Attitudes Quote by Tom Lehrer
“I was immersed in popular songs of the time, of the '30s and '40s. I was writing songs, making fun of the attitudes of those songs, in the musical style of the songs themselves; love songs, folk songs, marches, football.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: The Tom Lehrer Collection, 1970s
The speaker reflects on drawing inspiration from 1930s‑40s popular music, parodying its themes using the same musical styles.
In simple terms: He mimics old songs to satirize them.
Key Takeaway
Use familiar forms to critique content.
Themes
parody
music history
culture
humor
Mood
playful
reflective
Type
satirical
educational
When to use this quote
- songwriting
- comedy performance
- radio shows
- educational workshops
Key Concepts
satire
musical pastiche
historical reference
Questions to Reflect On
- How does using the original style affect the impact of satire?
- What responsibilities does a satirist have when referencing past cultures?
A Different Perspective
Parody may be misunderstood as endorsement of the original attitudes.
![“The question I’m always asked when I tell our story about getting out and staying out of debt is “How did you do it?” And my answer is always “We changed our attitudes toward money.” An attitude is a disposition, orientation, or mental or emotional outlook on something.[2] As Marco and I changed…” quote by Carrie Rocha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/1f5/carrie-rocha-54740_financial-success_the-question-i-m-always-asked-when-i-tel_81988.jpg)
