Working Songs for Labour Day

Published September 1, 2008 @ 10:13 in Lists, Music

Labour DayLabour Day in this country used to be all about union parades and picnics. We'd celebrate the working class, advances in the labour movement, and the like. Today, it's more about one last long weekend before the kids go back to school and the chill settles in.

In keeping with the great tradition of Labour Day, a holiday that started in Canada way back on April 14, 1872, here are ten great tunes with "working" in the title. With apologies to Dolly Parton, there will be ten and ten only.

  • Working Class Hero - John Lennon
  • Welcome to the Working Week - Elvis Costello
  • Working for the Man - Roy Orbison
  • Working on the Highway - Bruce Springsteen
  • Working for the Weekend - Loverboy
  • Mr. President (Have Pity on the Working Man) - Randy Newman
  • Working Man - Rush
  • Julie's Been Working for the Drug Squad - The Clash
  • Got My Mojo Working - Muddy Waters
  • Senses Working Overtime - XTC

4 Responses to "Working Songs for Labour Day"

Stephanie Wilkinson
September 1, 2008 / 12:23

Working for the Weekend... Who ISN'T thinking of Patrick Swaye and Chris Farley right now?

Mike... you could have moved anything else for (Working) 9 to 5... I'll bet it made more money than any of the others or maybe even all of them combined.

Anonymous
September 1, 2008 / 14:11

9 to 5? made more no doubt. has way less soul absolutly. except for Working for the Weekend. loverboy being one of the worst excuses for a band i can think of.

Mike from Lowville
September 6, 2008 / 09:39

"Labour Day in this country used to be all about union parades and picnics. We'd celebrate the working class, advances in the labour movement, and the like."
Mike, some of us still do that. I have for the last 22 years. My kids(when they were younger)used to come. We would walk through the streets of Hamilton and end up at Dundurn Park for a picnic. People seem to forget the sacrifices that were made by past workers to elevate the standard of living most of us enjoy today.(I say most because more and more are working poor) I won't add the long list of gains because I know it will fall on deaf ears. Today the labour movement is looked down upon by most, too bad. Some say it's no longer needed. After all the government and the corporations are good, compassionate and just.

Mike from Lowville
September 6, 2008 / 09:43

Oh, I forgot to say your second pick #2, (I won't argue with your #1 pick) should have been any Billy Bragg track related to the struggles of Labour. Maybe #3 and #4 also.

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