Title: Easy Money

​Artist: Brad Paisley

Economic Concepts: Productivity; Income 

Details: Hard, physical work often does not equate to high pay.  Since the productivity of low-skilled workers is relatively low, their pay is also relatively low, even though these jobs are usually tough and physically demanding.  Conversely, a job that seems "easy", such as singing and playing the guitar for a couple hours, can pay extremely well because the demand for these services is high.  The revenue that music artists or movie stars generate are enormous which means their salaries are also high.  This is the same reason that professional athletes earn millions of dollars to play a game, which is meant to be recreation and fun.  "I remember working on a rooftop in the hot summer sun all day.  Now I work two hours a night, it feels a lot more like play…making that easy money."  Some may argue that these performers, whether musician or athlete, don't deserve seven figure salaries, but the market would argue otherwise.    

Lyrics: 
I remember working on a rooftop
In the hot summer sun all day
Now I work two hours a night
It feels a lot more like play
'Fore Kenny joined the band
He used to hang dry wall
Ben worked down at Valentino's
So when you see us up here and think
Man they're lucky
You don't have to tell us 'cause we know

Yeah, we're laughing all the way to the bank
'Cause it all just seems so funny
A bunch of guys like us
In a big tour bus
Making that easy money

Desperado hauled cattle
Grady drove trucks
Justin had a hotdog stand
Kevin sold records
And Brent sold shoes
And Gary was a garbage man

Yeah, we're laughing all the way to the bank
'Cause it all just seems so funny
A bunch of guys like us
In a big tour bus
Making that easy money

I used to have an ex-girlfriend
That didn't understand
She said, "Boy you're going nowhere fast
You oughta get a real job
Why don't you quit that band?"
Now she can kiss my backstage pass

Yeah, we're laughing all the way to the bank
'Cause it all just seems so funny
A bunch of guys like us
In a big tour bus
Making that easy money  ​​​​

EconGoneCountry

Supply and demand with a twang

Submission by Steve Anton