Many songwriters have poetically described struggles and hardships faced at work in their songs. Numerous musicians have showcased how difficult it is to make ends meet juggling jobs. Often real-life experiences that tell a heart-warming tale of difficulties are mentioned in songs related to work. Scenarios such as getting a job or moving to a big city to earn big money have been expressively narrated in songs from different genres. Songs about working for a living have been told in myriad ways. In many songs, songwriters have described how individuals are frustrated with the jobs they have but have no choice but to continue with their jobs for the money.
Songs about working hard to achieve goals and get somewhere have become inspirational for listeners. Aspects about being underpaid or exploited at work have been theatrically described in songs from blues, folk, rock, pop and alternative music genres.
In many songs the boss at the workplace has been taken to the whipping post with lyrics of angst vented out. Songs about getting a job and surviving in a big city where there’s cut-throat competition have become popular with youth. Also, songs that tell a story of a person working hard and someone else getting credit at the workplace connect well with listeners.
Lyrics in songs about getting jobs or songs about the workplace are popular because the instances mentioned are relatable to people in everyday life.
Take this job and shove it
I ain't workin' here no more
My woman done left and took all the reasons
I was working for
Ya better not try to stand in my way
As I'm walkin', out the door
Take this job and shove it
I ain't workin' here no more
I been working in this factory
For nigh on fifteen years
All this time I watched my woman
Drownin' in a pool of tears
And I've seen a lot of good folk die
Who had a lot of bills to pay
I'd give the shirt right off of my back
If I had the guts to say
Take this job and shove it
I ain't workin' here no more
My woman done left and took all the reasons
I was working for
Ya better not try to stand in my way
As I'm walkin' out the door
Take this job and shove it
I ain't workin' here no more
Well, that foreman, he's a regular dog
The line boss, he's a fool
He got a brand new flat top haircut
Lord, he thinks he's cool
One of these days I'm gonna blow my top
And that sucker, he's gonna pay
Lord, I can't wait to see their faces
When I get the nerve to say
Take this job and shove it
I ain't workin' here no more
My woman done left and took all the reasons
I was working for
Ya better not try to stand in my way
As I'm walkin' out the door
Take this job and shove it
I ain't workin' here no more
Take this job and shove it
The offered me the office, offered me the shop
They said I'd better take anything they'd got
Do you wanna make tea at the BBC?
Do you wanna be, do you really wanna be a cop?
Career opportunities are the ones that never knock
Every job they offer you is to keep you out the dock
Career opportunity, the ones that never knock
I hate the army an' I hate the R.A.F.
I don't wanna go fighting in the tropical heat
I hate the civil service rules
And I won't open letter bombs for you
Bus driver....ambulance man....ticket inspector
They're gonna have to introduce conscription
They're gonna have to take away my prescription
If they wanna get me making toys
If they wanna get me, well, I got no choice
Careers
Careers
Careers
Ain't never gonna knock
Tumble outta bed
And I stumble to the kitchen
Pour myself a cup of ambition
And yawn and stretch
And try to come to life
Jump in the shower
And the blood starts pumpin'
Out on the street
The traffic starts jumpin'
The folks like me on the job from 9 to 5
Workin' 9 to 5,
What a way to make a livin'
Barely gettin' by
It's all takin' and no givin'
They just use your mind
And they never give you credit
It's enough to drive you crazy
If you let it
9 to 5, for service and devotion
You would think that I
Would deserve a fair promotion
Want to move ahead
But the boss won't seem to let me
I swear sometimes that man is out to get me
They let you dream
Just to watch 'em shatter
You're just a step
On the boss-man's ladder
But you got dreams
He'll never take away
You're in the same boat
With a lot of your friends
Waitin' for the day your ship'll come in
'N' the tide's gonna turn
And it's all gonna roll your way
Workin' 9 to 5
What a way to make a livin'
Barely gettin' by
It's all takin' and no givin'
They just use your mind
And you never get the credit
It's enough to drive you crazy
If you let it
9 to 5, yeah
They got you where they want you
There's a better life
And you think about it, don't you?
It's a rich man's game
No matter what they call it
And you spend your life
Puttin' money in his wallet
9 to 5, whoa
What a way to make a livin'
Barely gettin' by
It's all takin' and no givin'
They just use your mind
And they never give you credit
It's enough to drive you crazy
If you let it
9 to 5, yeah
They got you where they want you
There's a better life
And you dream about it, don't you?
It's a rich man's game
No matter what they call it
And you spend your life
Puttin' money in his wallet
Working 9 to 5
Working hard to make a living
Bringing shelter from the rain
A father's son left to carry on
Blue denim in his veins
Oh oh oh he's a working class man
Well he's a steel town disciple
He's a legend of his kind
He's running like a cyclone
Across the wild mid western sky
Oh oh oh he's a working class man
He believes in God and Elvis
He gets out when he can
he did his time in Vietnam
Still mad at Uncle Sam
He's a simple man
With a heart of gold
In a complicated land
Oh he's a working class man
Well he loves a little woman
Someday he'll make his wife
Saving all the overtime
For the one love of his life
He ain't worried about tomorrow
Cause he just made up his mind
Life's too short for burning bridges
Take it one day at a time
Oh oh oh he's a working class man
Oh oh oh he's a working class man
Oh yeah
Yes he is
Well he's a working class man
Oh
Ma ma ma ma ma ma ma ma ma ma ma ma ma ma ma
I tell you he's a working class man
Work, work, work, work, work, work
Hey I'm not complaining 'cause I really need the work
I'm working hard to make a living
What a way to make a living
Working for a living
It's all taking and no giving
I'm saving all the overtime
I'll take it one day at a time
If I had an aeroplane I still couldn't make it on time
I have to catch an early train, got to be to work by nine
I wake up every mornin', I stumble out of bed
I want to move ahead
Stretchin' and yawnin', another day ahead
Working so I can get a better life
I've been working near all my life
I work all day to earn my pay, so we can play all night
When I'm home everything seems to be right
So I slave all day without much pay
It's a sacrifice working day to day
Gonna keep going, gotta make my way
While I live for the end of the day
I been working hard, twelve hours a day
I wish it were Sunday
One of these days I'm gonna blow my top
I've been working like a dog
Up every mornin' just to keep a job
Sounds of the city poundin' in my brain
Another day goes down the drain
Wastin' my days on a factory floor
Gonna tell the man I don't want no more
I'm goin' through the door
I ain't workin' here no more
Workin' 9 to 5
I'll be working here forever, at least until I die.
Barely gettin' by
Puttin' money in my wallet
Tradin' my time for the pay I get
I deserve a fair promotion
Six o'clock already, I was just in the middle of a dream
It takes me so long just to figure out what I'm gonna wear
Today we are working for the man
We've got a deadline to meet
I believe he's gonna work me into the ground
I work hard for the money
Everybody's working for the weekend
I'm supposed to get a raise next week