May Day Or Labour Day Pop Song Lyrics

May Day 

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1st of May celebrates May Day. It's also called Labour Day in other countries and a holiday in Singapore.  So to cut the chase, here's a list of songs that we all used to sing and play but mostly not knowing that they were songs that had lyrics discussing the working class individual.

1) 
One of the most popular songs from the 60's was A Hard Day's Night, a Beatles hit that's forever and made into a movie. We were all frantically crazy, loved the song but how was the movie?

It's been a hard day's night
And I've been working like a dog
It's been a hard day's night
I should be sleepin' like a log

Video from Michael Clough: A Hard Day's Night by The Beatles. Thank you.

2) 
Another song we could tag as a May Day number was 9 To 5, the Dolly Parton protest classic that was also made into a movie.  The liberated women wanted to be recognised for their contribution. And they were. Hooray:

Working nine to five
What a way to make a living
Working nine to five
It's all taking and no giving

3) 
Then Sam Cooke came next with his sad refrain about the Chain Gang. Big boss Richard Branson used this song as an example when he spoke about teamwork, co-operation and customer service. My my:

That's the sound of the men 
Working on the chain gang
All day long they work so hard
Till the sun is going down...

Video from The Rockabillie: Summertime Blues 

by Eddie Cochran. Thank you.

4) 
Eddie Cochran was another one complainin' because he's got Summertime Blues. He had to work late so he couldn't keep his date and the boss refused his leave. I love the beat, I love the lyrics because it's rock and roll. Keep on complainin' Eddie:

Well I'm gonna raise a fuss 
I'm gonna raise a holler
About working all summer
Just to try to earn a dollar

5) 
This classic by Johnny Cash was hot in the 60's but uncertain about its theme until I got older. 16 Tons focussed on coal mining activities and the suffering the workers had to endure:

I was born one morning when the sun didn't shine
I picked up my shovel and walked to the mine
I loaded 16 tons of number 9 coal
And the straw boss said, 'Well a blessed my soul!'

Video from BakNDaDay: Car Wash by Rose Royce. Thank you.

6)
Here's one song I won't forget. Clean and shiny after a Car Wash by the Rose Royce, the workers suffered much when the day ended. Sorry guys, the disco music made me forget the splashes:

Well those cars never seem to stop coming
(Work and work)
Keep those rags and machines coming
(Work and work)
My fingers to the bone 

Notice that all the songs, except one, have the word, work in the lyrics. It all goes to prove the theme of each hit. There are many more of these songs about the working class. One way to make workers be heard? Play these songs. 

And by the way, First of May by the BeeGees is not a Labour Day song. It's about their puppy.

Check it out:
http://singapore60smusic.blogspot.sg/2010/05/first-of-may-puppy-inspired-song-not.html

Then there's the famous 'First of May' by the Bee Gees. 

I am showing off with my family trip to

Brisbane when we visited Bee Gees Way.

A Happy May Day Holiday To All.

Images: Google Vinyl Covers.

Composers: Lyrics/Music:
A Hard Day's Night: John Lennon/Paul McCartney.

9 To 5: Dolly Parton.
Chain Gang: Sam Cooke.
Summertime Blues: 
Eddie Cochran/Jerry Capehart.
16 Tons: Merle Travis.
Car Wash: Norman Whitfield.

(Got stories or songs to contribute?  Please write on the comment page.)