Professor DeAngelis on Substantial Performance

Today, we bring to a provisional close (pending the composition and YouTube posting of more contracts-based songs) our series of posts featuring   Professor Mark DeAngelis's "Law Lessongs."  Previous posts have shared songs based on Raffles v. Wichelhaus, the UCC's Battle of the Forms (2-207),substantial performance, offers, mixed contracts, and the Mirror Image Rule from Professor DeAngelis's YouTube site.  

Today, we offer Professor DeAngelis's song on the Statute of Frauds, which he introduces as follows:

This is a "Law Lessong" - a law lesson in a song - that I wrote to help students remember the 6 categories of contracts that require a writing in order to be enforceable. 

The Statute of Frauds Song
Lyrics by M. DeAngelis
Melody based on "Jamaica Farewell"

Oh, I'm glad to say, that any day,
An oral contract is still OK.
But it's a fact, for 6 kinds of pacts,
The Statute of Frauds requires a written contract.

Please, oh please, won't you marry me?
I will give you riches and jewels that shine.
I'll say "I do" and marry you,
As soon as you sign on the dotted line!

Oh, I'm glad to say, that any day,
An oral contract is still OK.
But it's a fact, for 6 kinds of pacts,
The Statute of Frauds requires a written contract.

If one day, a party say
The debt of another she guarantees.
If no writing, there's no denying,
The contract lacks enforceability.

  

Ah, but don't forget, you may enforce it yet
If leading object of the debt
Was to benefit the one who said it
Then an oral contract the law will permit.

When an estate debt cannot wait
The executor pledges payment pers'nally 
That pledge is toast from coast to coast,
When the promise is made simply orally.

Oh, I'm glad to say, that any day,
An oral contract is still OK.
But it's a fact, for 6 kinds of pacts,
The Statute of Frauds requires a written contract.

If it appears that within a year,
The contract performance cannot be done.
Do not frown, just write it down
And the parties' intentions won't be undone.

Ah, but don't forget, you may enforce it yet
Even lifetime employment
Enforceability applies orally
Though long term sounding it appears to be.

If its land we understand 
That's the subject of an interest transferring
If money's spent even just for rent 
Of more than a year you need some scribbling.

Ah, but don't forget, you may enforce it yet
If a Buyer's made partial payment
And entered the land or built something grand
Or if promissory estoppel rules take command.

Finally, under the UCC, 
A sale of goods worth 500 or more.
The UCC treats writings differently
And a full written contract may not be in store.

Oh, I'm glad to say, that any day,
An oral contract is still OK.
But it's a fact, for 6 kinds of pacts,
The Statute of Frauds requires a written contract.

[JT]