Brother, Can You Spare A Dime?

Written in 1931 by lyricist E.Y. "Yip" Harburg and composer Jay Gorney, "Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?" was part of the 1932 musical New Americana. It became best known, however, through recordings by Bing Crosby and Rudy Vallee. Both versions were released right before Franklin Delano Roosevelt's election to the presidency and both became number one hits on the charts. The Warner Bros. Crosby recording became the best-selling record of its period, and came to be viewed as an anthem of the shattered dreams of the era.
played by Radio Friendly: Songs by American Pirates live at the Waldron Arts center, Bloomington, IN. Oct 15th 2006

Category:

Music

Tags:

• brother
• can
• you
• spare
• dime
• radio
• friendly
• songs
• by
• american
• pirates
• trombone
• aaron
• jones
• tenor
• banjo
• piano

[hpbrasch]

All you haters out there are really overdoing it just as much as he is. Give the guy a break. He is young, he´ll learn and at least he´s got enthusiasm. Once he directs all that energy in the "right" way, who knows what will happen. The sky is the limit for any performer. Anyone able to do a much better job should go ahead and do it. And you, great-grandson, don´t worry, be happy, this is not as important. Peace and out.

[radiofriendly]

I leave this video up because the comments are just amazingly brutal - I've only deleted one, and that guy actually threatened to track me down and kill me - not kidding! I think my performance is ridiculous too - it was the first time I ever just let myself go performance wise - as bad as it is, I think most of you guys have the famous recording by NKC in your heads - the original is a bit more raw/surreal and hyperactive. (listen to Al Jolson's or Rudy Vallee's)

[brelfan]

The enthusiasm is good and the singing isn't bad. It IS a song about a guy in the street begging for money, however, rather than a song about a guy bragging in a bar.

[298625]

I love this song. And I appreciate your discomfort with this version. Your great-grandfather gave us a wonderful gift. Check out the Al Jolson version. I think you'll like it.

[TWITCHYMAN]

TOO THEATRICAL AND MELODRAMATIC . Oh,la de da,crushing poverty is fun ... . Maybe if they don't pay you,you'll change your tune .

[cpoticha]

Chill out. I doubt he's intentionally campy. He's just got no business being on a stage. From the look of the rest of the comments, it seems most people both recognize the performer's lack of talent, and the greatness of the song he's destroying. His tailor's got some explaining to do, too.

[paracletemedia]

This disgraces the memory of my great-grandfather, Yip Harburg. Of all the campy songs he wrote lyrics to, this was not one of them. I would remove this video from youtube if you truly respect what Yip was trying to communicate through "Brother can you spare a dime".

[fedtrooper]

That beard on Mr. Singer makes it look like Abe Lincoln is singing this thing.

[jleoblues]

He is making is sound like Yarbgerg and Gorney wrote it for "The Three Penny Opera" I like Kurt Weil but I am not sure about this rendition

[vin579]

the guy has no idea how to conduct himself on stage. good band though. and good try.