Making a living
Part 1 pre-reading task
Listen to the recording two or three times and then think over the following questions:
The song you are about to hear came about through a chance meeting. The singer, Donna Summer, was having a meal with her manager in an expensive restaurant in the plush Beverly Hillsarea of Los Angeles. As Donna tells the story:
“I went into the ladies, and saw one of the waitresses sleeping on a stood, absolutely exhausted from lack of sleep,” she says. “I work the lady up and asked her name. she was called Onetta and simply told me she worked hard for money. She worked in the restaurant in the evenings, but was a full-time nurse during the day”.
And so was born the song, a call to show respect to those who hard to serve people, no matter what the job. Onetta works for little, but her life is made less hard when others show they care for her. “ she works hard for the money,” as the song says, “so you better treat her right”.

She works hard for the money
So hard for it honey
She works hard for the money
So you better treat her right

She works hard for the money
So hard for it honey
She works hard for the money
So you better treat her right

Onetta there in the corner stand
And wonders where she is and
It's strange to her
Some people seem to have everything

Nine a.m. on the hour hand
And she's waiting for the bell
And she's looking real pretty
Just wait for her clientele

She works hard for the money
So hard for it honey
She works hard for the money
So you better treat her right

She works hard for the money
So hard for it honey
She works hard for the money
So you better treat her right

Twenty five years have
Come and gone
And she' seen a lot of tears
Of the ones who come in
They really seem to need her there

It's a sacrifice working day to day
For little money just tips for pay
But it's worth it all
Just to hear them say that they care

She works hard for the money
So hard for it honey
She works hard for the money
So you better treat her right

She already knows
She's seen her bad times
She already knows
These are the good times

She'll never sell out
She never will
Not for a dollar bill
She works hard

She works hard for the money
So hard for it honey
She works hard for the money
So you better treat her right

She works hard for the money
So hard for it honey
She works hard for the money
So you better treat her right

She works hard for the money
So hard for it honey
She works hard for the money
So you better treat her right

1. Why does the singer think Onetta should be treated right?
2. Why does Onetta think it worthwhile to work hard day after day?
3. Would you rather have a low paid job that is interesting or a well paid job that is boring?
4. What is the message of the song?