Who Actually Wrote 'Take This Job and Shove It'? the Truth Behind the Outlaw Anthem
By Maya Lin-Takahashi
To understand how this single moved from an unpolished demo into a pop-culture touchstone, examine the milestones that shaped its trajectory.
| Year | Development Milestone | Commercial & Industry Impact |
|---|---|---|
| 1977 (Mid) | David Allan Coe completes the song; Billy Sherrill cuts track with Johnny Paycheck. | Epic Records chooses the song as lead single and LP title track. |
| 1977 (Oct) | Official radio release to country and mainstream stations. | Enters Billboard Hot Country Singles chart; rapid early jukebox uptake. |
| 1978 (Jan) | Reaches Number One on the Billboard Country Singles chart. | Spends 2 weeks at #1; crosses over into the Billboard Hot 100 at #41. |
| 1978 (May) | Coe releases his own recording on his Family Album. | Validates Coe's songwriting royalties while fueling public confusion. |
| 1981 | Hollywood releases feature film titled Take This Job and Shove It. | Grosses over $17.5M at the box office; Paycheck and Coe both appear in cameos. |
| 2026 | David Allan Coe dies at 86, sparking legacy reassessment. | Streaming spikes across digital platforms, reaffirming Coe's authorship. |
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.
Tags:
take this job and shove it lyrics
