Brother, Can You Spare a Dime? is a 1932 American song written by lyricist Yip Harburg and composer Jay Gorney for the Broadway revue Americana. It was first performed by Rex Weber, but became famous through late 1932 recordings by Bing Crosby and Rudy Vallee. The melody is based on a Russian Jewish lullaby and is unusually in a minor key for a Broadway tune. The lyrics tell the story of the universal everyman who, after building railroads, towers, and serving in World War I, is left jobless and begging in bread lines during the Great Depression. The song captured the era’s hardship and came to be viewed as an anthem of the Depression, despite attempts by business leaders to ban it from radio. Crosby’s version helped it become a top hit, and over the years it has been covered by many artists, securing its place in American popular music.
