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‘Take This Job And Shove It’ – Johnny Paycheck

Johnny Paycheck Once Showed Up Shirtless To Canadian Court, & Yelled “F*ck The Queen” | Whiskey Riff

About the Song

Johnny Paycheck’s “Take This Job and Shove It” is more than just a song; it’s a rebellious anthem that captured the frustrations of countless workers. Released in 1977, the song quickly became a cultural touchstone, resonating with anyone who has ever felt trapped in a dead-end job.

Paycheck’s gritty vocals and the song’s driving rhythm perfectly capture the anger and defiance of a man who has reached his breaking point. The lyrics, filled with colorful language and vivid imagery, paint a picture of a working-class hero who refuses to be pushed around.

Beyond its rebellious nature, “Take This Job and Shove It” also speaks to a larger issue of worker dissatisfaction and the desire for autonomy. The song became a symbol of resistance for those who felt undervalued and overworked, inspiring countless individuals to stand up for themselves.

While the song’s message might seem extreme, it tapped into a universal feeling of frustration and the longing for a better life. Paycheck’s ability to give voice to the voiceless is what makes “Take This Job and Shove It” such an enduring and powerful piece of music.

Rewinding the Country Charts: In 1978, Johnny Paycheck Got the 'Job' Done | Billboard – Billboard

Video

Lyrics: Take This Job And Shove It

Take this job and shove it
I ain’t workin’ here no more
My woman done left and took all the reasons
I was working for
Ya better not try to stand in my way
As I’m walkin’, out the door
Take this job and shove it
I ain’t workin’ here no moreI been working in this factory
For nigh on fifteen years
All this time I watched my woman
Drownin’ in a pool of tears
And I’ve seen a lot of good folk die
Who had a lot of bills to pay
I’d give the shirt right off of my back
If I had the guts to sayTake this job and shove it
I ain’t workin’ here no more
My woman done left and took all the reasons
I was working for
Ya better not try to stand in my way
As I’m walkin’ out the door
Take this job and shove it
I ain’t workin’ here no moreWell, that foreman, he’s a regular dog
The line boss, he’s a fool
He got a brand new flat top haircut
Lord, he thinks he’s cool
One of these days I’m gonna blow my top
And that sucker, he’s gonna pay
Lord, I can’t wait to see their faces
When I get the nerve to say

Take this job and shove it
I ain’t workin’ here no more
My woman done left and took all the reasons
I was working for
Ya better not try to stand in my way
As I’m walkin’ out the door
Take this job and shove it
I ain’t workin’ here no more

Take this job and shove it

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TAMMY WYNETTE AND PRODUCER BILLY SHERRILL FINISHED WRITING AND RECORDING “STAND BY YOUR MAN” IN JUST FIFTEEN MINUTES, CREATING ONE OF THE MOST ICONIC ANTHEMS IN COUNTRY MUSIC HISTORY. With less than an hour remaining in a CBS recording session on August 28, 1968, producer Billy Sherrill took Tammy Wynette upstairs to his office to finish a few unfinished lines. Hustling through the lyrics in less than twenty minutes, the pair rushed back down to the studio floor to track the song that would define Wynette’s legendary career. Enhanced by lush strings and a soaring vocal climax, “Stand by Your Man” exploded to No. 1 country, crossed over onto the pop charts, and sold over two million copies despite sparking a fierce national debate over its lyrics. Entering the Library of Congress National Recording Registry, the track remains a masterclass in how a brief spark of inspiration can leave an everlasting mark on Nashville.

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