let’s have a Good Time with Shiftwork and the Drinking Class because it’s Five O’Clock Somewhere!

Here we are with another Monday. How is it that weekends seem to go by so fast? I suppose that whole thing about time flying when you’re having fun must have something to do with it. 

“Fun” is an understatement for our weekend, we had a major blast camping in the mountains and combating the heat with swimming in a cold refreshing river. In spite of the burn ban (because of the unusually hot and dry extended weather) meaning no campfires, we enjoyed ourselves immensely, in spite of having no cell service. You need to unplug once in a while, right?

Here’s a sneak peek of Little Dude having fun:

He was playing in a little grotto just off our campsite – he had fun playing in the non-rushing waters while the rest of us non-lightweights swam in the river behind him. More on that tomorrow.

Since today is Monday and for many a return from a weekend of fun to the dredges of the work week, this week’s theme is “Funny Songs and Songs about Work and Working”- let’s get to it, shall we?

Let’s start off with a Friday night country tune about a guy letting off steam after a long work week. He has cashed his check, cleaned his truck, picked up his girl across town, and now, he’s heading out for some fun. What more could a guy want?

The music video follows this artist’s (fictional) quest to set the record for the longest line dance ever. His wife makes a cameo appearance along with country singer George Jones and his wife, Nancy.

While it’s not specifically a ‘work’ song, per se, work is mentioned in the lyrics:

Work, work all week long / Punchin that clock from dusk till dawn / Countin the days till Friday night / That’s when all the conditions are right / For a good time / I need a good time

Here’s Alan Jackson with “Good Time”:

Next up is an artist who collaborated on this song with George Strait, which made this song the artist’s favorite on the record.

The songwriter said the inspiration to this song was because he worked in a paper mill for 20 years working shift work the whole time. When he signed a publishing deal with Carnival Music, he wanted to write a song that he knew inside and out, but was worried that no one would want a song like this.

Needless to say, his day was made when not only did this artist decide to record it, but George Strait was going to join the artist in recording the song, the songwriter was excited, and said his wife jumped three feet in the air in her excitement for him. He was quoted as saying:

“I am so proud of the job they did on it. The thing for me as a songwriter and someone who worked in the factory for so long is that people who actually work in factories tell me how much they love the song. I worked shift work for 20 years… now I know why!”

Here’s Kenny Chesney and George Strait with “Shiftwork”:

Next up is a song that’s an anthemic salute to working class Americans — the artist wanted to pay tribute to the hard working men and women who get up every day and work hard to provide for their families, because it’s where he comes from and where his heart is.

Give a listen to Lee Brice with “Drinking Class”:

Last, but definitely not least, is one of my favorite songs – one of the writers of this song was formerly a band teacher in Texas, and one of his fellow teachers would typically say at 3:30, “Let’s go grab a beer, it’s five o’clock somewhere.”

Years later, he decided it would be fun to write a song based on that phrase. He had heard the phrase so often before that he was sure that it had already been written, but after they couldn’t think of another song that used it, they banged the song out in about an hour and a half.

The timing on the song was so perfect, that the time from when it was written to when it was released to radio was about three months, a rarity in the industry. The song was initially pitched to Kenny Chesney, but his team passed.

Luckily this particular artist was looking for a song that he could cut with his friend Jimmy Buffett, so the rest, as they say, was history.

Feast your ears on Alan Jackson featuring Jimmy Buffett with “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere”:

That’s a wrap for this week – be sure to stop by next week to see what we have brewing for our 5th Anniversary of Monday’s Music Moves Me! Have a great Monday!

Now on to the particulars of Monday’s Music Move’s Me:

I have the supreme honor and privilege of being a co-host with the inimitable Xmas Dolly and our musical cohorts, Callie from JAmericanSpice, and Naila Moon from Just the Stuff Ya Know. (Naila is taking the summer off, but will be back to hostessing in the fall). *waves* Hi Naila! Enjoy your summer!

Want to join in the fun? It’s easy – just find a tune that rocks your boat, post it and link up – don’t forget to grab Xmas Dolly…er, um, I mean her button…over at her place here. Check out Xmas Dolly’s sidebar for the random themes we sport each week – and you can always ask for a specific theme of music you like, too. Check out the other music lovahs and let’s jam!