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Michael Penn on Brightening Up a New ‘Sweet Relief’ Charity Album With Songs From the Great Depression: ‘It’s a Mirror Image of Where We Are Now’

Singer-songwriter Michael Penn talks about covering two anthems from the Great Depression for the charity album 'Sweet Relief — We Can Help.'

With “Brother, Can You Spare a Dime,” he was particularly taken with a quote he found of Yip Harburg’s, from later in the famed lyricist’s life, when he was recalling his Great Depression anthem. “It became the official anthem of the International Workers of the World at some point,” Penn notes, “and a snippet of it shows up in ‘Modern Times,’ when Chaplin is mistaken for a union protestor,when he picks up a flag off the back of the truck.” I’m a BumLaura Viers – Please Let Me Get What I WantPeter Case – Help MeAngela McCluskey & Paul Cantelon – I Think It’s Gonna Rain TodayWatkins Family Hour – The Object Of My AffectionPeter Holsapple – I Can HelpRichard Thompson – Humpy Back ManBen Harper & Peter Case – HelpWillie Watson – Always Lift Him UpLucinda Williams – Somebody Loan Me A DimeDennis Witcher – That’s How I Got to MemphisSixpence None The Richer – The Needle and the Damage DoneHaroula Rose – A Heart Needs A HomeVictoria Williams – Sunny Side of the StreetChris Pierce – Paper MoonMichael Penn – Brother Can You Spare A DimeJonah Tolchin – Sixteen TonsBlake Mills – While My Heart Keeps Beating Time

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