# Occupations in Songs **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 30, 2020, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/occupations-in-songs/852901 "2020-04-30T15:19:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![robardin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/43a26b/32.png) [@robardin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robardin)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2020, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/occupations-in-songs/852901/101 "2020-05-01T13:30:58Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > [The Humans Are Dead](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B1BdQcJ2ZYY) - Flight of the Conchords being robots > > [Hiphopopotamus vs. Rhymenocerous](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FArZxLj6DLk) - Flight of the Conchords claiming to be rap singers Oh man, if you’re going to go to the Conchords, how could you overlook [(You Don’t Have To Be) A Prostitute](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3omQikQYmgY). “_Do you have any other skills… Like TYPING?_” And, are you saying they’re _not_ rappers? [That hurts their feelings!](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EuJzSTNDUGI) ---
**Author:** ![robardin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/43a26b/32.png) [@robardin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robardin)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2020, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/occupations-in-songs/852901/102 "2020-05-01T13:47:10Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > Missed edit window–Billy Joel is The Piano Man I suggested another one, “The Entertainer”… And now I’d say also his song [The Downeaster Alexa](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVlDSzbrH5M) about a Long Island Fisherman. And if being a conscripted soldier counts, he also has [Goodnight Saigon](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qjzjhl-QztE). > [@Kent\_Clark](#): > > You could be The greatest coal miner of all, [Big Bad John](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KnnHprUGKF0) > > Or shovel [Sixteen Tons](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Joo90ZWrUkU&t=90s) of coal Dang, I missed your links when I made my reply mentioning these songs… But I did give a few others! ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2020, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/occupations-in-songs/852901/103 "2020-05-01T14:42:46Z")
> [@skdo23](#): > > Steve Miller Band _Take the Money and Run_ detective. Kevin Johnson’s “[Grab the Money and Run](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0zlKox917T0)” is about three highway workers (leading hand, payroll clerk, and security guard) who run off with the payroll. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2020, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/occupations-in-songs/852901/104 "2020-05-01T15:04:03Z")
> [@robardin](#): > > Dang, I missed your links when I made my reply mentioning these songs… But I did give a few others! I was just going to say, that makes the fourth time 16 Tons was mentioned.😃 ---
**Author:** ![robardin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/43a26b/32.png) [@robardin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robardin)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2020, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/occupations-in-songs/852901/105 "2020-05-01T19:25:16Z")
How about David Bowie’s [Space Oddity](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D67kmFzSh_o) (note: I linked to an earlier 1969 version of the song, with video by Bowie… check it out), and Peter Schilling’s later referential song [Major Tom (Coming Home)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wO0A0XcWy88), whose protagonist is an astronaut (named Major Tom, duh). ---
**Author:** ![WildaBeast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wildabeast/32/6_2.png) [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2020, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/occupations-in-songs/852901/106 "2020-05-01T19:35:05Z")
“On Being Frank” by Ben Fold’s Five is about Frank Sinatra’s tour manager. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2020, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/occupations-in-songs/852901/107 "2020-05-01T19:37:36Z")
> [@robardin](#): > > Oh man, if you’re going to go to the Conchords, how could you overlook [(You Don’t Have To Be) A Prostitute](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3omQikQYmgY). “_Do you have any other skills… Like TYPING?_” > > And, are you saying they’re _not_ rappers? [That hurts their feelings!](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EuJzSTNDUGI) Or _You’re So Beautiful_: “You could be a part time model; but you’d probably have to keep your other job, too.” ---
**Author:** ![peccavi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peccavi/32/388_2.png) [@peccavi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peccavi)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2020, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/occupations-in-songs/852901/108 "2020-05-01T19:44:49Z")
> [@SirRay](#): > > Well… > Couldn’t resist: Don Data & The Res-Tones - Silicon Valley Guy (Tech Support Guy) And supplying Tech Support with all the buggy code to support…[Code Monkey](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4Wy7gRGgeA) ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2020, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/occupations-in-songs/852901/109 "2020-05-01T20:18:10Z")
Put together “Oh! You, Babe Ruth”, “Centerfield”, “Shoeless Joe Jackson”, “Slide, Kelly, Slide”, “Cal Ripken Jr. Never Missed a Game!”, “Did You See Jackie Robinson Hit That Ball?”, “I Can’t Get to First Base with You”, “Jody, Jody Davis”, and “Catfish” and you get a starting baseball team. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2020, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/occupations-in-songs/852901/110 "2020-05-01T20:39:16Z")
Don Henely’s “Dirty Laundry” - tabloid news reporters. ---
