"Sixteen Tons" is actually not a song by Eric Burdon, but a popular folk song written by Merle Travis and first recorded in 1946. However, many artists, including Eric Burdon, have covered the song over the years. The song focuses on the hardships and struggles faced by coal miners or laborers working in similar industries. The lyrics suggest that a man's life is dominated by hard labor, with his physical strength and endurance being his most valuable assets. It portrays the life of a working-class individual who toils day after day, loading sixteen tons of coal, but never being able to escape the cycle of debt. The line "I owe my soul to the company store" refers to the practice of providing goods and services to workers on credit, which would then be deducted from their meager wages, leaving them perpetually indebted to their employers. The song also highlights the dangerous nature of the manual labor involved, with men being injured or even losing their lives. The narrator warns of his strength and ability to defend himself, emphasizing the brutal conditions and struggles faced by those in labor-intensive occupations. Overall, "Sixteen Tons" is a commentary on the exploitation of the working class, particularly in industries such as mining, where workers were often trapped in a cycle of debt and dependence on their employers. It sheds light on the harsh realities of labor during that time period.
