In honor of Labor Day 2011, here’s a stab at the impossible task of naming the best songs ever written about working people. I know it’s a travesty to not include ‘Which Side Are You On’, but I just couldn’t bear to knock out any of the eventual finalists. I also feel terrible about not including anything by The Clash or John Mellencamp and thought Johnny Paycheck’s classic ‘Take This Job and Shove It’ deserved mention. Please use the comments field below to let me know your favorite labor songs and enjoy your Monday! 

Top Ten Labor Day Songs

1. Pete Seeger, “Solidarity Forever”

2. John Lennon, “Working Class Hero”

3. Billy Bragg, “There is Power in a Union”

4. Tennessee Ernie Ford, “Sixteen Tons”

5. Joan Baez and Mimi Farina, “Bread and Roses”

6. Dolly Parton, “9 to 5”

7. Woody Guthrie, “Union Burying Ground”

8. Phil Ochs, “The Ballad of Joe Hill”

9. Bruce Springsteen, “Youngstown”

10. The Rolling Stones, “Salt of the Earth”