Tom Lehrer: National Brotherhood Week (concert live) (1965)

[@pallasproserpina4118]

The best part of this comment section it that the conservatives are getting mad at the liberals, the liberals are getting mad at the conservatives, and yet we can all agree that Tom Lehrer perfectly describes politics in the modern world.

[@nopenope8427]

Don't mistake USA for the world, my friend. He's describing your society, not any other.

Nope Nope No, tribalism and hating each other is a part of almost every democratic society. Greetings from the Czech Republic.

[@jmwoods190]

@ Actually not only democratic societies, but virtually anywhere in which civilization exists!

[@jmwoods190]

@@thesssradio5008 BOOM!!

[@Nicpick]

The more things change. The more they stay the same.

[@Sammie1053]

I think I would give a year off of my life to be able to travel back in time and see this show live

[@fieryfennekinz566]

I’d give 5 years honestly just to meet the guy, seriously- he’s an underrated legend. Its criminal how much recognition he gets, kinda sad. But to meet the genius of Tom Lehrer would be amazing. (Here’s a hint: I’m kind of a big fan. I already have two vinyl LP’s of his albums.)

[@danielebonadeo1816]

I flew all the way to the US (I'm italian) to see one of Bo Burnham's shows. For Lehrer I think I would gladly give a leg

[@onionbroisbestwaifu5067]

I wish I could give all the years off my life to meet him

[@deenasattler9540]

Still so perfectly relevant. This is 2023!

[@MyMy-li6qw]

Haven't heard Tom Lehrer in decades, we had his LP when I was a kid - I attribute most of my ability for witty sarcasm to Lehrer! Too bad everyone doesn't know about him.

[@jmwoods190]

Ditto here, as one of last millenials born onto this Earth!

[@thrownstair]

This song is the perfect demonstration of how to be offensive without punching down.

[@olivertwists]

do people actually think its a jab at „both sides“?? its literally a „progressive“ song, he mocks people for discriminating others and the country not letting certain people in schools at this time

[@casvandijck9338]

The sarcasm poured over "smile at one-anotherhood week" is quite clear.

[@davidwhite8220]

Of course it's a jab at both sides. Lehrer is an equal-opportunity discriminator. The idea that "National Brotherhood Week" was ever going to counteract Tribalism is ridiculous, and the monologue, with its " and I hate people like that", is a clear jab at self-righteous Lefties. At least in those days Lefties could laugh at themselves.. These days, they are too involved in a titanic struggle between Good and Evil.

[@elielbarreto1788]

It is at both sides. The introduction "there are people who don't love their fellow human beings, and I hate them" make this obvious. Also, the Left of today times would definitely be a target on his songs

[@startedtech]

It's also about human nature. There's a reason this song has stayed relevant for 60 years and will be relevant for another 60 years, the idea of everyone always getting along will forever be a fantasy.

[@chrisdayton35]

@@elielbarreto1788 You do know that Lehrer is alive today and is still on the left, right?

[@teresadombek30]

Brilliant mind at its finest...

[@deanbagdasarian5017]

Used to hear him on Dr. Demento in the 70's . Very talented all the way round.

[@theultimatereductionist7592]

Ah, yes! Same here! Dr Demento!

[@lotnemez1655]

Brilliant, how he delivers to both sides, Huggers and haters.

[@Jazz-cd5mu]

He’s not delivering it to “huggers”; he’s giving it to haters and people who are complicit to hate without doing anything about it. The whole song is mocking what was essentially a bandaid on civil rights at the time. A meaningless encouragement to “promote brotherhood” without any legislation to actually accomplish that.

[@nikolopapini2410]

Sense of Humor i adore...

[@ducktapeman1631]

Indecent magazines galore

[@casvandijck9338]

@@ducktapeman1631 I like them more - if they're hardcore!

[@abubaseet]

11 people apparently need National Brotherhood Week more than ever!

[@YoushouNoKioku]

It's sad that this is still true in 2017... fuck hate!

[@something.icantrememberany1365]

i sure hate that goddamn hate.

[@Abril766tf]

the fact that people dont understand this song is satire i--

[@mysticwizardphd]

r/whooosh

[@Creepley]

@@mysticwizardphd r/itswooooshwith4os

[@jakobhawkins77]

Born too early for his time. Bloody brilliant!

[@SoleaGalilei]

This is a great song, really biting satire that still resonates. It's too bad its meaning seems to have flown clear over the heads of many of the commenters here.

