100 Best Songs With Occupations in the Title
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.
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 |
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
- “The Scientist”—Coldplay
- “The Blower’s Daughter”—Damien Rice
- “I Shot the Sheriff”—Bob Marley and the Wailers
- “When I Kissed the Teacher”—ABBA
- “Like Toy Soldiers”—Eminem
- “Paperback Writer”—The Beatles
- “Bartender”—James Blunt
- “Private Dancer”—Tina Turner
- “Doctor! Doctor!”—Thompson Twins
- “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
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.