Summer ebbs and flows, but work is eternal. In honor of the upcoming Labor Day weekend, I asked my colleagues to share some thought-provoking songs on the world of work, and they did not disappoint.
A lot of the songs are less about the celebration of work and more so fête the shirking of it. They celebrate closing time, the clock out or the rush to meet your friends at happy hour. They champion solid boundaries and work-life balance. They remind us to do a cost-benefit analysis to ensure the compensation is proportionate to the labor.
While many of these tracks first graced the airwaves decades ago, they still feel salient today. These records remind us that artificial intelligence may be shaping today’s workflow, for better or for worse, but life on the job is the same as it has always been.
Here are a few songs you should put in your Labor Day weekend rotation — or add to your daily commute playlist.
“9 to 5” by Dolly Parton
I won’t pretend I was a huge Dolly Parton fan. I liked her, of course — who didn’t?! — but I’d never really paid close attention to her work before her recent passing. In learning more about her and revisiting “9 to 5,” however, I’ve found a lot to love.
Dolly rose up high, but she spoke for the earnest, hardworking everywoman (or man). It’s still as much of a rich man’s game as it was in 1980, and depressingly, probably much more so. But Dolly shines a light on the working person’s dignity — and their capacity to rise above.
— Emilie Shumway, HR Dive
“There is Power in a Union” by Billy Bragg
This is the quintessential union song. It points out that true power comes from the collective, from all of the workers in a factory standing together to defend and demand their rights. I can’t think of a more fitting Labor Day song.
— Ginger Christ, HR Dive
“Under Pressure” by Queen and David Bowie
Listening to this song may make some people stressed and anxious, but I find it energizing, upbeat and with the lyrics of, “Can’t we give ourselves one more chance? Why can’t we give love that one more chance?” it’s optimistic and empathic.
— Kara Arundel, K-12 Dive
“L’Internationale” by Eugen Pottier & Pierre de Geyter
This reminds one of a time when workers themselves possessed much greater self-confidence in their relations to management.
— Aneurin Canham-Clyne, Restaurant Dive
“Take This Job and Shove It” by Johnny Paycheck
This song left me collapsed on the floor in giggles when I first heard it as a kid, but the significance has shifted in adulthood. No matter how much we enjoy our jobs, something will certainly happen at some point to cause enough anxiety that makes us question everything — including whether we stay to grind out another day.
Sometimes it’s nice to remember we’re not alone in wanting to tell the powers that be at work to “shove it.”
— Katie Pyzyk, Packaging Dive
“Pressure” by Billy Joel
Billy Joel reportedly wrote this song as he was stressed and had writer’s block. I love it, because I feel that it speaks to everyone who is inventing, creating, mending and problem solving and their drive to succeed.
— Kara Arundel, K-12 Dive
“Break My Soul” by Beyoncé
When work feels like a grind, Beyoncé’s “Break My Soul” is my go-to reminder to find purpose in my career and not get bogged down by the day-to-day intricacies of a job. “I’m buildin’’my own foundation,” Beyoncé sings on the track; to me, that represents seeing how my 9-to-5 connects to a larger vision of living a meaningful life. It is also a reminder to HR professionals that each employee has their own dreams, goals and ideal lifestyles.
— Catherine Douglas Moran, Grocery Dive
“Solidarity Forever” by Pete Seeger
This song continues to be an uplifting and powerful anthem and one that’s sometimes sung at union meetings, protests, mutual aid events and other community happenings. The lyrics are perfectly designed for group singing, and that adds a delicious gravity, volume, power and unity to the tune!
“They have taken untold millions that they never toiled to earn/But without our brain and muscle not a single wheel can turn.” It’s still relevant today as countless workers continue to organize for better wages and safety.
— Megan Quinn, Waste Dive
“Work” by Ateez
My previous submission, “Solidarity Forever,” celebrates a world made better by organized unions and collective action. I’m shifting the tone completely with this next recommendation, a K-pop banger. “Work” follows in the tradition of other classic “I am successful, hot, and rich” songs.
It’s got everything; it references gold watches and private jets, the celebration of the 24/7 grind, and a pretty great line that goes, “Got a fur coat so I make ‘em purr / Give ‘em whiplash when they see me earn.” Do I identify with any of this? No, but sometimes I just need a potent pop bop to motivate me when I’m on deadline, and it’s a week from payday. Gotta work!
— Megan Quinn, Waste Dive
Check out the rest of the work playlist song submissions below.