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

Sam Hollander

Sam HollanderSongwriter Interviews

The hitmaking songwriter/producer Sam Hollander with stories about songs for Weezer, Panic! At The Disco, Train, Pentatonix, and Fitz And The Tantrums.

Jesus In Pop Hits: The Gospel Songs That Went Mainstream

Jesus In Pop Hits: The Gospel Songs That Went MainstreamSong Writing

These overtly religious songs crossed over to the pop charts, despite resistance from fans, and in many cases, churches.

Divided Souls: Musical Alter Egos

Divided Souls: Musical Alter EgosSong Writing

Long before Eminem, Justin Bieber and Nicki Minaj created alternate personas, David Bowie, Bono, Joni Mitchell and even Hank Williams took on characters.

Creedence Clearwater Revival

Creedence Clearwater RevivalFact or Fiction

Is "Have You Ever Seen the Rain" about Vietnam? Was John Fogerty really born on a Bayou? It's the CCR edition of Fact or Fiction.

The Real Nick Drake

The Real Nick DrakeSong Writing

The head of Drake's estate shares his insights on the late folk singer's life and music.

Rupert Hine

Rupert HineSongwriter Interviews

Producer Rupert Hine talks about crafting hits for Tina Turner, Howard Jones and The Fixx.