The song, co-written by the singer, told a story of a woman who "works hard for [her] money". It was based on an actual encounter that Donna had with an exhausted bathroom attendant who was later featured on the album's back cover.
Built on a rock-dance fusion, the song became a hit for Summer and one of the singer's signature songs, reaching number one for a three-week stay atop the R&B chart (her first since 1979), number three on Billboard's Pop Singles chart, and number three on the dance chart. It was a number twenty-five hit in the UK.
The music video for the song, directed by Brian Grant, debuted on MTV and became the first video by an African-American female artist to be placed in "heavy rotation" (a term used by MTV at the time to indicate a frequently-aired video). The video shows a woman, working as a waitress in a diner, who is burdened with many situations in her life such as work and raising two unruly and ungrateful children. It is also seen that she has abandoned her hopes of being a ballerina. Summer appears as an observer through a kitchen window, a woman who assists the fallen-down protagonist of the video, and, at the end, a leader of a troupe of women, in various work uniforms, who have taken to the streets to signify their independence and gain recognition for their "hard work". The protagonist is also seen dancing in the street with them.
In a parody of the image created by this song, and its cover art picture, Summer herself appears in the Frank Sinatra video for "L.A. Is My Lady", released in 1984, as a waitress who serves a patron and then wipes her brow.
She Works Hard For Money
Donna Summer Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So hard for it, honey
She works hard for the money
So you better treat her right
She works hard for the money
So hard for it, honey
She works hard for the money
So you better treat her right
Onetta there in the corner stands
And she wonders where she is
And it's strange to her
Some people seem to have everything
Nine AM on the hour hand
And she's waiting for the bell
And she's looking real pretty
She's waiting for her clientele
She works hard for the money
So hard for it, honey
She works hard for the money
So you better treat her right
She works hard for the money
So hard for it, honey
She works hard for the money
So you better treat her right
Twenty-eight years have come and gone
And she's seen a lot of tears
Of the ones who come in
They really seem to need her there
It's a sacrifice working day to day
For little money, just tips for pay
But it's worth it all to hear them say that they care
She works hard for the money
So hard for it, honey
She works hard for the money
So you better treat her right
Already knows she's seen her bad times
Already knows these are the good times
She'll never sell out, she never will
Not for a dollar bill
She works hard
She works hard for the money
So hard for it, honey
She works hard for her money
So you better treat her right
Hard for the money
So hard for it, honey
She works hard for the money
So you better treat her right (alright)
She works hard for the money (hard, hard, hard for the money)
So hard for it, honey (hard, hard, hard for it, honey)
She works hard for the money
So you better treat her right
She works hard for the money (hard, hard, hard for the money)
So hard for it, honey (hard, hard, hard for it, honey)
Works hard for the money
So you better treat her right (alright)
She works hard for the money (hard, hard, hard for the money)
So hard for it, honey (hard, hard, hard for it, honey)
She works hard for the money
So you better treat her right
Donna Summer's hit song "She Works Hard for the Money" is an empowering anthem about the daily struggles of an everyday woman. The song was released in 1983 and became an instant hit, reaching the top 5 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song's upbeat tempo, driving guitar riffs, and catchy chorus portray a hard-working woman who is determined to succeed despite the challenges she faces. The song's theme is relevant even today and resonates with women all over the world.
The song starts by setting the scene of a woman named Onetta, who is standing in a corner and pondering her life while it rains outside. Nine AM arrives, and Onetta awaits her customers, who rely on her to serve them during their work breaks. The lyrics describe the sacrifices that Onetta and many other women have to make to make a living. Despite the challenges, the woman remains determined to work hard and provide for herself.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the message of hard work and respect. The woman works hard for her money, and she deserves to be treated right. The lyrics inspire listeners to recognize the struggles of hard-working women, respect their efforts, and treat them with dignity. Overall, the song is an ode to all hardworking women who work tirelessly to make ends meet.
