Labour & Pop Culture: Working in a Coal Mine

This week’s instalment of Labour & Pop Culture is “Working in a Coal Mine” by Devo (the “Whip It” band). The song was originally a hit in 1966, but the 1981 Devo version is the one most familiar to listeners today.

The key theme is that work--specifically coal mining--is hard drudgery and the singer is so tired at the end of the week that he can’t enjoy the weekend.

I couldn’t find the original video I remember from MTV but this live performance captures the sexual undertone that Devo (always a bit of a performance art group) gave what is otherwise a pretty straight forward song about work.



Well I been workin’ in a coal mine
Goin’ down, down
Workin’ in a coal mine
Whew! About to slip down

[chorus]

Well I been workin’ in a coal mine
Goin’ down, down
Workin’ in a coal mine
Whew! About to slip down

Five o’clock in the mornin’
I’m up before the sun
When my work day is over
I’m too tired for havin’ fun

[chorus]

[chorus]

Lord I am so tired
How long can this go on?

[chorus]

[chorus]

Five o’clock in the mornin’
I’m up before the sun
When my work day is over
I’m too tired for havin’ fun

[chorus]

[chorus]

Lord I am so tired
How long can this go on?
I been workin’, goin’, workin’
Whew! About to slip down

-- Bob Barnetson