12 Classic Youth (Un)Employment Songs

I like to think of the following as coming-of-age music. They all highlight that pivotal point in our lives when we confront the impracticality of our greatest aspirations: an inevitable, albeit difficult part of growing-up. If you're in that proverbial boat, may these songs - angry yet empathetic - lend you some comfort.
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“Career Opportunities,” by The Clash

Emphasizing the whole youth thing, here's the version on Sandinista!, sung by Mickey Gallagher's (the keyboardist from Ian Dury and the Blockheads) two boys.

“Ghost Town,” by The Specials

Reckless driving through deserted streets... written after a visit to Glasgow.

“Living with Unemployment,” by The Oppressed

I was first introduced to the Newtown Neurotics version of this song, but The Oppressed, an anti-fascist skinhead band, wrote it first. Both versions are excellent.

“When You’re Young,” by The Jam

"Swallow your youthful pride!" belted The Jam to a bunch of teens, live on Something Else. And then the end credits start rolling.

“The Government Administrator,” by Eggs

Indie rock song about deciding whether or not to apply for a job you don't really want, while waiting among a sea of other nervous applicants, with that demon on your shoulder reminding you that time is running out.

“To Have and Have Not,” by Billy Bragg

Leave it to Billy Bragg to powerfully-link youth unemployment with the structural defects inherent in capitalism:
"At twenty one you're on top of the scrapheap
At sixteen you were top of the class
All they taught you at school
Was how to be a good worker
The system has failed you, don't fail yourself"

“What’s Happening Brother?” by Marvin Gaye

Coming home from the Vietnam War to a country in socio-economic mailaise.

“Young, Gifted and Skint,” by New Model Army

There's probably a Nina Simone/Lorraine Hansberry reference in that title... About being fresh out of university and heavily in debt: how relatable!

“Bastards of Young,” by The Replacements

A rallying cry for anyone experiencing the various quarter-life crises, (un)employment included.

“1 in 10,” by UB40

As in, one out of ten people unemployed in the United Kingdom during the time the song was written. A testimony to the apathy with which society regards the unemployed poor. The band itself is named after a claim form for "the dole."

“Wham Rap! (Enjoy What You Do?),” by Wham!

George Michael sings something vaguely political, but not politically-correct (I have full confidence that you’ll detect the lyric to which I am referring…)

“Hand in Pocket,” by Alanis Morissette

We'll end this entry on a note of cautious optimism: "I'm young and I'm underpaid, I'm tired but I'm workin', yeah!"

Indeed, as Alanis consoles:
"No one's really got it figured out just yet"

YouTube Randomness for a Rainy Day

Some hilarious, some serious and some plain bizarre... here's a mixture of YouTube randomness for your next rainy day (or for every day should you happen to live in Glasgow):
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Breakdancing Facial Expressions, or whatever you want to call this:

When I first saw this one, I probably laughed harder than I had ever laughed in all my life.

 Just Say Yes

An ancient video mash-up of Ronnie and Nancy Reagan promoting drug use.

The Max Headroom Broadcast Intrusion Incident

A television signal getting hijacked by a video pirate.


Awkward PSAs aimed at kids, such as:

For an equally fun list of anti-drug PSAs, check this out:
http://vegetablejam.blogspot.com/2012/08/12-awkward-anti-drug-psas.html

Vagina Power

An unnecessarily graphic rant from an Atlanta-based public access program... whenever I introduce this to people, they either stare confusedly or laugh until they change color.

Protect and Survive videos

Part of a dated, flatly-wrong but nevertheless eerie British public information series about what to do in the event of a nuclear attack. For the rest of the videos:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6U9T3R3EQg

BBC coverage of the Tiananmen Square massacre

Journalism that leaves a mark.

Arguing with an Ibex

I wonder what they'd think of Congress?


More arguing: Vidal vs. Buckley

"Now listen, you queer..."

Mary Hartman's live, on-air nervous breakdown

A 1970s American housewife defends her consumerist lifestyle. The point at which this stops being funny is ambiguous.

Dated Job Training Videos, such as the atrocious “Grill Skills” video put out by the Wendy's fast food chain:

I find this depressing, even if that over-the-top hip-hop song is memorable in its own right.

Drew Droge's Chloe Sevigny Series

"Good evening America..."


Mr. Rogers Defending PBS

One of the more inspiring clips in YouTube. With simple candor, a children's television host is able, quite literally, to save United States public television.

Thatcher getting schooled

It's always a pleasure to see anyone outsmart a right-wing leader.

Future Shock

Bizarre, full-length documentary which assumes only the dystopian from obsolescent, "Look Around You" aesthetics.


The Glasgow version of "Last Friday Night"

 

Speaks for itself.