Line by Line Meaning
She works hard for the money
The singer of the song puts in so much effort and labor to earn her living
So hard for it, honey
She works relentlessly and tirelessly to make ends meet
She works hard for the money
This line repeats the main theme of the song, highlighting her hardworking nature
So you better treat her right
Her constantly working hard demands that others treat her with utmost respect and empathy
Onetta there in the corner stands
Introduces a character who is just one of many women that work extremely hard but don't get the recognition they deserve
And she wonders where she is
The character mentioned is questioning where her life is heading as she barely makes enough to live
And the rain still hurts
The struggles faced by the hardworking women are continuing to affect them no matter the condition
Some people seem to have everything
The song acknowledges that some individuals have an abundance of resources and opportunities that the working-class women don't have access to
Nine AM on the hour hand
The daily routine of 9 to 5 job that these women have to do religiously
And she's waiting for the bell
The clocking-in system of the workplace is mentioned which adds to the monotony of their lives
And she's looking real pretty
Through hardships, their hardworking nature personifies beauty which is resilient despite the challenges
She's waiting for her clientele
She is waiting for clients to show up so that she can make some money while running her business and she has to rely on her customer service to lure people towards her.
Twenty-eight years have come and gone
The song emphasizes how years of hard work have passed by without much notice or appreciation
And she's seen a lot of tears
The hardworking women have seen a lot of challenges and difficulties in their work and their clients' lives
Of the ones who come in
The people who visit the women's workspaces come in with various struggles, and it is necessary to treat them with kindness and compassion
They really seem to need her there
The women's work is valuable, and the clients seem to appreciate it, indicating their importance in society
It's a sacrifice working day to day
The hardworking women might have better options to work with but they stay to uphold the responsibilities and fulfill their daily needs
For little money just tips for pay
Despite their hard work, they only get tips for pay, which is not enough to sustain their livelihood
But it's worth it all to hear them say that they care
The satisfaction of knowing they made a difference in someone's life is what makes it all worth it for them despite not earning enough
Already knows she's seen her bad times
The hardworking women have had to face tough times in their life, but their perseverance has guided them through it all
Already knows these are the good times
Despite the struggles, these women have moments of joy in their hard work
She'll never sell out, she never will
The hardworking women will never compromise on their ethics for more money, as they are determined to maintain their dignity
Not for a dollar bill, she works hard
Money isn't the driving force behind their work, hard work and character are essential values for these women
Hard for the money
The women must work extremely hard to make their living
So hard for it, honey
This is a repetition to emphasize the amount of hard work that these women put in, and also somewhat implies that her work deserves more than what she is earning.
She works hard for the money
Repeats the main theme of the song, highlighting the determination and perseverance of hardworking women
So you better treat her right
The song concludes again by pleading to others to respect, empathize and treat hardworking people with dignity
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Donna Summer, Michael Omartian
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@anthonyburton5814
I’m 52 years old and I remember watching this video in the early days of MTV back in the 1980s. This perfectly outlines the daily struggles all Americans go through make ends meet. Times change but situation remains the same. RIP to Donna Summers!
@martavargas5972
❤😊❤
@edgarb4100
Across time too, human nature doesn't change thousands of years ago the Egyptians had the same problems same sicknesses diabetes, cancer, high blood pressure stress stress
@NoelistAvenger
We always think things were "easier back then"; I'm 31 years old and I have that strange feeling of nostalgia towards the 1980s, a decade I didn't experience but that yet feels like an utopia. Just like my dad, who's only a few years older than you, has the same feeling towards the 1950s.
Grass is always greener, as they say. Truth is, we only remember the good stuff.
@mightytekk
Meee tooo I’ll be 52 in May!!!!! The best!!
@charlesbeloved7951
I love this song so much. I grew up very poor but never knew I was poor until later on when my innocence disappeared and I saw the truth. The truth was that I was raised by a single mom who busted her ass to give me everything I needed and she did it while working as a cleaning lady for rich people’s houses and also at a restaurant. She never complained even when she had much to complain about. Thank you mom and thank you to all the moms out there who do the same. ❤
@esraseven5396
For your Mother and the other women like your Mother. 👏👏👏👏🙏🙏🙏🙏💐💐💐
@user-ge1ve4ks3o
Is she still alive and working?
@giacomoaluotto4053
@@user-ge1ve4ks3o Nope
@wmpetroff2307
I got choked up for a minute thinking about my mom working full time and with all us kids. Never once Did I imagine she had dreams and was tired. This is a true song for women.