Having grown up with the Randy Newman of ‘Sail Away’, ‘Good Old Boys’, and ‘Little Criminals’ while having a son that grew up with Pixar, I love reading perspectives from those who discover Newman in present (and recent past) and work their way back.
Thanks, Michael! I bet it is lovely to share that common interest with your son but to have come at it from a different angle, can probably teach each other new things about Newman and his music!
Love this piece! Randy Newman to me is the pinnacle of songwriting. This album is his most solid start to finish, both in the music and the writing, although Good Old Boys and Bad Love are still probably my favorites. I will say I love both the tracks Only a Girl (the “Goddamnit” at the end maybe saves it a little) and Potholes. The second verse of Potholes is one of my favorite verses of his. Also was glad to hear Feels Like Home on this album, which I think is a perfect song. Thanks for the read.
Thanks, Robert - I'm glad you liked it! I tend to agree with you about it being his most solid work, but also still (slightly, only just!) prefer Good Old Boys as well. Potholes is in that real Randy Newman sweet spot of saying something serious in a hilarious way. Could hear John Prine doing that one
'Tin Can at my feet; think I'll kick it down the street - (that's the way to treat a friend)' Speaking as a Z-list songwriter myself, it's always been the lyrics; I feel such an affinity with repeated Newman observations.... and the Toy Story material confirms him as a worthy peer to the Sherman Brothers.....
He has that knack that great writers need of getting down a line that can really hit you in different ways at different points in your life, doesn't he? A little like a more cynical John Prine, at times. I love him
Having grown up with the Randy Newman of ‘Sail Away’, ‘Good Old Boys’, and ‘Little Criminals’ while having a son that grew up with Pixar, I love reading perspectives from those who discover Newman in present (and recent past) and work their way back.
Wonderful essay.
Thanks, Michael! I bet it is lovely to share that common interest with your son but to have come at it from a different angle, can probably teach each other new things about Newman and his music!
Precisely. We learn from each other every day.
Love this piece! Randy Newman to me is the pinnacle of songwriting. This album is his most solid start to finish, both in the music and the writing, although Good Old Boys and Bad Love are still probably my favorites. I will say I love both the tracks Only a Girl (the “Goddamnit” at the end maybe saves it a little) and Potholes. The second verse of Potholes is one of my favorite verses of his. Also was glad to hear Feels Like Home on this album, which I think is a perfect song. Thanks for the read.
Thanks, Robert - I'm glad you liked it! I tend to agree with you about it being his most solid work, but also still (slightly, only just!) prefer Good Old Boys as well. Potholes is in that real Randy Newman sweet spot of saying something serious in a hilarious way. Could hear John Prine doing that one
'Tin Can at my feet; think I'll kick it down the street - (that's the way to treat a friend)' Speaking as a Z-list songwriter myself, it's always been the lyrics; I feel such an affinity with repeated Newman observations.... and the Toy Story material confirms him as a worthy peer to the Sherman Brothers.....
He has that knack that great writers need of getting down a line that can really hit you in different ways at different points in your life, doesn't he? A little like a more cynical John Prine, at times. I love him