"Math Suks"
Song by Jimmy Buffett
from the album Beach House on the Moon
ReleasedMay 24, 1999
Length4:29
Label
Songwriter(s)Jimmy Buffett, Roger Guth, Peter Mayer
Producer(s)Russell Kunkel, Michael Utley, Mac McAnally, Tony Brown

"Math Suks" is a song by Jimmy Buffett, from the album Beach House on the Moon (1999).

Background

The lyrics tell of the author's frustration as a math student. The song's lyrics refer to hearing the phrase "Math sucks" on an interview on TV, though Buffet later noted that the inspiration actually came from graffiti on a bridge in Key West Florida.[1] Mathematical terms are used in a superficial way in the song, which drew criticism from mathematicians and mathematics teachers.[1][2] The song was condemned by the US National Council of Teachers of Mathematics and the National Education Association for its alleged negative effect on children's education.[1][3] Jon Stewart performed a comedy segment on The Daily Show referencing the song entitled "Math Is Quite Pleasant".[4]

References

  1. ^ a b c Dana Mackenzie (June 3, 1999). "Irreverent Song Upsets Math Teachers". American Association for the Advancement of Science. Retrieved November 9, 2008. (updated link: https://www.science.org/doi/full/10.1126/science.284.5421.1763b)
  2. ^ Picker, S.H. and Berry, J.S. (2000): "Investigating pupils' images of mathematicians". Educational Studies in Mathematics, volume 43, pages 65–94. doi:10.1023/A:1017523230758
  3. ^ National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (1999): "A conversation with Jimmy Buffet shows math doesn’t 'suk' after all". NCTM News Bulletin, volume 36, issue 1, pages 1 and 4–5.
  4. ^ "Math is Quite Pleasant - the Daily Show with Jon Stewart | Comedy Central US". 25 May 1999.
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