Christmas has its carols. The Fourth of July, its Sousa marches. Tomorrow is Labor Day, and where are the songs to celebrate the holiday for workers?
Seeing a terrible oversight in our popular culture — and perhaps an opportunity for Georgia's thriving music industry — we'd like to suggest the following soundtrack.
We believe it's the perfect accompaniment to grilling hamburgers, sailing on Lake Lanier, jogging in Piedmont Park or relaxing in the backyard hammock.
The set kicks off, appropriately, with "Take This Job and Shove It" (advice we hope you have followed — just for the holiday) and ends with "A Hard Day's Night," which reminds us of why we work: "to get you money to buy you things" — and to come home afterward to the ones we love.
Sit back and enjoy these songs NOT to work by.
"Take This Job and Shove It," Johnny Paycheck
"Sixteen Tons," Tennessee Ernie Ford
"Working Class Hero," John Lennon
"Good Work," The BoDeans
"Five O'Clock World," The Vogues
"Factory,"Bruce Springsteen
"9 to 5," Dolly Parton
"40 Hour Week," Alabama
"Working Day and Night," Michael Jackson
"Rush Hour Blues," The Kinks
"Working for the Weekend," Loverboy
"Taking Care of Business," Bachman-Turner Overdrive
"Work to Do," Isley Brothers and Vanessa Williams
"She Works Hard for the Money," Donna Summer
"The Work Song" (instrumental), Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass
"A Hard Day's Night," The Beatles
— Compiled by Laura Raines