R. O. pre-K.

Hey kids, how is your school year going? Are you excited to be in a new grade? Do you like your teacher? Are you learning lots of good stuff? Are there any cool projects you will be working on?

Since our daughter loves school, we all look forward to this time of year. She is especially excited because her grade will be learning about Greek mythology (her favorite topic), natural disasters (though scary, they are pretty amazing things to study), and they will hold a “living wax museum” where everyone dresses up as a historical figure and present reports to the rest of the school.

I know that not all of you might think school is fun, but you should try to enjoy it as much as you can, because once you finish with school you will have to get a job! Though a lot of people enjoy their jobs, work isn’t always fun. Did you ever wonder why Mom and/or Dad sometimes come home tired and maybe even a little grumpy? It’s probably because they had a tough day at work! So, in tribute to everyone who works hard all day, we’re posting some songs that help express the yucky part of having a job. The next time your parents come home after a long day, you can play one of these songs to help them shake off their work day blues.

“Rush Hour Blues” by the Kinks, 1975
From the album Soap Opera
“Rush Hour Blues” lyrics
This is one of our family favorites. Not only is it by the Kinks, but we used to sing it out loud while we waited for the morning train to take us to work and daycare.

“9 to 5” by Dolly Parton, 1980
From the album 9 to 5 and Odd Jobs
“9 to 5” lyrics
This is a funny song that was made into a movie a bunch of years ago. In it, some workers get rid of their mean boss and turn their office into a place they really enjoy going to. What ideas could you come up with if you were asked to make an office more fun?

“Takin’ Care Of Business” by Bachman-Turner Overdrive, 1973
From the album Bachman-Turner Overdrive II
“Takin’ Care Of Business” lyrics
This song offers some advice; if you don’t like working, quit your job and start a band!

“Sixteen Tons” by “Tennessee” Ernie Ford, 1965
From the compilation Ford Favorites
“Sixteen Tons” lyrics
These days, a lot of people have jobs in offices or working with computers. This one is about a time (not that long ago) when most people made their living through physical labor. Back then, even kids as young as 10 or 12 could be expected to go out and get a job to help out their family. Since most people have had a few different jobs during their life, you should ask your parents or grandparents what was the hardest job they ever had.

“Working in a Coal Mine” by Lee Dorsey, 1966
From the compilation His Greatest Hits
“Working in a Coal Mine” lyrics
As a kid, I used to love a version of this song that was done by a band called Devo. When I finally heard the original by Lee Dorsey, I liked it even more, since he sings it like he is completely exhausted from a rough day at work.

“Bang on the Drum All Day” by Todd Rundgren, 1983
From the album The Ever Popular Tortured Artist Effect
“Bang on the Drum All Day” lyrics
This song brings up a good question; what would you rather do than work all day? Think about this really hard, so that when you grow up you can get a job that you really like. As they say, “it’s not work if you enjoy it”!

PS – As luck would have it, I am working on this post while I’m away on a business trip. Now that it’s finished, I realize that it could use one last song; something that describes the best part of a long day on the job…coming home! Unfortunately, I don’t have full access to my music right now, so you will have to wait to hear what it is until I get back in a few days….

…and we’re back! As many people would agree, one of the best things about coming home from work is getting to be with your loved ones. When I came home from my trip I got the biggest hugs from my wife and daughter! So, here’s a song that celebrates coming home to someone you love.

“A Hard Day’s Night” by the Beatles, 1964
From the compilation 1
“A Hard Day’s Night” lyrics