The 1960’s witnessed the rise of satire, which the dictionary defines as ‘the use of humour, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize people’s stupidity or vices, particularly in the context of contemporary politics and other topical issues.’ Not that satire was exactly new, being able to trace its origins from Horace and Juvenal, through Abrose Bierce and Jonathan Swift to the works of Gilbert and Sullivan and in our day George Orwell, Chris Morris Charlie Brooker and This is Spinal Tap.
The 60’s version came through such vehicles as, That Was The Week That Was, The Frost Report, Beyond the Fringe and Rowan And Martin’s Laugh In. Politicians and public figures who had since the conclusion of the second world war been treated with deference, now became targets of the satirists, who were able to prick the bubble of their hubris and self-importance. This reflected a growing questioning of the status quo, which emerged when it became clear that despite the heroic efforts of the ordinary man in wartime, many were still being left out of the ‘you’ve never had it so good’ culture. Indeed the establishment was so afraid of TW3 that it had the BBC take it off air before the 1964 election, in case people would be so disallusioned that they would not turn up to vote.
Tom Lehrer, is an American musician, singer-songwriter, and mathematician. He is best known for the pithy and humorous songs that he recorded in the 1950s and 1960s. His early musical work typically dealt with non-topical subject matter and was noted for its black humour in songs such as “Poisoning Pigeons in the Park’. In the 1960s, he produced a number of songs that dealt with social and political issues of the day, particularly when he wrote for the U.S. version of the television show ‘That Was The Week That Was’. His 1958 album had the distinction of having 10 of its 12 tracks banned by the BCC. The popularity of these songs has however far outlasted their topical subjects and references.
Here is Tom giving his take on religion.
This next song is a personal favourite dealing as it does with the darker side of folk music.
Finally his prophetic vision for the end of the world.
There are so many more wonderful songs in his repertoire – do take time to discover them.
