In “Anything You Can Do”, Annie Oakley and Frank Butler playfully claim they can outdo each other with increasingly complex tasks. From singing softly to buying cheaply, Annie and Frank assure the other that they can complete the given task(s) best (with the exception of baking a pie). This song connects to the introductory economics […]
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In “Almost Real”, Francesca is singing about how she came to America while reflecting on her life in Italy as a girl and young woman. As a young woman in Italy, Francesca was expected to act promiscuously in order to attract numerous male partners. However, Francesca decides to “go against the grain” and remain reserved […]
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In “My House”, Miss Honey reflects on the ownership of and belongings within her home – an old shed. Although her housing is meager, Miss Honey is content and happy. She continually reassures herself: “It isn’t much but it is enough for me” as she sings about her gratitude for her roof, pillow, lamp, etc. […]
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In “Where You Are” Chief Tui of the island of Motunui is explaining to his daughter, Moana, how the islanders work and live together. Chief Tui sings: “The village of Motunui is all you need… We share everything we make.” However, the village’s resources are scarce – there are no more fish to be caught […]
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In “Beauty School Dropout”, Frenchy is seeking advice after recently failing all of her classes and dropping out of beauty school. The heavenly Teen Angel accompanied by back-up singing angels visit Frenchy to provide her some life advice. Within the lyrics, the Teen Angel suggests that Frenchy goes back to high school since she has […]
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Lady Hyancinth Dysquith has a problem. Although this could probably be classified as a “first world problem”. She wants to find a new charity to become involved with. That sounds easy enough, but her goal doesn’t appear to be helping others quite as much as she wants the increased social status from people knowing that […]
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In “The Moneygoround”, The Kinks are singing about how their money keeps getting split up and re-spent before it reaches them. The band, naturally, does not sound happy about this occurring, but we should be happy that this song is a great introduction to the multiplier effect. The amount of final income from a new […]
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Amalia is thinking about writing a letter to a potential suitor, but gets distracted because Georg recently brought her ice cream when she was sick. The fact that Georg brought Amalia ice cream serves as a signal to her that he is a good person and perhaps could be a suitable partner. Signaling happens all […]
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Thanks to Brian O’Roark and Dirk Mateer for creating this video. The bankers singing the song Fidelity Fiduciary Bank in the movie version of Mary Poppins provide a perfect example of how lending and saving go hand in hand to facilitate investment. This is a rare song that includes the topic of compound interest and […]
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Outraged after publisher Joseph Pulitzer increases the cost of newspapers for the delivery boys (“newsies”) by ten cents per hundred, head newsie Jack Kelly organizes a union and ultimately a strike among his fellow newsies. This strike is known in history as the Newsboys’ Strike of 1899. The plot and lyrics of “The World Will […]
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