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.
Monsters
Randy Newman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We give our heart to you
We want you to be proud of us
Whatever we may do
Wherever children are dreaming
We'll bring them nightmares too
From Monsters University
Monsters of the world
Can you hear the call
At Monsters University
You're welcome, one and all
Monsters University, Monsters University
First in terror, first in fear
We're awfully glad we're here
Monsters University
We never will forget
The golden years we spent with you
And the monsters that we met
No matter where life takes us
Your light will come shining through
Oh, Monsters University
Alma Mater, hail to you
The song "Monsters University" is a tribute to the fictional university dedicated to teaching "scaring" in the animated movie "Monsters University." It is a nostalgic anthem that praises the institution and depicts the pride that the students have in attending such an iconic school. The song is sung by the students of the university and emphasizes their dedication to the school.
The opening stanza of the song suggests that the students of Monster University are very loyal to the school and would like to make it proud through whatever they may do. They are drawn to be a part of the school and are unapologetic about the fact that the university provides lessons in instilling fear in children. The phrase "Wherever children are dreaming, We'll bring them nightmares too" shows the dedication of the students to the institution, which symbolizes the importance of the school in their personal lives.
The chorus of the song is an invitation to all the monsters in the world to join the university. The school is the first in the world to teach and learn how to scare other creatures. The song is proud of the school's heritage and encourages other monsters to join the institution so that they can be part of the richness that the university has to offer.
Line by Line Meaning
Monsters University
The singer is referring to Monsters University, an educational institution for monsters.
We give our heart to you
The singer is expressing devotion and loyalty to Monsters University.
We want you to be proud of us
The singer wants Monsters University to be proud of their accomplishments.
Whatever we may do
The artist promises to do their best at everything they do, including scaring children.
Wherever children are dreaming
The artist knows that children are susceptible to nightmares and they hope to contribute to that.
We'll bring them nightmares too
The singer is expressing their desire to scare children.
From Monsters University
The singer is reminding the audience that their ability to scare comes from the knowledge they gained at Monsters University.
Alma Mater, we love you
The artist is expressing love and gratitude towards Monsters University.
Monsters of the world
The artist is addressing all the monsters in the world.
Can you hear the call
The artist is asking if the other monsters can hear their message.
You're welcome, one and all
The singer is welcoming all the monsters to Monsters University.
First in terror, first in fear
The artist is boasting about how renowned Monsters University is for producing the scariest monsters.
We're awfully glad we're here
The singer is expressing their happiness to be studying at Monsters University.
We never will forget
The singer will always remember their time at Monsters University.
The golden years we spent with you
The singer is remembering their successful and fulfilling time at Monsters University.
And the monsters that we met
The artist is reminiscing about the new friends and colleagues they made.
No matter where life takes us
The artist acknowledges that life is unpredictable.
Your light will come shining through
The singer believes that the knowledge and skills they gained at Monsters University will always be useful.
Oh, Monsters University
The singer is expressing affection for Monsters University.
Alma Mater, hail to you
The artist is showing respect and admiration towards Monsters University as their alma mater.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: RANDALL S NEWMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind