Poisoning Pigeons In The Park

Album: An Evening Wasted with Tom Lehrer (1959)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This was one of many songs discussed in the first episode of a short BBC Radio 4 series Taboo Be Doo which was broadcast in June 2011. Written and performed by Tom Lehrer, the presenter's view was that Lehrer was able to get away with this in an age when the censor was a lot busier and more powerful than today because of its ludicrous lyrical dissonance, which might be compared with the Frank Zappa track "Why Does It Hurt When I Pee?"
  • "Poisoning Pigeons In The Park" is a jaunty love song of sorts with deliberately awkward lyrics performed by Lehrer accompanying himself at the piano. Alas, he had to include that horrible grammatical error "try and hide" which can be found in numerous, and far more edifying songs, such as "Rocky Mountain High." >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Alexander Baron - London, England, for above 2

Comments: 1

  • Karen from Manchester, NhTom Lehrer had a ton of great songs; I'm amazed that there are only 5 listed here in "Songfacts"! A few that I remember just off the top of my head are "The Masochism Tango", "The Vatican Rag" and "New Math"!
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Album Cover Inspirations

Album Cover InspirationsSong Writing

Some album art was at least "inspired" by others. A look at some very similar covers.

Harry Wayne Casey of KC and The Sunshine Band

Harry Wayne Casey of KC and The Sunshine BandSongwriter Interviews

Harry Wayne Casey tells the stories behind KC and The Sunshine Band hits like "Get Down Tonight," "That's The Way (I Like It)," and "Give It Up."

Roger McGuinn of The Byrds

Roger McGuinn of The ByrdsSongwriter Interviews

Roger reveals the songwriting formula Clive Davis told him, and if "Eight Miles High" is really about drugs.

Into The Great Wide Open: Made-up Musicians

Into The Great Wide Open: Made-up MusiciansSong Writing

Eddie (played by Johnny Depp in the video) found fame fleeting, but Chuck Berry's made-up musician fared better.

James Bond Theme Songs

James Bond Theme SongsMusic Quiz

How well do you know the 007 theme songs?

Gary LeVox

Gary LeVoxSongwriter Interviews

On "Life Is A Highway," his burgeoning solo career, and the Rascal Flatts song he most connects with.