Economic Songs

[styxfanNH]

As you guys know, I am a business and computer high school teacher. This year I am back teaching economics and would like to have the kids research economic songs.

Blue Collar Man, Harry's Hands, John Mellencamp's Scare Crow Album, Billy Joel's Nylon Curtain, Bruce Springsteen's Born in the USA.

You guys have any other songs that you think I should include?

[SuiteMadameBlue]

StyxfanNH says:

As you guys know, I am a business and computer high school teacher. This year I am back teaching economics and would like to have the kids research economic songs

Great news and good luck with the school year

I'm not that great with songs, I don't know if these would work for you.

Almost any folk songs - LOL

"Working Man" Rush
(?) "Fortunate Son" CCR
"Money" Pink Floyd

I found this, if this helps:

Woody Guthrie, "This Land Is Your Land." Folk troubadour Guthrie couldn't figure out where the working man fit into Irving Berlin's "America the Beautiful," so he wrote this song. It's about rich and poor, black and white, young and old enjoying our "wheat fields waving" and "snow-capped mountains" together.

Chuck Berry, "The Promised Land." What else is America but a young man's dream of leaving his home in Norfolk, Va., to be a big star in Hollywood? Rock pioneer Chuck Berry's rich 1964 rock 'n' roll journey - by bus, plane and car - took the narrator painstakingly through the South. But it didn't bring him happiness.

Bruce Springsteen, "Born in the U.S.A." Famously misinterpreted by Ronald Reagan, who attempted to use it as a patriotic anthem during his 1984 re-election campaign, "Born in the U.S.A." is in reality a bitter, personal screed against U.S. involvement in Vietnam. Springsteen denied Reagan use of the song and responded to the president's invoking his name by playing, in concert, the even-more-bitter "Johnny 99."

John Mellencamp, "Pink Houses." Some say the former Johnny Cougar is a secondhand Springsteen, and this 1983 smash, although it preceded "Born in the U.S.A." by a year, is early evidence. His depiction of regular folks (the greasy rock 'n' roller, the man with the highway running through his front yard) is nice, but the moral isn't especially deep: "Just like everything else, those old crazy dreams just kind of came and went."

[PsychoSy]

Styx -- Half Penny - Two Penny

[sadie65]

Money from Cabaret

We're in the Money

Money by Pink Floyd

If I Were a Rich Man from Fiddler on the Roof

If I had a Million Dollars by Barenaked Ladies

[classicstyxfan]

I dont pretend to really keep up with newer music, but isnt there some hip-hop that deals in this general genre ? You may be suprised at answers you get to this assignment.

But how about the Beatles "Taxman" ???? also, (money ) "Can't buy me love"

and the Rolling Stones "Beast of Burden ( am I rich enough ? I'm not too blind to see......)

[classicstyxfan]

I dont know who did it first, but very early in their career, the Bealtes covered a song called Money ( that's what I want ) It's been covered many other times as well....GREAT lyrics for this purpose.

You're lovin gives me a thrill,
but your're lovin don't pay my bills

The Best things in life are free
but you can keep em for the birds and bees

Money dont get everything it's true
but what it don't get....I can't use !

now give me money......that's what I want !

[Monker]

As you guys know, I am a business and computer high school teacher. This year I am back teaching economics and would like to have the kids research economic songs.

Blue Collar Man, Harry's Hands, John Mellencamp's Scare Crow Album, Billy Joel's Nylon Curtain, Bruce Springsteen's Born in the USA.

You guys have any other songs that you think I should include?

What is a rock song going to teach high school students about econimics?

[styxfanNH]

As you guys know, I am a business and computer high school teacher. This year I am back teaching economics and would like to have the kids research economic songs.

Blue Collar Man, Harry's Hands, John Mellencamp's Scare Crow Album, Billy Joel's Nylon Curtain, Bruce Springsteen's Born in the USA.

You guys have any other songs that you think I should include?

