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Jimmy Barnes: The Way of the Working Class Man

He’s a legend of his kind. He’s a simple man with a heart of gold. He is THE Working Class Man. Mr. James Dixon Barnes.

There’s not a whole lot that hasn’t already been said about Jimmy Barnes through interviews, documentaries, awards, through his appointment as an Officer of the Order of Australia, and through his own words in his dual autobiographies. It’s hard to fault a family man who has dedicated his life to bringing people joy through music; a man who made a mark on the music industry across fifty years and two history-making projects; and a man who stood up to represent the hard working folk of Australia. 

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You see, the thing about Barnesy is that he knows the hard slog of an honest day’s work. He started his working career undertaking an apprenticeship in a foundry with the South Australian Railways in 1973. It was hot, uncomfortable and labour-centric work. Though he would go on to become one of Australia’s most adored and best-selling music artists, he has never forgotten what it means to be a working class man.

40 years ago he would pen a song and an album, speaking to the determination of the Australian labour workforce. Now an anthem, ‘Working Class Man’ is a constant reminder of the daily battler and the ordinary hero who keeps Australia running. 

“Some songs become more than just songs to you. From the moment I first heard this song I knew it would be something that would define my career.

I felt it in my heart. It was written about my audience, the people I play to in this country. People who work hard, maybe even battle to get through the week, but come the weekend want to go out and kick up their heels and show the world that nothing is going to keep them down,” explains Barnes.

“I don’t see the term ‘working class’ as a derogatory term. I wear it as a badge of honour. I am proud of being one of the same group of people who have kept this country moving forward. My parents had their faults, but I saw my father get up every morning no matter what the world was throwing at him and go to work. That spirit of a hard day’s work for a fair day’s pay is what keeps us all going and it still lives in Australia.”

It’s not as if Jimmy Barnes hit the big time and put to rest the notion of working hard to make a living. In fact, he did quite the opposite. His active career in the Australian music industry has seen him release nine studio albums with his celebrated band, Cold Chisel, a whopping 21 solo albums, six books, and toured the country and world countless times over. At 69 years young, retirement isn’t close to being on the cards for the Cold Chisel frontman. This year he released yet another album DEFIANT, a metaphor for his unwavering commitment to his craft and staying at the forefront of the music world.

“I make new music because I love sharing the joy that music brings me with an audience. In fact, I think playing music live and sharing it with Australian audiences has made me a better singer and a better performer. I think it has made me a better human being,” he says. 

“So, with that in mind, I need to keep creating new music so we can keep getting together and celebrating. But every now and then it is good to take stock and look back and acknowledge what has come before and helped me on my way.”

He’s doing just that, reflecting on the album that made him an even bigger household name, and a song that would become synonymous with his name. Barnesy will be embarking on the Working Class Man 40th Anniversary Tour from November 2025, running until February 2026. Proudly presented by MG Live and Face to Face Touring, the tour sees him take to massive stages across Australia’s wine country. The first stop will be to Geelong on 22 November to play the luscious Mt Duneed Estate where he will revisit the For the Working Class Man album in full.

“I wouldn’t be the performer I am today if it wasn’t for the For the Working Class Man album,” he says.

 

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The tour draws parallels between last year’s history-making 50th anniversary tour with Cold Chisel. A catalogue showcase, celebrating a milestone with the people that represent it best – the Australian folk.

“As I was with the Cold Chisel 50th anniversary shows, I am so happy to be celebrating such a huge milestone in my life. It is great to go back and revisit these songs with the people who were along for the ride when they first came out. Not only that, but as these songs have picked up steam along the way, and like the Cold Chisel shows, I am sure we will see lots of new fans turn out to hear these songs played live for the first time. It will be a celebration of an album that set my solo career in motion really.”

 

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Revived and renewed, the setlist will take audiences back 40 years to For The Working Class Man, but it’s an opportunity for Barnesy to resurrect tracks that have been vaulted since the release. 

“There are always songs you forget to play or overlook because something new has come along and caught your attention. So, yes there are a few songs I haven’t played for a long time,” he explains. 

“‘Vision’ is a song that hasn’t been in my set for a long time. I wrote that song as a tribute to my Jane and I felt the best way to get that emotion across was to use bagpipes in the song. Bagpipes are not something we were able to carry around with us in years gone by, but lately I have written more songs that feature them, so I have had to start bringing Dougie McFarlane along to play the pipes with the band. Along the way Jane has learned how to play the pipes too. So, this song will have even more meaning playing it with her playing bagpipes with the band.”

 

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In addition to Dougie McFarlane and Jane Barnes, the stage will also host a hand-picked selection of friends and Australian music veterans to elevate the celebrations. The McCartney to his Lennon, Cold Chisel bandmate Ian Moss will be diving into his own solo career, ultimate party-starter Kate Ceberano will take the heat up, and ‘Great Southern Land’ saluters ICEHOUSE join the fun.  

“These performers were hand-picked by me to make these shows something really special. Each of them holds a place in my heart and have shared stages with me over the years. Each of them has carved out their own huge career over the last forty years or so too. In reality, we are celebrating not only For the Working Class Man but also the resilience and beauty of Australian live music.”

He continues, “Iva (Davies) has painted pictures uniquely Australian with his recordings and live performances and shared them with music lovers here and abroad for many years. We have been friends for more than forty years. We even shared a management company, Dirty Pool, that helped change the way that live music was presented in this country. In fact, many years ago when Iva made a film clip for the song ‘Walls’, a great song from Flowers before they became ICEHOUSE, he came and filmed it in my house. I think it was even in my bedroom. So, we are close.”

“Ian Moss is like a brother to me. I have not only worked with him for over fifty years, but I have admired his dedication to his craft and his love of live music for just as long. Mossy is without a doubt one of the greatest guitarists in the world. He never ceases to amaze me when he gets up and plugs that guitar of his in. Is it a joy to behold.”

 

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“I have known Kate (Ceberano) since before we performed together on the Australian Made Tour, way back in 1987, and have watched her blossom from a beautiful young woman, full of energy, into a truly fine performer who can sing anything and make it something special. She is talented, caring, engaging and knows how to touch the hearts of all who are lucky enough to see her sing. So, to say that I am looking forward to playing these shows with my dear friends is an understatement.”

What more could the hard working people of Australia ask for? Close the laptop, put down the tools, tune out of the work day and spend this one Saturday celebrating your efforts as a working class man, or woman, with your number one champion, Jimmy Barnes.

Tickets to the Working Class Man 40th Anniversary Tour are on sale now. Grab yours here.

Words by Tammy Walters