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 Inc.
Randy Newman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'd live in a penthouse in a room with a view
And if I were handsome, it could happen
'Cause dreams do come true
I wouldn't have nothin' if I didn't have you
Wouldn't have nothin' if I didn't have
Wouldn't have nothin' if I didn't have
For years I have envied
Your grace and your charm
Everyone loves you, you know
Yes I know, I know, I know
But I must admit it
Big guy you always come through
I wouldn't have nothin' if I didn't have you
You and me together
That's how it always should be
One without the other
Don't mean nothin' to me, nothin' to me
Yes, I wouldn't be nothing
If I didn't have you to serve
I'm just a punky little eyeball
With an ugly little optic nerve
Hey, I never told you this but
You know sometimes I get a little blue
Wouldn't have nothing if I didn't have you
Dance with me
I wouldn't have nothin' if I didn't have you
I wouldn't know where to go
Wouldn't know what to do
I don't have to say it
'Cause we both know it's true
I wouldn't have nothin' if I didn't have
I wouldn't have nothin' if I didn't have
I wouldn't have nothin' if I didn't have you
Wouldn't have nothin' if I didn't have you
The song "Monsters Inc." by Randy Newman is a duet between the two main characters of the Disney-Pixar animated film of the same name, Sullivan (or "Sulley") and Mike. Sullivan starts off the song fantasizing about what life would be like if he were rich and handsome, but then quickly realizes that he wouldn't have anything if he didn't have his friend Mike by his side. Mike, in turn, expresses his admiration for Sullivan's grace and charm, but acknowledges that he wouldn't be anything without him either. The two come together and dance, celebrating the fact that they are stronger together than they are apart.
The lyrics to "Monsters Inc." are a testament to the power of friendship, and how even the most successful and talented individuals would be nothing without the support and companionship of those closest to them. The song serves as a reminder that no matter how much wealth or success we may attain, it is ultimately our connections to others that give our lives meaning and purpose.
Line by Line Meaning
If I were a rich man, with a million or two
If I were wealthy and financially successful
I'd live in a penthouse in a room with a view
I would reside in a luxurious penthouse with a scenic view
And if I were handsome, it could happen
I could achieve this lifestyle even if I were also physically attractive
'Cause dreams do come true
Because sometimes aspirations become reality
I wouldn't have nothin' if I didn't have you
I would be worthless without your presence and companionship
For years I have envied
For an extended period of time, I have been jealous of
Your grace and your charm
Your elegance and allure
Everyone loves you, you know
It is a fact that everyone adores you
But I must admit it
I have to confess
Big guy you always come through
You consistently deliver marvelous results, my friend
You and me together
Our camaraderie
That's how it always should be
That is the ideal relationship we should always have
One without the other
One of us without the other
Don't mean nothin' to me, nothin' to me
Is insignificant and lacks meaning to me
Yes, I wouldn't be nothing
Indeed, I would not amount to anything
If I didn't have you to serve
Without you to support and assist
I'm just a punky little eyeball
I am merely a small, insignificant eyeball
With an ugly little optic nerve
Having an unappealing optic nerve
Hey, I never told you this but
By the way, I have never expressed this to you
You know sometimes I get a little blue
I experience bouts of sadness occasionally
Wouldn't have nothing if I didn't have you
My existence would be meaningless without you
Dance with me
Let us engage in a lively expression of joy by dancing together
I wouldn't know where to go
I would be lost without your guidance
Wouldn't know what to do
I would be unsure of my actions
I don't have to say it
It is not necessary for me to articulate it
'Cause we both know it's true
Because we are both aware that it is factual
I wouldn't have nothin' if I didn't have
I would possess nothing whatsoever without
Wouldn't have nothin' if I didn't have
Would be completely lacking without
Wouldn't have nothin' if I didn't have you
You are the essential component of my life and without you, I would have nothing
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: RANDY NEWMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind