Good commerical songs about poverty

[LaBelleDameSansPatience]

Strange-sounding idea, I know, but I am writing next term's CW and allocating songs to each week's theme - I have used 'Honesty' for the week on ... honesty, When I'm 64 for the week about compassion for the elderly, Eleanor Rigby for Loneliness. Very cliched, I know, but it's what we like.

I just can't think of a good one for the week on poverty. I don't want something specially written for schools - I'd like something catchy and preferably on youtube.

(I could also do with a hymn idea!)

Any thoughts?

Common people by Pulp?

There's a Pulp one, excellent. Forgotten the name though...

Yes, that!

Great minds, MrsLettuce.......

If you don't mind very clichéd you could go for Streets of London.

Fast Car, Tracey Chapman?

Mr Wendel by arrested development?

streets of london

streets of philadelphia

Another day in paradise ...

"She calls out to the man on the street
'Sir, can you help me?
It's cold and I've nowhere to sleep,
Is there somewhere you can tell me?'
He walks on, doesn't look back
He pretends he can't hear her
Starts to whistle as he crosses the street
Seems embarrassed to be there"

Or that "I need a dollar, dollar is what I need "song.

Hymn idea...

When I needed a neighbor were you there, were you there?
When I needed a neighbor were you there?
And the creed and the colour and the name won't matter, Were you there?

I was hungry and thirsty, were you there, were you there?
I was hungry and thirsty, were you there? Chorus

I was cold, I was naked, were you there, were you there?
I was cold, I was naked, were you there? Chorus

When I needed a shelter were you there, were you there?
When I needed a shelter were you there? Chorus

When I needed a healer were you there, were you there?
When I needed a healer were you there? Chorus

Wherever you travel I'll be there, I'll be there,
Wherever you travel I'll be there.
And the creed and the colour and the name won't matter, I'll be there.

Another Day in Paradise - Phil Collins

Food glorious food?

Living in the love of the common people? Can't remember who by butfron the 80s

If I were a rich man from fiddler on the roof?

Rat trap from boomtown rats

Valentine its by paul young

streets of london by anti nowhere league

Well did you see the old man.
Outside the seamen's mission.
Memories are fighting with the medals that he wears.

And did you see the old man.
Outside the seamen's mission.
He's just another hero from a land that doesn't care.

So how can you tell me you're lonely.
And don't you say to me your sun don't shine.

And have you seen the old girl.
Who walks the streets of London.
She ain't got no money and she's all dressed in rags.

And have you seen the old girl.
Who walks the streets of London.
She carries her old knickers in two polythene bags.

So how can you tell me you're lonely.
And don't you say to me your sun don't shine.

Well let me take you by the hand.
And lead you through your streets of London.
I'll show you something you'll never understand.

Well let me take you by the hand.
And drag you through your streets of London.
I'll show you something that'll make you really sick.

Well let me take you by the hand.
And lead you through your streets of London.
I'll show you something we'll never understand.

much better than the ralph mctell version

Living in the love of the common people?

Living on free food tickets,
water in the milk from a hole in the roof
where the rain came through.
What can you do?
Tears from your little sister,
crying 'cause she doesn't have a dress without a patch
for the party to go.
But you know she'll get by 'cause she's living in the love of the common people,
smile's from the heart of a family man.
Daddy's gonna buy you a dream to cling to,
Mama's gonna love you just as much as she can
and she can.
It's a good thing you don't have a busfare,
it would fall thru' the hole in your pocket and you'd lose it
in the snow on the ground.
You got to walk into town to find a job.
Tryin' to keep your hands warm
when the hole in your shoe lets the snow come thru'
and chills you to the bone.
Now you'd better go home where it's warm,
where you can live in a love of the common people,
Living on a dream ain't easy
but the closer the knit the tighter the fit
and the chills stay away.
Just to take 'em in stride for family pride.
You know that faith is in your foundation
and with a whole lot of love and a warm conversation
but don't forget to pray.
Making it strong where you belong

Great ideas - I'll definitely come back when I need more songs!

Trouble is, I want to use them all.