9 ms·

Being used to hear Stan Rogers' voice sing about privateers, whalers and other such things, at first this song felt odd. After a bit of thought though, I reali

Being used to hear Stan Rogers' voice sing about privateers, whalers and other such things, at first this song felt odd. After a bit of thought though, I realize there's no reason why that should be the case. Ours is a real life experience that, while not physically demanding or adventurous, isn't less worthy of being captured in song. We have our own experiences of drudgery, adversity, camaraderie that have gone mostly unsung. Thank God we at least had Stan Rogers.

bjt2n3904 5y ago
Right on. A lot of sea shanty music in general (like Leave her Johnny) focuses on the hardships of life and difficulties with higher ups and martial relationships -- and what I love about this song is it takes the soul of a sea shanty and puts it to the "tune" of Office Space.
0xbadcafebee 5y ago
It's probably not surprising that there aren't more songs about white collar work. It's such unrewarding, safe, monotonous drivel. Maybe because we're all too embarrassed to try to romanticize it, and too depressed to make art out of it.
- krick 5y ago
  If you ask me about "songs about white collar work", first thing that comes to my mind is this[0] (it's a cover, but I like this one better). It isn't about white collar work, of course, but white collar work is all about that song, I feel. And blue collar and whatever else — it's all about that song. The difference is that "blue collar" is about that song and a little bit of something else — like, you know, "being out in the field under all weather conditions". That's where the romanticism comes from. While "white collar" is only about that song. And pretending you didn't hear it, daily. [0] - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4f3BmvVhtW4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4f3BmvVhtW4
booleandilemma 5y ago
I’ve had both white collar jobs and a blue collar job and I experienced more camaraderie while at the blue collar one. I think it was created by an us vs them mentality (where “them” is management). We would be out in the field under all weather conditions while management would call and give us orders over the phone from a comfy, climate-controlled office, and then go back to Skyping other office workers (or whatever app it was at the time). With each of my white collar jobs I’ve had a boss but he sits down the hall from me and we both sit at desks and eat at the same places. There’s less separation, but there’s also less camaraderie among my team.
- leto_ii 5y ago
  > I experienced more camaraderie while at the blue collar one. I've never had blue collar jobs, but I've always suspected that was the case. I think there's less of a "class" consciousness among office workers. We feel like we're better, privileged - why, if we apply ourselves maybe one day we'll get to be bosses and billionaires too. We just have to meritocratically outcompete our peers... Working folk know better...
- lapetitejort 5y ago
  I've had blue collar jobs and there is indeed a strong sense of camaraderie. However, if you're not included in this camaraderie for any reason (don't like sports, certain foods, views on certain topics, quiet type that doesn't react well to jokes) it can be hell. I've never felt included in any of my workplaces. I hated watching all of my coworkers jabber for hours on end without me. I hated not being included in after-work activities. With the few work friends I've had, any rift on either end made the relationship unbearable. But now working from home, my friends are friends and my coworkers are coworkers. I never want to two to meet again.
stan_rogers 5y ago
I have to warn you, though, that not all Stans Rogers are pleasant to listen to. I come from a family full of 'em. Might I suggest Garnet or Nathan as an alternative?

bjt2n3904 5y ago

Right on. A lot of sea shanty music in general (like Leave her Johnny) focuses on the hardships of life and difficulties with higher ups and martial relationships -- and what I love about this song is it takes the soul of a sea shanty and puts it to the "tune" of Office Space.

0xbadcafebee 5y ago

It's probably not surprising that there aren't more songs about white collar work. It's such unrewarding, safe, monotonous drivel. Maybe because we're all too embarrassed to try to romanticize it, and too depressed to make art out of it.

krick 5y ago
If you ask me about "songs about white collar work", first thing that comes to my mind is this[0] (it's a cover, but I like this one better). It isn't about white collar work, of course, but white collar work is all about that song, I feel. And blue collar and whatever else — it's all about that song. The difference is that "blue collar" is about that song and a little bit of something else — like, you know, "being out in the field under all weather conditions". That's where the romanticism comes from. While "white collar" is only about that song. And pretending you didn't hear it, daily. [0] - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4f3BmvVhtW4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4f3BmvVhtW4

booleandilemma 5y ago

I’ve had both white collar jobs and a blue collar job and I experienced more camaraderie while at the blue collar one. I think it was created by an us vs them mentality (where “them” is management). We would be out in the field under all weather conditions while management would call and give us orders over the phone from a comfy, climate-controlled office, and then go back to Skyping other office workers (or whatever app it was at the time). With each of my white collar jobs I’ve had a boss but he sits down the hall from me and we both sit at desks and eat at the same places. There’s less separation, but there’s also less camaraderie among my team.

leto_ii 5y ago
> I experienced more camaraderie while at the blue collar one. I've never had blue collar jobs, but I've always suspected that was the case. I think there's less of a "class" consciousness among office workers. We feel like we're better, privileged - why, if we apply ourselves maybe one day we'll get to be bosses and billionaires too. We just have to meritocratically outcompete our peers... Working folk know better...
lapetitejort 5y ago
I've had blue collar jobs and there is indeed a strong sense of camaraderie. However, if you're not included in this camaraderie for any reason (don't like sports, certain foods, views on certain topics, quiet type that doesn't react well to jokes) it can be hell. I've never felt included in any of my workplaces. I hated watching all of my coworkers jabber for hours on end without me. I hated not being included in after-work activities. With the few work friends I've had, any rift on either end made the relationship unbearable. But now working from home, my friends are friends and my coworkers are coworkers. I never want to two to meet again.

stan_rogers 5y ago

I have to warn you, though, that not all Stans Rogers are pleasant to listen to. I come from a family full of 'em. Might I suggest Garnet or Nathan as an alternative?