Randy newman won 2 oscars for "If I Didn't Have You" from "Monsters, Inc." and "We Belong Together" from "Toy Story 3"
Randy newman won 2 oscars for "If I Didn't Have You" from "Monsters, Inc." and "We Belong Together" from "Toy Story 3", In the 30+ years since his first trip to Hollywood's big dance, Randy Newman has scored 20 Academy Award nominations and two golden statuettes. While the win-loss record seems to be disappointing, it is important to note he had gained a reputation for being one of the ceremony's greatest losers. He had gone over two decades without winning an Oscar until breaking through with his 2001 Best Song win for Monsters, Inc.'s "If I Didn't Have You."
Yet on this list of five great Newman compositions, all but one had a taste of Oscar glory (including a Best Score nod), but somehow didn't manage to break through to a victory. Even though they were snubbed when someone else's score or song was named the winner, these are great tracks in the singer-songwriter's repertoire.
5. "When She Loved Me," Toy Story 2 (1999)
This song for the hit Disney-Pixar sequel with Woody the cowboy, Buzz Lightyear and the rest of Andy's toys earned a Best Song nomination (as did Toy Story 3's "We Belong Together," which won in 2010). Yet the cue was not inspired by either of the two main characters, but instead by new addition Jessie, a frequent co-star in "Woody's Roundup." With the beautiful and haunting voice of Sarah McLachlan singing, Newman penned a song about Jessie's feelings for the girl that once owned her - ultimately to be discarded. For all of the hilarity and charm usually associated with the Toy Story franchise and the Disney-Pixar union in general, this song provides a teary-eyed moment - but one that is certainly well-earned.
4. "I Love to See You Smile," Parenthood (1989)
Newman was hired by director Ron Howard to pen the score for his ensemble family dramedy, featuring an all-star cast including Steve Martin, Jason Robards, Mary Steenburgen, Rick Moranis and Dianne Wiest (an Oscar nominee for this film). The singer-songwriter also penned one of his more enduring movie tracks, which is heard in both the opening and ending titles. Newman's piano clearly dominates throughout the song, with lyrics about a man's appreciation for the love of his life, no matter what obstacles they face. Unlike many songs in Newman's repertoire that featured political and/or social content, this tune was one of the breezier cues he wrote - and earned a Best Song nomination for his efforts.
3. "The Ballad of the Three Amigos," Three Amigos (1986)
This comedy had the looks of a hit on paper: the trio of Chevy Chase, Steve Martin and Martin Short; it was being directed by John Landis; Saturday Night Live creator Lorne Michaels was producing; and Newman was providing original songs. When it was released, it was considered a disappointment by critics and audiences - though time would eventually turn the Western comedy adventure into a cult classic. Of the three songs Newman provided, it was this opening ballad solidifying the three heroes that provides a great opening drive - with Chase, Martin and Short having fun singing it. We dare anyone, including die-hard Three Amigos fans, to try singing the whole song - especially that long note in the middle of the chorus.
2. "Theme from The Natural," The Natural (1984)
While this is the only song on the list without any vocals, any lyrics that could have been added to this baseball-inspired cue would be absolutely unnecessary. Newman composed the score for Barry Levinson's 1984 drama starring Robert Redford as a ballplayer who overcomes many setbacks to redeem himself in the major leagues. The film's memorable theme had to have been buoyed by the spirit of the game - with a powerful soundscape of keyboards and horns leading the charge. The song's placement in the pivotal final game sealed its fate as a standout Newman track, and an Oscar nomination for Best Original Score (losing to Maurice Jarre for the David Lean epic A Passage to India). It also inevitably became a go-to track for many baseball teams and countless stadiums across America.
1. "You've Got a Friend in Me," Toy Story (1995)
For this historic computer-animation masterpiece, the singer-songwriter proved to be a perfect fit for the musical portion of Disney-Pixar's beginnings. Director John Lasseter looked to the regular Disney playbook of the time - when they were still doing animated musicals at a fervent pace - by using a singular tune to establish the mood of the story. As he had done six years before with "I Love to See You Smile," Newman crafted a light song that embraced the value of true friendship no matter the odds or obstacles. Yet unlike the former tune, "You've Got a Friend in Me" had an unforgettable melody audiences could hum to - and one of Newman's most recognizable lyrics to date. It is also a song that has gained much mileage in the Newman repertoire, with covers from Michael Buble to Dick Van Dyke, and even a Spanish version by famed flamenco band The Gipsy Kings!
