“If you’re doing something, show up every day,
and something good might happen – it’s not going to happen if you don’t show
up.” – Randy Newman
Born on Nov. 28, 1943, Newman is a
writer who pretty much always shows up, especially when it comes to writing
songs for movies. He’s been nominated
for 20 Academy Awards, 3 Emmys, 6 Grammys and been named for the Governor's Award from the Recording Academy. Inducted into both the Songwriters
Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, his most memorable film scores
are for the Toy Story and Monsters, Inc. series; Seabiscuit; and Ragtime.
Newman cites Ray Charles
as his greatest influence during his “growing up” years and has been a
professional songwriter since age 17. In his early years he was writing for other
musicians or groups with which he sang, but for the past 40 years his raspy,
fun-filled voice is all that’s really needed to bring his words to life. 
I can truly say I’ve
never heard a Newman song I didn’t like, and I encourage all to check him out
on YouTube. I especially like “It’s a
Jungle out there,” the Emmy winning theme song for the long-running TV series Monk.
And below, for your listening pleasure, here’s a link to “We Belong
Together” from Toy Story 3, one of
his Academy Award winners. This version
also shows the words and it’s Newman’s voice that you hear. Enjoy.
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