THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

259-Bing Crosby- Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?

1932-Has never charted in the UK, There was no UK chart until 1952.

Best Bit-At 2.59. In today’s money a dime is $1.50, which doesn’t seem to have the same ring to it.

The song is also known as ‘Buddy, Can You Spare a Dime? It was written in 1930, and became the ‘Anthem’ of the ‘Great Depression.’ The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression that took place mostly during the 1930’s, having begun in the United States following the stock market crash of October 29th, 1929, which was to become known as ‘Black Tuesday.’ The song asks why the men who built the nation, fought in World War 1, built the skyscrapers, and did what the nation asked of them, should find themselves abandoned and on the breadline.

‘Brother, Can You Spare a Dime’ was written by Yip Harburg, who wrote the lyrics, and Jay Gorney, who wrote the music. The song was first performed in 1932 as part of the musical revue ‘Americana.’ Jay Gorney was born Abraham Jacob Gornetzsky on December 12th, 1896, in Bialystok, Russia, he died on June 14th, 1990, at the age of 93. Gorney based the melody for ‘Brother, Can You Spend a Dime?’ on a Russian Jewish lullaby he had heard as a child. Gorney’s daughter is the actress and dancer Karen Lynn Gorney, who starred opposite John Travolta in the film ‘Saturday Night Fever’ (see also best songs 35.)

Yip Harburg was born Edgar Yipsel Harburg on April 8th, 1896, in Manhatten, New York, United States, he died on March 5th, 1981, from a heart attack, at the age of 84. Harburg contributed lyrics to several Broadway revues, Broadway musicals, and for films. His best known songs include ‘April in Paris,’ and ‘It’s Only a Paper Moon,’ but he will always be best remembered for providing all the lyrics to the 1939 film ‘The Wizard of Oz,’ including ‘Over the Rainbow’ (see also best songs 68.)

‘Brother Can You Spare a Dime’ has been covered on numerous occasions over the years. It was first performed by the vaudeville singer Rex Weber as part of the musical ‘Americana’ which was unsuccessful, as it only ran from October to December 1932. The first recorded version was by Bing Crosby, (1903-1977) (see also best songs 934 and 457) which was quickly followed by a competing version from Rudy Vallee (1901-1986.)

Bing Crosby was born Harry Lillis Crosby Jr. on May 3rd, 1903 in Tacoma, Washington, United States, he died after playing a round of golf at the ‘La Moraleja Golf’ course on October 14th, 1977, at the age of 74, from a massive heart attack, which killed him instantly, his last words were ‘That was a great game of golf fellas. Let’s go have a Coca-Cola.’

‘They used to tell me I was building a dream with peace and glory ahead, why should I be standing in line just waiting for bread.’