In 1939, Newman began a twenty-one year career as music director for 20th Century-Fox Studios. He composed the familiar fanfare which accompanies the studio logo at the beginning of Fox's productions. At Fox, he also developed what came to be known as the Newman System, a means of synchronising the performance and recording of a musical score with the film. The system is still in use today.
He was the head of a family of major Hollywood film composers including his son, Thomas Newman, who is currently active. Other notable Newman family members include his brothers, Lionel Newman and Emil Newman, and his nephew, the singer/songwriter Randy Newman.
He received 45 Academy Award nominations (a record in the music categories, now shared with John Williams), winning 9 times.
Marcellus / Farewell
Alfred Newman Lyrics
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Sure to tell me you're rid of me
How cool can you be
Shrugging your shoulders saying you're rid of me
That's the way it is
So sickly sweet and oh so candy
No matter which way it is
I'll live in the flat the council gave me
You'd better move on out now
Leave town and get on out now
Living with each other only for the sake of it
Living in a shack they said was `handy'
Your good looks blew you out and now you want no part of it
Suffice to tell me you're rid of me
That's the way it is
I'll live in the flat that the housing gave me
Look uh get outa here!
Get outa here!
You'd better move on out now
Leave town and get on out now
Poisoned letters from snakes who died to make it
Hung out drying in the cemetery
My personality always is a problem
Always was and always will be
That's the way it is
You don't need to understand me
No matter which way it is
I'll live in the flat that the housing gave me
Look uh get outa here!
Get outa here!
The song "Marcellus/Farewell" by Alfred Newman features lyrics that express themes of breakups, moving on, and finding a new place to live. The singer in the song is being rejected by their lover and is being told to leave town. The lyrics are filled with bitterness as the singer expresses that their partner is being "cool" and "sickly sweet" about dumping them. However, the singer remains defiant, saying that they will continue to make a life for themselves in the flat that the council gave them. The song also touches on the singer's personality being a problem, as they receive "poisoned letters" and are misunderstood.
The lyrics paint a picture of someone who is going through a difficult time but is determined to make it on their own. They are being rejected by their partner and facing criticism from others, but they refuse to be taken down by it. The chorus of the song, "You'd better move on out now, leave town and get on out now," is a reminder to the singer that they are not wanted in this place anymore, and that it is time for them to move forward. The song expresses themes of resilience, independence, and the strength of the human spirit in the face of adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
So you tell me you're certain about it
You're claiming to be certain about the fact that you're getting rid of me
Sure to tell me you're rid of me
You're making it clear that you want nothing to do with me
How cool can you be
You're acting indifferent to the situation
Shrugging your shoulders saying you're rid of me
You're casually dismissing me and acting like it's no big deal
That's the way it is
This is how things are, and you're not going to change them
So sickly sweet and oh so candy
Your fake sweetness is nauseating
No matter which way it is
Regardless of how things turn out
I'll live in the flat the council gave me
I'll make do with what I have and move on with my life
You'd better move on out now
You need to leave this town right now
Leave town and get on out now
Get out of here as fast as you can
Living with each other only for the sake of it
Our relationship is hollow and meaningless
Living in a shack they said was `handy'
We're living in a rundown place that someone thought was convenient
Your good looks blew you out and now you want no part of it
You used to think you were too good for this, but now you don't want any part of it
Suffice to tell me you're rid of me
I get it, you don't want me around anymore
Poisoned letters from snakes who died to make it
I've been receiving hateful letters from people who are no longer here
Hung out drying in the cemetery
These people are dead and buried, but their hatred lives on
My personality always is a problem
I realize my personality can be difficult and cause issues
Always was and always will be
This is just the way I am and will always be
You don't need to understand me
I don't expect you to understand me, just accept me for who I am
Look uh get outa here!
Seriously, leave now!
Get outa here!
I'm not kidding, you need to leave now!
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ALFRED NEWMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind