Written by Sandy Linzer and Denny Randell, American songwriters who wrote numerous pop and rock songs during the 1960s and 1970s and currently 2012 nominees for induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, the song was originally recorded by The Four Seasons, reaching number nine on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100.
In the UK it fared less well, spending three weeks at number 50 of the UK Top 50 chart. It is the only hit to feature Charles Calello, the group’s arranger, in the temporary role of bass vocalist/bassist.
The song is about a man who has cheated on his girlfriend and also emotionally abused her. When she leaves him, he comes to the realisation that he did love her and as a result is very remorseful about his past actions and vows to win her back.
The song is seen in some respects as a re-working of The Four Seasons previous hit, “Let’s Hang On” but “Working My Way Back To You” is more widely known nowadays due to the fact it was also covered by The Spinners, who’s version topped the UK singles chart for two weeks in 1980.
The Irish boy band, Boyzone, also released a version as their debut single in May 1994, which reached number three on the Irish singles chart.
'Working My Way Back to You' Lyrics
Oooooooooh-oh-oooooooooh
I'll keep working my way back to you, babe
With a burning love inside
Hey, I'm working my way back to you, babe
And the happiness that died I let it get away
Do-do, do-da, do (Been paying every day)
Do-do, do-da, do
When you were so in love with me I played around like I was free
Thought I could have my cake and eat it too
But how I cried over losing you
See, I'm down and out
But I ain't about to go living my life without you
Hey, every day I made you cry
I'll pay and, girl 'Til the day I die I'll keep working my way back to you, babe With a burning love inside
Yeah, I'm working my way back to you, babe
And the happiness that died I let it get away
Do-do, do-da, do (Been paying every day)
Do-do, do-da, do Oh,
I used to love to make you cry
It made me feel like a man inside
If I had been a man in reality
You'd be here, baby, loving me
Now my nights are long and lonely
And I ain't too proud, babe
I just miss you so
Girl, but you're too proud
And you won't give in
But when I think about all
I could win I'll keep working my way back to you, babe
With a burning love inside
Yeah, I'm working my way back to you, babe
And the happiness that died I let it get away
Do-do, do-da, do (Been paying every day)
Do-do, do-da, do (Yooooou, you, babe)
My road is kind of long (Yooooou, you, babe)
I just gotta get back home
Whoa, I'm really sorry for acting that way
I'm really sorry Ooh, little girl I'm really sorry for telling you lies
For so long Oh, please, forgive me, girl Come on (give me a chance)
Won't you forgive me, girl Hey (let's have romance)
Ooh, forgive me, girl (let's try again)
Come on, forgive me, girl I want you over and over
And over and over again
I'll keep working my way back to you, babe
With a burning love inside
Yeah, I'm working my way back to you, babe
And the happiness that died I let it get away
Do-do, do-da, do (Been paying every day)
Do-do, do-da, do I'll keep working my way back to you, babe
