MAY JO, 1982 t  
There have been numerous theories proposed to remedy the current recession, but surprisingly none has focused on the historical lesson known as the Song and Laffer curve: The more upbeat the songs of an era, the fewer the economic woes. Songwriters, in other words, are critical to the nationÛªs recovery, although, to be sure, their jobÛªs not easy. In fact, itÛªs downright ditty work.</br></br>One of the most prosperous decades was the 1950s, when the tunes were lively and positive in their titles. Remember ÛÏSh-BoomÛ (not ÛÏSh-BustÛ) and the 1958 album, ÛÏSing Along with Mitch (Miller),Û that eventually got Americans to warble in their homesÛÓand in front of their TVs? Take another example, the 1920s, perhaps the most upward-stroking years of American capitalism and replete with melodies that sparked business people.</br></br>The decade didnÛªt begin that way, however. Immediately after World War I, the songs were neither ample nor bullish, and the economy slid into a two-year recession. ÛÏI. Never KnewÛ and ÛÏWhatÛªll I Do?Û reflected the doldrums. So too did ÛÏSecond Hand RoseÛ and "Look for the Silver Lining.Û</br></br>Some modulation could be discerned after the congressional elections. ÛÏLinger a While,Û advised one song. Another equivocated in ÛÏI WonÛªt Say I Will But I WonÛªt.Û But by 1923 songwriters got their notes and the economy took off. First, they got back to basics: ÛÏMama Love Papa, Papa Love Mama.Û Then they moved to material matters in ÛÏCut Yourself a Piece of CakeÛ and ÛÏYes, We Have No Bananas.Û</br></br>ing stock market, and general prosperity yrere inevitable results of the change of times. There were the speculative songs, with fluctuations ranging from ÛÏDoo Wacka DooÛ to ÛÏDoodle Doo DooÛ to ÛÏDig Diga Doo.Û And there were rhythms pointing investors to new futures: ÛÏCalifornia, Here I ComeÛ and ÛÏFollow the Swallow Back Home.Û Conservative bankers could find collateral meaning in ÛÏTea for Two,Û brokers instructions in odd lots in ÛÏDonÛªt Bring Lulu.Û For average Americans there was the prospectus of holding companies in ÛÏYes, Sir, ThatÛªs My BabyÛ and ÛÏIÛªll See You in My Dreams.Û Glamour stanzas were on the horizon by middecade with ÛÏMy Blue Heaven,Û ÛÏBlue Skies,Û and ÛÏ . . . the Red Red Robin.Û The promise of windfall gains was evident in such songs as ÛÏI Found a Million Dollar BabyÛ and ÛÏReaching for the Moon.Û