EconGoneCountry

Supply and demand with a twang

Title: Summertime Blues

​Artist: Alan Jackson

Economic Concepts: Labor; Jobs; Money; Medium of exchange; Store of Value; Leisure; Opportunity costs; Tradeoffs; Discretionary income  

Details: Many young adults work during the summer in order to earn some discretionary income to buy a car, clothes, or take someone on a date, thus using money as a medium of exchange and a store of value.  In most instances, these jobs are low-skilled and often pay the minimum wage or slightly higher.  When at work, young adults are unable to hang out with their friends or significant other, illustrating a trade-off.  As a result, there may be a high opportunity cost of having a summer job.  For some, the opportunity cost may be so great that they're willing to skip work or even quit.        

Lyrics: 
Well I'm a gonna raise a fuss, I'm gonna raise a holler
About workin' all summer just to try an' earn a dollar
Everytime I call my baby, to try to get a date
My boss says, no dice, son, you gotta work late

Sometimes I wonder what I'm gonna do
'Cause there ain't no cure for the summertime blues

Well my mom 'n papa told me, son, you gotta make some money
If you want to use the car to go ridin' next sunday
Well I didn't go to work, told the boss I was sick
Now you can't use the car 'cause you didn't work a lick

Sometimes I wonder what I'm gonna do
'Cause there ain't no cure for the summertime blues

I'm gonna take two weeks, gonna have a vacation
I'm gonna take my problem to the united nation
Well I called my congressman and he said quote
I'd like to help you son, but you're too young to vote

Sometimes I wonder what I'm gonna do
'Cause there ain't no cure for the summertime blues

Well I'm a gonna raise a fuss, I'm gonna raise a holler
About workin' all summer just to try an' earn a dollar

Sometimes I wonder what I'm gonna do
'Cause there ain't no cure for the summertime blues

Yeah, sometimes I wonder what I'm gonna do
'Cause there ain't no cure for the summertime blues
No there ain't no cure for the summertime blues    

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