We’ve Got “The Paul Krugman Blues”

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Economist and New York Times columnist Paul Krugman is in the studio today with Bill to tape this weekend’s episode of Moyers & Company. Krugman explains how our current obsession with slashing the deficit is getting in the way of real work that needs to be done to preserve both our economy and our democracy. You can find out when to watch by using our TV schedule tool.

In preparation for Krugman’s visit, we’ve been listening to “The Krugman Blues” by folk musician Loudon Wainwright III. The song was on Wainwright’s January 2010 album, 10 Songs for the New Depression.

In this video, Wainwright performs “The Krugman Blues” — explaining why he finds Krugman’s worldview and dour mannerism so appealing — at The New Yorker.

Lyrics:

I read the New York Times,
That’s where I get my news.
Paul Krugman’s on the op-ed page,
That’s where I get the blues.
‘Cause Paul always tells it like it is,
We get it blow by blow.
Krugman’s got the Nobel Prize,
So Krugman ought to know.When Paul goes on The News Hour
To talk to old Jim Lehrer,
He looks so sad and crestfallen,
It’s more than I can bear.
And all the other experts
All seem way off base.
And I guess that I identify
With that pissed off look on Paul’s face.

When Paul gets really bummed out,
That’s when I get scared.
But when Paul says there’s a glint of hope,
I feel we’ve all been spared.
Sometimes when he’s on the TV in the background
You can spot his school logo.
Paul teaches at Princeton U.
So Krugman ought to know.

He’s got that hang dog look about him.
Paul’s one unhappy pup.
Krugman looks so downtrodden,
I wish he’d lighten up.
And I know he wants to clue us in
Concerning all our impending doom.
But I got the Krugman blues
From all Paul’s gloom.Once I saw Krugman on a train
Amtrackin’ to DC.
I recognized that sad face
‘Cause I seen it on the TV.
He looked up from his laptop
When I said “Hello Paul.”
Then I said “Keep up all the good work, Paul,
You bring me down but way to go, Paul!”
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