Loverboy - Working for the Weekend - Guitar Lesson

Get Lucky

1981 3:41

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About Working for the Weekend

Few riffs from the early 1980s are as instantly recognizable as the driving, palm-muted power-chord groove that kicks off "Working for the Weekend." In E major and standard tuning, the part sits comfortably in open position, but nailing the tight, punchy feel is what separates a competent run-through from a convincing one. The tempo sits at a steady 120 BPM, which feels relaxed until you try to keep the right hand locked in and consistent through every chord change. Pay close attention to the rhythmic feel: the energy comes from how crisply you release each chord rather than just hitting it. The chorus riff adds a brighter, higher-register melody line that asks for clean position shifts up the neck, and that transition is worth isolating in the Practice Toolbar at a reduced speed until the movement becomes automatic. Loverboy kept the guitar work squarely in the Hard Rock tradition of tight, radio-ready riffs built for maximum impact with minimal clutter.

• The main riff is built on palm-muted power chords in E standard tuning, making it a solid exercise in right-hand muting control.
• At 120 BPM the chord changes feel approachable, but keeping the rhythmic attack uniform across every strum is the real challenge.
• The chorus features a higher-register melodic guitar line that requires clean, confident position shifts, a good section to loop slowed down.