Randy Newman’s first album of new songs in nearly a decade, Dark Matter, has just been released and is getting great reviews. Join ILYOS as we check out Randy’s performance of the hilarious “Putin”  on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, and re-familiarise ourselves with his great hits “I Love LA” and “Short People”, and his classic tune from Toy Story, “You Got A Friend In Me”.  

“Timely return from hiatus for America’s great absurdist songwriter.” **** - Mojo

Dark Matter was recorded in Los Angeles and produced by long-time Newman collaborators Mitchell Froom, Lenny Waronker, and David Boucher. The album’s nine songs include “Putin” plus songs about the Kennedy brothers, science vs. religion and more. The wonderful “Sonny Boy” tells the story of the two blues icons named Sonny Boy Williamson from the point of view of the first, who was overshadowed by the second, who basically stole Sonny Boy's #1 identity. As is typical for Randy, the humour comes on thick and fast and the songs are filled with the easy roll of the New Orleans music that has influenced him for so long.

Of course, many people know Randy for his two big hits, “Short People” and “I Love LA”. Many others know him from the songs he’s written for numerous Pixar films, in particular, the Toy Story and Cars films.  Indeed if you now have mid-to-late teenaged kids and owned those films on DVD, I have no doubt those songs are seared into your brain from regular exposure.

Randy Newman’s many honours include six Grammys, three Emmys, and two Academy Awards, as well as a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2002 and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2013. He is a dead set legend. Let’s have a look and listen.

“Putin” on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert

“I Love LA” 

“Short People” 

“You’ve Got A Friend In Me”

And one more from Dark Patter – “Sonny Boy” 

-DL