Why It Matters

Simon is one of my favorite Twitter mates, and he runs a killer blog well worth your time. Even though he’s in the UK, he’s been bitten by the same layoff bug that has taken down so many Americans in the last few years.

Like any good music geek, he took to his playlist for a little relief, and he came up with a “Deep Cuts” that could easily by my own. Check it out, and when you’re done follow Simon at @SimonJ68.

Having just been made redundant from my job, there are a few tracks that always jump to mind when wondering what the world of work is all about, so here are a few that I have been playing in the last few days.

“Smithers Jones,” The Jam. Not only because the same is very close to mine, but the story told in full in such a short time, leaving for work as normal, suddenly expectations are raised, and then dashed just as quickly.

“22 Grand Job,” The Rakes. Not sure a 22 Grand Job would be alright in the City, but I am sure that many get by on far less.

“Soup Is Good Food,” Dead Kennedys. One of my all time favourite bands, and one of a number of tracks by them that would fit, but I think this sums up the view of many people these days where as workers we are seen as disposable as an old printer.

“16 Tons,” Johnny Cash. This track would always be there, but usually would be the version by The Redskins, but as I am currently totally obsessed with The Man In Black, this one will be best for now.

“NPWA,” Billy Bragg & The Blokes.No Power Without Accountability. There would have to be at least one Billy Bragg song in this list, and this one sums it up, especially the line “…10,000 miles away some guy clicked on a mouse”. It paints a very simple picture of how it works, somebody somewhere wanted to make some money, so destroyed other peoples lives to do so.

“Career Opportunities,” The Clash. Possibly one of the most obvious, and best.

“Birth, School, Work, Death,” The Godfathers. A band mentioned here often, and rightly so. A classic.