[@harmoneebliss777]

The source for the writing, still existing in abundance, over 50 years later. Saddens my heart. Wihing I was shocked, but am not, not even a tiny bit. :(

[@BobBenson-qz8lp]

Not mine. I was 5 yrs old when I heard this song and asked my mother,:why does everyone hate the jews". She yelled to me, "don't say that".

[@chickenman7801]

Why is this song still accurate?

[@gabrielandradeferraz386]

because we failed to solve basically all of the problems

[@jacobyoakum6498]

Because a person can change, but people - as a whole - rarely do.

[@jmwoods190]

Many of his songs are timeless!

[@briant7265]

It's about hypocrisy and empty virtue signaling. We've just traded National Brotherhood Week for Black Month, Women's Month, Pride Month...

[@greatglimbus]

because nothing ever changes

[@RuskePerson]

How is this still so relevant?

[@Shermanbay]

When is it not?

[@casvandijck9338]

It's in the nature of people to dislike other kind of people.

[@jmwoods190]

Because Tom Lehrer songs are basically timeless!

[@Nordbon1523]

Because people still hate each other.

[@griffruby8756]

Like that little bit of Phantom of the Opera at the end.

[@juanig4198]

1:18 the other version said cassius clay and ms wallace, he probably changed it because cassius was now muhammad ali

[@dennisgallagher]

When was this? I had the record and it was just like this.

[@AlexSh789]

I remember hearing it in the recording of Tom Lehrer's Copenhagen performance. I'm sure you can search it up on KZbin.

[@blixer8384]

Man all of the conservatives who think Tom Lehrer is agreeing with them are going to really mad when they discover the rest of his discography.

[@EnoShadow-Walker]

I'm sure they're over their delusion that Colbert is a conservative pretending to be a liberal pretending to be a conservative to trick the libs into agreeing with conservatives for one moment. 🙄 Thus locking em into supporting fascist principles for eternity or risk being labeled a flip flopper. Do you remember when the gop hated flip floppers more than gay woke trans mermaids M&Ms all in one

[@thegreyman1575]

Fuck this is relevant lol

[@rowanaboat4523]

Who would be dancing cheek to cheek if this song was written nowadays?

[@richardarmstrong9770]

🎶National Brotherhood week, National brotherhood week, David Duke and Oprah are dancing cheek to cheek🎶

[@AINGELPROJECT667]

🎵Donald Trump and AOC are dancing cheek to cheek🎵

[@asparadog]

More tongue in cheek than check to cheek!

[@richardarmstrong9770]

He wouldnt kiss her hed grab 'er by the 😺

[@MattThe]

Colin Kaepernick and Tomi Lahren

[@ebrucan7161]

This man was the Bo Burnham before Bo Burnham.

[@greatglimbus]

Bo Burnham WISHES

[@robbouwens8005]

56 Years after the song the situation is almost the same

[@casvandijck9338]

2000 years ago it was the same and 2000 years from now it will still be the same. People suck.

[@seanarki]

This is a song that only bo burnham could pull off today

[@AlexSh789]

Or Tom Lehrer

[@jmwoods190]

@@AlexSh789 If he comes out to perform again, which I hope it happens!

[@TheMaryaBell]

@@jmwoods190 Lehrer's 93 --- he'll be 94 in April . . .

[@rabidbunnies2]

You are clearly unfamiliar with Thomas Benjamin Wild, Esquire. I think you'll find him right up your alley.

[@jmwoods190]

@@TheMaryaBell Never say never!

[@queenalice7483]

Damn, this aged so well, it might as well be Trump and Hilary dancing cheek to cheek

[@KolchaksGhost]

“Ben Shapiro and AOC are dancing cheek to cheek”

[@chuck_in_socal]

More like Trump and Pelosi.

[@queenalice7483]

@@chuck_in_socal love that 👏

[@jmwoods190]

@@queenalice7483 Personally I wouldn't be that surprised if that actually happened in reality, as they're both in The Big Club that we ain't in(to paraphrase George Carlin on this)!

[@jmwoods190]

@@queenalice7483 But don't just stop there, let's add more duos to the Dancing Cheek-to-cheek party! Tucker Carlson & Rachel Maddow Tomi Lahren & Cenk Uygur Stormy Daniels & Sean Hannity Alex Jones & Joe Scarborough Dave Portnoy & Ana Kasparian Matt Gaetz & Ilhan Omar

[@anticorncob6]

I’m so grateful that it doesn’t last all year.

