You and me both. I saw a video of someone talking having Tom Lehrer as a teacher. She imagined that with it being him it was going to be funny, he’d make jokes, etc. when in reality she described it as the most boring class ever, because he was never funny or busted out into song. With all that aside, I’d still be grateful to have him as a teacher.😭
He may not have rushed him at the time, Desert Island Discs editing to cram 7 pieces of music + chat into half an hour can be clunky. His lucky students must have had whole hours of his uninterrupted wit and wisdom!
I remember being thrilled that Tom Lehrer loved Gilbert and Sullivan, because in the 1960s 70s they were regarded as horribly out of fashion, and ditto Noel Coward. Suddenly it was OK to like them again.
You can reach mental maturity and still embrace or look at things from an immature perspective. Speaking from someone who's mind has matured quite a bit and still see things with childish wonder.
If you landed here by chance…and listened through this interview and its list of fine songs…but heard nothing by the man himself, and don’t know his work, just search TH-cam for a smattering of this sly, irreverent, intelligent man who not only loves Gilbert and Sullivan but would be loved in turn by them. Try “Poisoning Pigeons in the Park” which starts off as just another predictable song about the joys of Spring which leads you slyly to an Awareness that the narrator of the song is totally deranged……and you’re singing along with him.
Poisoning Pigeons in the Park was the first I heard by chance on a radio programme as a teenager in the 70s, and was won! I must have been one if the young people he speaks about who were part of the Tom Lehrer appreciation revival.
I didn't hear properly (probably because this is an accent thing), did he say "can you stand loneliness"? That is what the captions says but I'm pretty skeptical about it.
I love Desert island disks and Tom Lehrer for 50 years. Combining the two is like finding a diamond! Thank you so much!
One of the greatest interviews of all time! Thank you!
Your welcome :)
I really love his work, especially "Poisoning pigeons in the park" and "She's my girl".
I am very envious of the students who were in Tom's classes. Aside from learning a lot, I'm sure they all had a good time doing so!
You and me both. I saw a video of someone talking having Tom Lehrer as a teacher. She imagined that with it being him it was going to be funny, he’d make jokes, etc. when in reality she described it as the most boring class ever, because he was never funny or busted out into song. With all that aside, I’d still be grateful to have him as a teacher.😭
@@TLSongsss People forgetting that he needs to be professional and to jest 24/7 is not realistic😂
@@qwmx haha right
I’ve listened to quite a few of these and this is one of the best.
such a mellifluous voice
As a very old listener to Desert Island Discs I didn't know that Tom had been on this iconic wireless programme.
What a delightful man, well spoken and precise. I do wish the interviewer wouldn't rush him so.
Well said, old boy
He may not have rushed him at the time, Desert Island Discs editing to cram 7 pieces of music + chat into half an hour can be clunky. His lucky students must have had whole hours of his uninterrupted wit and wisdom!
This is great. Thanks for uploading.
Your welcome :)
Having heard this, I finally feel I know him as a person.
All these interviews make me feel like that too😂
So soothing.
I don't cook I thaw 😂
I remember being thrilled that Tom Lehrer loved Gilbert and Sullivan, because in the 1960s 70s they were regarded as horribly out of fashion, and ditto Noel Coward. Suddenly it was OK to like them again.
You can reach mental maturity and still embrace or look at things from an immature perspective. Speaking from someone who's mind has matured quite a bit and still see things with childish wonder.
If you landed here by chance…and listened through this interview and its list of fine songs…but heard nothing by the man himself, and don’t know his work, just search TH-cam for a smattering of this sly, irreverent, intelligent man who not only loves Gilbert and Sullivan but would be loved in turn by them. Try “Poisoning Pigeons in the Park” which starts off as just another predictable song about the joys of Spring which leads you slyly to an Awareness that the narrator of the song is totally deranged……and you’re singing along with him.
TL sounds relaxed and great, Roy Plomley embarrassingly formal.
"Mathematicians don't know anything about anything."
Lolol
Sad that we can't hear the songs because of copyright.
Yeah, I took them out to avoid that. If you want to hear them, you can check the link in the caption
@@TLSongsss
Thanks for that.
He released all of his work into the public domain in 2020
@@Bill-l7g We all know. He’s referring to the songs that Tom would choose as his Desert Island Discs
Poisoning Pigeons in the Park was the first I heard by chance on a radio programme as a teenager in the 70s, and was won! I must have been one if the young people he speaks about who were part of the Tom Lehrer appreciation revival.
Pity none of his chosen records got included -copyright, I guess.
Yeah I took them out to avoid copyright. Full interview with songs is in the link in description.
This would have been better if they hadn’t cut his musical choices.
@@dl582 Full interview with songs is in the link below. I took them out to avoid copyright
I didn't hear properly (probably because this is an accent thing), did he say "can you stand loneliness"? That is what the captions says but I'm pretty skeptical about it.
was this done in 1980?
Yes. July 12th 1980 to be exact
who is the presenter of this desert island discs?
Roy Plomley