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Music Monday: Happy Birthday Randy Newman

by Scott Lydon


Happy Music Monday! It's sorta weird just how much music has been given the Randy Newman touch over the years. Sure, we all know the big hits but do we all know the hits he's written? If we do, Scott's birthday tribute to Mr. Newman will just be a fun walk down memory lane. But if we don't, well, we might be about to learn a thing or two.

Peggy Lee - Is That All There Is?

 

Depressing? Sure. Sardonic? Of course? Is this song right up there with MacArthur Park on the list of things Scott wants to forget? Damn straight! But there's a real chance you didn't know that a young Randy Newman was doing the orchestral arrangement. Which, as you can hear, is quite nice overall. Especially when compared to the lyrics.

Even more deep cuts comin' up. Then it'll be your turn!

Three Dog Night - Mama Told Me Not To Come

 

This Three Dog Night hit is often used to set up a situation that is about to go sour. That wobbly haunted-carnival music at the start of things kinda sets the tone for what's to come. And yes, this hit for Three Dog Night was in fact written by Randy Newman! So thank him the next time it comes on the radio.

The Full Monty - You Can Leave Your Hat Onslightly NSFW due to male bottoms

 

Randy Newman has said he's got trouble singing this song because it's out of his range. But it's done well for Joe Cocker, Tom Jones, and for the '90s movie that adopted it as a sort of theme. Even if you've never heard of Randy Newman, you probably have heard this song. But you've CERTAINLY heard the next one.

Toy Story - You've Got A Friend In Me

 

Now I gotta admit, this song really approaches the Family Guy parody of Randy Newman at times. But it's still a very sweet song, and it introduced Randy Newman to a bunch of kids who otherwise would never have known his name! Which, as far as I'm concerned, is perfectly fine.

Randy Newman - It's Money That Matters

 

I'm gonna close, entirely selfishly, with my personal favorite Randy Newman song. Like all great subversive songs, it's really easy to miss the gentle slam on the hippie to yuppie transition the Boomers went through. And, of course, it's being sung by a guy who had a few pop hits himself, so the irony is clear.

Head to the comments and post your favorite Randy Newman song, because there are a BUNCH that Scott skipped. Also hit up Facebook and maybe get a nice new Randy Newman record on vinyl! And let us just remind you: some images come from the corresponding Wikipedia page and are here under fair use. See you next week.