Newman is noted for his practice of writing lyrics from the perspective of a character far removed from Newman's own biography. For example, the 1972 song "Sail Away" is written as a slave trader's sales pitch to attract slaves, while the narrator of "Political Science" is a U.S. nationalist who complains of worldwide ingratitude toward America and proposes a brutally ironic final solution. One of his biggest hits, "Short People" was written from the perspective of "a lunatic" who hates short people. Since the 1980s, Newman has worked mostly as a film composer. His film scores include Ragtime, Awakenings, The Natural, Leatherheads, James and the Giant Peach, Meet the Parents, Seabiscuit and The Princess and the Frog. He has scored many Disney-Pixar films: Toy Story, A Bug's Life, Toy Story 2, Monsters, Inc., Cars, Toy Story 3, Monsters University, Cars 3 and most recently Toy Story 4.
He has been awarded an Academy Award, three Emmys, four Grammy Awards, and the Governor's Award from the Recording Academy. Newman was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2002. In 2007, Newman was inducted as a Disney Legend.
Newman grew up in a musical family with Hollywood connections; his uncles Alfred and Lionel both scored numerous films. By age 17, Randy was staff writer for a California music publisher. One semester short of a B.A. in music from UCLA, he dropped out of school. Lenny Waronker, son of Liberty Records’ president, was a close friend and, later, as a staff producer for Warner Bros., helped get Newman signed to the label.
Newman’s early songs were recorded by a number of performers. His friend Harry Nilsson recorded an entire album with Newman on piano, Nilsson Sings Newman, in 1970. Judy Collins (“I Think It’s Going to Rain Today”), Peggy Lee (“Love Story”), and Three Dog Night - for whom “Mama Told Me (Not to Come)” hit #1 - all enjoyed success with Newman’s music.
Newman became a popular campus attraction when touring with Nilsson. His status as a cult star was affirmed by his critically praised debut, Randy Newman, in 1968, which featured his own complex arrangements for full orchestra, and later by 1970’s 12 Songs. He also sang “Gone Dead Train” on the soundtrack of Performance (1970). Live and Sail Away were Newman’s first commercial successes, but his audience has been limited to some degree because his songs are often colored by his ironic, pointed sense of humor, which is rarely simple and frequently misunderstood.
Good Old Boys, for example, was a concept album about the South, with the lyrics expressing the viewpoint of white Southerners. Lyrics such as “We’re rednecks, and we don’t know our ass from a hole in the ground” made people wonder whether Newman was being satirical or sympathetic. He toured (to Atlanta and elsewhere) behind the album with a full orchestra that played his arrangements and was conducted by his uncle Emil Newman.
Little Criminals, in 1977, contained Newman’s first hit single, “Short People,” which mocked bigotry and was taken seriously by a vocal offended minority. “Baltimore” from that album was covered by Nina Simone. Following that album’s release, Newman toured for the first time since 1974. He claimed that in the interim he’d done nothing but watch television and play with his three sons. In 1979 his Born Again featured guest vocals by members of the Eagles. In 1981 Newman composed the soundtrack for the film Ragtime (the first of many soundtrack assignments) and was nominated for two Oscars (Best Song, Best Score). His 1983 album, Trouble in Paradise, included guest appearances by Linda Ronstadt, members of Fleetwood Mac, and Paul Simon, who sang a verse of “The Blues.” That album’s “I Love L.A.” became something of an anthem, thanks in part to a flashy music video directed by Newman’s cousin, Tim Newman (who went on to shoot popular videos for ZZ Top, among others). Land of Dreams (#80, 1988) spawned a minor hit in “It’s Money That Matters” (#60, 1988). It would take Newman 10 more years to make another studio album, 1999’s critically acclaimed Bad Love. With that record peaking at #194, he continues to meet his biggest success in Hollywood, where he spent most of the ’90s becoming one of the town’s most sought-after film composers. Although the material on his own records is literate and biting, the songs he writes for movies are decidedly simpler and with a sunnier outlook - and they usually meet with more success. Both “I Love to See You Smile” from Parenthood and “When She Loved Me” from Toy Story 2, for instance, were nominated for Oscars; in 1998 alone, Newman garnered three Oscar nominations for three different movies.
In 1995 Newman wrote a musical adaptation of Goethe’s Faust. Both the play and the accompanying CD (which featured guests such as Bonnie Raitt, Linda Ronstadt, Elton John, Don Henley, and James Taylor in the role of God) were commercially unsuccessful. In 2000 he received the Billboard Century Award.
Easy Street
Randy Newman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Guaranteed
Getting everything you need
Hand delivered
Quite discreet
'Cause you're on easy street
Any place you want to go
Get you to the back door
Get a front row seat
'Cause you're on easy street
All your old friends
I know you love 'em so
It's gonna break your heart
But we'll have to let them go
Your friends up here must be the elite
Live like everyone you meet
On easy street
Life is sweet
Accomodations can't be beat
On easy street
Easy street
Yes you'll see
Watch the world roll by your feet
Don't look down
That's it
What's the matter
You act strange
Do your worst
Don't ever change
Don't no matter
What you do
You think anyone up here
Is ever gonna say no to you
Naw
That's it Miss B.
