Sixteen Tons – Unpacking the American Working-Class Anthem
The 1955 smash hit ‘Sixteen Tons’ performed by Tennessee Ernie Ford is not just a catchy tune – it’s a potent slice of Americana, a crystal-clear lens through which we view the rugged contours of labor, debt, and survival. As its gravelly refrain echoes through the decades, the song’s bare and unflinching portrayal of the working man’s plight continues to strike a chord that reverberates loudly even in contemporary times.
