General Discussion

PJMcK

(23,983 posts)

1. Lehrer was a terrific satirist

Sun Jul 27, 2025, 01:15 PM

Sunday

Since I was a teenager, I've loved his songs. I have two of his albums and a published songbook that I still play from. Many friends don't know his work and when I play the music for them, they crack up (even though the material is dated).

"The Vatican Rag," "Who's Next?," "The Masochism Tango," "Poisoning Pigeons In The Park" and "The Elements" are among my favorites.

RIP to a man of his time who shared his cynical ideas with great insight and humor.

ETA:

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Highlight:

Tom Lehrer, Musical Satirist With a Dark Streak, Dies at 97 [View all] WhiskeyGrinder Sunday OP

Lehrer was a terrific satirist PJMcK Sunday #1

He was brilliant FalloutShelter Sunday #3

And, of course, Who's Next? PJMcK Sunday #9

Yes.👍🏻 FalloutShelter Sunday #14

Started listening to him, more than 60 years ago. Paladin Sunday #2

"We will all go together when we go" Walleye Sunday #4

Rest in peace, Tom. greatauntoftriplets Sunday #5

A much greater loss than Hulk Hogan! Jilly_in_VA Sunday #6

RIP Tom Jean Genie Sunday #30

This full concert is so awesome JT45242 Sunday #7

Yes, thank goodness it was recorded! He was a great influence on me, and on many, many others. TheRickles Sunday #20

Filks! Loved Star Wars filks, ha! electric_blue68 Sunday #39

97. He's been around forever. Thanks. NT mahatmakanejeeves Sunday #8

. regnaD kciN Sunday #10

Tom Lehrer was probably the most brilliant American musical satirist of the 20th century. DFW Sunday #11

I agree with your assessment. Lionel Mandrake Sunday #19

Thanks for the comments on Lehrer's piano playing. Pinback Sunday #31

These are still topical as all get out, and a wry pleasure to listen to! Hekate Sunday #42

A few years ago he released all his compositions to the public domain Fiendish Thingy Sunday #12

"political satire became obsolete when kissinger was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize." niyad Sunday #13

From Weird Al Yankovic mahatmakanejeeves Sunday #15

Still have some of his CDs edbermac Sunday #16

The quote that you have used in your post made me laugh. Funny, but also a perfect example of Lehrer's humor. FadedMullet Sunday #34

RIP (and CNN) CloudWatcher Sunday #17

Didn't know he was still around Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin Sunday #18

heard his songs on dr demento AllaN01Bear Sunday #21

One of his better ones - Poisoning Pigeons in the Park Gimpyknee Sunday #22

Good one! jmbar2 Sunday #24

Flawless. Pinback Sunday #33

"And maybe we'll do in a SQUIRREL or two..." Paladin Sunday #36

I saw him once, I think twice but MuseRider Sunday #23

Had all his LPs at one point Warpy Sunday #25

We did Vids to "Masochism Tango" and "Be Prepared" Deep State Witch Sunday #26

Dammit. Susan Calvin Sunday #27

Tom Lehrer has graciously gifted us with lyrics and scores to his music. usonian Sunday #28

I got into trouble for singing National Brotherhood Week in the 5th grade lol yliza Sunday #29

I've quoted from one of his songs lately. . . DinahMoeHum Sunday #32

The Irish Ballad struggle4progress Sunday #35

Loved what I heard of Lehrer back in high school in the '60s. Finally bought his collection when I saw it on CDs ... Hekate Sunday #37

When I was in college at UW-Madison Jilly_in_VA Sunday #38

RIP. Vatican Rag, National Brotherhood Week are the two I remember... electric_blue68 Sunday #40

Another one of the greats from my college days has gone. Liberal In Texas Sunday #41

Although TFT are parodists instead of cabarestists, we unashamedly claim Tom Lehrer as one of our main inspirations DFW Sunday #43

At least he went peacefully. Peacefully. Peaceful-l-y MurrayDelph Monday #44