Tom Glazer facts for kids

Thomas Zachariah Glazer (born September 2, 1914 – died February 21, 2003) was an American folk singer and songwriter. He was known for writing many ballads. Some of his famous songs include "Because All Men Are Brothers" and "Talking Inflation Blues." He also wrote the words for popular songs like "Melody of Love" (1954) and "Skokian" (1954). Tom Glazer was especially loved for his children's songs, like the funny "On Top of Spaghetti".

Life Story of Tom Glazer

Thomas Glazer was born in Philadelphia on September 2, 1914. His parents had moved from Minsk, Russia. His father, a carpenter, died during the 1918 flu pandemic. Tom and his two brothers were raised by relatives. Later, they lived in the Hebrew Orphan Home in Philadelphia. His younger brother, Sidney Glazier, became a movie producer. He produced the film The Producers.

Early Musical Journey

Their father's record collection helped Glazer discover music. At school, he learned to play the tuba, guitar, and bass. When he was 17, he traveled to New York City. He worked at Macy's during the day. At night, he took classes to finish his education. He then studied at City College of New York for three years.

Starting His Career

Glazer later moved to Washington, D.C. He began working at the Library of Congress. There, he met Alan Lomax, who cataloged American folk songs. Lomax greatly influenced Glazer. Glazer started performing as a hobby. Eleanor Roosevelt even invited him to perform at the White House for soldiers.

He had a successful first professional show in New York City in 1943. In 1945, he had his own radio show called Tom Glazer's Ballad Box. His songs from that time often talked about social issues. Songs like "A Dollar Ain't a Dollar Anymore" and "Talking Inflation Blues" showed his strong opinions.

Famous Singers and Folk Music

Many famous singers recorded Glazer's songs. These included Bob Dylan, Pete Seeger, Burl Ives, The Kingston Trio, Peter, Paul and Mary, Perry Como, and Frank Sinatra. Glazer was a big part of the folk music scene in New York in the 1940s. He worked with artists like Lead Belly, Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger, and Josh White. They helped prepare the way for the popular folk music revival of the 1960s. Pete Seeger once said about him, "He wasn't fancy. He was just straightforward. He had a good sense of humor."

Family Life and Children's Music

Glazer married Miriam Reed Eisenberg, and they had two sons. In the late 1940s and early 1950s, Glazer recorded many children's records. He worked with Young People's Records, Inc. In the 1960s, he hosted a weekly children's radio show. It was on WQXR radio in New York.

Music for Movies

Glazer also wrote music for films. He created the musical score for the Elia Kazan movie A Face in a Crowd (1957). Glazer also wrote and sang the main song for the 1966 movie Namu, the Killer Whale. This film starred Robert Lansing and Lee Meriwether.

Tom Glazer's Children's Songs

Tom Glazer made many songs especially for kids.

Science Songs for Kids

With Dottie Evans, Glazer recorded three children's albums in 1959 and 1960. These were part of a six-album set called Ballads for the Age of Science. The songs helped explain science ideas to young children. All the lyrics were written by Hy Zaret, and the music by Lou Singer. One of these albums, Space Songs, had the song "Why Does the Sun Shine?". This song was later covered by the band They Might Be Giants.

The Spaghetti Song

His most popular song was "On Top of Spaghetti". He recorded this funny song in 1963 for Kapp Records. It used the tune of "On Top of Old Smoky". He sang it with the Do-Re-Mi Children's Chorus. This song was later put on an LP record. That record also included one of the first versions of Puff, the Magic Dragon. It also had Battle Hymn of the Children and other children's songs.

Glazer sometimes had mixed feelings about his famous spaghetti song. He once joked that he might not get into heaven because he wrote it! In 2008, Smithsonian Folkways released Tom Glazer Sings Honk-Hiss-Tweet-GGGGGGGGGG and Other Children's Favorites. This was a collection of his live performances.

Songs from Young People's Records

His work with Young People's Records was very important. This was a service that sent vinyl records to kids every few weeks. Some of his songs for them included: "Building a City", "The Circus Comes to Town", "The Little Fireman", "On a Rainy Day", "When I Grow Up", "Let's Play Zoo", "Going West: A Group of American Pioneer Songs", and "Daniel Boone". Kids loved his clear and friendly voice.

Other Popular Songs

Glazer also changed a German folk song called "Ich Bin Ein Musikante" into "The Musicians". This song is also known as "I Am a Fine Musician". It was famously performed in a 1963 episode of The Dick Van Dyke Show.

Later Years and Passing

Tom Glazer passed away at his home in Rochester on February 21, 2003. He was 88 years old.

Lost Recordings

On June 25, 2019, The New York Times Magazine reported something sad. It said that some of Tom Glazer's original recordings were lost. They were destroyed in the 2008 Universal fire.