Hard Times: The Soundtrack

In a couple of weeks, I'd like to theme an hour of the radio show around hard times. I guess the tone shouldn't be facile or condescending. Neither should it be wholely depressing or my kind readers may look elsewhere for their Friday jollies. I'm aiming for a bit of empathy and the notion that our fellow citizens and songwriters have been down this road before and that deliverance is is distinct possibility.

What do you think of the song choices so far?

The Carter Family - No Depression In Heaven

Bob Dylan - Hard Times

Hank Williams - My Bucket's Got A Hole In It

Pete Seeger- Banks Of Marble

Bob Marley - Talking Blues

Ry Cooder - How Can A Poor Man Stand Such Times And Live

Clarence Carter - Patches

Bruce Springsteen - My Oklahoma Home

Stevie Wonder - Living For The City

Desmond Dekker - Israelites

Tom Waits - Brother Can You Spare A Dime

Bessie Smith - Nobody Loves you When You're Down And Out

Gwen Guthrie - Ain't Nothing Going On But The Rent

Randy Newman - Mr President (Have Pity On The Working Man)

The Valentine Brothers - Money's Too Tight To Mention

Jimmy Cliff - Many Rivers To Cross