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.
Rosemary
Randy Newman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The moon is shining and the stars are bright
If you stay inside, how can I love you, dear
When you're up there and I'm down here?
Come on down, we'll take a walk in the park
I know a place there where it's good and dark
I'll hold yours, baby, and you'll hold mine
I'm thinking about you all the time
'Gainst your window
And I call your name
I need you so, baby
I'm ready to go, baby
Ain't that a shame?
Take your shoes off
Come with me
Take your shoes off
Come on down, we'll take a walk in the park
I know a place where it's good and dark
I'll hold yours, baby, and you'll hold mine
I'm thinking about you all the time
"Rosemary" is a classic love song that tells the story of a man who is trying to convince his love interest, Rosemary, to come out and spend some time with him. He starts by pleading with Rosemary to come out of her house and enjoy the beautiful night. He explains that he cannot love her if she stays inside where he cannot see her. He then proposes a walk in the park where they can enjoy the stars and the wind blowing against their faces. He tries to persuade her by promising to hold her hand and thinking about her constantly. Finally, he asks her to take off her shoes and join him on this romantic walk.
The song is all about longing, and the desire to have the one you love near you. The lyrics create a vivid picture of a beautiful, romantic evening and one can visualize the moon shining and the stars glowing in the sky. Randy Newman's vocal performance is emotional and heartfelt, adding to the song's sentimental value. The song's melody is linear and repetitive, with several motifs returning throughout the song, reinforcing the persistent efforts of the singer to get Rosemary to come out.
In summary, "Rosemary" is a heartfelt love song that captures the longing and desire of a man for his love interest. The song paints a romantic picture of the night sky and attempts to persuade Rosemary to come out and enjoy it with him.
Line by Line Meaning
Rosemary, won't you come out tonight?
Randy Newman is asking Rosemary to come out and spend the night with him.
The moon is shining and the stars are bright
The night sky is clear and perfect for a romantic evening together.
If you stay inside, how can I love you, dear
Randy Newman will only be able to love Rosemary if she comes out and spends time with him.
When you're up there and I'm down here?
Randy Newman feels like they are too far apart when she stays inside and he is outside.
Come on down, we'll take a walk in the park
Randy Newman wants to take Rosemary on a romantic walk in the park together.
I know a place there where it's good and dark
There is a secluded spot in the park where they can be alone and share intimacy.
I'll hold yours, baby, and you'll hold mine
Randy Newman wants to hold Rosemary close and feel her love in return.
I'm thinking about you all the time
Randy Newman can't stop thinking about Rosemary and wants to be with her all the time.
Hear that wind blow 'gainst your window
Randy Newman wants Rosemary to hear the wind blowing outside, so she knows how much he really wants to be with her.
And I call your name
Randy Newman is calling out Rosemary's name, hoping she will hear him and come be with him.
I need you so, baby
Randy Newman wants Rosemary so badly, he can't imagine being without her.
I'm ready to go, baby
Randy Newman is ready to leave and spend the intimate evening with Rosemary.
Ain't that a shame?
It would be a shame if Rosemary didn't show up and they couldn't be together.
Take your shoes off
Randy Newman wants Rosemary to come inside and get comfortable with him.
Come with me
Randy Newman is inviting Rosemary to come with him and share an intimate evening together.
Take your shoes off
He repeats his invitation for Rosemary to come inside and get comfortable with him.
Come on down, we'll take a walk in the park
Randy Newman reiterates his plan for them to go on a romantic walk in a secluded spot in the park.
I know a place where it's good and dark
He again emphasizes the secrecy and intimacy of the location in the park.
I'll hold yours, baby, and you'll hold mine
Randy Newman repeats his vow to hold Rosemary close and feel her love in return.
I'm thinking about you all the time
He restates his love and desire for Rosemary to be with him always.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: RANDY NEWMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind