General Discussion

Lionel Mandrake

(4,169 posts)

19. I agree with your assessment.

Sun Jul 27, 2025, 02:31 PM

Jul 27

I was going to post some of his songs, but you beat me to it.

My wife and I heard Tom Lehrer at the Hungry I (a night club) in San Francisco in the 1960s. His act had top billing. The other act that evening was a then-unknown group called the Kingston Trio (!).

There's so much I could say about Tom Lehrer's music and lyrics, but I'll limit my comments to just the first song you posted.

Does anybody but me ever listen, I mean really listen, to the piano accompaniment? I keep asking people if they noticed the musical quotations. The songs quoted are the German National Anthem and "Ach du lieber Augustine". The former occurs at the very beginning of the song. Think: "Deutschland, Deutschland über alles." It is disguised by changing the time signature from 4/4 to 3/4. In other words, what was originally a march is turned into a waltz.

I would like to encourage everyone, and particularly musicians, to listen to "Wernher von Braun" again, and pay attention this time!

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

Recommendations

6 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

oberle diane in sf Pinback Hekate erronis erronis

44 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Tom Lehrer, Musical Satirist With a Dark Streak, Dies at 97 [View all] WhiskeyGrinder Jul 27 OP

Lehrer was a terrific satirist PJMcK Jul 27 #1

He was brilliant FalloutShelter Jul 27 #3

And, of course, Who's Next? PJMcK Jul 27 #9

Yes.👍🏻 FalloutShelter Jul 27 #14

Started listening to him, more than 60 years ago. Paladin Jul 27 #2

"We will all go together when we go" Walleye Jul 27 #4

Rest in peace, Tom. greatauntoftriplets Jul 27 #5

A much greater loss than Hulk Hogan! Jilly_in_VA Jul 27 #6

RIP Tom Jean Genie Jul 27 #30

This full concert is so awesome JT45242 Jul 27 #7

Yes, thank goodness it was recorded! He was a great influence on me, and on many, many others. TheRickles Jul 27 #20

Filks! Loved Star Wars filks, ha! electric_blue68 Jul 27 #39

97. He's been around forever. Thanks. NT mahatmakanejeeves Jul 27 #8

. regnaD kciN Jul 27 #10

Tom Lehrer was probably the most brilliant American musical satirist of the 20th century. DFW Jul 27 #11

I agree with your assessment. Lionel Mandrake Jul 27 #19

Thanks for the comments on Lehrer's piano playing. Pinback Jul 27 #31

These are still topical as all get out, and a wry pleasure to listen to! Hekate Jul 27 #42

A few years ago he released all his compositions to the public domain Fiendish Thingy Jul 27 #12

"political satire became obsolete when kissinger was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize." niyad Jul 27 #13

From Weird Al Yankovic mahatmakanejeeves Jul 27 #15

Still have some of his CDs edbermac Jul 27 #16

The quote that you have used in your post made me laugh. Funny, but also a perfect example of Lehrer's humor. FadedMullet Jul 27 #34

RIP (and CNN) CloudWatcher Jul 27 #17

Didn't know he was still around Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin Jul 27 #18

heard his songs on dr demento AllaN01Bear Jul 27 #21

One of his better ones - Poisoning Pigeons in the Park Gimpyknee Jul 27 #22

Good one! jmbar2 Jul 27 #24

Flawless. Pinback Jul 27 #33

"And maybe we'll do in a SQUIRREL or two..." Paladin Jul 27 #36

I saw him once, I think twice but MuseRider Jul 27 #23

Had all his LPs at one point Warpy Jul 27 #25

We did Vids to "Masochism Tango" and "Be Prepared" Deep State Witch Jul 27 #26

Dammit. Susan Calvin Jul 27 #27

Tom Lehrer has graciously gifted us with lyrics and scores to his music. usonian Jul 27 #28

I got into trouble for singing National Brotherhood Week in the 5th grade lol yliza Jul 27 #29

I've quoted from one of his songs lately. . . DinahMoeHum Jul 27 #32

The Irish Ballad struggle4progress Jul 27 #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 Jul 27 #37

When I was in college at UW-Madison Jilly_in_VA Jul 27 #38

RIP. Vatican Rag, National Brotherhood Week are the two I remember... electric_blue68 Jul 27 #40

Another one of the greats from my college days has gone. Liberal In Texas Jul 27 #41

Although TFT are parodists instead of cabarestists, we unashamedly claim Tom Lehrer as one of our main inspirations DFW Jul 27 #43

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