What is working blues?

Working blues is a genre of blues music that deals with the hardships and struggles of everyday working-class life. Many working blues songs focus on the difficulties of jobs such as factory work, farm labor, and manual labor, as well as themes of unemployment and joblessness. The blues guitar is a prominent instrument in working blues music, often used to express the frustrations and emotions of the lyrics. Working blues emerged in the early 20th century, reflecting the economic and social conditions of the time, particularly in the rural South and urban industrial centers. Today, working blues remains an important part of the blues tradition, offering a powerful and personal expression of the experiences of working people.