Too Many Songs by Tom Lehrer

Too Many Songs by Tom Lehrer is a collection of sheet music and lyrics from mathematician-turned-satirist Tom Lehrer's musical catalog. The book contains piano arrangements and chord notations for performances of his comedic songs from the 1950s and 1960s. The collection features musical notation and words from Lehrer's live performances and recordings, including songs from concerts at colleges and nightclubs. Both beginning and advanced pianists can utilize these arrangements, which include suggested fingerings and dynamics. This compilation preserves Lehrer's output during his relatively brief but notable career as a musical satirist. His targets included political figures, social conventions, and popular culture of mid-20th century America. The songs in this collection exemplify the intersection of intellectual wit and musical comedy, combining sophisticated wordplay with accessible melodies to create social commentary that remains relevant decades later.

Readers appreciate this songbook containing lyrics and sheet music for many of Tom Lehrer's satirical songs from the 1950s-70s. Multiple reviews note the clear musical notation and accurate piano arrangements that stay true to Lehrer's original performances. Liked: - Complete lyrics and musical scores - Clean, readable formatting - Helpful performance notes and background - Spiral binding allows book to stay open on piano Common complaints: - Missing some lesser-known songs - Piano arrangements could be more detailed - High price point - No guitar chords included Ratings: Goodreads: 4.4/5 (58 ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (35 ratings) One reviewer noted: "This collection preserves these brilliant satirical works in their proper musical form." Another mentioned: "Would have loved chord notations for guitar players, but the piano scores are excellent." The book holds a devoted following among musicians who perform Lehrer's material, despite its limitations.

A Treasury of Satire by Lawrence E. Lewin This collection presents satirical works from historical and contemporary writers who share Lehrer's wit and social commentary through verse and prose.

The Book of Poisonous Quotes by Colin Jarman The compilation features cynical, dark-humored observations and witticisms from writers, comedians, and social critics in the vein of Lehrer's sardonic style.

Light Verse from the Floating World by W.S. Gilbert Gilbert's collection of comic verses and songs combines mathematical precision with social satire in the tradition of Lehrer's academic-meets-comedic approach.

The New Oxford Book of Light Verse by Kingsley Amis This anthology captures the intersection of intellectual wordplay and musical comedy that characterizes Lehrer's work.

The Complete Lyrics of P.G. Wodehouse by Barry Day Wodehouse's lyrics showcase the same blend of sophisticated vocabulary and comedic timing found in Lehrer's compositions.

🎵 Tom Lehrer taught mathematics at Harvard, UC Santa Cruz, and MIT while simultaneously pursuing his career as a musical satirist. 🎹 Despite his massive influence on musical comedy, Lehrer only released three studio albums during his active performing career (1953-1967). 📚 "Too Many Songs" contains not just lyrics but also complete piano scores, making it a valuable resource for musicians wanting to perform his work. 🎭 The book includes Lehrer's famous "The Elements," a song that sets the periodic table to the tune of Gilbert and Sullivan's "Major-General's Song." 🎯 Many of Lehrer's songs in this collection were originally performed for the children's television show "The Electric Company," though they maintain his characteristic wit and intellectual humor.