comes Natural	"Give It Away" "It Just Comes Natural" "Wrapped" "How 'bout Them Cowgirls"

Troubadour	"I Saw God Today" "Troubadour" "River of Love"

Twang	"Living for the Night" "Twang" "I Gotta Get to You" "The Breath You Take"

Here for a Good Time	"Here for a Good Time" "Love's Gonna Make It Alright" "Drinkin' Man"

Love Is Everything	"Give It All We Got Tonight" "I Believe" "I Got a Car"

Cold Beer Conversation	"Let It Go" "Cold Beer Conversation" "Goin' Goin' Gone"

Other songs	"Murder on Music Row" (w/ Alan Jackson) "Designated Drinker" (w/ Alan Jackson) "Hey, Good Lookin'" (w/ Jimmy Buffett, Clint Black, Kenny Chesney, Alan Jackson and Toby Keith) "Shiftwork" (w/ Kenny Chesney) "Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven"

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