Key Takeaways
- Weekend Vibe: The weekend brings a unique energy that inspires many rock songs.
- Diverse Themes: The selected songs cover various aspects of Friday, Saturday, and Sunday experiences.
- Party Spirit: Many tracks celebrate the excitement of Friday and Saturday nights.
- Relaxation: Some songs capture the laid-back essence of Sunday.
There’s just a special vibe and energy associated with the weekend and here we’re doing our best to give you some of the most “weekend” of rock songs about the weekend.
The 20 songs below provide a wide range of rock approaches to writing not only about the weekend itself, but the individual days of Friday, Saturday and Sunday. As you might expect, these embrace the hard partying and letting loose that often comes with the first two days of the weekend, while also embodying the laid back spirit of the restful and relaxing final day of the weekend.
READ MORE: <span style="text-decoration: underline">25 Best Rock Songs of the 1980s</span>
Let’s face it. The bar was set pretty high in the early ’80s when Loverboy wrote the ultimate weekend anthem, “Working for the Weekend,” so what better way for us to start off this list. But we also bring it to a conclusion with one of the more chill weekend songs we could find, the Faith No More cover of the Commodores’ “Easy,” which sums up the perfect Sunday morning vibe.
We tried to keep this list limited to songs specifically about the weekend, which is why you won’t see songs such as Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Saturday Night Special” or U2’s “Sunday Bloody Sunday” here. It’s all about the lightness and energy of Friday nights and two fully open days off before going back to the weekly work grind again on Monday. So turn it up and enjoy.
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“Working for the Weekend”
Loverboy
Most “Weekend” Lyric: “Everybody’s working for the weekend / Everybody wants a new romance / Everybody’s goin’ off the deep end / Everybody needs a second chance“
We might as well start off this list with the crown jewel of weekend songs. Loverboy set the standard in 1981 with this high energy rocker embodying the spirit of the working man (or woman) looking for a little renewal and rejuvenation.
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“High ‘N’ Dry (Saturday Night)”
Def Leppard
Most “Weekend” Lyric: “Saturday, kickin’ out / Her train was comin’ to me / I got to move, number one / Saturday night on the run“
For Def Leppard, it’s all about Saturday in this song, but just a reminder “fellow kids,” sometimes you need to pace yourself.
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“Friday I’m in Love”
The Cure
Most “Weekend” Lyric: “You can never get enough / Enough of this stuff / It’s Friday, I’m in love“
The Cure’s Robert Smith ruminates about the days of the week, bemoaning how each feels insignificant. But it’s Friday that’s the day that brings the greatest joy and hope. “Dressed up to the eyes / It’s a wonderful surprise / To see your shoes and your spirits rise / Throw out your frown / And just smile at the sound / Sleek as a shriek, spinning ’round and ’round,” he muses about his love’s spirit on Friday. It’s the most hopeful of days.
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“God Bless Saturdays”
Kid Rock
Most “Weekend” Lyrics: “We let it rock and keep the drinks pouring / Let it roll until the early morning / We’re underpaid but we still give thanks and praise / And God bless Saturday.“
While Loverboy may have set the bar for working man weekend songs, Kid Rock did his best to replicate that for the 21st century. For those familiar with the weekly hustle and grind, Kid Rock penned the ultimate ode to the only day “to ease my pain.”
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“Friday Night (Going Down in Flames)”
The Damned Things
Most “Weekend” Lyrics: “All I want is another good time / It’s Friday night, and if we’re all going down in flames / I think the devil just called my name.“
There’s so much hope and potential once its time to clock out on Friday. The Damned Things definitely have some legendary things planned with the reckoning of Sunday morning far off in the backdrop of their minds.
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“Friday Night”
The Darkness
Most "Weekend" Lyrics: “Monday, Tuesday
Wednesday, Thursday / Dancing on a Friday night / Let the music smother me / Whole weekend recovery / Dancing on a Friday night“The Darkness get nostalgic for a period of teen youth in which they weren’t particularly cool, that is until the Friday dance came around. Raise a hand if the Friday dance was your time to let loose.
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“Friday on My Mind”
The Easybeats
Most “Weekend” Lyrics: “Today I might be mad / Tomorrow I’ll be glad / ‘Cause I’ll have Friday on my mind“
Time to take it way back to the ’60s with one of the first “weekend” songs noting the plight of the working man. The “five day grind” may be a bit much, but the weekend makes it all worthwhile when the singer gets to take out his girl, spend some money and have a good time.
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“Sunday”
Sonic Youth
Most “Weekend” Lyrics: “Sunday comes alone again / A perfect day for a quiet friend / And you – you will set it free“
While Friday and Saturday are for partying, Sunday can be a quieter enjoyment. Here Sonic Youth wax poetic about spending a chill day with a special friend that makes them feel like Sunday never ends.