Yet on this list of five great Newman compositions, all but one had a taste of Oscar glory (including a Best Score nod), but somehow didn't manage to break through to a victory. Even though they were snubbed when someone else's score or song was named the winner, these are great tracks in the singer-songwriter's repertoire.
5. "When She Loved Me," Toy Story 2 (1999)
This song for the hit Disney-Pixar sequel with Woody the cowboy, Buzz Lightyear and the rest of Andy's toys earned a Best Song nomination (as did Toy Story 3's "We Belong Together," which won in 2010). Yet the cue was not inspired by either of the two main characters, but instead by new addition Jessie, a frequent co-star in "Woody's Roundup." With the beautiful and haunting voice of Sarah McLachlan singing, Newman penned a song about Jessie's feelings for the girl that once owned her - ultimately to be discarded. For all of the hilarity and charm usually associated with the Toy Story franchise and the Disney-Pixar union in general, this song provides a teary-eyed moment - but one that is certainly well-earned.
4. "I Love to See You Smile," Parenthood (1989)
Newman was hired by director Ron Howard to pen the score for his ensemble family dramedy, featuring an all-star cast including Steve Martin, Jason Robards, Mary Steenburgen, Rick Moranis and Dianne Wiest (an Oscar nominee for this film). The singer-songwriter also penned one of his more enduring movie tracks, which is heard in both the opening and ending titles. Newman's piano clearly dominates throughout the song, with lyrics about a man's appreciation for the love of his life, no matter what obstacles they face. Unlike many songs in Newman's repertoire that featured political and/or social content, this tune was one of the breezier cues he wrote - and earned a Best Song nomination for his efforts.
3. "The Ballad of the Three Amigos," Three Amigos (1986)
This comedy had the looks of a hit on paper: the trio of Chevy Chase, Steve Martin and Martin Short; it was being directed by John Landis; Saturday Night Live creator Lorne Michaels was producing; and Newman was providing original songs. When it was released, it was considered a disappointment by critics and audiences - though time would eventually turn the Western comedy adventure into a cult classic. Of the three songs Newman provided, it was this opening ballad solidifying the three heroes that provides a great opening drive - with Chase, Martin and Short having fun singing it. We dare anyone, including die-hard Three Amigos fans, to try singing the whole song - especially that long note in the middle of the chorus.
2. "Theme from The Natural," The Natural (1984)
While this is the only song on the list without any vocals, any lyrics that could have been added to this baseball-inspired cue would be absolutely unnecessary. Newman composed the score for Barry Levinson's 1984 drama starring Robert Redford as a ballplayer who overcomes many setbacks to redeem himself in the major leagues. The film's memorable theme had to have been buoyed by the spirit of the game - with a powerful soundscape of keyboards and horns leading the charge. The song's placement in the pivotal final game sealed its fate as a standout Newman track, and an Oscar nomination for Best Original Score (losing to Maurice Jarre for the David Lean epic A Passage to India). It also inevitably became a go-to track for many baseball teams and countless stadiums across America.
1. "You've Got a Friend in Me," Toy Story (1995)
For this historic computer-animation masterpiece, the singer-songwriter proved to be a perfect fit for the musical portion of Disney-Pixar's beginnings. Director John Lasseter looked to the regular Disney playbook of the time - when they were still doing animated musicals at a fervent pace - by using a singular tune to establish the mood of the story. As he had done six years before with "I Love to See You Smile," Newman crafted a light song that embraced the value of true friendship no matter the odds or obstacles. Yet unlike the former tune, "You've Got a Friend in Me" had an unforgettable melody audiences could hum to - and one of Newman's most recognizable lyrics to date. It is also a song that has gained much mileage in the Newman repertoire, with covers from Michael Buble to Dick Van Dyke, and even a Spanish version by famed flamenco band The Gipsy Kings!
