Since we started Planet Money Records and released the 47-year-old song "Inflation," the song has taken off. It recently hit 1 million streams on Spotify. And we now have a full line of merch — including a limited edition vinyl record; a colorful, neon hoodie; and 70s-inspired stickers — n.pr/shopplanetmoney. After starting a label and negotiating our first record deal, we're taking the Inflation song out into the world to figure out the hidden economics of the music business. Things get complicated when we try to turn the song into a viral hit. Just sounding good isn't enough and turning a profit in the music business means being creative, patient and knowing the right people. This is part three of the Planet Money Records series. Here's part one and part two. Listen to "Inflation" on Apple Music, Spotify, YouTube Music, Tidal, Amazon Music & Pandora. Listen to our remix, "Inflation [136bpm]," on Spotify, YouTube Music & Amazon Music. "Inflation" is on TikTok. (And — if you're inspired — add your own!) This episode was reported by Erika Beras and Sarah Gonzalez, produced by Emma Peaslee and James Sneed, edited by Jess Jiang and Sally Helm, engineered by Brian Jarboe, and fact-checked by Sierra Juarez. Music: "Inflation," "Superfly Fever," "Nola Strut" and "Inflation [136bpm]." Help support Planet Money and get bonus episodes by subscribing to Planet Money+ in Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org/planetmoney. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy
This is Planet Money from NPR.
Stop, people.
Stop what you're doing.
Remember this song and listen to what.
I have to say.
We're back.
Cause inflation is in the nation and.
It'S about to put us all away.
It's been four and a half months since we released our single inflation by Ernest Jackson and Sugar Daddy and the Gumbo Roo.
This is part three of the series.
If you haven't listened to parts one and two, here's what you need to know.
We introduce you to a guy named Ernest Jackson.
A lot of people say I sound like Sachimo now, Louis Armstrong.
Ernest Jackson has been trying to make it in the music industry for more than 60 years.
Yes, indeed.
Because that's been my dream since I was in little boy.
I've always wanted to be a superstar.
So Planet money decided to become a record label to release this one Ernest Jackson song from the seventies and see if we can make a hit and make some money.
We put the inflation song out into the world in October, and then we waited to see if anyone would listen.
Why don't you get up in the show?