Tom Lehrer died a few days ago. For many of us involved in any way with science or math (or many other things, too!), his songs were and are a deep and lasting and gleefully sharp influence.
[The photo here shows Tom and a bunch of us having coffee about twenty years ago. One person in that photo had met her husband, decades earlier, when each of them went to a house party to see Tom perform. Another person in that photo arrived a little late the day this photo was taken, immediately started chatting about something — then suddenly stopped, stared at Tom, and screamed “You’re Tom Lehrer! My grandfather loved your songs!”, a tribute to which Tom smiled and cringed.]
Tom’s Influence on Youths
For me (Marc), Tom’s influence began in elementary school, when my math teacher (in 4th, 5th and 6th grades) often played some of Tom’s songs for us. Two songs that stuck early and well: “Pollution” (“Pollution, pollution / wear a gas mask and a veil / then you can breathe / long as you don’t inhale”), and “New Math”. The latter was about the then-new style of teaching mathematics to kids (“It’s simple / so very simple / that only a child / can do it”.). My teacher was one of those teachers, I was one of those kids. Here are recordings of Tom performing those two songs:
Tom and the Ig Nobel Prize Ceremonies
Tom was in the audience at the first Ig Nobel Prize ceremony, in 1991. In 1995 he wrote two songs that were part of that year’s ceremony — but on condition that his name not be mentioned. The theme of that 1995 ceremony was DNA, and that’s what those songs were about.
The next year I wrote the first of the Ig Nobel mini-operas, to be performed as part of that year’s Ig Nobel Prize ceremony, and have written a new mini-opera every year since. For the first 7 or 8 of those, I’d write the libretto, then bring it to Tom. He’d show me the parts that needed improvement, and help me understand how to improve those things and generally how to get better and better at doing that.
Tom’s Elementary Influence on Scientists
Tom’s song “The Elements” holds an almost sacred place in the hearts (and in many cases unskilled and unstoppable singing desires) of scientists worldwide. Next time you run into a chemist, ask them to sing it for you. Chances are good that they will:
A Tribute from the AMS
UPDATE (January 2026): The American Mathematical Society (AMS) published a tribute to Tom.