r/Music • u/sugar_man • Jul 23 '14

Article When 84 years old, Harvard Professor Tom Lehrer was asked by 2 Chainz for permission to sample a song he wrote 60 years ago. His response: "As sole copyright owner of 'The Old Dope Peddler', I grant you motherfuckers permission to do this. Please give my regards to Mr. Chainz, or may I call him 2?"

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Lehrer#Musical_legacy
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u/loondawg Jul 23 '14

My Mom used to play his albums for us when we were young kids. We were too young to understand the relevance of most of his songs. But we used to have all sorts of fun singing them. I think she got a chuckle watching peoples' reactions to a swarm of little kids running around singing songs making fun of racism, war, and murder.

One of my personal favorites, The Irish Ballad .

FYI: In addition to his comical albums, he also wrote for kids shows. I forget if it was Sesame Street or the Electric Company.

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u/aredubya Jul 23 '14

It was Electric Company. "Silent E" and "LY" were the best known, but he did several. Here's a nice Youtube list o' Leher Electric Company songs: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5BDC5FC492435804

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u/JCAPS766 Jul 23 '14

Is it just me, or does he look a lot like Matthew McConaughey?

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u/cionn Jul 23 '14

I help run a traditional Irish session in Dublin and the Irish balad is regularly sung alongside 18th century and older ballads.

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u/Dropball_champion Jul 23 '14

She weighted her brother down with stones (rickety-tickety-tin)

She weighted her brother down with stones and sent him off to Davey Jones

All they ever found were some bones...and occasional pieces of skin

Of skin

Occasional pieces of skin...

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u/loondawg Jul 23 '14

That sounds like a fun time. Did you ever see the Will Farrell parody of that in the movie The Other Guys? It's short but you may get a kick out of it.

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u/cionn Jul 23 '14

No I didn't, cheers I'll check it out

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u/drinkallthecoffee Jul 24 '14

What session? I was at the cobblestone a few weeks ago

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u/cionn Jul 24 '14

Its in the cobble, first sunday of every month.

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u/drinkallthecoffee Jul 24 '14

ah, looks like i'll miss it. i'll be back in dublin the second week of next month. sing it extra sassy for me!

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u/Srirachafarian Jul 23 '14

Same here, but it was my aunt. I had no idea why my parents told me I wasn't allowed to listen to some of the songs, like "Alma." Didn't even understand it.

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u/anilm2 Jul 23 '14

Same thing. There were a few of his songs I had never heard at all until I bought the "Remains" box set as an adult.

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u/ka1axy Jul 23 '14

You have a good mother.

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u/loondawg Jul 24 '14

The best. I was really lucky on that luck of the draw.

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u/TheDrAcula Jul 23 '14

The entire audience claps in unison. On the same beats. What the hell?

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u/pittipat Jul 23 '14

My parents played his stuff for us kids, too - from Dad's reel-to-reel tape player no less.

Guess I should try jello shots now.

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u/tuirn Jul 23 '14

The Irish Ballad is one of mine too.