2026 Feet Under

[HarmonicGenerator]

Tom Lehrer, at the age of 97.

Like many, I discovered him through The Elements Song as a kid, then bought as many albums as I could. A brilliant satirist, a fantastic musical comedian, and his stuff has always made me laugh despite being over half a century old.

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/27/arts/music/tom-lehrer-dead.html?unlocked_article_code=1.Zk8.V5qt.y7rI63UM3eKl&smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare 

I try not to use the word ‘genius’ too often but Lehrer is someone I would apply it to. Some of my other favourite songs (and more songs) by him:

- The Irish Ballad

- Lobachevsky

- I Hold Your Hand In Mine

- Poisoning Pigeons In The Park

- Oedipus Rex

- The Vatican Rag

- My Home Town

- Clementine

- New Math (listen to a live version to hear a 1960s audience shrieking with laughter at the concept of ‘the idea is the important thing’)

- National Brotherhood Week

- The Wild West Is Where I Want To Be

I could go on and on. He released all his music into the public domain a few years ago, so you can take whatever you want here: https://tomlehrersongs.com

RIP.

Edited July 27, 2025 by HarmonicGenerator
There’s antimony, arsenic, aluminum, selenium…

[BomberPat]

I adore Tom Lehrer. I think Werner Von Braun is the best satirical song ever written, and there's plenty more from his catalogue that comes close to it. The beauty of his writing is that even the topical stuff is still funny, more than half a century after the fact.

[wordsfromlee]

 

[lars85]

Didn't see if on here, but Mega Lo Mart spokesman Chuck Mangione died a few days back. 

I always liked how happy he looks here. The only thing I could hold that makes me smile like that is my dog.

 

 

Edited July 27, 2025 by lars85
Spelling

[Jazzy G]

I'd only just discovered Tom Lehrer through Honest To Betsy on YouTube which features some great videos of her reacting to his songs, and others from the time. He's done some great stuff, and also wrote a good few songs for Sesame Street back in the day. 97 is a decent innings. I might have to see if there's any on the jukebox now. 

[WyattSheepMask]

19 hours ago, lars85 said:

Didn't see if on here, but Mega Lo Mart spokesman Chuck Mangione died a few days back. 

I always liked how happy he looks here. The only thing I could hold that makes me smile like that is my dog.

 

 

Passing away the same day as Ozzy Osbourne would explain why this got overlooked

[tiger_rick]

On 7/26/2025 at 10:09 PM, Just Some Guy said:

Ray French at the age of 85.

He was an international in both codes of Rugby before becoming the BBC's lead Rugby League commentator in 1982.

I'm too young to remember his predecessor, Eddie Waring, so for me, Ray French will always be the voice of Rugby League.

French had an incredible voice. Brilliantly northern, knowledgeable and with wonderful pitch and timing. Ray French, old Wembley, sun shining - just fantastic memories that are etched indelibly into my brain. Pity Wigan always won.

Too young for Waring too but I did go see a play about him a good few years ago that was fucking brilliant. 

RIP Ray.

[Tim Healys Chutney Spoon]

https://www.nme.com/news/music/original-iron-maiden-singer-paul-mario-day-has-died-3881589

Paul Mario Day the original singer with Iron Maiden. 

[Thefatduck]

Alan Ahlberg - writer of one of my favourite children’s’ books - Each Peach Pear Plum. 

He wrote 150+ books. 

https://www.theguardian.com/books/2025/jul/31/allan-ahlberg-beloved-childrens-author-dies-aged-87

 

 

[hallicks]

10 minutes ago, Thefatduck said:

Alan Ahlberg - writer of one of my favourite children’s’ books - Each Peach Pear Plum. 

He wrote 150+ books. 

https://www.theguardian.com/books/2025/jul/31/allan-ahlberg-beloved-childrens-author-dies-aged-87

 

 

EPPP is a classic. Will try and convince the kids to give it a whirl on the weekend but they’re a little bit beyond it now. 

[wordsfromlee]

I was talking about him with my wife yesterday weirdly enough. I was telling her about Burglar Bill which was a big favourite of mine growing up as she had just bought Each Peach Pear Plum for our daughter but didn't know any of his other books apart from Funny Bones.

[johnnyboy]

The Jolly Postman and The Jolly Christmas Postman were absolute staples in our house as a kid.  My brother would have never learnt to read without TJP.

[deathrey]

Funnybones was a huge favourite of mine growing up. I loved the books and the TV series. I've even shared it with my boys who love the 'Funnybums' books. A big childhood memory for me, I hope Alan'sv words continue to put lots of smiles on children's faces for years to come

Edited July 31, 2025 by deathrey

[westlondonmist]

Loved the Jolly Postman. Got the Christmas one for Christmas as a kid. 

 

My son absolutely loves Cops and Robbers and Burglar Bill. Funnybones is liked too, the ones without Janet don't have the same charm but theyre solid. 

[Onyx2]

The Ahlbergs were the soundtracks to my childrens' bedtimes. Cops and Robbers, Burglar Bill, Jolly Pocket Postman... And I can recite Each Peach Pear Plum on command with the amount of times I whispered it to them. Deeply brilliant words and nursery drawings. Thank you and RIP.