Marketplace Scratch Pad

It’s the music that matters

Scott Jagow Sep 28, 2009

Our latest web project asks the question: What music is good for the recession? Whatever you’re listening to, man, whatever you’re listening to.

Some of my colleagues talked to people outside of Amoeba Music in Hollywood (hands down, the best record store ever):

What music is good for a recession? from Marketplace on Vimeo.

My picks for good recession listening:

“Get Rhythm” — Johnny Cash — “…when you get the blues.” Anything by Johnny makes me feel better, but this song in particular is fitting:

“Welcome to the Jungle” — Guns N’ Roses. Welcome to the Economy. Pure catharsis.

For lyrical symmetry with this recession, it’s hard to beat Simply Red’s “Money’s Too Tight to Mention” from the 80’s:

I been laid off, my rent is due
My kids all need brand new shoes
So I went to the bank to see what they could do
They said “son looks like bad luck got a hold on you”

Other songs that reflect recent times: Money for Nothin’ by Dire Straits. “Look at them yo yo’s, that’s the way you do it…”

“You Can’t Always Get What You Want” by the Stones.

And “Life’s Been Good” by Joe Walsh:

I have a mansion, forget the price
Ain’t never been there, they tell me it’s nice
I live in hotels, tear out the walls
I have accountants pay for it all

How about you? What are your favorite recession songs?

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