**Author:** ![skdo23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a5b964/32.png) [@skdo23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/skdo23)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2020, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/occupations-in-songs/852901/111 "2020-05-01T20:46:34Z")
Another one by Weird Al, _It’s All About the Pentiums,_ is obviously about some sort of computer programmer. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2020, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/occupations-in-songs/852901/112 "2020-05-01T21:24:55Z")
Junior Brown’s “[Highway Patrol](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0zEzHPsi87w)” should be self-explanatory. ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2020, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/occupations-in-songs/852901/113 "2020-05-01T21:35:37Z")
[Lighthouse Keeper by Sunforest](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJQ6ynOB48E). ---
**Author:** ![bibliophage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bibliophage/32/7615_2.png) [@bibliophage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bibliophage)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2020, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/occupations-in-songs/852901/114 "2020-05-01T21:45:51Z")
[It’s Hard Out Here For a Pimp](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Cr0nP3k_p4) ---
**Author:** ![Johanna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johanna/32/8318_2.png) [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2020, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/occupations-in-songs/852901/115 "2020-05-02T00:48:53Z")
“Black Diamond Bay” by Bob Dylan has a soldier, a desk clerk, > [@](#): > > “Pardon, monsieur,” the desk clerk says > Carefully removes his fez > “Am I hearing you right?” and a card dealer, with an implied Soviet ambassador and TV newsman (old Cronkite). ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2020, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/occupations-in-songs/852901/116 "2020-05-02T02:48:46Z")
> [@WildaBeast](#): > > “On Being Frank” by Ben Fold’s Five is about Frank Sinatra’s tour manager. And “Boxing” is Muhammad Ali talking with Howard Cosell. ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2020, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/occupations-in-songs/852901/117 "2020-05-02T03:05:36Z")
Have we had a Barber yet? Or a factotum? [Largo al Factotum](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dq_0wPYFp9A) — Il Barbiere di Siviglia — The Barber of Seville (Italian with some English subtitles) moonlights as the city factotum — messenger / courier / all-purpose handyman. I see Tennessee Ernie Ford has already loaded 64 tons so far in this thread. Here’s another miner: [The Canny Miner Lad](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1gcexQFo2c) by Ian Campbell Folk Group Whether you’re hewing or filling the tub, Or putting the trams back along to the road, It’s a hellish hard way to work for your grub. He’s a fine lad, a canny lad, the miner. We’ve seen a few train driver songs already. Ian Campbell also sings of the fireman: [The Fireman’s Song](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cK3k3j7GhxA) A loco fireman is me grade, Boiling water is me trade. The driver thinks he runs the show, But if I’m not there, the train won’t go. ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2020, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/occupations-in-songs/852901/118 "2020-05-02T03:44:22Z")
A few trucker songs have been mentioned. Trucker songs were all in vogue on the Country Western circuit in the 1970’s. I used to listen to them on my hour-long drive to work and home each day. Red Sovine had a couple. Trigger warning! Tear-jerker alert! [Phantom 309](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mye3aikHBjc) A hitchhiker, stranded in the rain, gets a lift from a trucker with . . . a history. Well, I went inside and ordered me a cup Told the waiter Big Joe was settin’ me up Aw!, you coulda heard a pin drop, it got deathly quiet And the waiter’s face turned kinda white. Well, did I say something wrong? I said with a halfway grin He said: "Naw, this happens every now and then Ever’ driver in here knows Big Joe But son, let me tell you what happened about ten years ago. Truckers give deceased trucker’s little crippled kid a big surprise: [The Ballad of Teddy Bear](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bi_kRv0dOk) Well I came back and I said “Before you go 10-10 What’s your home 20 little CB friend?” He gave me his address and I didn’t once hesitate Cause this hot load of freight would just have to wait. I turned that truck around on a dime And headed straight for Jackson Street two twenty-nine. And as I rounded the corner oh I got one the heck of a shock! 18-wheelers were lined up for three city blocks ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2020, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/occupations-in-songs/852901/119 "2020-05-02T04:08:44Z")
A Gypsy fortune teller gives Gordon Lightfoot a reading that he finds . . . disturbing. [The Gypsy](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ooC87DjXwNY) by Gordon Lightfoot. Then when I came home that night To lie awake in bed I thought of that old Gypsy And the words that she had said. And now I see, with due respect, The more we learn, the worse we get, So if you feel you’ve no regrets, Go have your fortune read. Do you dare to hear YOUR fortune? Do YOU have any regrets? Are you sure? ---
**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2020, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/occupations-in-songs/852901/120 "2020-05-02T04:12:56Z")
[Waitress](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWMC2eJiwfY), Jane Siberry [Waitress](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UbeN7eRtdLU), Tori Amos [What Baking Can Do, from Waitress](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRaSSfSpR5E), Jessie Mueller [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/occupations-in-songs/852901.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/occupations-in-songs/852901.md?page=7)