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.
I Will Go Sailing No More
Randy Newman Lyrics
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In my silver ship I sail, a dream that ended to soon
Now I know exactly who I am and what I'm here for
And I will go sailing no more
All the things I thought I'd be, all the brave things I'd done
Vanished like a snowflake with the rising of the sun
Never more to sail my ship, where no man has gone before
But no, it can't be true I could fly if I wanted to
Like a bird in the sky if I believe I can fly, why I'd fly
Clearly, I will go sailing, no more
The song "I Will Go Sailing No More" sung by Randy Newman and Lyle Lovett portrays the theme of realizing one's limitations and coming to terms with them. The lyrics describe a journey through space, where the singer has fulfilled his dreams of traveling beyond the moon in his silver spaceship. However, this dream ends too soon, and the singer realizes that there are limits to what he can achieve. The lines "Vanished like a snowflake with the rising of the sun" suggest the fleeting nature of life and the transience of our desires.
The song's chorus emphasizes the singer's resolve to accept his limitations and move on. The line "Now I know exactly who I am and what I'm here for" suggests that the singer has realized his true calling and is content with it, even if it doesn't involve sailing through space. The phrase "And I will go sailing no more" becomes repeated throughout the song, further emphasizing the singer's acceptance of his limitations.
Overall, "I Will Go Sailing No More" is a poignant and introspective song that invites us to reflect on our own dreams and aspirations. It reminds us that acceptance and self-awareness are essential to find meaning and purpose in our lives.
Line by Line Meaning
Out among the stars I sail, way beyond the moon
I have gone on a journey of exploration beyond what most people can imagine.
In my silver ship I sail, a dream that ended too soon
I had an amazing adventure in my spacecraft, but it was cut short unexpectedly.
Now I know exactly who I am and what I'm here for
After my adventure, I have gained a deeper understanding of myself and my purpose in life.
And I will go sailing no more
Although I enjoyed my space travel, I have decided not to pursue it further.
All the things I thought I'd be, all the brave things I'd done
I had big aspirations for myself and accomplished things that required courage.
Vanished like a snowflake with the rising of the sun
However, my achievements disappeared quickly and easily without much lasting impact.
Never more to sail my ship, where no man has gone before
I have made the decision to not pursue any further expeditions to uncharted territory.
But no, it can't be true I could fly if I wanted to
Despite my choice, I still have a longing to take to the skies again if I desired.
Like a bird in the sky if I believe I can fly, why I'd fly
If I truly believe that I have the ability to fly, I would take off without hesitation.
Clearly, I will go sailing no more
It's evident that I have chosen not to pursue my space adventures any longer.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: RANDY NEWMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind