In the United States, the first Monday of September is a federal holiday celebrating the contributions and dignity of workers. Nothing gets done without them! But on this day we stretch the weekend out a little longer, wrap up our summers, and have one last barbecue. And here, since its a Monday, I get to throw together some songs celebrating us working stiffs too!
We have good company in this department, because lest we forget, Jesus was a man of work. Unless you are on call, or on duty (military, police, fire, ambulance, doctors and nurses) I hope you can take advantage of this day off and enjoy yourself. Here's some songs I hope you'll enjoy too.
George Thorogood & The Destroyers, Let's Work Together. Live and with special guest Elvin Bishop, the king of the workin' class slide guitarists with a rousing rendition of the song made famous by Canned Heat in 1970.
And I couldn't leave you hanging with that ending, so here's George's rendition of what he calls the rock n' roll national anthem too. You might remember it as a Chuck Berry tune,
Rush, The Working Man. I'm borrowing this one from our Canadian brethren. Only three guys but with some of the biggest, hardest working-ist sounds going. Check out Neil Peart's drum kit here. Gulp!
The Pretenders, Back on the Chain Gang. There are waay too many folks still out of work these days. Back breaking work for an honest days pay sounds pretty good in this 80's flash back hit. Sing it Chrissy!
Neil Young with Willie Nelson, Farmer's Song. Want some hard work that's critical and life affirming? Neil's got an idea for you.
Johnny Cash, Workin' Man's Blues. The Man in Black covers Merle Haggard's classic. This was one of the greatest shows on television back in the day, and one of the greatest performers too.
Elvis Presley, Workin' on the Building. What's that? You forgot our priests and religious work hard too? Let me let Elvis remind you.
Enjoy the holiday folks! If you crave more, check out last year's mix.
