 " Fear Itself " is about being fired " from the job you always professed to hate " and contains a reference to John Maynard Keynes . " The Krugman Blues " references the " gloomy mien of one 's favourite economic pundit " , Paul Krugman , whom Wainwright met on a train to Boston . Wainwright believed Krugman 's sense of melancholy made for a " compelling and challenging character " . " Spooky " sound effects , suggested by Dick Connette , were added to the track " Halloween 2009 " . Wainwright wrote " Middle of the Night " a few years prior to the album 's release in an attempt to " cheer [ himself ] up and also to purvey an optimistic point of view for a change " . " Cash for Clunkers " refers to the Car Allowance Rebate System , a United States federal scrappage program active during summer 2009 . " Got a Ukulele " features Wainwright performing the titular instrument , which he believes was popular during the 1920s – 1930s due to its ability to improve " one 's mood and general outlook " . 
