I was watching 60 Minutes last night. The first segment, hosted by Scott Pelley, was called "Hard Times Generation: Families Living in Cars". Sad story. You can watched the segment or read the interview on the 60 Minutes website.
As I watched the show, I almost immediately thought of the great Hal Ketchum song, Daddy's Oldsmobile", from his 1992 album "Sure Love". The past has become the present. A song that was most likely about the Great Depression of the 1930's unfortunately is still relevant today. The second verse sets the scene:
"Four kids can sure fill up a big back seat.
They used to stop and get us something sweet.
Now Mamma says: 'Let's pray for one good meal'.
Here in my daddy's Oldsmobile."
Dad is looking for work in the third verse:
"Another mornin' and we're up and gone.
Daddy says there's work in San Antone.
Two days of ridin', it ain't no big deal,
Here in my daddy's Oldsmobile."
Written by Hal Ketchum and David Mallett, "Daddy's Oldsmobile" was not released as a single. Commercially, it was probably the right decision.
If released as a single today, I don't think Daddy's O would have done very well. A current song about a dad looking for work has had only moderate success. Ronnie Dunn's second single since the B&D breakup debuted on the American Country Countdown at #36 for the weekend of July 2-3. "Cost of Livin'", written by Phillip Coleman and Ronnie, peaked at #17 and as of last week it had slipped to #19.
Read some of the on-line comments following the 60 Minutes interview. It may provide an insight as to why these socially conscious songs are not as successful as many would expect.
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