Songs are therapeutic to our souls as they help relieve us from stress and inform or praise individuals. However, some songs mention professions as real jobs. But some of the titles are used as metaphors.
The professional songs help voice different hardships with a particular job and are well echoed through dark sentiments. But which are the best songs with a profession in the title?
“The Beatles” – Doctor Robert
Doctor Robert is a composition of the Beatles band. This song became popular because of its instrumentals which are danceable and upbeat.
The song mentions various drugs, leaving fans guessing whether the title Doctor Robert is a real person or imagery. This was a banger hit, and it became a favorite song to the Beatles fans.
“Buffalo Soldier” – Bob Marley
Bob Marley, a popular musician among the reggae fans, has various songs under his name, but the buffalo soldier stands out.
The icon whose songs have stood the test of times and continues to be a favorite musician to different generations did this song to air grievances Africans face when they migrate to America.
This song’s lyrics have a way of capturing its audience and has a strong message to the fans.
“Private Dancer” – Tina Turner
This song was done in 1984 by Tina Turner, an American singer. People interpreted it differently, and some believed it was done from a prostitute’s perspective.
However, the song allowed the composer to bring out her powerful sexuality. This song has more than 34 million views on YouTube.
“Hot for Teacher” – Van Halen
Another best song with a profession in the title is ‘Hot for Teacher’ by Van Halen. The perfect blend of lyrics and instrumentals makes this song worthy of listening to.
Van Halen maintains her style in this song by using harmonious vocals and comments. This art piece infuses solo guitar, erratic drum plays and hype that keeps you enjoying the rest of the song.
“The Scientist” – Coldplay
You can also enjoy listening to this song to take your memory to the old golden days. The Coldplay uses calming vocals to sing ‘The Scientist’, enabling you to relate to the music.
The ‘scientist’, a popular song by Coldplay, helped their second album sell worldwide. It was filmed in North London and was officially launched in 2002 in the UK.
“Politician” – Cream
The song politician is a perfect rendition by the cream band. It has a powerful message that you can interpret from various angles.
However, the lyrics portray the politicians’ rot in America and beyond. The guitar solos can be construed as confusion and fights by political parties.
“Bartender” – Lady Antebellum
The bartender is the lyrical work of American country music songstress Lady Antebellum. In the video of this song which was played in a bar, the bartender gives a woman and her friends many rounds in a challenge to ‘forget his name.
But the friends end up beating up the bartender. This song was written by Dave Haywood, Hillary Scott and Charles Kelley, who were group members.
“Temporary Secretary” – Paul McCartney
The temporary secretary was officially released in 1980 by Paul McCartney. The song begins as an off-tune but is a great musical work with good drum patterns and voices.
Once you listen to this song, you’ll get yourself singing along with ease. This song got to the 167th position in the NME magazine as the greatest song.
The lyrics of this song are funny and satirical at the same time. The composer used the word temporary secretary instead of secretary to gain tempo and flow of the music.
“Hello Operator” – The White Stripes
Hello Operator by White Stripes has been a popular song since its release in 2000. It will keep you dancing to the meticulous guitar chords. The vocals on this song are something to reckon with if you’re into sweet melodies.
“Lawyers, Guns, and Money” – Warren Zenon
Warren Zenon did this track in 1978 as part of his last album, ‘Excitable’. In the song, Warren is a heartbroken man.
He is willing to work with a lawyer to help him out. But desperation also makes him feel a gun can do this better if not money. It’s a perfect composition with good word flow.
“The Writer” – Ellie Goulding
This track from 2010’s Lights sees Ellie suggesting all manner of professions for the boy she likes. They involve turning her into the girl he really wants. “Why don’t you be the artist and make me out of clay?
Why don’t you be the writer and decide the words I say?” she asks. Goulding has revealed that the sparkly pop ballad is a song about a boy who didn’t like her, no matter how hard she tried.
Calling it ‘the most personal and emotional song I’ve written yet’, she explained that the track was inspired by the feeling of being willing to change everything about yourself for one person.
“The Magician” – Jose Vanders
The magician in Vanders’ piano ballad isn’t a real person, but a representation of the choice she has to make. She imagines him standing in front of her, asking her to choose between the two cards he holds out to her – the king of diamonds, or the king of hearts.
She has to decide what is more important to her in a life partner – security, or passion. By the end of the song, Vanders still hasn’t decided what to do, although she cryptically hints that the magician probably already knows what her heart will choose.
