Read the excerpt from the song, “Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?” Say, don't you remember, they called me Al— It was Al all the time. Why don't you remember, I'm your pal— Buddy, can you spare a dime? The excerpt emphasizes the idea that the problems of the Great Depression affected all Americans in one way or another. drove a wedge between people who once were friendly. brought out the very worst behavior in many Americans. caused many Americans to experience financial ruin.