Donna Summer, She Works Hard For The Money | Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶

In the 152nd edition of Throwback Vibez (2024), we recollect and reflect on “She Works Hard For The Money” by Donna Summer.   

The vibes, the vibes, those Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶! Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 is a column that celebrates awesome songs from the past.  The records that grace this column are older, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re ancient – no fossils 🦴! All genres of music are welcome. In the 152^nd edition of Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 (2024), we recollect and reflect on “She Works Hard For The Money” performed by Donna Summer.

“She works hard for the money / So hard for it, honey / She works hard for the money / So you better treat her right.” Donna Summer was the undisputed Queen of Disco, period.  Notably, the late musical icon had 14 top 10 hits.  However, not all of her top 10s were from the disco era. “She Works Hard For The Money” came after disco died.  The five-minute-plus song is the opening track from her 1983, gold-certified album, She Works Hard For The Money. “She Works Hard For The Money” peaked at no. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100. It was written by Summer and Michael Omartian, who also produced it.

“She Works Hard For The Money” is synth-heavy, with drum programming, quintessential 1980s sounds, and vibes. Besides the synthesizer/keyboard work, it incorporates guitar and horns, including guitar (Marty Walsh) and saxophone (Gary Herbig) solos.  The riffs are sickening.  Do you know who else is sickening? Donna Summer! She delivers assertive lead vocals.  Summer is supported by superb backing vocals.  The melodies are tuneful in the verses and the unforgettable chorus. “Onetta there in the corner stands / And wonders where she is,” Summer sings in the first verse, adding, “And she’s waiting for the bell / And she’s looking real pretty / Just waitin’ for her clientele.” Onetta was real – a bathroom attendant Summer encountered –exhausted from working two jobs to make ends meet.  In the second verse, Summer continues narrativizing a blue-collar working woman: “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.” The Grammy-nominated (Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female) “She Works Hard For The Money” is a gem not only because of the great instrumental backdrop and lead vocals but also because of the message that speaks to so many, hardworking women.

Donna Summer // She Works Hard For The Money // The Island Def Jam Music Group // 1983

Donna Summer, She Works Hard For The Money: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 No. 152 (2024) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; The Island Def Jam Music Group; OpenClipart-Vectors, Clker-Free-Vector-Images, Speedy McVroom from Pixabay]