Tumble out of bed and stumble to the kitchen; pour myself a cup of ambition, and yawn, and stretch, and try to come to life. Jump in the shower, and the blood starts pumping; out on the street, the traffic starts jumping, with folks like me on the job from nine to five.
Nine to five, what a way to make a living; barely getting by,it's all taking and no giving. They just use your mind, and (depending on verse) "they never give you" or "you never get the" credit; it's enough to drive you crazy, if you let it.
They let you dream just to watch them shatter; You're just a step on the boss man's ladder, But you've got dreams he'll never take away. In the same boat with a lot of your friends; Waitin' for the day your ship'll come in, And the tide's gonna turn, and it's all gonna roll your way.
Nine to five, for service and devotion; you would think that I would deserve a fair promotion; want to move ahead, but the boss won't seem to let me. I swear some-times, that man is out to get me.
Nine to five, they've got you where they want you; There's a better life, and you dream about it, don't you? It's a rich man's game, no matter what they call it; And you spend your life putting money in his pocket.