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100 Best Songs With Occupations in the Title

Songs with a profession in the title—like Coldplay's "The Scientist"— are more common than you might think. Here are 100 from a wide range of artists.

Songs with a profession in the title—like Coldplay's "The Scientist"— are more common than you might think. Here are 100 from a wide range of artists.

Songs About a Profession

People earn their livelihood with different types of jobs. An occupation is best described as an activity a person undertakes to earn money for livelihood. Musicians from different genres have written songs that mention jobs, professions, and occupations. The hardships and struggles associated with a job or profession are aesthetically echoed through dark sentiments in certain songs.

Meaning Conveyed With Jobs and Professions in Songs

The meaning conveyed in songs that mention a job or profession in the lyrics or title is diverse. While certain songs are actually about an occupation, majority of songs mention a job or profession in a metaphorical manner. Singers and songwriters creatively bring to life, stories or incidents associated with occupations. A profession may also be mentioned in the lyrics to draw comparison with a person or thing to accentuate contrasting elements poetically.

A sense of sarcasm and dark humor is often found in songs about jobs and employment. Certain songs highlight the difficulties faced to make ends meet, and the sacrifices a loved one makes to provide a better life for others. Certain songs narrate the life experiences of musicians juggling different odd jobs in their early days before gaining fame and success with music.

Songs about soldiers often highlight the sacrifices they make to provide a better life for the rest of us.

Songs about soldiers often highlight the sacrifices they make to provide a better life for the rest of us.

Symbolism: Careers and Professions in Songs

Careers and professions mentioned in songs may symbolize a wide-array of attributes associated with livelihood. An inherent or characteristic part related to someone or something is sometimes thoughtfully crafted into songs about occupations. Singers may sketch stories through their songs based on a fictional account, or factual events. Songs from different genres may have contrasting themes about job occupations. Certain alternative songs tell stories about people from drastically different occupations falling in love. A profession or occupation is also used in comparative forms to express socially awkward situations that arise in a relationship.

Varied elements of simplicity and sophistication are often showcased in music videos that tell enchanting stories of people from different professions. A number of music videos reveal the harsh realities of relationships that suffer because of ego and pride associated with holding esteemed jobs or professions. Certain songs convey the different feelings experienced doing a job for the sole purpose of money and not satisfaction. A job occupation may also be mentioned in the lyrics to infuse a thought process embroiled in empathy. Although a wide range of characteristics is associated with jobs and professions, occupations in songs may symbolize or denote the following:

Self Esteem

Dreams

Success

Respect

Relationships

Resilience

Turmoil

Fear

Anxiety

Greed

Challenge

Sarcasm

Desire

Love

Pride

Regret

Anger

Impatience

Competition

Failure

Mistrust

Not surprisingly, songwriters love writing about writers.

Not surprisingly, songwriters love writing about writers.

The list below showcases a collection of rock songs, pop songs, country songs, R&B songs, alternative songs, indie songs, hip-hop songs, reggae songs, disco songs, jazz songs, blues songs, EDM songs and dance songs with jobs, professions and occupations in the title. If you have a view, opinion or song suggestion, let us know in the comments section.

Top 10 Best Songs With Occupations in the Title

  1. “The Scientist”—Coldplay
  2. “The Blower’s Daughter”—Damien Rice
  3. “I Shot the Sheriff”—Bob Marley and the Wailers
  4. “When I Kissed the Teacher”—ABBA
  5. “Like Toy Soldiers”—Eminem
  6. “Paperback Writer”—The Beatles
  7. “Bartender”—James Blunt
  8. “Private Dancer”—Tina Turner
  9. “Doctor! Doctor!”—Thompson Twins
  10. “Please Mr. Postman”—The Marvelettes

#11—20

11. “Doctor Doctor”—UFO

12. “Teacher I Need You”—Elton John

13. “Clown”—Korn

14. “American Soldier”—Toby Keith

15. “Bartender”—Lady Antebellum

16. “If I Were a Carpenter”—Bobby Darin

17. “Beekeeper's Daughter”—The All-American Rejects

18. “The Art Teacher”—Rufus Wainwright

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19. “Baker Street”—Gerry Rafferty

