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'Paperback Writer' by the Beatles -

Released in 1966, this song by the Fab Four talks about a writer and his struggle to do what he loves and get published.

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'Gravedigger' by Dave Matthews Band -

In the dark—yet poetic—lyrics, you'll find the lines, "Gravedigger, When you dig my grave, Could you make it shallow, So that I can feel the rain."

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'Private Dancer' by Tina Turner -

The song tells the story of a private dancer (aka a stripper) who'll do whatever is needed for the money.

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'Paparazzi' by Lady Gaga -

Okay, the song isn't actually about a photographer, but rather about obsession. It does mention an occupation in the tile though!

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'Floyd the Barber' by Nirvana -

This song is not exactly about a barber. Instead, it reimagines the characters of '60s show 'The Andy Griffith Show' as killers who use a barbershop to trap a victim.

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'An Architect’s Dream' by Kate Bush -

Although this dreamy Kate Bush song has "architect" in the title, it seems to be more so about a painter whose lines are so beautiful that they "have got to be an architect's dream."

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'Bad Case of Loving You (Doctor, Doctor)' by Robert Palmer -

This upbeat rock tune get us all singing along: "Doctor Doctor, gimme the news, I got a bad case of lovin' you!"

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'Driver 8' by R.E.M. -

This is essentially a song about working long hours. Driver 8 is asked to take a break by the train conductor, but he has so many miles to cover that he can't afford to rest.

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'The Scientist' by Coldplay -

More of a love song than actually a song about being a scientist, there are some interesting analogies made with regards to science and love. 

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'Bartender' by James Blunt -

James Blunt asks the bartender for something many people would like to drink at a bar: love.

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'Mammas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys' by Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson -

There are many songs about cowboys, but this one is probably one of the most honest about the details of the job and the lifestyle.

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'Sail on Sailor' by the Beach Boys -

Released in 1973, the song uses the perseverance and courage required by sailors as a metaphor for life.

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'The Boxer' by Simon & Garfunkel -

The lyrics reflect the unfair criticism Simon felt his music was being subjected to. This in a way made him "the boxer," fighting for his music.

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'Jerry Was a Race Car Driver' by Primus -

In 1991, Les Claypool and his bandmates released this song about a race car driver who had one too many and crashed into a telephone pole. The song also mentions a fireman name Captain Pierce.

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'The Lighthouse Keeper' by Sam Smith -

A beautiful song about hope and love after hardship. "I will be your lighthouse keeper, Bring you safely home to me."

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'The Butcher' by Leonard Cohen - This Leonard Cohen song mentions a butcher killing a lamb. Of course, there are a number of rather poetic analogies within the lyrics, but the butcher is in the title.

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'Hot for Teacher' by Van Halen -

One of the band's most popular tunes, 'Hot for Teacher' is about exactly what it says in the title. Who hasn't had a secret crush on a teacher, right?

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'Son of A Preacher Man' by Dusty Springfield -

This famous song does mention a preacher, but it's more about his son, Billy Ray, that Dusty Springfield sings about.

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'DJ Got Us Fallin’ In Love' by Usher ft. Pitbull -

In this song, Usher takes us to a club where the DJ plays the right tunes, helping him and a woman get together.

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'Politician' by Cream -

If indeed you are a politician, this is probably not the song you want to hear about your occupation. The lyrics go: "I support the left, Though I'm leaning to the right. But I'm just not there, When it's coming to a fight."

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'Manic Mechanic' by ZZ Top -

The song was inspired by a friend of the band who was both a mechanic and a little bit eccentric.

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'I Shot the Sheriff' by Bob Marley and the Wailers -

Many of us have heard this 1973 reggae classic, which is pretty much a protest song.

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'Ice Cream Man' by Tom Waits -

Charged with sexual innuendo, this song is about a man who describes himself to a woman as an ice cream man, to essentially tell her that he can fulfill her desires.

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'Entertainer' by Zayn -

The entertainer who puts on a performance is not actually the singer. The song is about a girl.

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'A Man Needs a Maid' by Neil Young -

Not to be taken literally, this Neil Young song is more about the fear of getting hurt in a relationship and heartbreak.

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'Police and Thieves' by Junior Murvin -

This reggae tune addresses how good people can do bad things, and vice versa. 'Police and Thieves' was covered by other artists, namely British punk rockers the Clash.

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'Follow the Cops Back Home' by Placebo -

The song has a beautiful and haunting melody, and the lyrics are far from being straightforward. It does mentions cops, though.

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'Bartender' by Lady Antebellum -

The song is pretty much about a girls' night out and trying to forget a guy. Of course, the bartender plays a role in the story, pouring drinks "'til the party and the music and the truth collide."

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'Pretty Ballerina' by the Left Banke -

The song talks about the experience of a man who had a date with a ballerina.

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'Operator (That’s Not the Way It Feels)' by Jim Croce -

Telephone operators are a thing of the past. Still, many people do work on the phones every day, so this one is for them!

Sources: (Music Grotto) (Zing Instruments)

See also: Musicians' most scandalous songs about exes

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