Tom Lehrer, Musical Satirist Whose Influence Peaked in the '50s and '60s, Dies at 97

[DavidDvorkin]

Source: The Hollywood Reporter

Tom Lehrer, a mathematician and satirist whose musical influence peaked in the 1950s and ’60s with his topical songs, died on Saturday. He was 97.

Lehrer died at his home in Cambridge, Massachusetts, his friend, David Herder, told The New York Times.

Read more: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/music-news/tom-lehrer-dead-musical-satirist-1236330485/

[crimycarny]

1. I can sing the "Vatican Rag" by heart

My dad loved Tom Lehrer and would play his albums over and over.

[rurallib]

7. me too - some what? 60 years later

that little song helped me question the catholic church

[bif]

2. Wow! He was legendary.

I had no idea he was still alive.

[Botany]

3. Pure genius

I heard his album as young boy and it warped me for life but in a good way.

Thanx Tom

[nocoincidences]

4. I grew up listening to Lehrer.

I suspect he is a big part of my appreciation of good satire. RIP.

[elleng]

5. HERE's one!

[Girard442]

8. Well, it's Sunday and I'm free.

[mwmisses4289]

12. Classic!

[EX500rider]

6. My fav:

[Warpy]

10. I preferred this one

&list=RDTIoBrob3bjI&start_radio=1

And for those who don't remember, Lehrer put all his songs into the public domain a few years ago, one of his last generous acts, and there were so many..

[synni]

9. So much of his material is just as relevant today

RIP, sir. You're a national treasure.

[TheRickles]

26. Yes! In many ways, that's what's most impressive about his work.

Not to mention the music, the lyrics, the performances, the humor, etc.

[AZJonnie]

11. OMG I just said on DU like 2 weeks ago how glad I am I can still refer to him in the present tense

My dad played his stuff all the time when I was a kid, used to borrow the records from him. I can still ALMOST sing all of the Element Song ever after all these years.

Pass gently, Mr Lehrer and thanks for all the laughs and pointed social commentary, you were greatness!

?si=6pwIl1W7N9zUufjx

[mwmisses4289]

13. My two favorites

As a recovering catholic, this one always made me laugh:

https://m.

&pp=ygUKdG9tIGxlaHJlcg%3D%3D

And the other cheeky one:

https://m.

&pp=ygUKdG9tIGxlaHJlcg%3D%3D

[crimycarny]

27. Mine too!

My dad and I used to sing those two when in the car.

I also like "the elements" (singing the elements of the periodic table)--but that one I couldn't sing, lol.

[Clouds Passing]

14. Tom

[2naSalit]

15. RIP...

Loved his satire.

[Wild blueberry]

16. What a great, funny, smart talent

Thank you, Tom Lehrer. Rest in peace.

[sky_masterson]

17. I had no Idea he was still around

Love his music.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

18. Inventor of the Jell-O shot!

RIP, Sir.

[Marthe48]

19. Pollution, pollution

They got smog, sewage and mud
Turn on the tap
And get hot and cold running crud

My brother got one of his albums and we wore it out!

R.I.P.

[AllyCat]

20. Nooooo! This one bothers me so much.

I hope he and my dad are playing it up in the afterlife.

[Festivito]

21. What a great man!

[steventh]

22. I've been singing this fun one every Christmas for over half a century.

[steventh]

23. Interesting brief interview a year ago.

Tom Lehrer: Bob Claster Interview "Silly Songs With Lehrer"

[ificandream]

24. Haven't seen confirmation elsewhere, but saw it mentioned that with his death all his music is now in public domain.

That wouldn't surprise me.

[CloudWatcher]

25. Almost right

They've been in the pubic domain since November 26, 2022.

See (for now at least): https://tomlehrersongs.com for all his songs.

TBD how long the site will be up now that he has passed. Hopefully for at least one or two hundred years.

[electric_blue68]

28. RIP. I know Vatican Rag, and Nat'l Brotherhood week, and a line that goes...

"Stand in the fountain, and light up The Park!".

I'm guessing a Anti-Nuclear Weapons/Power song bc "the glow" was from radiation.

I probably heard him through WBAI a NYC Pacifica radio station.

[electric_blue68]

29. RIP, Tom. I know Nat'l Brotherhood Wk, and Vatican Rag, plus the line...

"Stand in the fountain, and light up The Park!".

I'm guessing a Anti-Nuclear Weapons/Power song bc "the glow" was from radiation.

Heard probably through WBAI, an NYC Pacifica radio station.