20. “Coal Miner's Daughter”—Loretta Lynn

#21—40

21. “Bell Boy”—The Who

22. “Lawyers, Guns and Money”—Warren Zevon

23. “The Teacher”—Big County

24. “Doctor Robert”—The Beatles

25. “Hey DJ”—CNCO

26. “The Architect”—Deus

27. “Hot For Teacher”—Van Halen

28. “Entertainer”—Zayn

29. “Buffalo Soldier”—Bob Marley and the Wailers

30. “Anaesthetist”—Enter Shikari

31. “Joker & the Thief”—Wolfmother

32. “Operator (That's Not the Way It Feels)”—Jim Croce

33. “A Man Needs A Maid”—Neil Young

34. “Cowboys from Hell”—Pantera

35. “Jerry Was a Race Car Driver”—Primus

36. “Mr. Telephone Man”—New Edition

37. “Smooth Operator”—Sade

38. “Cathy's Clown”—The Everly Brothers

39. “I'm Like a Lawyer with the Way I'm Always Trying to Get You Off (Me & You)”—Fall Out Boy

40. “Drop the Pilot”—Joan Armatrading

#41—60

41. “Some Postman”—The Presidents of the United States of America

42. “Gravedigger”—Dave Matthews Band

43. “Cowboy”—Kid Rock

44. “Lawyers in Love”—Jackson Browne

45. “Paparazzi”—Lady Gaga

46. “Last Night a D.J. Saved My Life”—Indeep

47. “The Writer”—Ellie Goulding

48. “Soldier of Fortune”—Deep Purple

49. “Livin' Lovin' Maid (She's Just a Woman)”—Led Zeppelin

50. “The Tears of a Clown”—Smokey Robinson & the Miracles

51. “Great DJ”—Ting Tings

52. “Police and Thieves”—Junior Murvin

53. “The Actor”—Michael Learns To Rock

54. “Secret Agent Man”—Johnny Rivers

55. “Watching the Detectives”—Elvis Costello

56. “I'm Just a Singer (In a Rock And Roll Band)”—The Moody Blues

57. “Dr. Feelgood”—Motley Crue

58. “Sky Pilot”—Eric Burdon & the Animals

59. “PrizeFighter”—Trisha Yearwood featuring Kelly Clarkson

60. “Mr. Cab Driver”—Lenny Kravitz

#61—80

61. “The Boxer”—Simon & Garfunkel

62. “Rhinestone Cowboy”—Glen Campbell

63. “Ice Cream Man”—Van Halen

64. “Sail On Sailor”—The Beach Boys

65. “DJ Got us Fallin’ in Love”—Usher featuring Pitbull

66. “The Unknown Soldier”—The Doors

67. “He's Simple, He's Dumb, He's the Pilot”—Grandaddy

68. “Save a Horse, (Ride a Cowboy)”—Big & Rich

69. “Teacher”—Nick Jonas

70. “Floyd the Barber”—Nirvana

71. “Single-Handed Sailor”—Dire Straits

72. “The Weaver's Answer”—Family

73. “Vavoom: Ted the Mechanic”—Deep Purple

74. “Son of a Preacher Man”—Dusty Springfield

75. “John the Fisherman”—Primus

76. “The Lighthouse Keeper”—Sam Smith

77. “Piano Man”—Billy Joel

78. “The Lumberjack”—Jackyl

79. “Driver 8”—R.E.M.

