The Old Dope Peddler

Album: Songs by Tom Lehrer (1953)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This is a very short song, running to less than 2 minutes, including when performed live with a few words of introduction. It remains to be seen if there is or indeed was ever any truth in the drug pusher myth, namely that such men handed out free samples to children hoping that today's young innocents will become tomorrow's clientele, but at least one member of the British Parliament thought so, and on April 19, 1991, Mr. Robert Maclennan (later Baron Maclennan of Rogart) alluded to this song in a debate on the sale of unpackaged cigarettes.

    This was neither the first nor the last time Tom Lehrer's work has been referenced in Hansard, the first being November 10, 1965. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Alexander Baron - London, England

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Andrew Farriss of INXS

Andrew Farriss of INXSSongwriter Interviews

Andrew Farriss on writing with Michael Hutchence, the stories behind "Mystify" and other INXS hits, and his country-flavored debut solo album.

Jethro Tull

Jethro TullFact or Fiction

Stage urinals, flute devices, and the real Aqualung in this Fact or Fiction.

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: Tarantino Edition

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: Tarantino EditionMusic Quiz

Whether he's splitting ears or burning Nazis, Quentin Tarantino uses memorable music in his films. See if you can match the song to the scene.

Mike Rutherford (Genesis, Mike + The Mechanics)

Mike Rutherford (Genesis, Mike + The Mechanics)Songwriter Interviews

Mike Rutherford talks about the "Silent Running" storyline and "Land Of Confusion" in the age of Trump.

Donald Fagen

Donald FagenSongwriter Interviews

Fagen talks about how the Steely Dan songwriting strategy has changed over the years, and explains why you don't hear many covers of their songs.

Soul Train Stories with Stephen McMillian

Soul Train Stories with Stephen McMillianSong Writing

A Soul Train dancer takes us through a day on the show, and explains what you had to do to get camera time.