I make no secret of my admiration for Tom Lehrer – an admiration that I came by naturally, thanks to my dad’s love, which followed his introduction to Lehrer’s first record by his sister, who heard Lehrer around Harvard in the early ’50s.
Simply put, Tom Lehrer is the most brilliant comic songsmiths ever, and his songs stand the test of time. I admire his cleverness, his creativity, his delivery, and his subject matter. His wit is unparalleled.
And at 94, he has given me another reason to admire him, with his new website, Tom Lehrer Songs. On it, he has released all of his songs into the public domain, for free use. It’s wonderful that the songs will be more accessible, and that he draws attention to the value of public domain. Best of all, he has compiled not just the songs he’s released on recordings, but apparently every lyric he’s ever written, both published or unpublished.
I think this is a move more composers should think about – releasing their pieces into the public domain immediately in their wills. The public domain is a valuable place, and by placing our art in it, we increase its value, make our music more accessible, and hopefully find new audiences for it, too.
Tom Lehrer, thank you. You’re a hero.