Songs About Work & Opinions on Lil’ Wayne
Sound Opinions honors our nation's laborers with the best Songs About Work.
Songs About Work
Despite the fact that most musicians spend their lives avoiding a "real job," there are a number of great songs about the drudgery and the glory of hard work. During this Labor Day episode Jim and Greg play their favorite Songs About Work.
Greg
- The Animals, "We Gotta Get Out of This Place"
- Van Morrison, "Cleaning Windows"
- Bob Marley, "Night Shift"
- The Jam, "Smithers-Jones"
Jim
- John Lennon, "Working Class Hero"
- The Clash, "Career Opportunities"
- Lou Reed, "Don’t Talk to Me About Work"
- The Flaming Lips, "Bad Days"
00:40:26 Review: Red Hot Chili Peppers
Once fresh faces in the frat punk world, the Red Hot Chili Peppers are a heritage act at this point. Their 10th album I’m With You is one of many collaborations with superproducer Rick Rubin. And it's the first with new guitarist Josh Klinghoffer. Lead singer Anthony Kiedis considers this a reboot, but Greg's having a hard time buying their new identity as a stadium ballad band. He misses the guitar virtuosity of John Frusciante, who quit in 2009. Flea remains an all-star bass player, but he can't save I'm With You. Greg says Trash It. Jim agrees with that sentiment, pointing to the lousy, mush-mouthed lyrics of Kiedis as his primary hurdle. This is not a sensitive band, and he would welcome a return to funk rock. Until then...Trash It.
Tha Carter IV Lil Wayne
Lil Wayne is fresh out of Rikers with the 4th album in his Tha Carter series, Tha Carter IV. But curiously, he doesn't give much time to his jail experience. For the past decade, he's been one of the most successful rappers in the business, both with his releases and mixtapes, but also as an ever-present cameo fixture. Jim describes Weezy as an interesting producer, but he can't get over the hip-hop clich'es. Tell us about prison, he pleads. Without those insights, this is a Trash Italbum. Greg was surprised to find that the most interesting rapping on Tha Carter IV was not by Lil Wayne himself. Rather, guests like Andre 3000, Tech 9 and Busta Rhymes take the prize. So for those tracks alone, Greg says Burn It.
Featured Songs
- The Isley Brothers, "Work to Do," Brother, Brother, Brother, Sony Music Distribution, 1972
- The Animals, "We Gotta Get Out of This Place," Animal Tracks, EMI Music Distribution, 1965
- John Lennon, "Working Class Hero," John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band, Capitol, 1970
- Van Morrison, "Cleaning Windows," Beautiful Vision, Warner Bros. 1982
- The Clash, "Career Opportunities," The Clash, Epic 1977
- Dolly Parton, "9 to 5," Greatest Hits, RCA 1982
- R.E.M., "Finest Worksong," Document, Capitol 1987
- Bob Marley & the Wailers, "Night Shift," Rastaman Vibration, Tuff Gong 1976
- Lou Reed, "Don't Talk to Me About Work," Legendary Hearts, BMG 1983
- The Jam, "Smithers-Jones," Setting Sons, Universal Distribution 1979
- The Flaming Lips, "Bad Days" Clouds Taste Metallic, Warner Bros. 1995
- Nina Simone, "Work Song," The Amazing Nina Simone, Fabulous, 1959
- Red Hot Chili Peppers, "The Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie," I'm with You, Warner Bros. 2011
- Red Hot Chili Peppers, "Brendan's Death Song," I'm with You, Warner Bros. 2011
- Red Hot Chili Peppers, "Annie Wants A Baby," I'm with You, Warner Bros. 2011
- Lil Wayne, "How to Love," Tha Carter IV, Universal Republic Records, 2011
- Lil Wayne, "6 Foot 7 Foot," Tha Carter IV, Universal Republic Records, 2011
- Lil Wayne, "It's Good (Instrumental)," Tha Carter IV, Universal Republic Records, 2011
- Lil Wayne, "Interlude," Tha Carter IV, Universal Republic Records, 2011
- Wale, "Chain Music," The Eleven One Eleven Theory, Maybach Music Group, 2011
- The Beach Boys, "Had To Phone Ya," 15 Big Ones, Caribou, 1976
- Jeff Bridges, "Maybe I Missed the Point," Jeff Bridges, EMI Music Distribution, 2011
- Neil Young & Crazy Horse, "Powderfinger," Rust Never Sleeps, Reprise, 1979
- Neil Young & Crazy Horse, "Hey Hey, My My (Into The Black)," Rust Never Sleeps, Reprise, 1979
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