Currently trapped in a cubicle farm making rich people even richer, I’d like to play some music at work that reminds me I’m not a “human resource” waiting to be “downsized”.
The only song that comes to mind is Johnny Paycheck’s “Take This Job And Shove It”, which hardly fits the need. There’s a lot of songs that have one or two lines of such sentiment, but I’m looking more for anthems.
Not communist or anti-capitalist songs, mind you. Just ones opposed to (or making fun of) unchecked corporate greed.
Hmm, U2’s “Acrobat” comes to mind. It has the beautiful line in it; “Don’t let the bastards grind you down”. I’ve always felt that that particularly applied to the corporate world. Or, more Anthem-like, there’s Dolly Parton’s “9 to 5”. Or how about Donna Summers’ “She Works Hard for the Money”?
Make that Heaven17 - I knew it started with an H and had a number in there…
On a slightly related topic, the boring life of an office employee was perfectly put to music by Klaatu in their Routine day, which includes the perfect line the life I live would even make a dead man yawn.
there’s unlimited supply
and there is no reason why
i tell you it was all a frame
they only did it 'cos of fame
who? …E.M.I. *
For a real change of pace, switch to Dolly Parton’s “9 to 5”
*
Workin’ 9 to 5
What a way to make a livin’
Barely gettin’ by
It’s all takin’
And no givin’
They just use your mind
And you never get the credit
It’s enough to drive you
Crazy if you let it
*
And then maybe **David Allan Coe’s **“Take This Job and Shove It”
*
Take this job and shove it
I ain’t working here no more
I will not get all the pieces
I’ve been working for
Paper cups, minimum wage
Just walk on out the door
Take this job and shove it
I ain’t working here no more
*
Also covered by the Dead Kennedys if twang is not your thang…
While not really that anti-corporate, The Beatles “Good Morning” has the same vibe as “Five o’Clock World”.
Going to work don’t want to go, feeling low down
Heading for home you start to roam, then you’re in town
Everybody knows there’s nothing doing, everything is closed, it’s like a ruin
Everyone you see is half asleep, and you’re on your own, you’re in the street
You load sixteen tons, and what-ah you get
Another day older and deeper in debt.
St. Peter don’t you call me, 'cause I can’t go
I owe my soul to the company store.
If you want your money, you better stand in the line Cos you'll only end up picking up nickels and dimes You call him names and he sits and grins Cos everyone else is just a sucker to him.
“Fast Food” by Richard Thompson
Fry them patties and send `em right through
Microwave oven going to fry me too
Can’t lose my job by getting in a rage
Got to get my hands on that minimum wage
Shove it in their faces, give `em what they want
Got to make it fast, it’s a fast food restaurant.
“Radio, Radio” by Elvis Costello
I hate to suggest this, but how about “Workin’ for MCA” by Lynyrd Skynyrd. It’s one their few songs I can stand.
