If you have never heard of Tom Lehrer before, it is more than likely because you are too young to know about him, myself included. However, my parents, and their parents grew up listening to this musical genius, who was also a tenured profession at a well known Ivy League school, and who happened to be a leading scientist during the late 1940s, and the early 1950s, before he started touring the world to offer up his brand of comedy.

A comedic, and in your face performance, especially considering the day and age where nobody talked about anything that was socially unacceptable—but Mr. Lehrer begged to differ, and did it quite well too! Rather, the comedic musical fathoming of Tom Lehrer broke many social taboos of the day, equally offending the masses. But in turn, also made even more people laugh out loud. So like Elvis Presley was to Rock and Roll, Tom Lehrer was equally to comedic music. Breaking the ground for many more greats to follow in his wake.

Taboo for the 50’s Was Lehrer’s Charm
Lehrer fancied offensive comedic gestures, wrapped up nicely in a pretty song that featured robust and unique usages of piano chords, in the styling of his own prowess. And he was very accomplished at playing the piano and had a decent voice as well; even if it was of par for the era, he was easy to listen to. But taboo was the main genre: “Poisoning pigeons in the park,” – one of the lyrics that hit home in a very popular Lehrer song. Or, ‘So long Mom…I am off to drop the Bomb!” Another way that Tom broke social candor by talking about the war (WWII).

Take another Lehrer tune: “New Math” which basically debunked parent’s education as worthless when compared to what their children were now learning, and how we as parents could not even comprehend the new things being taught. And last but not least, ‘Oedipus Rex’ perhaps the most offensive Lehrer song that talks about the famous myth of a boy falling in love with his mother. Oh and one more for all of you, “Vatican Rag” which basically talked about how much of a sham Catholicism was at the time—a tune that made many Christians, and Protestants, grow fonder of Tom.

Some of Lehrer’s Greatest Videos and Songs
Of course why should I bug you by yapping about all these hilarious Tom Lehrer songs without giving you a few to watch, so you can see for yourself? So without further ado, here are some of Lehrer’s most popular tunes of 1950s, and beyond!

‘Vatican Rag’
A song of Lehrer’s that ultimately talks bad about all the things he thought that were wrong and disarrayed with organized religions, namely Catholicism. And at a time where Christians were the predominant force in our population, but that did not stop good old Tom, he was ready to make fun of them and make them laugh in the process.

‘New Math’
A funny song about how kids know more than parents when it comes to new math.

‘Oedipus Rex’
A song about a boy who falls in love with his mother.

'Poisoning Pigeons in the Park’
Self Explanatory.

‘Pollution’
This one is hilarious.