What is a rock song going to teach high school students about econimics?

About the same as a 45 minute lecture. Only by bringing in alternative ways to approach economic topics like unemployment, the struggle for economic freedom, the challenges of a particular industry like farming, fishing or mining, what happens to a town when business leaves, etc. are universal economic issues.

Even you should know that kids can relate to music and find a different connectivity with it than any teacher can give in lecture form. It's not a new concept, just many teachers still want to lecture.

It's like what use can Pollstar have in school? But it works great if you are trying to get kids to learn states or european countries as the chart the tour of their favorite band.

Just gotta keep thinking of new ways of reaching todays kids.

[bugsymalone]

Just gotta keep thinking of new ways of reaching todays kids.

Bravo for you, NH!

Bugsy

[Monker]

As you guys know, I am a business and computer high school teacher. This year I am back teaching economics and would like to have the kids research economic songs.

Blue Collar Man, Harry's Hands, John Mellencamp's Scare Crow Album, Billy Joel's Nylon Curtain, Bruce Springsteen's Born in the USA.

You guys have any other songs that you think I should include?

What is a rock song going to teach high school students about econimics?

About the same as a 45 minute lecture. Only by bringing in alternative ways to approach economic topics like unemployment, the struggle for economic freedom, the challenges of a particular industry like farming, fishing or mining, what happens to a town when business leaves, etc. are universal economic issues.

Even you should know that kids can relate to music and find a different connectivity with it than any teacher can give in lecture form. It's not a new concept, just many teachers still want to lecture.

It's like what use can Pollstar have in school? But it works great if you are trying to get kids to learn states or european countries as the chart the tour of their favorite band.

Just gotta keep thinking of new ways of reaching todays kids.

But, that doesn't even sound like economics to me. That's more history then economics. That isn't teaching supply and demand, or the difference between macro and micro economics, or how supply side econimics is supposed to work, or what the government and the federal reserve can do to affect the economy, or how society evolved from a barter system to the acceptance of 'money'.

I can see where it can be an introduction to get kids interested...but, studying the words to "Blue Collar Man" is not teaching them economics. It may make the kids go, "Wow, that's interesting, I want to learn more." But, when the song is done, it doesn't really mean you know anything more about economics.

[Angiekay]

Boston-Corporate America

[styxfanNH]

As you guys know, I am a business and computer high school teacher. This year I am back teaching economics and would like to have the kids research economic songs.

Blue Collar Man, Harry's Hands, John Mellencamp's Scare Crow Album, Billy Joel's Nylon Curtain, Bruce Springsteen's Born in the USA.

You guys have any other songs that you think I should include?

What is a rock song going to teach high school students about econimics?

About the same as a 45 minute lecture. Only by bringing in alternative ways to approach economic topics like unemployment, the struggle for economic freedom, the challenges of a particular industry like farming, fishing or mining, what happens to a town when business leaves, etc. are universal economic issues.

Even you should know that kids can relate to music and find a different connectivity with it than any teacher can give in lecture form. It's not a new concept, just many teachers still want to lecture.

It's like what use can Pollstar have in school? But it works great if you are trying to get kids to learn states or european countries as the chart the tour of their favorite band.

Just gotta keep thinking of new ways of reaching todays kids.

But, that doesn't even sound like economics to me. That's more history then economics. That isn't teaching supply and demand, or the difference between macro and micro economics, or how supply side econimics is supposed to work, or what the government and the federal reserve can do to affect the economy, or how society evolved from a barter system to the acceptance of 'money'.

I can see where it can be an introduction to get kids interested...but, studying the words to "Blue Collar Man" is not teaching them economics. It may make the kids go, "Wow, that's interesting, I want to learn more." But, when the song is done, it doesn't really mean you know anything more about economics.

I never said they were going to study the words as the only part of the lesson, its the hook to introduce a topic.

Blue Collar Man can certainly introduce kids into preparing themselves for the workforce and the reality of unemplyment and the blue collar workers.