80. “Shipbuilding”—Elvis Costello

#81—100

81. “My Old Man's a Dustman”—Lonnie Donegan

82. “The Gambler”—Kenny Rogers

83. “Pretty Ballerina”—The Left Banke

84. “Soldier”—Destiny’s Child

85. “Citizen/Soldier”—3 Doors Down

86. “The Mariner's Revenge Song”—The Decemberists

87. “Rock DJ”—Robbie Williams

88. “Dr. Beat”—Gloria Estefan and Miami Sound Machine

89. “Son of a Son of a Sailor”—Jimmy Buffett

90. “Hair Braider”—R. Kelly

91. “Rime of the Ancient Mariner”—Iron Maiden

92. “Operator”—Midnight Star

93. “Clown”—Emeli Sande

94. “The Hitman”—Queen

95. “Pearl’s a Singer”—Elkie Brooks

96. “Sailor”—Petula Clark

97. “Butcher's Tale (Western Front 1914)”—The Zombies

98. “The Singer Sang His Song”—Bee Gees

99. “Dear Doctor”—The Rolling Stones

100. “The Ballad of the Lonesome Cowboy”—Chris Stapleton

Other Notable Songs With Occupations in the Title

  • “The Teacher”—Paul Simon
  • “An Architect's Dream”—Kate Bush
  • “Clown”—Mariah Carey
  • “Teacher, Teacher”—38 Special
  • “Baker Baker”—Tori Amos
  • “Astronauts”—Rachel Platten
  • “The Architect”—Paloma Faith
  • “Clowns”—Goldfrapp
  • “Doctor My Eyes”—Jackson Browne
  • “Assistant to the Regional Manager”—The Devil Wears Prada
  • “The Waitress”—Tori Amos
  • “Go DJ”—Lil Wayne
  • “Patricia the Stripper”—Chris de Burgh
  • “Manic Mechanic”—ZZ Top
  • “Somebody Get Me a Doctor”—Van Halen
  • “The Slot Tech”—The Killers
  • “Here's to the Farmer”—Luke Bryan
  • “Down at the Doctors”—Dr. Feelgood
  • “This D.J.”—Warren. G.
  • “Broken Boy Soldier”—The Raconteurs
  • “Cowboy Song”—Thin Lizzy
  • “Taxman”—The Beatles
  • “Meter Maid”—Rodney Bewes
  • “I Want to Marry A Lighthouse Keeper”—Erika Eigen
  • “The Doctor”—The Doobie Brothers
  • “My Sad Captains”—Elbow
  • “DJ Don’t”—Gerald Levert featuring Jaheim
  • “Teacher”—Prettymuch
  • “Bartender”—T-Pain featuring Akon
  • “Soldier of Fortune”—Bryan Ferry
  • “What is a DJ If He Can’t Scratch”—Egyptian Lover
  • “Aviator”—Michael Chapman
  • “The Bullfighter”—Luke Bell
  • “Bad Case of Loving You (Doctor, Doctor)”—Robert Palmer
  • “The Actor”—The Moody Blues
  • “Soldier’s Angel”—Stevie Nicks
  • “Waitress Song”—First Aid Kit
  • “Just a Gigolo/I Ain't Got Nobody”—David Lee Roth
  • “Fortune Teller”—Benny Spellman
  • “Butcher's Hook”—Slipknot
  • “Farmer's Daughter”—Babyshambles
  • “Dr. Doom”—13th Floor Elevators
  • “The Weatherman”—Sister Sledge
  • “Send in the Clowns”—Judy Collins
  • “Historians”—Lucy Dacus
  • “Sailor's Prayer”—The Devil Wears Prada
  • “Preacher's Daughter”—Maggie Rose
  • “Cheaper Than a Shrink”—George Strait
  • “The Gambler”—Fun
  • “Nation of Checkout Girls”—Enemy
  • “Postman's Lament”—The Singing Postman
  • “Diplomat's Son”—Vampire Weekend
  • “Cocaine Cowboys”—Margo Price
  • “The London Cabby”—Charles Coborn
  • “Singer in a Cowboy Band”—Ronnie Dunn
  • “Jock the Singing Welder”—Sting
  • “The Octave Doctors and the Crystal Medicine”—Gong
  • “Doctor Jones”—Aqua
  • “Hey Operator”—Aldo Nova
  • “The Zookeeper's Boy”—Mew
  • “Police Officer”—Smiley Culture
  • “Brave Little Soldier”—Dolly Parton
