“Why Don’t You Get a Job?” by The Offspring
To make a long story short, “Why Don’t You Get a Job?” goes about criticizing the types of romantic interests who exploit their lovers monetarily. Dexter gets that point across by relaying two similar tales, one about a female and the other the male, who do their lovers as mentioned above, to the point that their respective partners have begun to hate them.
So it is said partners – and by extension others of similar character – whom the vocalist is basically instructing to get jobs. In other words, as idealized they should work to fulfill their own wants and needs instead of unfairly casting those burdens onto their boyfriend or girlfriend.
All things considered, it can be taken that The Offspring are relaying this message to working-age adults more generally who are able to get jobs but instead behave similarly.
Release Date and Credits
This is the second single from The Offspring’s fifth album. It was released as such on 30th March, 1999. The album in question is titled “Americana”.
Lead vocalist and primary songwriter of the band, Dexter Holland, is the only credited song writer. Record producer Dave Jerden also receives sole production credits.
How did “Why Don’t You Get a Job?” perform on the charts?
This tune topped the UK Rock & Metal chart. It also shot to number 1in Scotland. On the UK Singles Chart, it hit #2. In the United States, it managed to make it onto the Billboard Hot 100, where it reached #74.
| Charts | Position |
| United Kingdom | #2 |
| United States of America (Alternative Airplay) | #4 |
| Australia | #2 |
| Canada | #4 |
| Greece | #10 |
| Iceland | #2 |
| Ireland | #10 |
| Netherlands | #5 |
| New Zealand | #4 |
| Norway | #6 |
| Sweden | #2 |
Does this song remind you of another song?
If you answered yes, then you are not alone. In fact, it does hold a strong resemblance to The Beatles’ 1968 track titled “Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da”.
To date, the Offspring are yet to comment on this resemblance. It’s possible it is just a coincidence that “Why Don’t You Get a Job?” sounds similar to “Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da”. Or it could just be a matter of inspiration from a fellow prominent band.