[@mckavitt]

The original version like most of the songs on here!

[@dn6725]

2:09 everyone hates Jews while the jew is the one singing lol

[@ecsender7785]

Moshe knows that look at his name

[@martinherrmann8646]

Is this really a recording from 1965? Or may be earlier? During the youtube-film "Full Copenhagen Perormance" of 1965 Tom Lehrer sings in the song "brotherhood week": "cassius clay and mrs. wallace are dancing cheek to cheek". In your recording he sings: "sheriff clark and lena horn are dancing cheek to cheek" - and the laughing of the ordians in your film is much stronger.

[@AlexSh789]

Martin Herrmann - Details about the recording are at the bottom of the description. This was indeed recorded in July 1965.

[@martinherrmann8646]

Thank you for the info. By the way: Tom Lehrer stays one of the best.

[@dsteere2303]

@@martinherrmann8646 it cant be earlier as malcom x was killed in February 65

[@MURDERPILLOW.]

0:46

[@annbarak54]

HEY! I’m a Jew!

[@johanbrand8601]

It's all satire.

[@fuzzytheduck]

So is he

[@rabidbunnies2]

And nobody In the whole world Likes youuuuu *piano riff* 😉

[@dingo137]

So's Tom Lehrer.

[@salad3806]

L’chaim brother! 🕎 ✡️

[@TnseWlms]

Protestantism was formed when Martin Luther became king after assassinating Pope Malcolm the Tenth.

[@earthboundkid1]

Is it just me or did Tom Lehrer just predict the current state of of US politics? and the current sate of the far left?

[@earthboundkid1]

@Nami Walton. You know ANTIFA was around before the alt right was right? and ANTIFA are almost always the ones that start the fights right? Now I don' or agree like the Neo Nazi's or the alt right or ANTIFA I am just say as an independent outsider it looks the far left is doing far worse than the far right. Though neither extreme is correct. Ever heard of horseshoe theory? Your comment pretty much proves it right. The far left thinks "everyone who says something I don't like is a Nazi" the far right says "everyone I don't like is an SJW". The Far left wants everyone to be a socialist communist progressive. The far right wants a white ethnic state. need I go on to prove that they are two sides of the same shitty coin.

[@pointlesssentience3987]

earthboundkid1 If you want to play the "I am an independent" card, provide me a reason why your first comment singles out the alt left but your reasoning claims that "they are on the same side of the shitty coin" Just saying...

[@earthboundkid1]

@Pointless Sentience. I said the two extremes are two sides of the same shitty coin. You should now as well as I do regardless if you agree with me or regardless of where you are on the political compass. The regressive left NOT ANTIFA has all the "institutional power". let me put it to you this way how come there is always a big stink when ever some one like Milo Yiannopoulos or people like him try to speak at any university? How come all you hear from the MSM is how bad Trump is? How come you have people like Madonna or Johnny Depp talking about killing Trump? This did not come from no where. Most MSM is controlled by a left leaning agenda you can not deny this fact. The BIG reason I said the left is this. Not only does this "regressive left" seem to hold all the power these days. I want you to watch footage from both sides of any recent protest. I would suggest one involving free speach vs hate speach or something like that. When independent reporters on the ground ask the people on this regressive left "what is your end game/what do you want/why Trump bad etc.." the regressive left often has a had time explaining why they fell they way they do and are kind of all over the place whit what they believe. I know I can speak to this truth for one of my collage classes I had to go to a few city council meetings. It just so happened that at the two meetings I went to the cities BLM chapter was there. I tried to interview them so I could get a better understanding of their goals and beliefs. All the people from this BLM I talked to both times told me to go to there website. They simply could not tell me what they wanted in person. Not only does this regressive left have a hard time voicing its goals. It is anti free speach. How many time shave you heard people say don't talk to Nazis or the alt right? This regressive left is not interested in conversation because they think they are not only right but righteous. If you listen interviews from independent reporters talking to people on the right leaning side of a protest. It is also super important to note even though I would describe myself as on the left side of the political spectrum I am a centrist classical liberal, I firmly believe that the Republican party is far more divers ideologically then the Democratic party is right now. That is why it is so hard to say who all shows up of on the right leaning side of a protest. Because it is so diverse in its thinking, yes some of it is bad. Not to mention if you know your Horseshoe theory you know most people are in the center anyway. I am not saying the Republicans are better than the Democrats both parties have there issues. All I am saying is from my observations the people closer to the center and people on the right are more capable of voicing their opinions in public protests and more interested in conversations like free speech rallies than this regressive left is. I will like you to a video i watched that echos many of the points I made here hope you enjoy it. kzbin.info/www/bejne/mXLSlXVnncSisLc

[@shreddman8704]

They have always been there.

