Songs about unions and workers you can learn with Fret Zealot
May 1 is International Workers’ Day, a celebration of laborers and the working class around the world.
Musicians and bands throughout time have shown their support for unions and working people through their songs. Here are some songs about workers that you can find tabs for in the Fret Zealot app.
“Working Class Hero” – John Lennon
John Lennon released this anthem about the differences between social classes in 1970 on his first album following the breakup of The Beatles. The song has been covered many times, including by Green Day, Ozzy Osbourne, and Marianne Faithful.
“9 to 5” – Dolly Parton
Country music legend Dolly Parton “poured herself a cup of ambition” with this late 1980 track, written for the film 9 to 5 starring Parton in her film debut. The film follows three working women taking on their company’s sexist vice president. The name of the song and the film come from the 9to5 organization, which was created in 1973 to advocate for fair pay for working women.
“There is Power in a Union” – Street Dogs
Originally written and released by singer/songwriter and activist Billy Bragg in 1986, Street Dogs covered this pro-union song in 2006.
“Working Man” – Rush
Canadian band Rush’s 1974 song “Working Man” helped put them on the map in the United States, as the pro-working class song resonated with audiences in Cleveland, Ohio after getting radio play there.
“Workin’ Man Blues” – Merle Haggard
Released in 1969, “Workin’ Man Blues” pays tribute to the American blue collar worker, who made up a significant part of his fanbase in the late 1960s.
“Sixteen Tons” – Johnny Cash
Johnny Cash released his version of “Sixteen Tons” – a song about a Kentucky coal miner – in 1987. It was written by Merle Travis and recorded in 1946.
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