Tom Lehrer died on July 26, 2025. He was 97 years old. I learned of Lehrer while spinning vinyl as a college deejay in the late 1980s. Prior to his long life after music (he was a professor at UC-Santa Cruz for 30 years), he was a political and social satirist who recorded in the 1950s and 60s. The topics of his material make most of his music sound dated but there is always a place for wit, intellect, and activism in the world of popular song. While the topics of his compositions may have passed their expiration date, the need for questioning our political and social leaders has never been more relevant than today. I learned of him during the Reagan era, so his music still held resonance at that time. Things aren’t much different in the Trump era, and there is still a place for Lehrer’s music in our global mix of fascism, anti-immigration racism, and corporate greed.

One of Lehrer’s most famous quotes is that he quit comedy because political satire became redundant when Henry Kissinger was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. If that sounds like your kind of guy, I stole some lyrics from his website https://tomlehrersongs.com/ and shared them down below after these videos of some Lehrer classics recorded live.

George Murphy

Hollywood’s often tried to mix
Show business with politics,
From Helen Gahagan
To Ronald Reagan.
But Mister Murphy is the star
Who’s done the best by far.
Oh, gee, it’s great,
At last we’ve got a senator who can really sing and dance.
We can’t expect America to win against its foes
With no one in the Senate who can really tap his toes.
The movies that you’ve seen
On your television screen
Show his legislative talents at a glance:
Should American’s pick crops? George says “No,
‘Cause no one but a Mexican would stoop so low,
And, after all, even in Egypt the Pharaohs
Had to import Hebrew braceros.
Just think of all the musicals we have in store.
Imagine Broadway Melody of 1984!
Yes, now that he’s a senator, he’s really got the chance
To give the public
A song and dance.

National Brotherhood Week

Oh, the white folks hate the black folks,
And the black folks hate the white folks.
To hate all but the right folks
Is an old established rule.
But during National Brotherhood Week,
National Brotherhood Week,
Lena Horne and Sheriff Clarke are dancing cheek to cheek.
It’s fun to eulogize
The people you despise,
As long as you don’t let ’em in your school.
Oh, the poor folks hate the rich folks,
And the rich folks hate the poor folks.
All of my folks hate all of your folks,
It’s American as apple pie.
But during National Brotherhood Week,
National Brotherhood Week,
New Yorkers love the Puerto Ricans ’cause it’s very chic.
Step up and shake the hand
Of someone you can’t stand.
You can tolerate him if you try.
Oh, the Protestants hate the Catholics,
And the Catholics hate the Protestants,
And the Hindus hate the Moslems,
And everybody hates the Jews.

But during National Brotherhood Week,
National Brotherhood Week,
It’s National Everyone-smile-at-one-another-hood Week.
Be nice to people who
Are inferior to you.
It’s only for a week, so have no fear.
Be grateful that it doesn’t last all year!

Who’s Next?

First we got the bomb and that was good,
‘Cause we love peace and motherhood.
Then Russia got the bomb, but that’s O.K.,
‘Cause the balance of power’s maintained that way!
Who’s next?
France got the bomb, but don’t you grieve,
‘Cause they’re on our side (I believe).
China got the bomb, but have no fears;
They can’t wipe us out for at least five years!
Who’s next?
Japan will have its own device,
Transistorized at half the price.
South Africa wants two, that’s right:
One for the black and one for the white!
Who’s next?
Egypt’s gonna get one, too,
Just to use on you know who.
So Israel’s getting tense,
Wants one in self defense.
“The Lord’s our shepherd,” says the psalm,
But just in case — we better get a bomb!
Who’s next?
Luxembourg is next to go
And — who knows — maybe Monaco.
We’ll try to stay serene and calm
When Alabama gets the bomb!
Who’s next, who’s next, who’s next?
Who’s next?

• In Memoriam