April 15. Unless you're an accountant or you're owed a big ol' refund, this day probably strikes a unique fear in your heart, one fueled by nightmares of endless paperwork and a Kafka-esque string of TurboTax questions that have you — if you're like me — so flustered you forget your own address. Although this year's tax day is actually April 18, we decided to go ahead and share a handful of our favorite tax-related tunes with you. Whether you're already crying over your return or you're dreading Sunday night's cram session, these nine tracks should hopefully ease a little pain.
Don't like videos? Listen to the whole thing (with the Beatles' take on "Taxman" instead) on Spotify.
Nickel Creek, "Taxman"
We're all for the Beatles' original version, but who doesn't love Nickel Creek's acoustic take — this live one in particular — on the Fab Four's classic?
Johnny Cash, "After Taxes"
His last name may be Cash, but that doesn't mean Johnny has money to spare (even though, let's be real, his estate totally does). This song from Cash's 1978 album, I Would Like to See You Again, laments all one loses in the name of Uncle Sam, including a "brand new Pontiac" and "a bracelet for her arm."
Joni Mitchell, "Tax Free"
Off 1985's Dog Eat Dog, "Tax Free" is more political than it is about actual taxes, but that refrain ("tax free") is undoubtedly something we'd all like to be.
Johnny Paycheck, "Me and the IRS"
"Well the bite keeps a-getting bigger and the pay check’s a-getting small / You know the IRS ain’t gonna rest until they think they’ve got it all." We feel ya, Johnny. We feel ya.
Ry Cooder, "Taxes on the Farmer Feeds Us All"
A 1972 Ry Cooder cut reminds us that, while the merchants may make all the cash, it's the farmers who get us good and fed at the end of the day.
Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings, "What If We All Stopped Paying Taxes?"
But really … what if we did?!
Kaiser Clifton, "Cash Money Blues"
The title says it all: Who hasn't suffered from the "Cash Money Blues," especially this time of year?
The Gourds, "Gin and Juice"
Because, let's face it, right now your mind is on your money and your money is definitely on your mind.
Old Crow Medicine Show, "Poor Man"
Commiserate with Old Crow Medicine Show after you get up the nerve to mail off that big check.
Lede photo: 401(K) 2013 via Foter.com / CC BY-SA
