PUMPIN' IRON

a.k.a. PUMPIN' IRON, SWEATING STEAL

Jimmy was a rocker - oh how he liked to rock
Combed his hair just right
And practiced the way he walked
Gonna go out tonight and make a little noise
He was a steel-working man just like his daddy was
Didn't have a choice just doing as he's told
If you can't be a man better be one of the boys
Going to meet little Joe at the corner
Make sure he's dressed up just right
Little Joe's been acting like a goner
Tonight - tonight

Pumpin' iron - sweatin' steel
Hearts of stone dressed to kill
Pumpin' iron - sweatin' steel
You can never understand the way I feel

Jimmy's gonna meet Maria downtown at 10 o'clock
Her old man don't like him won't let him come to the house
Pop a pill - drink some whiskey - get a little wasted
But that's alright
That poor boy got to live his whole lifetime 
In just one night - tonight

Pumpin' iron - sweatin' steel
Hearts of stone dressed to kill
Pumpin' iron - sweatin' steel
You can never understand the way I feel

Here comes Maria - man she looks really hot
Going to give her everything I've got - at last
Slides in the Chevy beside little Joe
Steps on the gas and watch her go so fast - she's so fast

Pumpin' iron - sweatin' steel
Hearts of stone dressed to kill
Pumpin' iron - sweating steel
You can never understand the way I feel

Written and originally performed by Joe Grushecky. There are 15 known performances of this song, all of them with Joe Grushecky or with Joe Grushecky and The Houserockers:
- 22 Jul 1995 at the TradeWinds, Sea Bright, NJ
- 17 Oct 1995 at the Stone Pony, Asbury Park, NJ
- 18 Oct 1995 at the Tramps Night Club, New York City, NY
- 19 Oct 1995 at The Electric Factory, Philadelphia, PA
- 20 Oct 1995 at Nick's Fat City, Pittsburgh, PA
- 21 Oct 1995 at Nick's Fat City, Pittsburgh, PA
- 24 Oct 1995 at Park West, Chicago, IL
- 02 Mar 1998 at Nick's Fat City, Pittsburgh, PA
- 10 Jul 1999 at Cheers, Long Branch, NJ
- 03 Nov 2000 at the Stone Pony, Asbury Park, NJ, during the first annual Light Of Day benefit
- 02 Nov 2002 at the Tradewinds, Sea Bright, NJ, during the third annual Light Of Day benefit
- 01 Nov 2003 at the Stone Pony, Asbury Park, NJ, during the fourth annual Light Of Day benefit
- 17 Jul 2004 at the Stone Pony, Asbury Park, NJ