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Chart History
From the album Bachman-Turner Overdrive II, Takin' Care of Business was a #12 Pop hit for Bachman-Turner Overdrive in 1974.

Songwriter:
Randy Bachman


J's Journal:
This song tells the story of Jacob from birth until the night when he got his name changed to Israel. Although our bass player, Keith Haynie, is one of the world's most-devoted fans of Bachman-Turner Overdrive, we recorded this parody over a year before he joined us. This song is one of our most-popular audience-participation numbers in concert. We recorded to versions for "Radical History Tour" -- one with the crazy lead at the beginning and one that sounded more like the original. We just liked the crazy lead better. However, by 2004, we thought we could do a much better job, so we recorded an improved live version for "New & Used Hits."
Stats:
Genre: Classic Rock
Length: 4:55

Jacob's Name is Israel
Parody of "Takin' Care of Business" by Bachman-Turner Overdrive
(Genesis 25:26, 32:28, 35:10)

When Jacob was born he took a long time comin’.  Took the ankle of his older brother
They were twins, but Jake was later; Esau was his father’s favorite
‘Cause he spent his time as a hunter
And every single time, Jacob had to wait in line
He started then to strive to get his way
He was just a little boy; he was mama’s pride and joy
He loved to work with mother all day
But now, now, Jacob’s name is Israel — What’d you say?
Jacob’s name is Israel — By the way, I said
Jacob’s name is Israel — ‘Cause he strived
Jacob’s name is Israel — The father of the tribes — All 12
You could read in Genesis how Esau burst into the kitchen
And said, "Jacob, give me some stuff to swallow!"
Jacob said, “Sell me your birthright!”  Esau said, “What is it worth right now,
I’m dyin' of hunger; my stomach’s hollow!"
And so Esau sold his rights; Jacob later set his sights
Upon the blessing Isaac would pray
He pretended he was Esau, and his father couldn’t see so
Jacob stole the blessing and ran away
After 20 years with Laban, well, the Lord spoke to Jacob:
“Take your family with you back to Canaan.”
Jacob knew he’d meet his brother as he travelled through the dessert
He was scared, and I wouldn’t blame him
And in the night he fought with a Man we think was God
He wrestled with him to the break of day
He took Jacob’s hip and knocked it out of joint right at the socket
He blessed him, and He gave him this name

Genesis 35:10
God said to him, "Your name is Jacob, but you will no longer be called Jacob; your name will be Israel." So he named him Israel.


©2010 Parodudes Music, Inc.