By Dennis Hartley

(Originally posted on Digby’s Hullabaloo on September 5, 2026)

Since it’s Labor Day Weekend, I thought I’d take a break from sticky floors and stale popcorn to let the music do the talking. I’ve chosen 20 songs in honor of those who make an honest living (you know…most of us lowly taxpayers, toiling away down here in the trenches). Cheers!

“Welcome to the Working Week” – Elvis Costello

“9 to 5” – Dolly Parton

“Work to Do” – The Isley Brothers

“She Works Hard for the Money” – Donna Summer

“A Well-Respected Man” – The Kinks

“Smithers-Jones” – The Jam

“Blue Collar” – Bachman-Turner Overdrive

“Five O’clock World” – The Vogues

“Chain Gang” – Sam Cooke

“Take This Job and Shove It” – Johnny Paycheck

“Sixteen Tons” – Tennessee Ernie Ford

“Big Boss Man” – Jimmy Reed

“Union Maid” – Arlo Guthrie and Pete Seeger

“Which Side Are You On” – Billy Bragg

“Career Opportunities” – The Clash

“Working Man” – Rush

“Blue Collar Man” – Styx

“Earn Enough For Us” – XTC

“Friday On My Mind” – The Easybeats

“Manic Monday” – The Bangles