In his elements
I was raised on the songs of Tom Lehrer. I knew the song “The Elements” from the version appearing on this record, which I had pretty much memorized in childhood (the other songs, that is; “The Elements” went too fast for me to master, although I was able to conquer parts of it).
But I’m amazed to see that Lehrer sounds at least as fast or even faster in this live performance, and he does it while seeming oh-so-relaxed (don’t miss the coda he tacks on, either, which occurs at around 2:09):
And here’s Jim Parsons of “The Big Bang Theory” on trying to learn the song. Parsons is known for his ability to rattle off fast dialogue. But with this song he apparently met his match, and then some:
The Elements is the one Tom Lehrer song that I didn’t learn by heart during my childhood. I learned parts, but not all. It’s a tough one. But I DID learn the gasp. 🙂
But I do remember the end. I think
“These are the only ones of which the news has come to Harvard.
And there’s many many others but they haven’t been discovered.”
A song about the chart of the radionuclides would more than double the length of the song and left him breathless. 😉
Speaking of Parsons and songs- the theme for the Big Bang Theory is pretty darn funny if you ask me.. Download it and listen to the whole thing and you will get a chuckle. The Bare Naked Ladies have done some funny material.
” …. and thorium! and thulium! and thallium! . . .
These are the only ones of which the news has come to Haaahvard, and there may be many others, but they haven’t been discoooovered.”
Oh, my, that was a long time ago….
May not match Lehrer for speed, but a 1970’s song called “Life is a Rock” gives it a pretty good run for its money. There’s a YouTube at the following link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91U0gTY1PKk
The inspiration for “The Elements”:
The Danny Kaye Radio Show – Tschaikowsky (and oth…: http://youtu.be/PkJdmTrlTYk
it fits this class of “fast patter” song..
Life Is a Rock (But the Radio Rolled Me)
is a 1974 song by an ad hoc group of studio musicians called Reunion, with Joey Levine (bubblegum music pioneer with “Chewy Chewy” and “Yummy Yummy Yummy” to his credit) as the lead singer. The song was written by Paul DiFranco (music) and Norman Dolph (lyrics). The lyrics are a fast patter of 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s disc jockeys, musicians, songwriters, record labels, song titles and lyrics, broken only by the chorus.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Life_Is_a_Rock_%28But_the_Radio_Rolled_Me%29
the video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=16kh-AP4OCU
i personally liked the tracy ulman version..
i used to be able to sing this one, and the tom lehrer piece… as i grew up in the era of comedy albums, in which the kids all memorized whole comedy skits.
whats that?
looks like a penguin
whats he doing on the tele?
standing
i can see that…
end to end… just ask my dead parrot…
I loved the Elements song on that cartoon character series. What was it called, the one they put out after Donald Duck.
Animaniacs, with the brain villain rat, that was the one.
You learn something every day. Until reading Lee’s comment, I had never heard of Danny Kaye’s Russian composers song, which definitely sounds like the inspiration for The Elements.
I have several records (remember those?) of Tom Lehrer songs. Alas, he decieded to become a mathematician.
Oh my Neo, you have awakened so many memories. I well remember when my cousin returned from Harvard one year bearing Tom’s first album [the little red one] and played it for me. Within minutes I was completely hooked, and played it over and over, memorizing every song. Ahhh, I miss those days of innocence six decades ago in my home town.
D.B.Light:
In your home town?
A comedian sang “Masochism Tango” to me…
on his knees…
in his nightclub routine
NOT appreciated! (never jilt a comedian, ladies, be it ne’er so gently; or you may end up in his act)
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