From ABBA to Led Zeppelin: using music to teach economics
From ABBA to Led Zeppelin: using music to teach economics
"Country" Archives

American Saturday Night - Brad Paisley

JEL: f o r   

She’s got Brazilian leather boots on the pedal of her German car
Listen to the Beatles singing Back in the USSR
Yeah, she’s goin’ around the world tonight
But she ain’t leavin here
She’s just going to meet her boyfriend down at the street fair

It’s a French kiss, Italian ice
Spanish moss in the moonlight
Just another American Saturday night

Full Lyrics · Click to Listen

Assignment:

By reflecting on the lyrics in the songs, explain how free trade, limited limited trade barriers, liberal immigration policies, and broader markets, increase human welfare.

"Country" Archives

Welcome To The Future - Brad Paisley

JEL: o       

My grandpa was in World War 2
He fought against the Japanese
He wrote a hundred letters to my grandma
Mailed them from his base in the Philippines
I wish they could see this now
Will they say it’s changed a note
‘Cause I was on a video chat this morning
With a company in Tokyo

Full Lyrics · Click to Listen

Assignment:

How does technological progress make us better off? Comment by using the two examples provided in the lyrics.

"Country" Archives

Some Days You Gotta Dance - The Dixie Chicks

JEL: a       

It was about five 'til five on Friday
We were all getting ready to go
And the boss man started screaming
and his veins began to show
He said you and you come with me
'cause you're gonna have to stay
My heart was thumping I was jumping
I had to get away

Some days you gotta dance
Live it up when you get the chance
'Cause when the world doesn't make no sense
And you're feeling just a little too tense
Gotta loosen up those chains and dance

Full Lyrics · Click to Listen

Assignment:

While most people think of jobs as good things, economists are more likely to think of them as "bads". After reading the lyrics to this song, can you see why?

"Country" Archives

40 Hour Week (For A Livin') - Alabama

JEL: j       

There are people in this country who work hard every day
Not for fame or fortune do they strive
But the fruits of their labor are worth more than their pay
And it's time a few of them were recognized

Hello Detroit auto workers, let me thank you for your time
You work a forty hour week for a livin', just to send it on down the line
Hello Pittsburgh steel mill workers, let me thank you for your time
You work a forty hour week for a livin', just to send it on down the line

Full Lyrics · Click to Listen

Assignment:

Lots of people want to be entertainers because they place a high value on fame. What effect might placing a positive value on fame have on wages for the average entertainer? Alabama states "the fruits of their labor are worth more than their pay?" Discuss the correctness of this statement from an economic perspective. Your answer should mention the marginal revenue product of labor.

"Country" Archives

Rock Island Line - Johnny Cash

JEL: d       

Now, this here’s the story about the Rock Island Line
Well, The Rock Island line, she runs down into New Orleans
There’s a big toll gate down there
And, y’ know, if you got certain things on board
When you go through the toll gate
Well you don’t have to pay the man no toll

Full Lyrics · Click to Listen

Assignment:

In the song "Rock Island Line," Johnny Cash discusses the transportation of materials through New Orleans. Why do you think they charged different prices for different prices for different types of transported goods? What do we call this practice in economics and why would firms engage in this? Why did it break down in this case?

"Country" Archives

Baby Girl - Sugarland

JEL: a d     

black top, blue skies big town full of little white lies,
everybody’s your friend, you can never be sure,
they'll promise fancy cars and diamond rings and all sorts of shiny things,
but girl you'll remember what your knees are for

Dear Mom and Dad please send money,
I'm so broke that it ain't funny,
well I dont need much just enough to get me through,
please dont worry cause I'm alright,
see I'm playing here at the bar tonight
well in this town I'm going to make our dreams come true.
well I love you more than anything in the world,
love your baby girl

Full Lyrics · Click to Listen

Assignment:

This country hit from 2005 highlights the risks associated with venturing out on your own. How credible are the promises of “fancy cars and diamond rings and all sorts of shiny things” when you are new in town? What would make these promises more believable? Who can the singer trust in the song? Why is this trust credible? Use game theory to support your answer.

"Country" Archives

Stuff - Diamond Rio

JEL: a d     

Delivery truck coming up 'round the bend
Beep, beep, beep, just backing in
Sign here and here and here again
'Cause it's no money down no payments till
Your whole place is cram packed filed with

Stuff (stuff) stack it on stack it on up
(Stuff) never gonna ever get enough (stuff)
Oh it's treasure till it's mine then it ain't worth a dime
It's stuff (stuff) spreading like weeds
Dragging me under in an endless sea of stuff
(Stuff) There ain't no end
Got to get a bigger place so I can move in
More stuff

Full Lyrics · Click to Listen

Assignment:

How much is enough? This is the question that Diamond Rio asks in Stuff. The singer keeps buying and does not get very much additional utility from the new purchases. What economic theory can be used to explain this?