  • “The Gasman Cometh”—Crass
  • “Milkman”—Pistol Annies
  • “The Painter”—Deep Purple
  • “So You Want to Be a Cowboy Singer”—Waylon Jennings
  • “Ice Cream Man”—Tom Waits
  • “The Matador”—Gretchen Peters
  • “Hanno the Navigator”—Al Stewart
  • “Travelin' Soldier”—Aaron Lewis
  • “It’s the Singer, Not the Song”—Survivor
  • “Mr. Wu's A Window Cleaner Now”—George Formby
  • “The Bullfighter Dies”—Morrissey
  • “Doctor Doctor”—Just Jack
  • “The Under Assistant West Coast Promotion Man”—The Rolling Stones
  • “Soldier On”—Oasis
  • “Cowboy Dan”—Modest Mouse
  • “Truck Driver Divorce”—Frank Zappa
  • “Not the Doctor”—Alanis Morissette
  • “The Loneliness of a Tower Crane Driver”—Elbow
  • “Servant King”—Graham Kendrick
  • “Tears of A Clown”—Iron Maiden
  • “Farmer's Daughter”—Rodney Atkins
  • “Doorman”—Clipse
  • “Butcher Baker Candlestick Maker”—Panda Bear
  • “Soldier”—Shania Twain
  • “Who's Your Farmer”—Chris Janson
  • “Rodeo Clown”—John Mellencamp
  • “Travelin’ Soldier”—The Chicks
  • “Gravedigger”—Architects
  • “Dan Dare (Pilot of the Future)”—Elton John
  • “Axman”—Robbie Robertson
  • “The Dancer”—Leo Sayer
  • “Paramedic!”—SOB x RBE & Kendrick Lamar
  • “Hey Mr. DJ (Keep Playin’ This Song)”—Backstreet Boys
  • “My Shepherd”—The New Pornographers
  • “Witch Doctor”—David Seville
  • “Motorcycle Driver”—Joe Satriani
  • “The Folk Singer”—Tommy Roe
  • “I Don’t Need No Doctor”—Humble Pie
  • “Chevrolet DJ”—Cole Swindell
  • “Funky Drummer”—James Brown
  • “Lady Cab Driver”—Prince
  • “The Priest and the Matador”—Senses Fail
  • “Mule Skinner Blues”—Bill Monroe
  • “I’m a Soldier in the Army of the Lord”—Lyle Lovett
  • “The Engine Driver”—The Decemberists
  • “Hey Mr. D.J.”—Zhane
  • “Paperboy”—Bruce Hornsby
  • “Hey Bartender”—Johnny Lee
  • “Tinker Tailor Soldier Sailor”—The Yardbirds
  • “Stella the Artist”—David Gray
  • “Doctor Feelgood”—Joanna Connor
  • “The Walrus and the Carpenter”—Donovan
  • “John Kettley Is A Weatherman”—Tribe of Toffs
  • “Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner”—Warren Zevon
  • “Bad Seamstress Blues/Fallin' Apart At the Seams”—Cinderella
  • “Mr. Limousine Driver”—Grand Funk Railroad
  • “Shepherd of My Soul”—Kutless
  • “The Nurse Who Loved Me”—Failure
  • “Key Entity Extraction III: Vic the Butcher”—Coheed and Cambria
  • “Ha! Ha! Said the Clown”—The Yardbirds
  • “The Voice of My Doctor”—Sinead O'Connor
  • “Russian Spies”—Against Me!
  • “Doctor of Electricity”—Country Joe and the Fish
  • “Session Man”—The Kinks
  • “Hairdresser on Fire”—Morrissey
  • “Patricia the Stripper”—The Wombats
  • “The Tailor”—Blitzen Trapper
  • “Cowboy”—Alma
  • “The Wrestler”—Bruce Springsteen
  • “Primitive Painters”—Felt
  • “Hurdy Gurdy Man”—Donovan
  • “Rough Detective”—The Dead Weather
  • “The Mechanic”—Rascal Flatts
  • “Shepherd of the Hills”—Jack Hylton
  • “Dr. Wu”—Steely Dan
  • “I Used to be a Country Singer”—Gordon Lightfoot
  • “Supermodel”—Jill Sobule
  • “A Soldier’s King”—Kenny Rogers
  • “The Bartender”—Blake Shelton
  • “I Am your Singer”—Paul McCartney & the Wings
