Your first summer job probably wasn’t glamorous.
Maybe you pumped gas, stocked shelves, worked behind a counter, cut lawns, washed dishes, bagged groceries, or spent hot afternoons doing whatever work someone was willing to pay a teenager to do.
But getting that paycheck felt like freedom. And when your shift finally ended, the radio was waiting.
If you worked a summer job in the 1970s, these 10 songs will take you right back.
1. “Take It Easy” – Eagles
Released in 1972, “Take It Easy” was practically built for the drive home after a long day. With the windows down and the radio turned up, suddenly that boring shift didn’t seem quite as important anymore.
2. “Saturday in the Park” – Chicago
Chicago’s 1972 hit captured the easygoing feeling of summer perfectly. Even if you had spent most of the week working, hearing “Saturday in the Park” made the weekend feel like it had finally arrived.
3. “Listen to the Music” – The Doobie Brothers
Released in 1972, this was exactly the kind of song you wanted coming through the radio when work was over. Its relaxed rhythm and huge chorus turned an ordinary drive into something much more memorable.
4. “The Boys Are Back in Town” – Thin Lizzy
By 1976, “The Boys Are Back in Town” had become one of the great getting-together-with-your-friends songs. After spending the day working, hearing that opening guitar could signal that the fun part of the day was finally beginning.
5. “Magic” – Pilot
“Magic” became a hit in 1975 and brought pure pop energy to the radio. It’s one of those songs that immediately sounds like another era and can bring back memories before the chorus even arrives.
6. “More Than a Feeling” – Boston
When Boston released “More Than a Feeling” in 1976, it seemed destined to be played loudly. The soaring guitars made it perfect for car radios, especially when you had just clocked out and had the rest of a summer evening ahead of you.
7. “Hot Child in the City” – Nick Gilder
Released in 1978, “Hot Child in the City” sounded like summer in a crowded downtown. Its catchy chorus and late-70s production made it impossible to separate from the era.
8. “Don’t Bring Me Down” – Electric Light Orchestra
ELO released “Don’t Bring Me Down” in 1979, giving the end of the decade one more massive radio anthem. It was loud, catchy, and exactly the kind of song that made you turn the radio up another notch.
9. “My Sharona” – The Knack
Few songs dominated 1979 quite like “My Sharona.” That opening beat was instantly recognizable, and once the song started, there was little chance anyone nearby didn’t know what was playing.
10. “Rock’n Me” – Steve Miller Band
Released in 1976, “Rock’n Me” was straightforward, upbeat rock made for the radio. It had the kind of chorus that sounded especially good when you were finally off the clock and heading somewhere with friends.
The money from those summer jobs probably disappeared a long time ago. Maybe it went toward gas, clothes, records, concerts, or saving for your first car.
But strangely enough, the songs that played while you were earning it are still here.
What was your first summer job, and how much were you paid?
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