When Alabama took the stage at Farm Aid in 1986 and performed “40 Hour Week,” it wasn’t just another concert moment; it was a beautiful shoutout to the people who keep this country moving. They weren’t singing about big fame or fancy lights; they were singing for the farmers, the factory workers, the truck drivers, and everyone pulling long days to make ends meet. It was simple, honest, and powerful everything real country music should be.
In this live version, you can feel the pride in Randy Owen’s voice as he sings, “There are people in this country who work hard every day.” With the crowd waving flags and singing along, it’s clear this song meant something bigger that night. Farm Aid has always been about helping the folks who feed America, so hearing “40 Hour Week” on that stage was like the perfect musical thank-you card.
Alabama – 40 Hour Week (Live at Farm Aid 1986)
The audience loved every word. People stood up, hats over hearts, and you could see the pride in their faces, folks who knew precisely what it felt like to punch a clock and give it their all every week. Even today, fans say this is one of Alabama’s most heartfelt songs because it makes you feel seen and appreciated, no matter what job you do.
Once “40 Hour Week” fills you with that blue-collar pride, you’ve got to spin “Roll On (Eighteen Wheeler).” It’s another one of Alabama’s tributes to everyday heroes this time, the truck drivers who keep the country rolling.
Alabama – Roll On (Eighteen Wheeler) (Live at Farm Aid 1986)
Fans say “Roll On” is one of those songs you can blast on the highway with the windows down. It’s catchy and relatable, telling a story about family, hard work, and love, exactly what Alabama has always been about.
Want more moments like this? Make sure you follow Alabama on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and Twitter for old concert clips, new tour dates, and all the country stories that prove they’ll always be the voice of America’s working folks.