[@theultimatereductionist7592]

Cuntservaturds & the Far Right are the most politically correct scum on earth. They won't allow you to make jokes about bombing or killing the President or FBI or DEA or military or wiping your ass on a bible or the american flag.

[@KieranBorovac]

Political correctness at its finest.

[@ryanlock2u]

...how?

[@KieranBorovac]

ryanlock2u Sarcasm.

[@theultimatereductionist7592]

You mean political incorrectness at its finest! :)

[@cybercarcass]

The Ultimate Reductionist as he said, it’s sarcasm

[@cybercarcass]

Would it be too stereotypical to put an r/whooosh here lol

[@miadahhajbi6442]

What the Puerto Rican is not that chick hahaha

[@roys8870]

Did Feminism kill National Brotherhood Week?

[@michaelj.garman4789]

National Siblinghood Week

[@davidwhite8220]

The phenomenon known as "In-Group Preference" is a universal of human nature, or rather social-animal nature: it can be seen every day in dogs, for example. The reason is that 1) as Darwin observed, the purpose of life, practically speaking, is to out-reproduce the competition and 2) for social animals, beating up on other groups is one of the best ways to do that. I am not sure whether some of commenters here think that enough finger-wagging will make it go away. It won't. It's hard-wired. Maybe some eugenics?

[@antifantastisch4467]

Yes, but then you should realise you aren't a monkey & rationalize your instincts.

[@davidwhite8220]

@@antifantastisch4467 That applies to Hutus as well as Tutsis.

[@AlJR189]

Evolutionary spoken, this group should only be up to 100 individuals. If at all. So every larger group you have your "in-group preference" is just arbitrarily defined and everybody who isn't a piece of shit could easily define it to contain all of humanity.

[@davidwhite8220]

@@AlJR189 No. There is no reason that the evolution of in-group preference should include a restriction in the size of groups just because hunter-gatherer bands have, for practical reasons, a restriction in size. Nor is it as if there is no Tribalism in tribes that are are (as almost all tribes are) larger than bands, such as the Hutus in central Africa.

[@AlJR189]

@@davidwhite8220 We have two possibilities: Either we defend in-group preferences with social-animal nature, then we have to look at the original group size humans lived according to their social-animal nature. Or we accept that the relevant group is a question of definition (hunter-gatherer tribes, bigger tribes, nations, religion, colour of skin etc) which can be chosen and makes everybody sticking to like colour of skin or religion a piece of shit.

[@kelseymathias3881]

Today it would be called National Siblinghood Week

[@robertorick6383]

More like National Wokehood Week.

[@Jazz-cd5mu]

It seems media literacy truly is dead

[@lisawinters6081]

I was sent by Ben Shapiro ;)

[@peternormand4094]

Same

[@kenetickups6146]

ew

[@sophiacarpenter1855]

go back and stay there

[@KolchaksGhost]

Political opinions are no more apparently

[@peevi]

For real? Damn, atleast he has good taste.

[@spmoran4703]

Hello isnt this what WOKE is about. Yes, it doesn't work.

[@toottoot3410]

this is absolutely unrelated to "wokeness"...this is from 1965. Lehrer was ahead of his time, but not clairvoyant. he was making fun of hatred and how the USA is inherently built up on this hatred...sort of what these "woke" people are doing...

[@jmwoods190]

@ot3410 It IS related to wokeness and identity politics- because wokeness anchors itself on a person's skin color, culture, creed and sexual orientation to determine what they get, only that it is the extreme opposite of white supremacy(whose existence is just as real). And the line "New Yorkers love the Puerto Ricans 'cause it's very chic" implies this, plus certain forms of off-label 'wokeness' probably existed before they got the label. Tom Lehrer's satire isn't simply ahead of its time, but a timeless caution of human nature wrapped in the most sophisticated form of humor!

[@jayveerisdabest7500]

literally made in 1965, what are you talking about

[@jayveerisdabest7500]

@@jmwoods190 name one woke white supremacist