[Verse 1]
Nineteen seventy-three, the world stood still
Oil embargo hit like a bitter pill
Prices quadrupled overnight
Gas lines formed in morning light
The golden age was coming to an end
New rules of economics round the bend
[Chorus]
When the world changed gears, everything shifted
Oil shock waves, economies drifted
Stagflation rising, unemployment too
OECD nations didn't know what to do
When the world changed gears, the old ways died
New regime born from the changing tide
[Verse 2]
Trade volume stumbled, growth slowed down
Bretton Woods system hit the ground
Developing nations felt the squeeze
External debt brought them to their knees
Balance sheets painted red with fear
The economic break was crystal clear
[Chorus]
When the world changed gears, everything shifted
Oil shock waves, economies drifted
Stagflation rising, unemployment too
OECD nations didn't know what to do
When the world changed gears, the old ways died
New regime born from the changing tide
[Bridge]
From Canada to the USA
Global markets lost their way
What worked before just wouldn't do
Politicians needed something new
The regime break of seventy-three
Changed the course of history
[Final Chorus]
When the world changed gears, everything shifted
Oil shock waves, economies drifted
Inflation climbing, jobs so few
Old economics wouldn't do
When the world changed gears, we learned to see
The birth of new reality
[Outro]
Nineteen seventy-three, the year that taught
Economic change can't be fought
When the world changed gears