But the songs are introductory. Allentown from Billy Joel lets us talk about subjects as competing in a global economy, labor productivity, pricing, the effects of technology on harvesting our natural resources, the trade offs and opportunity cost businesses make and its effect on the markets, industry competitiveness, how the government has tarrifs as price supports to make our products more competitive, the unions and their role in pricing, and....and ... and....

Everyone needs a hook that will capture the kids attention. Music is one of mine. Not used everyday, but when appropriate.

[PsychoSy]

Megadeth -- Foreclosure of A Dream

Based on Elefson's family struggles with farming under the Reaganomics.

[thebook]

As you guys know, I am a business and computer high school teacher. This year I am back teaching economics and would like to have the kids research economic songs.

Blue Collar Man, Harry's Hands, John Mellencamp's Scare Crow Album, Billy Joel's Nylon Curtain, Bruce Springsteen's Born in the USA.

You guys have any other songs that you think I should include?

What is a rock song going to teach high school students about econimics?

I was thinking the same thing, wouldn't it be better for them to learn about Alexander Hamiliton instead, or do a study on foreign markets instead?

[thebook]

I never said they were going to study the words as the only part of the lesson, its the hook to introduce a topic.

Blue Collar Man can certainly introduce kids into preparing themselves for the workforce and the reality of unemplyment and the blue collar workers.

But the songs are introductory. Allentown from Billy Joel lets us talk about subjects as competing in a global economy, labor productivity, pricing, the effects of technology on harvesting our natural resources, the trade offs and opportunity cost businesses make and its effect on the markets, industry competitiveness, how the government has tarrifs as price supports to make our products more competitive, the unions and their role in pricing, and....and ... and....

Everyone needs a hook that will capture the kids attention. Music is one of mine. Not used everyday, but when appropriate.

Fair enough, what do you do for your computer class? Mr Roboto - my brain IBM?

[ek88]

I was thinking the same thing, wouldn't it be better for them to learn about Alexander Hamiliton instead, or do a study on foreign markets instead?

I'm a fellow teacher as well. I've yet to meet a student that's the least bit interested in Alexander Hamilton or foreign markets of their own accord. I've met very few students that aren't willing to listen to music. I think it's a great idea, especially if you can use it as a hook to get them where you want to go (Hamilton, foreign markets, et al). It's even better if you can do it with a band your students like, because you can argue that: "look, this is a relevant issue for the guys/gals in your favorite band", which would also help spark interest. Great idea, styxfan, let us know how it comes out.

It may make the kids go, "Wow, that's interesting, I want to learn more."

EXACTLY!!!!! There's a better chance from that point on that they will get more out of the lesson. Actually, there's research out there to that effect (making a connection to something in your students' lives), if any of you would care to do a case study?

[styxfanNH]

As you guys know, I am a business and computer high school teacher. This year I am back teaching economics and would like to have the kids research economic songs.

Blue Collar Man, Harry's Hands, John Mellencamp's Scare Crow Album, Billy Joel's Nylon Curtain, Bruce Springsteen's Born in the USA.

You guys have any other songs that you think I should include?

What is a rock song going to teach high school students about econimics?

I was thinking the same thing, wouldn't it be better for them to learn about Alexander Hamiliton instead, or do a study on foreign markets instead?

This is high school, not college.

Have you ever seen what education is like today? When was the last time you were in a high school classroom? Do you remember what it was like to be in high school as a student? Did you care about supplied side economics as a 14 year old or how much money you had in your pocket to buy your next LP or better yet how cute the girl/boy was next to you?

In our school, economics is a 9th grade course. The only theories most of them have is what their parents have told them through politics with little fact basis. In the same class I have students that read and comprehend an average of two grades +/- from where they are. Half of them have IEP's and a quarter have 504's. Try reaching 25 kids that have that diversity and could care less about the subject matter. And I know this particular class is no different than many across the country.