Al Hunter “I Don’t Wanna Go To Work Today”

Country music singer Al Hunter’s ode to slacking was a single from his 1993 album “The Singer”. He was might not have been as cool as the Warratahs, but his album was critically acclaimed and, they say, should have turned him into a big star. Instead he’s more a cult figure, the discussion subject of many web forums.

We meet a sepiatone Al having his morning shave, going through the motions while his heart is in on holiday in St-Tropez. It appears he works in a dairy factory, which could be problematic if you weren’t really into milk. Then, away from this fantasy world, in colour, Al is performing the song with his band in front of a small crowd. Women with chambray shirts smile and awkwardly sway from side to side. That’s his fanbase.

Other things that Al would rather do instead of working: go for a hoon along the Southern Motorway, fantasise about “some film star in a negligee” (Keanu Reeves?) and get pissed in Paris. Man, if he’s that unhappy, why doesn’t he just quit?

Well, he does. He calls up his boss, gives notice and racks off to the Civic to see a film. Nice one. And the video ends with Al in the cinema watching a film of his favourite thing – playing with his band in front of the enthusiastic crowd.

Best bit: when the milk bottling plant gets jammed, which also serves as a metaphor.

Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision

Next… put your grunge shorts on.

One thought on “Al Hunter “I Don’t Wanna Go To Work Today””

  1. The Warratahs may have got The Interislander song, but Al Hunter had the vocals on the AMP ad “There’s A Blue Sky Waitin’ For Me” 🙂

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