Tom Lehrer, singer, songwriter, musician and mathematician, is best known for the humorous and satirical songs he recorded in the 1950’s and 60’s. Lehrer’s songs often followed the tune to other popular song forms and dealt with social and political issues as well as other controversial topics.

After receiving some success at local night clubs, Lehrer paid for his own studio time to record “Songs by Tom Lehrer.” Many radio stations would not play his songs on air due to the subject matter so Lehrer began selling his CDs for $3 on campus at Harvard, where he attended school. Eventually, Lehrer’s work had developed a cult following via word of mouth, which spurred a second album and a series of concert tours. Lehrer’s second album was released in two versions, “More Songs by Tom Lehrer,” which was recorded in a studio, and “An Evening Wasted with Tom Lehrer,” which was recorded live in concert.

Lehrer’s music achieved great success in the U.K. due to the willingness of the British Broadcasting Company to play his songs on the radio as well as various mentions of his work in British University newspapers.

Lehrer had retired from touring by the early 1960’s and was employed as a songwriter for satirical television show “That Was The Week That Was.” Despite his popularity, Lehrer’s musical career consisted of only 109 concerts and 37 songs over 20 years. He ended it due to a simple lack of interest and distaste for touring.