Janet Devlin returns with a powerful statement of independence on her long-awaited single Working For The Man, arriving on 10th April and marking a bold new chapter in her ever-evolving country-rock journey.
Janet Devlin
A fan favourite for more than a decade, the track finally sees an official release after becoming a staple of Devlin’s live shows. Written when she was just 17 during a formative co-writing session with Jack Savoretti in London, the song captures a youthful frustration with the pressures of modern working life — a theme that still resonates deeply today.
Now fully realised, Working For The Man blends Devlin’s country-tinged vocals with a vibrant, full-band arrangement that balances jangling guitars, driving rhythms and an undercurrent of raw emotion. Co-produced by Devlin alongside Jurgen Korduletsch and Rick Chambers, the track was mixed by Vance Powell and mastered at Abbey Road Studios, elevating its long-gestating energy into something both polished and fiercely authentic.
Janet Devlin
Lyrically, the song wrestles with identity, independence and the grind of the “rat race,” themes Devlin has carried with her since its inception. Reflecting on the song’s origins, she recalls the anger and confusion she felt witnessing the toll of hard work on her parents, as well as her own determination to forge a different path as an independent artist. That tension — between expectation and self-definition — remains at the heart of the track, giving it a timeless, relatable edge.
Revisiting the song years later in Nashville proved to be a full-circle moment. Recording with a live band at the renowned Blackbird Studios brought new life to the track, transforming it from a stripped-back demo into a dynamic, fully realised anthem that captures both vulnerability and defiance in equal measure. Listen here.
The release continues Devlin’s momentum following her acclaimed album Emotional Rodeo and its deluxe counterpart, further cementing her status as one of the UK and Ireland’s most distinctive voices in contemporary country and Americana. With her ability to blend heartfelt storytelling with a modern edge, Devlin continues to carve out a space entirely her own.
As she steps into this next phase, Devlin is also set to bring her music back to the stage across the UK and Ireland throughout 2026.
Upcoming UK Live Dates:
APRIL
2nd – London, Camden Club
MAY
22nd – Port Talbot, In It Together Festival
23rd – Darwen, Darwen Live
JUNE
21st – Manchester, Trafford Centre (T C Live)
JULY
11th – Nottingham, Nottingham Castle (Country at the Castle)
18th – Shepton Mallet, Rock & Ribs Festival
30th – Inverness, Belladrum Festival
AUGUST
16th – Writtle, Essex, Country Calling
OCTOBER
3rd – Newcastle, Newcastle Cathedral
The Last Dinner Party Turn O2 Academy Brixton Into A Cathedral Of Chaos And Harmony
Share Thing