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.
Family
Randy Newman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We've come very, very far, together
And if I might say so
And if I might say so too
We wouldn't have got anywhere
If it weren't for you, boy
Love is the sweetest thing
Love is the way we feel for you
We're family
We're family
We're family
All of us
And you!
Think of where we'd be if we were on our own
We'd be dead!
You're what holds us all, together
I am?
And if I might say so
And if we might say so too
We never could love anyone as much as
We love you!
Love
Is the strangest thing
Love
Does exactly what it wants to do
Love
Boy, you know it's true
We're family, we're family, we're family, me, me, me, me and you!
Ashes to ashes and dust to dust
Without you there'd be no us
Love is the sweetest thing
Love does exactly what it wants to do
Love is the way we feel for you
We're family, we're family
We're family, me
And you!
The lyrics of Randy Newman's “Family” contemplate the concept of family and the love and connection that bind them together. The song is a tribute to family and how their love for each other keeps them together. The first verse emphasizes the importance of acknowledging how far the family has come together and how they would not have made progress if it weren't for the unity and support they offer. Each member of the family is significant, and they all contributed to achieving whatever they have so far. The second verse talks about how the family members would be if they were alone, and a sense of danger or being vulnerable is felt. However, the family bond is what keeps them secure and protected.
The chorus continuously repeats "We're family," underlining the vital aspect that binds them together. It is a positive affirmation about the sense of belonging and also suggests that they recognize and celebrate the importance of each other. The bridge of the song mentions the unpredictability of love and how it takes different shapes and forms. Still, its core is the feeling of affection they have for each other. The final verse speaks about how the family depends on each other and how individually, they are incomplete.
In summary, “Family” is an ode to the beauty of family – their love, togetherness, and dependency. The song suggests that we should take time to reflect on our family relationships and appreciate the vital role they play in our lives.
Line by Line Meaning
Take a little time, just look at where we are
Reflect for a moment and appreciate our progress.
We've come very, very far, together
As a group, we have made significant strides towards our goals.
And if I might say so
Allow me to interject with a thought.
And if I might say so too
Others may share this sentiment.
We wouldn't have got anywhere
Our accomplishments would not exist
If it weren't for you, boy
Without your contributions, boy.
Love is the sweetest thing
Love is the most beautiful emotion.
Love never comes just when you think it will
Love is unpredictable in its timing.
Love is the way we feel for you
Our affection and gratitude towards you is a form of love.
We're family
We are a close-knit group.
All of us
Every member of our group.
And you!
Including yourself.
Think of where we'd be if we were on our own
Imagine the troubles we would face without each other's support.
We'd be dead!
The outcome would be disastrous.
You're what holds us all, together
Your influence keeps us united.
I am?
Is that really true?
And if we might say so too
Others would agree with this statement.
We never could love anyone as much as
Our feelings for you are unrivaled.
We love you!
We hold deep adoration for you.
Love does exactly what it wants to do
Love is uncontrolled and does as it pleases.
Boy, you know it's true
It's a fact that you are aware of.
We're family, we're family, we're family, me, me, me, me, and you!
All of us in this group, including you, are part of a family.
Ashes to ashes and dust to dust
A common phrase that represents the inevitability of mortality.
Without you there'd be no us
Our group would not exist without your presence.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: RANDY NEWMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
KeybladeBrett
Fat man with his kids and dog
Dwove in through the mornin fawg
Hey there, Rover come on over
(Lois: Well, it is nice to have music while we eat...)
Red headed lady reaching for an apple
Gonna take a bite.... uh, nope, nope...
She gonna breave on it foist
Wipes it on her blouuuuse
She takes a bite, chews it once, twice, three times, four times, stops.
Saliva werkkkkin.... takes a long wook at Wandy!
Five times, Fat ol' husband walkin over.
(Lois: Let's get the hell out of here)
Walkin' dow the road... Left foot, right foot, left foot, right foot, left foot, rig- (gets hit with apple)
Ginger
The golden age of family guy
Mushroom Head
Didn't you get shot in Spiderman?
Ginger
five times
John M
This is my favourite memory of family guy lmfao 😂
1pokemaster1
"She takes a bite. Chews it once, twice, three times, four times, stops.... Saliva working! Takes a long hard look at Randy.... five times, fat ole husband walking over! Eeugh they're walking down the road, left foot, right foot, left foot, right foot, left f-" (thwack)
Donald Whitehead JR
Died at the Apple Throw at Randy Newman
Eddy Caro
@Exineris LP Fr 😂 are you still Alive
Exineris LP
I don't think I knew what he was saying at the "saliva working" part, so thank you for the lyrics :P
Robert Lewis
Randy Newman should do a 'react' video where he plays piano and describes what he sees in this vid.
Nick Joffe
YES YES! that's comedy gold!