“Clown” – Emile Sandé
Sandé assumes the role of the clown in this powerful ballad, as she feels herself performing for onlookers. “Go ‘head and laugh, cos it’s funny,” she sings. “I would too, if I saw me.” The melancholy track is about Sandé’s frustrated efforts to break into the music industry and the ridicule of those around her who didn’t believe in her. Sandé had the last laugh in the end – her debut album, Our Version Of Events, debuted at No.1.
“Paparazzi” – Lady Gaga
‘Paparazzi’ draws its name from those that make a living by photographing celebrities, but the song is about a number of different things – Gaga’s relationship with fame, her personal relationships, and her desire to be loved by everyone around her.
The popstar has left it fairly open to interpretation whether or not she’s literally talking about the paparazzi or a romantic prospect in the track, but the music video took the paparazzi imagery and ran with it. At nearly eight minutes, it’s almost a short film, brought to life by Swedish director Jonas Akerland.
“Soldier, Poet, King” – The Oh Hellos
This upbeat folk track takes the form of a campfire singalong, in which stories of various figures are told, with other voices joining in for the refrain. First a soldier is introduced, who carries ‘a mighty sword’, then a poet who uses words like weapons, and finally a ruler who takes the form of the ultimate hero.
As the track moves into a jaunty instrumental section, we don’t find out what happens to these three figures, but it feels as if they are at the start of some kind of adventure.
“Waitress Song” – First Aid Kit
Sister duo First Aid Kit deliver this poignant folk ballad about starting over and the desire to run away from past pain. Following a break up, they fantasise about moving to a small town to wait tables, or joining the circus, or even just driving out to the ocean and quietly watching the waves.
The song was inspired by the duo’s wonderings about what life would be like away from the music industry.
Klara Söderberg explained to The Sun that the two had an almost romantic picture of waitressing in an American diner and daydreamed about what that version of their lives might have been like.
“Actor Out Of Work” – St Vincent
This indie rock takedown from St Vincent sees the singer throwing a variety of insults at her romantic partner. “You’re a bandage, pull it off,” she sings. “You’re an actor out of work.” Despite all of the objectionable things that her partner can be compared to, however, she can’t help how she feels about them. “I think I love you,” she sings, adding, “I think I’m mad.”
“When I Kissed The Teacher” – ABBA
ABBA tell the story of quite an unusual day at school in this upbeat, guitar-driven track. A teacher is taken quite aback after one of his students kisses him in front of the entire class, but he ends up smiling, sending the entire class wild.
This sunshiny track was the opening number in the second ABBA jukebox musical film, Mamma Mia 2: Here We Go Again. Helmed by Lily James, it saw a group of recently graduated students driving bicycles through the streets in their caps and gowns.
“I Need A Doctor” – Dr Dre, Eminem, Skylar Grey
Dr Dre brings his former protegee, Eminem, onto this smash-hit track, with Skylar Grey providing the vocals for the song’s chorus. Although Eminem’s delivery is typically intense, his lyrics are heartfelt, as he raves about the impact that Dre’s mentorship has had on his life and career so far.
Now, he urges Dre to believe in himself, and promises to return the support that Dre showed him. “Dre, I’m cryin’ in this booth,” he tells him. Dre takes the final verse, fondly recalling his first meeting with Eminem and expressing his gratitude that Eminem is still in his life unlike many of his former friends.
“Writer In The Dark” – Lorde
“But you rue the day you kissed a writer in the dark,” Lorde sings bitterly in this stripped-back ballad. Her former partner was unable to understand the intensity of Lorde’s feelings, and the ways in which her artistry shaped her life. Now she’s left to try and find a way to live without him – and, of course, to write her way through it.
“The Archer” – Taylor Swift
Swift has been the archer before, and she’s also been the prey. Using both hunting imagery and the archetype of Cupid, Swift laments the hardships she’s faced in relationships before, how uncertain she’s felt, and how difficult it’s been for her to find something real and sustainable. “Who could ever leave me, darling, but who could stay?” she asks.
Final Thoughts
Songs with a profession in the title are many. However, the above are the ten best songs you can listen to any time and get entertained. We hope you’ll enjoy listening to any of them and learn a few things about these musicians.
Caitlin Devlin is a music, entertainment and lifestyle writer based in London. When she’s not creating playlists for Repeat Replay, she’s reviewing gigs and interviewing artists for Ticketmaster UK and thinking about what her Spotify Wrapped will look like this year.