What makes That Was the Year That Was by Tom Lehrer notable?

This album is notable for its incisive commentary on contemporary issues, influencing the genre of musical satire and paving the way for future artists like Randy Newman and Bob Dylan. Its tracks received critical acclaim, notably 'National Brotherhood Week', which became emblematic of Lehrer's ability to address serious subjects humorously, exemplifying the cultural shift in American music during the 1960s. That Was the Year That Was marked Tom Lehrer's first album since his rise to prominence in the early 1960s as a satirical songwriter. Released in 1965, it captured the zeitgeist of a tumultuous era, shortly after his appearances on television shows that popularized his comedic style. This album solidified Lehrer's reputation as a leading voice in musical satire during his peak years.

How many songs are on That Was the Year That Was?

That Was the Year That Was has 14 tracks, running approximately 37 minutes.

That Was the Year That Was

Tom Lehrer · 1965

37 min · 14 tracks

A witty blend of satirical lyrics and playful melodies critiques social and political issues with Lehrer’s distinctively sharp humor.

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Top tracks — play these first

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National Brotherhood Week — This track cleverly juxtaposes the idealism of brotherhood against the reality of societal prejudice, showcasing Lehrer's sharp wit and lyrical precision.
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The Vatican Rag — Blending humor with religious critique, this song's catchy melody and rhythmic playfulness highlight Lehrer's unique ability to tackle sensitive subjects with levity.
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Pollution — This track employs dark humor to address environmental concerns, making it an early example of eco-satire that resonates with ongoing discussions about pollution today.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

67 /100

Alpine

Higher than 91% of albums we've rated

Lehrer's sharp wit and musicality create a cohesive and engaging satire that resonates with its era.

What we noticed

Each track features Lehrer's piano accompaniment, with lyrics that directly address specific social and political issues of the time.
The album maintains a consistent mid-tempo pace, with several songs employing a call-and-response structure to engage listeners.
Many tracks end with a humorous twist or punchline, reinforcing the satirical nature of the content.

Composition 25% of the score: 8/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 8/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Moments worth listening for

Where the writing does something specific.

So Long, Mom (A Song for World War III)

The narrative shifts from playful innocence to stark reality as it contrasts childhood innocence with the grim prospects of war.

By juxtaposing a childlike perspective with adult themes of conflict, Lehrer exposes the absurdity of war while maintaining his signature comedic tone.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 National Brotherhood Week 2:35
2 MLF Lullaby 2:24
3 George Murphy 2:08
4 The Folk Song Army 2:11
5 Smut 3:14
6 Send the Marines 1:45
7 Pollution 2:16
8 So Long, Mom (A Song for World War III) 2:23
9 Whatever Became of Hubert? 2:12
10 New Math 4:28
11 Alma 5:27
12 Who’s Next? 1:59
13 Wernher von Braun 1:46
14 The Vatican Rag 2:14

What to play next

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Songs by Tom Lehrer

1966

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More of Tom Lehrer

1959

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Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata