Too Many Songs by Tom Lehrer: With Not Enough Drawings by Ronald Searle

I ordered this for the pianist in the family, my 15-year-old son, but we're all just loving these very funny, very satirical songs. Though it's been 40 years since Tom Lehrer recorded them, they hold up well, and the music is pretty easy for an intermediate pianist to play.

Most people considering buying this book already know Tom Lehrer's work from listening to it, and will hopefully agree with me that nothing quite measures up in terms of musical comedy. Here's your chance to also play the tunes as you sing them.

My father first encountered Tom Lehrer in college, and I grew up listening to his sarcastic melodies. When I began my bright college days, I found many like-minded Lehrer fans there. This songbook provides hours of boistrous belting with friends, offering lyrics to indoctrinate the ignorant few and sheet music for the ivory tickler of your club. Do not be afraid to imbellish the score, create your own harmony, or ignore intonation altogether; but remember of course to sing with your glasses raised on high.

For anyone that has ever heard a Tom Lehrer song and become an instant devotee this book will assuredly help his retirement fund - and good luck to him. For many, Tom Lehrer was (and still is) one of the best and blackest satirists of the 1940's - 1960's. The humour and vitriol in his songs is as fresh as ever in this book and you too will find yourself wanting to Poison Pigeons in the Park, Be Prepared, dance either the Masochism Tango or the Vatican Rag and generally All Go Together When We Go.There is no neat way of explaining Tom Lehrer thankfully. Just buy it.

The songs are hilarious and perverse enough to really appeal to kids (from 2 to 102). My family has spent many happy hours raucously singing these around the piano. My son had great fun memorizing the elements song and speed-singing it. Some of the songs are dated, and I wish Tom Lehrer were writing new stuff, but you won't be sorry getting this book!