Gary Martin: Time for new workplace anthem to replace Dolly Parton classic

[Pelican Press 0]

This is the hidden content, please

• Sign In
• or
• Sign Up

Gary Martin: Time for new workplace anthem to replace Dolly Parton classic

Labour Day celebrates the long struggle that gave millions a structured 9 to 5 workday, a theme captured by Dolly Parton’s iconic anthem.

But in today’s evolving work environment, even Dolly might concede her chart-topping classic has lost its top spot as the workplace anthem of choice.

Queen and David Bowie’s collaboration Under Pressure makes a strong case as a new anthem, capturing the constant weight of deadlines, multi-tasking and the pressure of being always available for work.

Loverboy’s Working for the Weekend is another contender, reflecting the familiar grind of working towards a brief moment of freedom before after-hours emails and unfinished tasks creep into the weekend.

For those stuck in repetitive and thankless roles, Sam Cooke’s Chain Gang channels the monotony of tasks that seem endless, despite hard work.

Meanwhile, Merle Haggard’s Workin’ Man Blues strikes a chord with those clocking long hours but facing financial strain, highlighting the growing disconnect between effort and reward.

When patience runs thin, Johnny Paycheck’s Take This Job and Shove It serves as a defiant anthem for those ready to walk away from toxic jobs.

On the flip side, Beyoncé’s Break My Soul is a rallying cry to set boundaries and prioritise wellbeing, pushing back against the notion that burnout is the price of ambition.

The Eagles’ Take It Easy reminds workers that not every issue requires urgency and offers a calm reprieve amid the chaos.

For those wrestling with indecision, The Clash’s Should I Stay or Should I Go captures the internal tug-of-war between stability and the leap into the unknown.

Workers who take the plunge often find themselves on uncertain paths, a sentiment echoed in Green Day’s Boulevard of Broken Dreams.

Others are not quietly debating but ready for action.

Twisted Sister’s We’re Not Gonna Take It represents the collective demand for better conditions, respect and fairness.

Resilience remains a defining trait of today’s workforce, making Gloria Gaynor’s I Will Survive a fitting anthem for those adapting to layoffs, career pivots or setbacks.

But survival is not the end goal — systemic change is.

Tracy Chapman’s Talkin’ Bout a Revolution captures the push for fairer, more inclusive workplaces that prioritise employee wellbeing.

Despite the struggles, Pharrell Williams’ Happy stands as a hopeful anthem, reflecting the desire for purpose and joy in work.

The modern workplace soundtrack — one of ambition, survival and transformation — continues to evolve.

Whether calling for rest or revolution, today’s songs remind us that progress is about more than where we have been — it is about where we are headed.

So on this Labour Day, which song would you choose as the anthem that best defines your work life?

Professor Gary Martin is AIM WA CEO and a specialist in workplace and social trends.

This is the hidden content, please

• Sign In
• or
• Sign Up

#Gary #Martin #Time #workplace #anthem #replace #Dolly #Parton #classic

This is the hidden content, please

• Sign In
• or
• Sign Up

This is the hidden content, please

• Sign In
• or
• Sign Up