Randy Newman: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert

Oct. 10, 2017 | Bob Boilen -- I think Randy Newman is a national treasure. If he was just a funny guy making music, I'd be OK with that, but his wit is sardonic, satirical and politically on point. Mixing politics and humor with music is usually about the punchline, and his punchlines even make the singer smile.

Randy Newman paints lasting portraits of places and people, all the while poking fun and highlighting injustice, stupidity, power and humanity and he's been doing it for half a century. Here are the opening lines to his recently released song "Putin":

"Putin puttin' his pants on / One leg at a time / You mean he's just like a regular fella, huh? / He ain't nothing like a regular fella."
His new album, Dark Matter, is his first batch of songs in nine years and there's more than the usual biting Newman wit; there's also a tender heart. And watching the 73-year-old songwriter amble to the Tiny Desk and singing these words, had me crying for sentiment so full of heart:

"I'm not much to talk to, and I know how I look / What I know 'bout life comes out of a book / But of all of the people there are in the world / She chose me."
Watch this grand master play.

Set List

"Putin"
"She Chose Me"
"It's A Jungle Out There"
"Wandering Boy"

MUSICIAN

Randy Newman (vocals, piano)

CREDITS

Creative Director: Bob Boilen; Producers: Bob Boilen, Bronson Arcuri; Audio Engineer: Josh Rogosin; Videographers: Bronson Arcuri, Morgan Noelle Smith; Production Assistant: Tsering Bista; Photo: Liam James Doyle/NPR.

[Rennygade]

I’d never heard Wondering Boy before. That one hit deep for me. My son was homeless and struggling with addiction about the time this came out. I’m not sure I could have listened to this more than once back then. Heavy times. Fast forward…he’s 6+ years clean and just better than he’s ever been. If this was based on a true story for Randy, I truly hope his also ended well. 💙

[keithbird]

Randy Newman has aged like fine wine, getting more complex, richer, deeper and warmer. A natural songwriter who can write the most savage satire and follow it with the most tender love song that will leave you in pieces, Enjoy him, savour him and be glad that you were born in the same era. Hats off - a genius!

[Balthazar]

It's not just that his voice is endlessly distinctive and unique, it's that his melodies are so nuanced and accessible at the same time. They sound like songs that I've always known, but I'm hearing them for the first time.

[SourDoughBill]

I bought "Sail Away" with money from my paper route in 1972. Hard to believe it's been almost 50 years. Randy Newman is a national treasure.

[Tyler_Wilson]

Wow.. “She Chose Me” is songwriting genius. Absolutely gorgeous.

[chadopitz]

Wandering Boy is one of most beautiful sad songs I've ever heard. His empathy as a songwriter has always been incredible

[mothman.industries]

I hope I'm never able to sit through "Wandering Boy" without crying. What an absolutely incredible song.

[sanchitoboc]

That piano is like an extension of his imagination, flowing with his thoughts and his voice in perfect harmony.

[CamboyGDubbz]

National Treasure is an understatement. International Treasure is an understatement.
This man is one of the most influential people in film history.
And he's a musician.

[corey]

After years of composing film scores, this genius is back to writing some of the funniest and most heartbreaking songs you could ever hope to hear. I saw him at the Troubadour in 1968. He was brilliant then and has, impossibly, gone even deeper and farther as a composer, lyricist and performer. He's a direct musical descendant of Gershwin, lyrical heir to the legacy of Yip Harburg and steeped in stride, blues and boogie woogie. He's able to synthesize the last couple hundred years of great American song into works that are both achingly personal and universal. These new songs have me laughing and crying at the same time. Thank you, Mr. Newman. (And thanks to NPR Tiny Desk for this lovely taste)

[taylorblanpied]

Welp... just got floored with the last song "Wandering Boy". Don't think I'll stop crying for a few days. What an incredible song writer. Just an absolute legend.

[KieranAtkins]

Timestamps -
0:00 - Putin.
3:29 - She chose me.
6:07 - It's A Jungle out there.
9:06 - Meaning behind Wandering boy.
10:06 - Wandering boy.

[JillKnapp]

The greatest gift you can give a musician is that moment of stillness at the end of a quiet song... that feeling of not even wanting to disturb that moment by even breathing. After "Wandering Boy, " the audience doesn't even move, and neither does Randy. That, my friends, is the greatest gift to a musician, when we are all connected in that glorious moment.

[pauljojo]

Randy Newman, Tom Waits, Warren Zevon. Three of the best songwriters in my lifetime for songs that hit you in the heart.

[jamesmcmanamy]

Randy Newman offers a banquet of musical nourishment. You can touch and taste his offerings. There is something on the table for everyone. He is incomparable.

[spot]

That last song brought tears to my eyes make me think about my son. Who I haven't seen in a while

[maxbiddick]

Randy Newman on NPR. What a day and age we live in - this is fucking brilliant.

[paullegloan]

Great songwriter, I can see great things happening to this young man!

[honeywoodpilot]

Randy can tickle your funny bone one minute and then tear your heart out of your chest the next. His lyrics always make you think and draw images in your minds eye. He is truly gifted and quite a gift to us. Thanks Tiny!

[brianmurphy]

Giant of a song writer. One of a kind. National treasure