Who’s tired of all this work?
I am, so let’s celebrate songs that celebrate working for a living!
Look Who’s Working “9 To 5!”
Yes, it’s Labor Day in the US – an acknowledgement of just how hard we all work – and therefore we all get the day off!
I’m celebrating with 5 songs that are all about putting in a hard day’s work.
Of course, the “Citizen Kane” of working songs comes to us from an Icon:
Dolly Parton’s “9 To 5”!
Dolly nailed it when she wrote the theme to her classic 1980 comedy “9 To 5”, which is truer today than ever:
“Working 9 to 5, what a way to make a living
Barely getting by, it’s all taking and no giving
They just use your mind, and they never give you credit
It’s enough to drive you crazy if you let it!”
Here’s the joy of working “9 To 5!”
Of course, we’d all rather be doing something else instead of working, like this:
Legendary Rocker Todd Rundgren was inducted into the 2021 Rock ‘n ‘Roll Hall Of Fame: long overdue and totally justified for a wildly creative career including hits like “Can We Still Be Friends”, A Dream Goes On Forever”, We Gotta Get You A woman” and of course “Hello It’s Me.”
This song was included on Todd’s “contractually obligated” album – the last one due his record label in the early 80’s:
Yet in pure Todd style, it’s one of his best collections of songs!
Here’s a live version I saw him perform in 2016:
By the way, the entire album is a gem!
Not just “Bang The Drum All Day”, but “Hideaway”, “Don’t Hurt Yourself”, “Drive” and more!
See more the whole album – and the unique circumstances that led to it – by clicking on my story here:
Now, step away from those drums because it’s time to head back to work…
Yes, Everybody’s “Working For The Weekend!”
A huge hit when it was released, Loverboy has a pure 80’s look, and a timeless song about getting through the week so you can have some sexy time!
“Everybody’s working for the weekend
Everybody wants a new romance
Everybody’s goin’ off the deep end
Everybody needs a second chance, oh!”
Try not to dance along with this Loverboy gem!
The 80’s were certainly a time for songs about working hard – guess who also had a big hit lamenting it?
Huey Lewis Was “Taking What They Giving!”
Yes, he didn’t like work, and Huey rattled off everyone else who didn’t either!
“Bus boy, bartender, ladies of the night
Grease monkey, ex-junky, winner of the fight
Walking on the streets its really all the same
Selling souls, rock n’ roll, any other day
Workin’ for a livin’ (workin’)
Workin’ for a livin’ (workin’)
Workin’ for a livin’, livin’ and workin’
I’m taking what they giving ’cause I’m working for a livin’.”
Yes, it’s quite the long list of people who are “Working For A Living”, according to Huey Lewis And The News!
All these rockers singing about working, when Dire Straits made it clear it’s not work at all!
That’s right, with Sting’s help, they really nailed the easy life of a rock’n’roller, at least from the eyes of a weary warehouse worker:
“We got to install microwave ovens, custom kitchen deliveries
We got to move these refrigerators, we gotta move these color TVs
Listen here
Now that ain’t workin’ that’s the way you do it
You play the guitar on the MTV
That ain’t workin’, that’s the way you do it
Money for nothin’ and your chicks for free…”
Enjoy this classic lament about rock stars having fun while we bust our humps – it’s “Money For Nothing!”
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Let me know your favorite “I hate to work” song, and happy Labor Day 2021!
Categories: Art, Books / Media, Classic Rock, Comedy Movies, Cult Movies, Film Fight Club, Great Films, Movies, Music, Obscure Music, Pop Culture, Talent/Celebrities, Todd Rundgren
johnrieber 
I recently re-watched 9 to 5, and sadly, I don’t think things have changed that much in 40 years (my wife quit nursing because she got tired of patients grabbing her).
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Yes, nothing really has changed…while a few “bad people” have had their comeuppance, it’s still shocking how many still exist….
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9 to 5 is one of my favorite movies. What a great cast!
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Indeed, and the story just as relevant today!
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It is! On a side note, I fly out tomorrow to be on the show, taping on Friday. Can’t wait to meet Kelly!
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WOW! I know they reached out to you but with the pandemic so much got disrupted…so glad they are having you on – I will let my wife know she will love to meet you – she’s Alex Duda, the Executive Producer!
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🙂
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I love every one of these songs. I was a huge Loverboy fan back in the day, but out of these, I’d have to say I find the Dire Straits song to be the coolest. The Sting cameo was a highlight of that song.
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Yes, and because of songwriting rules, he received a full half songwriting credit for showing up and singing the MTV slogan because it was his idea!
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Yeah! Happy Labor Day!!
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Hope you have a “non-working” day!
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None at all
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