Why Do This?

Research into the use of music as a teaching tool generally, and its impact on learning economics specifically, provides support for the efficacy of the medium. Raeshler (2010) found that linking lyrics to economic concepts has a positive influence on course attendance and student evaluations for courses taught in both face-to-face, as well as online formats, while McClough and Heinfeldt (2012) show that music can help improve student understanding (although they warn that the choice of song is particularly important). Others, such as Tinari and Khandke (2000), Krasnozhon (2013), Van Horn and Van Horn (2013), and O’Roark, Holder and Mateer (2018) have contributed lists of songs that illustrate economic concepts.

There are many excellent sites that catalog music related to economics: Broadway Economics, Critical Commons, Dirk Mateer, Econ Gone Country, and Economics Media Library.