From the Songs you won't hear on the radio files:
You may not recognize the name Randy Newman but there is no question you've heard his songs. After years of writing hits for 70s stars like 3 Dog Night (Mama Told Me Not To Come, Never Been To Spain), Joe Cocker (I Think It's Going To Rain Today, You Can Leave Your Hat On), and Harry Nillson, and having hits of his own (Short People, I Love LA), Newman turned to writing movie soundtracks (A Bug's Life, Toy Story, Monsters Inc., Cars). I mean, who hasn't heard You've Got a Friend in Me?
Back in the 90s, Newmna wrote a musical adaptation of Faust. Feels Like Home was written for Bonnie Raitt to sing. (Sorry, the only Bonnie version I could find was this General Hospital fan video. But you don't have to watch it. Just listen.) It was also covered by Linda Rhonstadt and Chantal Kreviazuk and appears on the How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days soundtrack.
The female covers are great, but there's something irrevocably poignant in Newman's plaintive, mush-mouth voice expressing such transparent vulnerability.
This song is so powerful, not even a ukulele cover can completely destroy it.
And, as a bonus, here's a live recording of a lesser known but equally powerful Newman song, I Miss You.
Ed: How is it that I wrote this twice without realizing it? I featured the exact same song in Feb!
2 comments:
Awesome. Love the raw quality of his voice with those words. Unfortunately now I'm tempted to go camp on the piano bench. If I don't accomplish my to-do list today, I blame you.
Blame it on me. Everybody else does.
I find there are two kinds of great musicians. The ones that make me want to give up and the ones that make me want to play more. Newman is the second variety. This is the only song of his I cover.
Writing anything these days?
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