The man at work keeps working

You needn’t look any farther than the successful solo career of Colin Hay. The man perhaps best known as the frontman for the 1980s MTV sensations Men at Work packs in crowds around the country who want to hear his interpretation — not the poppy, spiced up MTV versions — of his classic songs as “Who Can It Be Now” and “Down Under.”

“I’m not the kind of songwriter that specifically collaborates with people,” Hay said of his work habits. “I’m not against it, I’m just not planning to do it.”

And despite the many reunions of bands from the 1960s through the ’90s, Hay said he is quite satisfied with remaining solo. Despite the die-hard Men at Work fans who come to see him and relive old times, he is quite happy in his life now.

Money, touring and extra fame aren’t enticement for the six Men at Work who were together for six years to reunite, Hay said.

Instead he prefers to look back at the world tours, No. 1 hits and heavy video rotation on MTV almost as soon as the station debuted on Aug. 1, 1981, as a fond time that has passed. Although embarking upon a solo career after years playing arenas was daunting, Hay said he wouldn’t go back.

“I keep going because I love what I am doing,” Hay said. “I tour a lot and by the time you get that out of the way you get into the studio and write songs whenever you can. The year is over before you realize it. It gets quite exciting. I always have a few interesting kind of tunes popping up. It’s never so much a problem having ideas for songs as it is to finish them.”

One reason Hay built a home studio was so he could get in more studio time when he is home. Of course, Hay not only tours for his solo shows, but frequently joins Ringo Starr and others on the road.

“I don’t really have a very organized kind of schedule, these days,” he said. “I kind of like stumbling around a bit, doing what I wish.”