[2025] Western Work Songs: A Collection of Classic Tracks About Work

A work song—literally a “labor song”—refers to songs that were actually sung on the job, such as during farm work or in factories.

Folk songs kept in time with handclaps while tilling the fields, and work songs sung to the rhythm of factory machinery, have been passed down alongside the history of labor.

This article introduces classic Western work songs—both old and new—born from the popular music scene that take “work” and “labor” as their themes.

These masterpieces, which sing about work and workers from various perspectives, are sure to resonate with those of us who face our daily jobs.

Playlist

[2025] Western Work Songs: A Collection of Classic Tracks About Work
	Title	Playlist	One point
1	9 to 5Dolly Parton		Summary (20 characters): Theme song of Dolly Parton’s 1980 film. A work song powerfully portraying the daily lives of working women.
2	Work SongHozier		Summary (20 characters): A gospel-tinged Hozier track portraying profound devotion to a loved one. A message of love that transcends death.
3	Working Man’s SongMorgan Wallen		Summary (20 characters): An anthem depicting workers' struggles by Morgan Wallen. A country rock dedication to the working class.
4	UnderdogAlicia Keys		A piano-based cheer song dedicated to those striving through hardship.
5	Livin’ On A PrayerBon Jovi		Bon Jovi’s 1986 smash hit. An anthem cheering on workers facing hardships.
6	She Works Hard for the MoneyDonna Summer		Donna Summer’s 1983 single. A major hit created as an anthem to support hardworking women.
7	Workin’ For A Livin’Huey Lewis & The News		Summary (20 characters): A pop-rock number portraying the daily lives and struggles of workers in various professions.
8	Working Man BluesMerle Haggard		Merle Haggard’s 1969 working-class anthem. A classic that sharply sings of blue-collar pride and reality.
9	Manic MondayThe Bangles		Summary (20 characters): A work song depicting Monday blues, composed by Prince and arranged by The Bangles in 1986.
10	A Hard Day’s NightThe Beatles		Summary (20 characters): A signature 1964 Beatles song. Gratitude to a loved one who eases a worker's fatigue.
11	The Working ManCreedence Clearwater Revival		Creedence Clearwater Revival’s debut track. A Southern roots rock song that powerfully depicts the everyday lives of working people, based on John Fogerty’s own labor experience.
12	FactoryBruce Springsteen		A work in which Springsteen, drawing on his experiences with his factory-worker father, portrays the realities of labor and the bonds between parent and child.
13	Welcome To The Working WeekElvis Costello		Elvis Costello’s 1977 debut single. A work that satirizes the privileged class from a working-class perspective, blending punk and pop.
14	Blue Collar Man (Long Nights)Styx		A track from Styx’s 1978 album. An anthem that powerfully sings of workers’ dreams.
15	The Working HourTears for Fears		Summary (20 characters): Art pop beyond synth-pop, laced with irony toward laborious creation in the music industry.
16	I’m YoursJason Mraz		You might think it’d be amazing if you could listen to music while working…
17	My Life Would Suck Without YouKelly Clarkson		A work song is something that boosts morale on the job site...
18	My SharonaThe Knack		Effective that starts over the intro…
19	Time Of The SeasonThe Zombies		Hip-hop and death metal are, as expected, a bit much for today's Japan…
20	Stay The NightJames Blunt		Since it’s very refreshing music, this is likely to attract a lot of women…
21	Dancing QueenABBA		It's a bit too much of a pop song, and also something everyone knows...
22	ThinkAretha Franklin		If you’re lucky enough to work in a place where you can play music, then…
23	Isn’t She LovelyStevie Wonder		Funk and soul music should be played at a low volu...
24	We Can Work it OutThe Beatles		If you translate the song title literally, it becomes “We Can…”
25	Roll With ItOasis		There’s no better song to boost work morale…
26	Love SongSara Bareilles		A stylish pop song with an impressive piano...
27	God Only KnowsThe Beach Boys		In Japan, The Beach Boys inevitably get labeled as sur—
28	Sally CinnamonThe Stone Roses		If there is a British person working at your workplace...
29	Hot N ColdKaty Perry		Katy Perry is loved all around the world, …
30	Shaolin BossaJohn Zorn		Even on a global scale, one of the most versatile and prolific arti…
31	Music Is PowerRichard Ashcroft		This is another masterpiece that just listening to gives you strength...
32	I’m Not WorkingManic Street Preachers		If Mannix says he “can’t work,” that means…
33	When Work Is OverThe Kinks		It is often thought that Japanese people are very serious and hardworking, but…
34	Working Class HeroesCeeLo Green		As an ode to working people, it’s powerful and energetically...
35	Workin’ ManNeil Young + Promise of the Real		A socially conscious rocker brimming with boundless energy…
36	On My Way To WorkPaul McCartney		Depicting Mr. McCartney’s daily life in his younger days…
37	Work Like You CanRoddy Woomble		The band Scotland is proud of, Idlewi…
38	Don’t Worry Be HappyBobby McFerrin		There are powerful cheer-up songs, and then there are ones that let you relax...
39	Bad DayDaniel Powter		Precisely because the title is 'The Worst Day,' it really...
40	I’m Good (Blue)David Guetta & Bebe Rexha		Mr. David Guetta and Ms. Bebe Rexha...
41	ob-la-di,ob-la-daThe Beatles		Honda “Step Wagon”, Asahi Beer “…
42	HeroesDavid Bowie		At the peak of busyness like at the end of the month or the fiscal year, when there's just a little more to go, and then—
43	Working Class HeroJohn Lennon		When it comes to a song for working, the image that comes to mind is this one...
44	HoppipollaSigur Rós		When playing music in the workplace, those who prefer genres like jazz tend to...
45	Feeling LuckyThe Jesus and Mary Chain		In some workplaces, a health check is done before starting work...
46	Let The River RunCarly Simon		Tess (Melanie Griffith), who lives for her career and for love...
47	SurvivorDestiny’s Child		Beyoncé belts out, “I’m gonna take the top!”…
48	WORKING DAY AND NIGHTMichael Jackson		Included in “Off the Wall”…
49	Je ne veux pas travaillerPink Martini		If you listen closely, it seems like it might be a heartbreak song…
50	The PassengerIggy Pop		Work songs were originally sung in settings involving physical labor, such as factories, and...
51	Working manUnicorn		I’ve been introducing mostly Western music, but as for Japanese music, w…
52	Rock Around The ClockBill Haley		It's truly an original song that forms the very foundation of rock...
53	I Should Be So LuckyKYLIE MINOGUE		Even Kylie Minogue’s classic hits, sadly, have recently...
54	LullabyLow		Low is almost ignored in Japan...
55	Daydream BelieverMonkees		This is probably a classic that everyone knows, too. Um…
56	Take Me Somewhere NiceMogwai		If it’s a difficult job like a research position, music is the same…
57	Working OvertimeNew Order		Japanese people are very sincere and hardworking. They don’t mind working overtime…