The 1973 classic rock song Juliette Lewis needs you to listen to every morning: “You’ll feel better”
As far as actors-turned-musicians go, Juliette Lewis is one of the better ones, because even if you don’t like her music, which you’re entitled to do, you can’t say that it’s an exercise in ego massage.
The Academy Award, Golden Globe, and Primetime Emmy-nominated star is plenty good at her day job, but she’s poured just as much energy and focus into her music, with her on-again and off-again rock band, Juliette and the Licks, developing a loyal cult following over the years.
She’s released a solo record and an EP, too, but acting has resumed its place as her priority, with Lewis having been conspicuously absent from the recording booth in recent years, with film and television work taking precedence, not that she’ll ever truly abandon her musical side hustle, though.
Of course, it goes without saying that the Cape Fear and Natural Born Killers favourite is a rocker at heart, so it’s no surprise that the one song she thinks everyone should start their day by listening to is a 1970s classic, and a staple of playlists and radio stations to this day, more than 50 years after its release.
To be honest, there are a thousand worse ways to start the day than tuning into a timeless rock favourite, especially one that’s perfectly attuned to the mindset of getting out of bed, seizing the day by the short and curlies, and winning an endorsement from Juliette Lewis, who’d no doubt be thrilled were she to find out that you’d taken her advice to heart.
“I recommend everyone wakes up in the morning to Bachman–Turner Overdrive’s ‘Takin’ Care of Business,’ you’ll feel better,” she offered. “Somewhere inside of me, my spirit is that of a big heavy trucker dude.” That’s not to say that only big heavy trucker dudes are allowed to listen to it first thing, but if you’re into stereotyping, then many of them probably do anyway.
The opening riff, swiftly followed by piano, is one of the most easily recognisable introductions in ’70s rock, and ‘Takin’ Care of Business’ was the track that helped put the band on the map. It may have been the second single from their sophomore album, Bachman-Turner Overdrive II, but it was the bigger hit, reaching 12th place on the charts in the United States.
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‘You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet’ is arguably their most famous song, but ‘Takin’ Care of Business’ might be their most iconic. Either way, according to Lewis, it’s the perfect way to begin every morning, and since she’s the one telling everyone to do it, you’d really hope that she follows her own advice and opens her eyes to the sound of roosters crowing, birds chirping, and Norman Durkee tinkling those ivories.
You can’t go anywhere near a classic rock radio station without hearing it anyway, so why not push it to the front of the queue and make it the first thing you hear when you wake up? If you do, Juliette Lewis will be immensely proud of you for it.
