10 DBT Songs About Work to Listen to on Your Day Off
From “Uncle Frank” to "John Henry" to “21st Century USA,” DBT explores what happens when the American Dream doesn’t deliver as promised.
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For two guys who haven’t had a “real” job in decades, Patterson Hood and Mike Cooley write excellent songs about work — or about not having work. The theme runs through Drive-By Truckers' entire catalog — from 1999’s “Uncle Frank” to 2020’s “21st Century USA” — exploring what happens when the American Dream doesn’t deliver as promised.
As Labor Day approaches, the federal minimum wage is still $7.25, healthcare is still bankrupting people, and our system still values capital over labor. But at least we have a day off to listen to rock and roll. In honor of Dolly Parton — who wrote one of our greatest work anthems, “9 to 5” — let’s celebrate the best Drive-By Truckers songs about hard work, being out of work, or when work isn’t enough. I even did a modicum of extra work and made us a playlist!