Who Actually Wrote 'Take This Job and Shove It'? the Truth Behind the Outlaw Anthem
By Maya Lin-Takahashi
Q1: Did Johnny Paycheck write any part of "Take This Job and Shove It"?
A1: No. Official BMI records and copyright registrations confirm that David Allan Coe wrote both the lyrics and the music independently. Paycheck acted strictly as the performing artist and interpreter.
Q2: Why did David Allan Coe give the song to Johnny Paycheck?
A2: Coe pitched songs constantly to other Nashville stars while pursuing his own recording career. Producer Billy Sherrill recognized that Paycheck’s voice and roughneck persona were ideal for the track's blue-collar defiance, prompting the studio cut.
Q3: Did the song ever cross over to mainstream pop charts?
A3: Yes. While it spent two weeks at Number One on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart in early 1978, it crossed over onto the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at Number 41, an impressive feat for an outlaw country record.
Q4: Is the song featured in a movie?
A4: Yes. In 1981, Avco Embassy Pictures released a comedy titled Take This Job and Shove It, starring Robert Hays and Barbara Hershey. Both Johnny Paycheck and David Allan Coe made cameo appearances in the film.
Maya is a hardware enthusiast who tests and reviews smart home devices, smartphones, wearables, and audio gear. She focuses on practical consumer value and build quality.
