Talk:Tom Lehrer

All works in public domain

Tom Lehrer has released his works into the public domain. See notice at

• https://tomlehrersongs.com/

Blue Rasberry (talk) 20:19, 20 October 2020 (UTC)

Template:Reply to fantastic news. Who's next? SamHolt6 (talk) 20:33, 20 October 2020 (UTC)

Template:Ping I cannot think of another artist like Tom Lehrer who started giving their artistic collection to the world in this way. I also am wondering whether Tom Lehrer will actually release audio recordings.

As for what is next, Public Domain Day has more to do every year along with WP:Wikipedia Day around the same time. Next year is everything in the United States from 1925, except recorded music. Blue Rasberry (talk) 23:25, 20 October 2020 (UTC)

Does anyone have a verification for this website and disclaimer statement actually being by Tom Lehrer? It’s making the rounds on Twitter (e. g. Cory Doctorow), but so far the only source I’ve seen is the website itself, which in theory could’ve been put up by anyone. (Also, the Internet Archive has a March 2020 capture with the same statement.) --Lucas Werkmeister (talk) 23:46, 20 October 2020 (UTC)

I know this info will be exactly opposite Wikipedia's definitions of reliability ... but, FWIW, just to set people's minds at rest and encourage someone else to find the "reliable source": one of my best friends is very good friends with Lehrer (and she has never introduced me! Grr!). I will ask her to verify that the announcement was actually by him.

~ Dudley Brooks (talk) 05:36, 11 April 2025 (UTC)

I feel like this is a notable link to include, however a certain user is rolling back addition. Endated (talk) 14:22, 15 December 2022 (UTC)

@Endated, I reverted it when you added Template:Url. Try that link, see what that page is. Schazjmd (talk) 16:13, 15 December 2022 (UTC)

A Commons file used on this page or its Wikidata item has been nominated for deletion

The following Wikimedia Commons file used on this page or its Wikidata item has been nominated for deletion:

• Tom Lehrer in 1950s.jpg

Participate in the deletion discussion at the nomination page. —Community Tech bot (talk) 20:08, 19 January 2023 (UTC)

I am very glad it was not deleted. It is essential history of the mid 20th century. Janice Vian, Ph.D. (talk) 21:48, 19 February 2025 (UTC)

Looks like it's gone, Ma'am. - Denimadept (talk) 04:17, 20 February 2025 (UTC)

Appearance on Hey, Mr. Producer

In the page, it says that he sang Poisoning Pigeons in the Park and an updated version of Who's Next?, but I can only find his performance of Poisoning Pigeons in the Park. Is there any proof of his performance of Who's Next? Mirnim0000 (talk) 08:58, 25 January 2024 (UTC)

1972 McGovern Fundraiser, Cleveland Heights, OH bootleg recording

I'm apparently forbidden to upload this mp3 recording to Wikimedia. Anyone know how to get it done? Thanks.

Hpage66 (talk) 23:47, 3 March 2024 (UTC)

I don't know why you can't upload an mp3. You could ask at WP:HELPDESK about technical issues. However, please don't attempt to upload a bootleg mp3 because copyright is strictly enforced at Wikipedia. Even links to copyright violations are prohibited (WP:COPYVIOEL). Johnuniq (talk) 02:44, 4 March 2024 (UTC)

Thank you, Johnuniqe. Yes it is a bootleg however Tom Lehrer has explicitly placed all his works in the public domain:

"All copyrights to lyrics or music written or composed by me have been permanently and irrevocably relinquished, and therefore such songs are now in the public domain. All of my songs that have never been copyrighted, having been available for free for so long, are now also in the public domain. In other words, I have abandoned, surrendered and disclaimed all right, title and interest in and to my work and have injected any and all copyrights into the public domain."

https://tomlehrersongs.com/disclaimer/ Hpage66 (talk) 05:09, 4 March 2024 (UTC)

That statement covers the compositions, but not performances. —Tamfang (talk) 23:24, 29 March 2024 (UTC)

Template:Ping You could try sending Lehrer a letter and ask if he is willing to give up his performance rights. His address isn't too hard to find on Google. FunnyMath (talk) 19:04, 11 July 2024 (UTC)

I Got It from Agnes

Re. the paragraph about Asimov, under Style and Influences: It's not "likely" "I Got It from Agnes" ... it's *obviously* "I Got It from Agnes":

I got it from Agnes.

She got it from Jim.

We all agree

That it must be

Louise who gave it to him.

And the rest of Asimov's statement is an accurate description of the rest of the song.

Dudley Brooks (talk) 05:45, 11 April 2025 (UTC)

Cover artwork in the public domain?

I don't know if there's a clear answer for this but it should be worth asking. Does Lehrer also own (and thus relinquished) the rights to the packaging of his albums? Or are they currently owned by Warner through Reprise and Rhino? They should be public domain since most of them were self-released on Lehrer Records, if I'm not mistaken. Carlinal (talk) 23:20, 25 April 2025 (UTC)