Gretchen Frances Wilson (born June 26, 1973 in Pocahontas, Illinois) is a G… Read Full Bio ↴Gretchen Frances Wilson (born June 26, 1973 in Pocahontas, Illinois) is a Grammy award-winning American country music singer-songwriter.

Gretchen was born in Pocahontas, Illinois to a 16-year-old mother. Her father left before she was two years old, and she and her mother lived in trailer parks and relative poverty. Gretchen's mother worked as a waitress, and Gretchen herself dropped out of the 8th grade at age 15 to work as a cook and bartender in rural Illinois.

After a failed marriage to former Baywolfe bandmate Larry Rolens, Gretchen moved to Nashville and began dating Mike Penner. They have a daughter, Grace Frances Penner, who was born November 9, 2000.

Gretchen, who had sung for Kmart as a child, sang in two bar bands by the age of 20. In 1996 she moved to Nashville to sing back-up and record sample songs. In 2000, she met John Rich, a former member of Lonestar, who invited her to become his song-writing partner. Wilson signed with Epic Records in 2003 and recorded Here for the Party within the year.

Her first single, "Redneck Woman", was released in early 2004 and reached the top of the Hot Country Songs charts and #22 on the Billboard Hot 100. The success of "Redneck Woman" prompted an earlier-than-planned release for Here for the Party -- May 11, 2004 -- and it debuted at #1 on the Billboard country chart. It also reached #2 on the Billboard 200 and Billboard Internet album sales charts. She performed as a support artist for Brooks & Dunn and Montgomery Gentry.

She released the title track Here For The Party as the second single. It peaked at #3 on the Billboard country chart. Two other songs were released as singles, and both reached the top 10. Released in markets outside the U.S., the album hit #2 on the Australian country charts (behind Kasey Chambers) and the top 50 of the Australian charts. As of July 5, 2004, "Redneck Woman" was #1 on a world composite country chart (based on the U.S., UK, and Australia charts). The album went on sell more than 4 million copies in the U.S. and 5 million worldwide and was certified four times platinum.

On September 27, 2005, Gretchen released her second album, All Jacked Up, which peaked at #1 on both the Top 200 and Country album charts, but, after initial decent sales, the album quickly fell off the charts. It was certified Platinum and sold 1 million copies. The title track, All Jacked Up, peaked at a disappointing #8 on the Country singles chart and was the only song from the album to reach the top 10. The second single, I Don't Feel Like Loving You Today, peaked at #22. The third and the fourth singles were Politically Uncorrect and California Girls, which peaked respectively at #23 and #25 on the Country chart. Kid Rock appeared on "The Other Side of Me," an exclusive track that Target released with the album.

On February 28, 2006, Gretchen appeared on Kid Rock and The Twisted Brown Trucker Band's "Live" Trucker, as she performed "Picture" recorded at Detroit's Cobo Hall, 3/26/04. On November 2006, she released a new single called Come To Bed, a song produced by her friend John Rich, who also sings the background vocals. The song's suggestive video received a TV-14 S rating when aired on CMT.

Gretchen's "I Don't Feel Like Loving You Today" was nominated for two Grammy Awards: Best Female Country Vocal Performance, and Best Country Song. In 2006, Wilson contributed a well-received cover of Kris Kristofferson's Sunday Mornin' Coming Down on the tribute CD The Pilgrim: A Celebration of Kris Kristofferson. In 2007, Wilson displayed her rock and roll vocals on the cable TV special VH1 Rock Honors, singing Heart's hit Barracuda, along with Alice in Chains and Heart member Nancy Wilson on guitars.,

On May 15, 2007, Gretchen released her third album, One of the Boys. The album debuted at #5 on the Top 200 and at #1 on the Country album chart. After 11 weeks, it exited the Billboard Top 200, having sold just 178,220 copies at that point. "Come To Bed" and "One Of The Boys", the first two singles released, both failed to enter the top 30 and missed the Hot 100 completely. The third single, "You Don't Have to Go Home", was even less successful, peaking at #53.

Full Time Job
Gretchen Wilson Lyrics

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I'm a Mother, I'm a lover
A chef, a referee
I'm a Doctor and a chauffeur, seven days a week
I ain't asking for a medal, yea, I know you work too
I'd just like a little credit where credit is due

It's the hardest gig I've known, I work my fingers to the bone
Yea, the dishes and the diapers never stop

Lousy pay, there ain't no 401k
I know this may come as a shock
But this here's a full time job

Well I'm takin' a vacation
I could use a little fun
I'll be sippin' on the silence
And soaking up the sun
I'm leavin' you my apron
You can try it on for size
You said there's nothing to it
So I'm sure you'll be fine

It's the hardest gig I've known, I work my fingers to the bone
Yea, the dishes and the diapers never stop
Lousy pay, there ain't no 401k
I know this may come as a shock but this here's a full time job

In a day or maybe two
You'll be changing your tune
By then you'll be ready to drop

Working my full time job
This here's a full time job

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Gretchen Wilson's song "Full Time Job" highlight the day-to-day struggles of being a mother and caregiver. The song opens with the lines "I'm a Mother, I'm a lover / A chef, a referee," indicating that the singer has various roles and responsibilities to fulfill. From being a chauffeur to a doctor, the singer is constantly working to take care of her family. She acknowledges that she's not looking for a medal for all her work and effort but would appreciate some recognition and appreciation.

The chorus of the song emphasizes that being a mom is a full-time job that requires significant effort and sacrifice. The singer mentions that even though there's no 401k or good pay, the work never stops. The song then shifts to the singer talking about her desire to take a vacation and have some time to relax. In her absence, she's leaving her apron behind and jokingly says that her partner can try it on for size. She concludes the song by reiterating that being a mom is a full-time job, and anyone who thinks otherwise will likely "be ready to drop."

Overall, "Full Time Job" is a relatable song for those who have similarly felt the demands and stress that come with being a caregiver. It highlights the sacrifices that many individuals make in their personal life to ensure that their loved ones are taken care of, without neglecting the fact that they are seeking appreciation and acknowledgment for their efforts.

Line by Line Meaning

I'm a Mother, I'm a lover
I am a parent and a partner in a romantic relationship.

A chef, a referee
I cook meals and act as a mediator in conflicts.

I'm a Doctor and a chauffeur, seven days a week
I have to provide medical care and transportation services all week.

I ain't asking for a medal, yea, I know you work too
I don't need an award, and I understand that you also work hard.

I'd just like a little credit where credit is due
I need some recognition for what I do.

It's the hardest gig I've known, I work my fingers to the bone
I work extremely hard, and it's the toughest job I've ever had.

Yea, the dishes and the diapers never stop
I have to wash the dishes and the baby's diapers continuously.

Lousy pay, there ain't no 401k
I am paid poorly, and there is no retirement plan.

I know this may come as a shock
This may surprise you.

But this here's a full time job
This is a job that requires full-time effort.

Well I'm takin' a vacation
I am taking some time off.