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I have travelled through many stages in my life with Randy Newman's music with me. I appreciate so much about him. I enjoy his humor and more than that, as a piano player myself, I have always been impressed with his use of interesting chords and styles to communicate different complex sentiments. True, sometimes the lyrics can be troubling, like the song "In Germany before the War", but I respect him for who he is as a writer. If a listener would just take a second look at his lyrics, you'll see that he speaks out against hypocrisy and racism despite the fact that the narrative is through a Southern bigot or that there is a voice of reason speaking out against the narrator in Short People. So,...... To those above who don't like him b/c of the lyrics....Hey, just look at the lyrics a bit better to understand the satire, and musically, he is undoubtedly a very talented composer, performer and more. Thanks to Leonard L. for his having Randy on the show. NOTE: If Randy is open to any fan mail....can you let me know where I can send it? Thanks in advance!

Thanks for the fine interview and performance. Scary to think how many people out there still don't understand Randy Newman. Perhaps a segment of "Please Explain: Irony" is in order.

MichaelB,
Like Lillian Hellman, Randy Newman grew up in New Orleans. (Altho Newman was BORN in LA.) Growing up down south was his inspiration for "Good Old Boys", or whatever he called that album about the south.

Zen:
Wow. Talk about having no sense of humor.
ITS A SATIRICAL SONG, MAN! IT'S MAKING FUN OF BIGOTRY!
Get it?

What garbage, Randy you dont know who short people are ??? Are we supposed to believe that it was a totaly innocent song ? " Got no body to love, got no reason to live, dont want no short people around here" Pretty disgusting crap Randy, only out done by your pathetic excuse of not even knowing who short people are. Hows about just admitting you were an ass and lets move on

I loved Randy Newman years before he became popular or even "known" to the mass audience.

But always wondered... what is it with that hokey southern accent he always uses when singing?

C'mon Newman, you grew up in Hollywood Musical Royalty... where'd that accent come from?

Ask him how he feels about LA. Seriously.

Joe, I have never had someone else post something in a message board I so agreed with. thank you.

Can you ask him about the music he is writing for Disney's new film "The Princess and the Frog"?

I think Randy Newman is great! Fun to hear him talk.

Is it not truly appalling what passes for music, or culture, or informed social commentary in today's world? If you do not agree, you have not heard Randy Newman' being fawned over by Leonard Lopate on today's broadcast. Would Mr. Newman had extended his nine-year recording hiatus to nine centuries!

Thank you, Leonard, for interviewing Randy Newman. It is great to hear both of your voices. And it's great that he keeps answering your questions with his piano and singing.

Man you guys are old!