  • “Wichita Lineman”—Glen Campbell
  • “Paparazzi on Mopeds”—The Cranberries
  • "The Architect"—Red Light Company
  • “Operator, Operator”—Eddy Raven
  • “Big Red Truck (A Firefighter’s Life)”—John Riggins
  • “Handyman”—Awolnation
  • “Shadow Captain”—Crosby, Stills & Nash
  • “Rodeo Clowns”—G. Love & Special Sauce
  • “Trapper Man”—Mark Knopfler
  • “Doctor Doctor”—Lynsey de Paul
  • “The Gasman Cometh”—Flanders & Swann
  • “Oh! Mr Porter”—Marie Lloyd
  • “The Nurse”—The White Stripes
  • “Spiral Architect”—Black Sabbath
  • “Carnies”—Rush
  • “Hairdresser”—ZZ Top
  • “The Milkman's Horse”—The Libertines
  • “Rock and Roll Doctor”—Little Feat
  • “The Writer”—UFO
  • “Be A Clown”—Gene Kelly
  • “Fisherman”—J Hus
  • “That Girl Is A Cowboy”—Garth Brooks
  • “Doctor Brown”—Fleetwood Mac
  • “The Window Cleaner No. 2”—George Formby
  • “Rock ‘n’ Roll Singer”—AC/DC
  • “Astronaut”—Professor Green
  • “Call the Plumber”—John “Mad Dog” Watkins
  • “Willie the Pimp”—Frank Zappa
  • “Requiem for a Soldier”—Katherine Jenkins
  • “Sheriff of Huddersfield”—Iron Maiden
  • “Cab Driver”—The Mills Brothers
  • “Universal Soldier”—Donovan
  • “Roller Derby Queen”—Jim Croce
  • “Singer Man”—UB40
  • “The Preacher Won't Have To Lie”—Lee Ann Womack
  • “Boatman”—Livingston Taylor
  • “You Shouldn’t Call the Doctor (If You Can’t Afford the Bills)”—Dr. Feelgood
  • “Ballerina”—Vaughn Monroe
  • “Toy Soldiers”—Martika
  • “She Wants a Cowboy”—Dustin Lynch
  • “The Last DJ”—Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
  • “Some Day I'll Be a Farmer”—Melanie
  • “Death Alley Driver”—Rainbow
  • “Tallyman”—Jeff Beck
  • “Farmer John”—The Premiers
  • “The Milkman of Human Kindness”—Billy Bragg
  • “Behind Me Lies Another Fallen Soldier”—As I Lay Dying
  • “Edna the Barmaid”—The Singing Postman
  • “Cowboys and Angels”—George Michael
  • “Mr. Bartender (It’s So Easy)”—Sugar Ray
  • “One Tin Soldier (The Legend of Billy Jack)”—Coven
  • “Last Living Cowboy”—Toby Keith
  • “The Dying Truck Driver”—Ry Cooder
  • “One Little Soldier”—Regina Spektor
  • “Toreador”—Band of Skulls
  • “Mr. Wu's an Air Raid Warden Now”—George Formby
  • “Doctor’s Orders”—Carol Douglas
  • “Cowboys to Girls”—The Intruders

Further Reading

  • The 10 Best Songs About Retirement
    These are not the typical songs you usually see selected for retirement. Here you'll find a broad range of emotions represented. Whether you love the idea of retirement or are regretting it, there's a song for each. Use these suggestions to help you
  • Best Labor Day Playlist: 10+ Songs That Celebrate Work
    For more than 100 years, U.S. workers have enjoyed a well-earned day off on Labor Day! Here's a 10-song playlist straight from my Labor Day spin class. It honors all of those hardworking Americans!
  • 10 All-Time Best Money Songs
    This is an eclectic list that doesn't focus on any particular genre or era. They are not necessarily the most popular songs about money. They are just my own personal favorites. Maybe you will like them too.

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