Released 1999 Artist Loudon Wainwright III Label Hannibal Records Producers Joe Boyd, John Wood | Length 52:08 Release date 1999 Genres Folk music, Satire | |
Social Studies
(1999) Similar Recovery, History, Little Ship, Final Exam, Fame and Wealth | ||
Social Studies is a studio album by Loudon Wainwright III, released in 1999. The album comprises various topical and satirical songs, originally produced for National Public Radio and based upon then-current issues and events, such as the Tonya Harding scandal, the O. J. Simpson murder trial, the lead-up to Y2K, and controversies surrounding comments made by former Republican U.S. Senator Jesse Helms.
Contents
Regarding the album's topical nature, Wainwright notes: "It's something that no-one does anymore; write songs about current events. When I was young there were a lot of topical songwriters around; maybe folk music had more impact on culture back then. I see these songs as a kind of musical journalism. My father was a journalist, for Life magazine, and I've definitely inherited something of that approach."
Track listing
All tracks composed by Loudon Wainwright III
- "What Gives" – 3:29
- "Tonya's Twirls" – 3:37
- "New Street People" – 2:50
- "Carmine Street" – 2:57
- "O.J." – 3:13
- "Leap Of Faith" – 2:53
- "Conspiracies" – 2:17
- "Christmas Morning" – 3:36
- "Y2K" – 6:13
- "Number One" – 3:39
- "Bad Man" – 3:21
- "Inaugural Blues" – 3:19
- "Our Boy Bill" – 3:11
- "Jesse Don't Like It" – 4:06
- "Pretty Good Day" – 4:19
Personnel
Release history
Songs
1What Gives3:30
2Tonya's Twirls3:38
3New Street People2:50