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.
Mr. President
Randy Newman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's gettin' hard to make a livin'
Mr. President, have pity on the working man
We ain't asking you to love us
You may place yourself high above us
Mr. President, have pity on the working man
But people ev'ry where are runnin' out of money
We just can't make it by ourself
It is cold and the wind is blowing
We need something to keep us gong
Mr. President, have pity on the working man
Maybe you're cheatin'
Maybe you're lyin'
Maybe you have lost your mind
Maybe you only think about yourself
Too late to run, too late to cry now
The time has come for us to say good-bye now
Mr. President, have pity on the working man
Mr. President, have pity on the working man
The lyrics of Randy Newman's song "Mr. President" are a poignant plea for empathy and assistance directed towards the figurehead of America. The song is a commentary on the plight of the working class at that time, painting a picture of people who are struggling to make ends meet in a difficult and unforgiving world. The first verse establishes the fact that the working class has been making do with minimal resources, while the second verse emphasizes the fact that they are not asking the president to feel for them or extend his love, but just to understand and take steps to make things easier for them.
As the song progresses, it becomes clear that the working class is desperate for help. They are running out of money and can no longer support themselves. The chorus asks the president to "have pity on the working man" and offers several potential reasons he might be turning a blind eye to their struggles, including cheating, lying, and being self-centered.
The final verse is a dramatic culmination of the rest of the song, with the realization that it is too late for the working class and that the best they can hope for is to say goodbye. The song's final message is a deeply felt appeal to those in positions of power to recognize their responsibility to help the most vulnerable members of society.
Line by Line Meaning
We've taken all you've given
We have accepted all the policies and decisions you have made, even if they have not always favored the working class.
It's gettin' hard to make a livin'
The economic situation is getting more severe and it is becoming increasingly challenging to survive on our current wages.
Mr. President, have pity on the working man
We are pleading with you, Mr. President, to show empathy towards the struggles of the common people.
We ain't asking you to love us
We do not expect you to feel affection for us, but we ask that you consider our needs and well-being when making decisions.
You may place yourself high above us
We recognize that you hold a position of power and authority over us, but we request that you do not let it cloud your judgment and forget about the working class.
I know it may sound funny
Although it may seem humorous or ironic, the reality is that people everywhere are running out of money, and the working class is no exception.
But people ev'ry where are runnin' out of money
Across the world, individuals are struggling financially due to economic instability and an ever-widening wealth gap.
We just can't make it by ourself
It is impossible for us to improve our conditions without significant support from the government, especially in terms of job opportunities and fair wages.
It is cold and the wind is blowing
The economic environment is harsh and unyielding, much like the winter weather, and many of us are suffering greatly as a result.
We need something to keep us gong
We require assistance or a lifeline to continue pushing forward and thriving in this difficult time.
Maybe you're cheatin'
We suspect that you may be manipulating and exploiting your position to benefit yourself rather than considering the well-being of the working class.
Maybe you're lyin'
We fear that you may not be truthful with the public, which could potentially contribute to our economic problems and further disadvantage the working class.
Maybe you have lost your mind
We are concerned that you may be making irrational or reckless decisions that could harm the economy or society as a whole.
Maybe you only think about yourself
We worry that your actions and policies may be driven by self-interest at the expense of the working class and the greater good.
Too late to run, too late to cry now
It is too late for us to retreat or express regret - we are already deeply entrenched in our struggles and must continue to fight for our rights and livelihoods.
The time has come for us to say good-bye now
We are prepared to say farewell to the current system and demand change and progress that supports the working class.
Mr. President, have pity on the working man
As echoed throughout this song, we implore the government to help and support those who make up the backbone of society - the working class.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: RANDY NEWMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@peteshallcross787
I've always loved the sardonic Randy Newman. His soundtrack to The Natural is second to none!
@biancachristine7860
❤
@petermonteleone8153
This is the 70s version of Rich Men North of Richmond
@MagusMirificus
Except the narrator of this album is SUPPOSED to be racist.
@AH-hm5js
Randy's work belongs on The Black List. That series has THE best soundtrack of any show.
@docwally1
Perfect Song for Today---Mr BIden "Have Pity on the Working Man".
@ThePsho
Mmmm...a song written about Nixon by Randy Newman + your comment = comedy gold 👏
@mikesolakian7570
The song fits perfectly for Trump even more so than Nixon. Randy was very prescient. And you really think Trump is for the working man??
@docwally1
Trump is more for the working man than Biden is--Now how much more may be debatable--but at this point, he is way more than Biden ever thought about being!!@@mikesolakian7570
@webtubegov
the song "Kingfish" is about arguably the most famous socialist politician in US history.