Yes
I don't know how you got here
How the whole world knows your name
Forget about, relax, enjoy yourself
Everyone you go they're glad you came
Everywhere you go
You're on easy street
Life is sweet
Let 'em worship at your feet
On easy street
Randy Newman's Easy Street is a satirical song that tells the story of a wealthy individual who is living a life of luxury on "Easy Street." The song refers to this person's ability to get anything he or she desires, including VIP treatment at events, exclusive access to places or events, and spending time with only the elite members of society. The lyrics suggest that being on "Easy Street" means everything is handed to you and that you can live a life without any struggles or hardships.
The lyrics convey the idea that anyone who has entered into this privileged lifestyle must abandon their old friends who were not deemed to be of the same social status as them. The song suggests that the singer has left behind people who were once close to them in order to join an elite social circle. The lyrics also indicate that the person is aware of their privileged position, as the song confidently declares that "satisfaction guaranteed" and "don't look down."
The irony of the song lies in the fact that the luxurious lifestyle is not as satisfying as it is advertised. Despite the comfort and amenities, there is a sense of emptiness and disconnection, and the singer is primarily interested in status rather than personal fulfillment. The lyrics are a reflection of the commonly held belief that wealth and status can provide happiness, but ultimately the song portrays that this false idea is nothing but a myth.
Line by Line Meaning
Satisfaction
The feeling of contentment and fulfillment.
Guaranteed
The assurance of satisfaction with no risk of failure or disappointment.
Getting everything you need
Receiving everything that you desire or require.
Hand delivered
Delivered directly to you in a convenient and timely manner.
Quite discreet
Provided to you in a manner that is secretive or not easily noticed by others.
'Cause you're on easy street
All of the above benefits are available to you because you are living a life of ease and comfort.
Any place you want to go
You have complete freedom and access to go anywhere you want.
We'll call ahead let 'em know
We will make arrangements for you, notifying the necessary people of your arrival.
Get you to the back door
We will provide you with access to exclusive areas and privileges that are not available to the public.
Get a front row seat
You will have the best possible view or experience because of your status and connections.
'Cause you're on easy street
All of the above benefits are available to you because you are living a life of ease and comfort.
All your old friends
The people you used to know and spend time with in the past.
I know you love 'em so
I understand that you have an affection for them and care about their happiness.
It's gonna break your heart
It will be emotionally difficult for you to let go of them.
But we'll have to let them go
However, we must part ways with them in order to keep our status.
Your friends up here must be the elite
Your new friends and associates must also be wealthy, influential, or powerful people in order to maintain your status among them.
Live like everyone you meet
Act like everyone you encounter is someone of importance and power.
On easy street
All of the above requirements and benefits are available to you because you are living a life of ease and comfort.
Life is sweet
Your life is comfortable and enjoyable, free from hardship or difficulties.
Accommodations can't be beat
The places you stay and the things you enjoy are the best of the best, and cannot be surpassed by anything else.
On easy street
All of the above requirements and benefits are available to you because you are living a life of ease and comfort.
Easy street
The path to which all of the above benefits and privileges are available to those who live an easy life.
Yes you'll see
You will witness and experience all of the above benefits and privileges if you follow this path.
Watch the world roll by your feet
You will be able to observe and enjoy everything the world has to offer from a position of ease and comfort.
Don't look down
Do not feel insecure or fearful about your situation, as it is secure and desirable.
That's it
That is all you need to know to live a life of ease and comfort.
What's the matter
Why are you expressing negative emotions or responses?
You act strange
Your behavior is unusual or out-of-the-ordinary based on the expectations of an easy life.
Do your worst
Even if you put forth your worst effort or performance, your position in life is still guaranteed.
Don't ever change
Do not deviate from this path of ease and comfort that has been laid out for you.
Don't no matter
It is not recommended, no matter what you do, to abandon or change your luxurious status and way of life.
What you do
Regardless of what actions you take or thoughts you have.
You think anyone up here
Do you believe that anyone of your status and privilege will deny your requests or desires?
Is ever gonna say no to you
It is highly unlikely that anyone of your status and privilege will deny your requests or desires.
Naw
No, they will not deny your requests or desires.
That's it Miss B.
That is all you need to know, Miss B.
I don't know how you got here
I am unaware of how you were able to attain your privileged status and way of life.
How the whole world knows your name
However, despite my lack of knowledge, it is clear that your name is famous and recognized around the world.
Forget about, relax, enjoy yourself
Do not worry or stress, but instead relax and enjoy your luxurious status and way of life.
Everyone you go they're glad you came
Everywhere you go, people are excited and happy to see you because of your status and celebrity.
Everywhere you go
Every place that you visit or experience.
You're on easy street
All of the above requirements and benefits are available to you because you are living a life of ease and comfort.
Life is sweet
Your life is comfortable and enjoyable, free from hardship or difficulties.
Let 'em worship at your feet
Allow people to show reverence and admiration for you because of your privileged status and way of life.
On easy street
All of the above requirements and benefits are available to you because you are living a life of ease and comfort.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: RANDY NEWMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind