This week, I’m joined by Jay Sweet to craft the ultimate playlist of work week anthems — the songs that soundtrack real life between Monday morning and Friday afternoon.

Everything from the rough, coffee-fueled Mondays, finding (or losing) our footing by midweek, and slowly cranking things up as the weekend comes into view. Whether you’re locked into a 9-to-5, grinding through long shifts, working from home, or just staring at the clock waiting for quitting time, this playlist is built for the daily grind.

These 20 songs about work, hustle, burnout, motivation, and escape capture the highs, the lows, and everything in between. They’re the tracks that make the commute a little easier, the workday move a little faster, and Friday afternoon feel fully earned.

Don’t worry, the weekend is coming — and we’re counting it down together.

🎙️ Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast platform—and don’t forget to leave a 5-star review to help more music fans find the show! Then, scroll down to hear all of the songs discussed in this episode. 👇

Skid Row – Slave To The Grind

Rush – Working Man

Van Halen – Beats Workin’

Queen & David Bowie – Under Pressure

Van Morrison – All Work & No Play

Todd Rundgren – Bang On The Drum All Day

Pet Shop Boys – Opportunities (Let’s Make Lots of Money)

Donna Summer – She Works Hard For The Money

Sheena Easton – Morning Train (Nine to Five)

Huey Lewis & The News – Workin’ For A Livin’

Loverboy – Working For The Weekend

Johnny Kemp – Just Got Paid

The Bangles – Manic Monday

Dolly Parton – 9 to 5

Johnny Paycheck – Take This Job & Shove It

The Silhouettes – Get A Job

The Beatles – A Hard Day’s Night

Styx – Blue Collar Man

Bachman Turner Overdrive – Takin’ Care Of Business

“Weird Al” Yankovic – Dog Eat Dog