Country music is known for catering to working class heroes— a trope that dates back to the folk tunes at its roots— through its lyrics. Thus, the genre has given us some truly great songs about working hard. Whether you're planning for a Labor Day backyard party or just want to enjoy some tunes that celebrate your hard work, we've rounded up some of the best country songs about work, from Alan Jackson's "It's 5 O'Clock Somewhere" to Dolly Parton's "9 to 5." Songs about truck driving, food service, office work — it's all here.
Here are 25 of the best country songs for your Labor Day playlist— or any time you're glad it's finally Friday at 5 p.m.
Joey Foley FilmMagic Take note, men. This is how to ascribe value to a woman in a song without dwelling on her appearance. FOX / Contributor Lee Brice sings one for the blue collar workers who are regulars at the only bar that's still open after their 12-hour shift ends. Ebet Roberts/Redferns At a time when songs about Texas cowboys looked to the rodeo for lead characters, George Strait pointed out that riders kept the same unrelenting tour schedules as other athletes or Strait's fellow musicians. R. Diamond/WireImage Sometimes by Friday, workers just want to get drunk during their lunch break and deal with the consequences on Monday. Alan Jackson lives out that fantasy with help from a famous duet partner. David Redfern/Redferns Despite the trappings of '80s over-production, Kenny Rogers' "The Factory" best celebrates the overworked, underpaid worker at the local mill. Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images One of the great vocal performance by legendary Nashville songwriter Mel Tillis found him empathizing with the sawmill worker without a dollar bill to spare. Marsaili McGrath/Getty Images For Fox If a dad works for dollars, how many does a little boy need to afford a short trip to his favorite fishing hole? Jack Vartoogian, Getty Images George Jones sings for the weekend warrior with $100 burning in their pocket and two days to raise hell. Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images Lee Dorsey oldie "Working in the Coal Mine" became part of country's running narrative about Appalachian miners when it was covered by mother-daughter duo The Judds. Ebet Roberts/Redferns Genre-jumping ensemble the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band got in on the action with this heart-breaking song about a working man without a steady job (akin to Merle Haggard's "Workin' Man Blues"). Ethan Miller/Getty Images Two musical approaches became one when Kenny Chesney teamed with King George to lament round-the-clock hassles. Paul Natkin/Getty Images This often-covered truck driving song can be interpreted as a reminder that musicians and other road warriors make a lot of sacrifices while touring. DUANE BRALEY/Star Tribune via Getty Images Few are better at reaching average folks on their level than Jackson, as heard in this celebration of those behind-the-scenes workers that keep cars on the road and grocery store shelves stocked. Miikka Skaffari/FilmMagic One of Kacey Musgraves' first breakout singles and its music video speak for creative types, holding down restaurant jobs until their big break comes. Bettmann / Contributor One of the best-known hits of its time is a work song based in a Kentucky coal mine —a recurring country song setting. Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images Skilled laborers without four-year degrees learn plenty the hard way, as stated in one of Aaron Tippin's best singles. Paul Natkin/Getty Images A retiring truck driver comes home to his loving wife, this time for keeps, in Kathy Mattea's breakout single. Daniel Boczarski/Getty Images Jackson's hometown memories can't fully be revisited, due to the number of mom-and-pop businesses that got put snuffed out by massive chain stores. Paul Natkin/Getty Images Travis Tritt has a little fun while relating to everyday peoples' feeling that most of their money is already spent on bills and taxes. Photo by Sherry Rayn Barnett/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images The iconic duo of Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn totally get your uncle or neighbor who's seemingly good at everything but can't get ahead in life. David Redfern/Redferns/Getty Images Proud Southerners Alabama point out that hark work ain't regional when they look coast-to-coast for blue-collar heroes. David Redfern/Redferns Loretta Lynn's autobiographical single reminds us that a parent's job defines kids and their upbringing, especially if dad's means to make a living are far from glamorous. UMichael Ochs Archives/Getty Images With his cover of a David Allan Coe original, Johnny Paycheck lashed out at horrible bosses and unfair jobs for the average workers who can't afford to speak their piece. Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images While a lot of country songs celebrate blue-collar workers, Dolly Parton sang this Grammy award-winning classic for the hectic, and oftentimes unfair, jobs of women office workers. Paul Natkin/Getty Images The Hag wrapped up many themes common in these songs —40-hour work weeks, wild weekends, dreams of getting away from it all— into the ultimate working person's anthem."National Working Woman's Holiday," Sammy Kershaw
"Drinking Class," Lee Brice
"Amarillo By Morning," George Strait
"It's 5' O Clock Somewhere," Alan Jackson feat. Jimmy Buffett
"The Factory," Kenny Rogers
"Sawmill," Mel Tillis
"The Dollar," Jamey Johnson
"Finally Friday," George Jones
"Working in the Coal Mine," The Judds
"Workin' Man (Nowhere to Go)," Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
"Shiftwork," George Strait and Kenny Chesney
"Six Days On The Road," Sawyer Brown
"Hard Hat and a Hammer," Alan Jackson
"Blowin' Smoke," Kacey Musgraves
"Sixteen Tons," Tennessee Ernie Ford
"Workin' Man's Ph.D.," Aaron Tippin
"Eighteen Wheels and a Dozen Roses," Kathy Mattea
"Little Man," Alan Jackson
"Lord Have Mercy On The Working Man," Travis Tritt
"Hard Workin' Man," Brooks & Dunn
"Forty Hour Week (For a Livin')," Alabama
Coal Miner's Daughter," Loretta Lynn
"Take This Job and Shove It," Johnny Paycheck
"9 to 5," Dolly Parton
"Workin' Man Blues," Merle Haggard
READ MORE: 10 Country Songs About Football For Your Game Day Playlist
This story originally ran in 2018.
