Newman, Randy (1943-…), is an American singer, musician, and composer . He is known for his humorous, satirical lyrics. Newman has written songs and musical scores for numerous television shows and motion pictures. He has won a number of Grammy Awards , Academy Awards , and Emmy Awards for his music.
Randall Stuart Newman was born on Nov. 28, 1943, in Los Angeles, into a family of music composers. Shortly after his birth, he moved with his family to his mother’s hometown of New Orleans . Around 1947, Newman moved with his family back to Los Angeles. He often spent his summers in New Orleans, and the region’s music had a strong influence on his piano-playing style and on his songwriting. Newman began working as a songwriter as a teenager.
His debut album, Randy Newman, was released in 1968. Newman received critical acclaim for his albums 12 Songs (1970), Sail Away (1972), Good Old Boys (1974), and Trouble in Paradise (1983). His notable songs include “Short People” (from the hit album Little Criminals, 1977), “It’s Money That I Love” (1979), “The Blues” (with Paul Simon ) and “I Love L.A.” (both 1983), and “It’s Money That Matters” (1988).
Newman won Grammy Awards for best instrumental composition for the film The Natural (1984) and for his scores for the films A Bug’s Life (1998) and Toy Story 3 (2010). He won a Grammy for the song “When She Loved Me,” from the film Toy Story 2 (1999); a Grammy and an Oscar for the song “If I Didn’t Have You,” from the film Monsters, Inc. (2001); and a Grammy for the song “Our Town,” from the film Cars (2006). He also won an Oscar for the song “We Belong Together,” from Toy Story 3. Newman won an Emmy Award in 1991 for his music for the TV musical drama “Cop Rock,” in 2004 for his theme music for the mystery TV series “Monk,” and in 2010 for the song “When I’m Gone” from an episode of “Monk.” Newman was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2013.
