Can someone PLEASE tell me why Randy Newman is respected?
I know he's been around forever... maybe his early 70's stuff is okay, but I can't believe he was just awarded an Oscar for that trite stuff he's been doing in movies like "Toy Story" and "Monsters, Inc." I don't get it at all.

I'd rather listen to dental drills than this guys voice!
I've always hated his music and always will.

yeah, but it surprised me that he did the score for the natural, which was very good.

after 16 nominations, I think its about time he got something

Randy Newman has done a lot good film scores, like Avalon, Awakenings, and The Natural, among his notable compositions. But he is also part of the Newman musical heritage. His cousins are well known film composers (Thomas and David) and his uncle was Alfred Newman, who was head of the 20th Century Fox music department back in the day. Alfred Newman won a total of 9 Oscars for his film work.

I was glad to see him win, although I felt his "When She Loved Me" from Toy Story 2 was a much better song.

Ins't Alfred Newman the guy who wrote the 20t Century Fox fanfare music? At least somebody in that family had some musical talent.

I freakin' hate Randy Newman. It's his voice and his style of singing that get on my nerves. If he had won for score, fine. You don't have to hear him then.

I was really happy that Randy Newman won last night, probably the happiest victory for me. Sure, his voice and singing style is not the sweetest in the world (OK, I don't really like his voice), but his songs aren't always sweet, either. I second the "vote" for "When She Loved Me," from Toy Story 2. That was a great song.

I love this dude. Its nice to see someone laid back about his talent at the Oscars.

Just because you don't like his style of music, doesn't mean it isn't high quality. I think he is a really talented guy.

Also, I thought it was cool that he thanked Pixar for making 4 good movies in a row.

Yes, great, considering he didn't sing on the version of "If I Didn't Have You" that was in the movie. The academy wasn't voting on his performance last night, but rather for the song itself.

Yes. Here is a photo of him in his younger days.



to Randy Newman. You guys who don't like his voice, I hope you never hear Tom Waits.

It's precisely this mentality that irks me so much about the Oscars. You should not be be awarded because you've been nominated a number of times over many years but never managed to win.

The prize should be awarded to those who excelled with current material - not because of their backcatalogue.

-matt

HI LOVE Tom Waits. There is nothing I've ever heard from Randy Newman that comes close to that. Again, I'm not familiar with his early stuff (other than "Short People"... ugh.) I remember when I saw "Toy Story" in the theater, the experience was diminished by these songs.

I'm just happy two Clevelanders won an Oscar! (he and Halle Berry)

Apples and oranges!
Tom Waits is pretty damn cool.

Randy Newman:Oscar::Susan Lucci:Emmy

Randy Newman is hit or miss, and no matter what he's singing I just can't get "Short People" out of my head when I'm watching the guy. In fact, I was humming that song during his acceptance speech at the Oscars.

"I don't want your pity" indeed. At least he has a sense of humor.

Even though I didn't much like the song he won the oscar for, I have enjoyed a lot of his movie music. I loved most of the songs in Popeye, for example. But I'm probably in the minority here since I only know three other people in the world who like that film and they all post here.

Perhaps, but then he would have won for When She Loved Me a couple years ago instead of that silly Phil Collins song.

I wonder if those of you who don't like his music are focusing solely on his song work as opposed to his score work. I would guess that he's been nominated as much for his scores as for individual songs.

I just checked the Oscars website -- here are Randy Newman's nominations prior to this year. Of these 14 prior nominations, half (7) were for score. (And, of course, half of his nominations this year were for score as well.)

MEET THE PARENTS (2000) -- Nominee, Music (Original Song)
TOY STORY 2 (1999) -- Nominee, Music (Original Song)
BABE: PIG IN THE CITY (1998) -- Nominee, Music (Original Song)
A BUG'S LIFE (1998) -- Nominee, Music (Original Musical or Comedy Score)
PLEASANTVILLE (1998) -- Nominee, Music (Original Dramatic Score)
JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH (1996) -- Nominee, Music (Original Musical or Comedy Score)
TOY STORY (1995) -- Nominee, Music (Original Musical or Comedy Score)
TOY STORY (1995) -- Nominee, Music (Original Song)
THE PAPER (1994) -- Nominee, Music (Original Song)
AVALON (1990) -- Nominee, Music (Original Score)
PARENTHOOD (1989) -- Nominee, Music (Original Song)
THE NATURAL (1984) -- Nominee, Music (Original Score)
RAGTIME (1981) -- Nominee, Music (Original Score)
RAGTIME (1981) -- Nominee, Music (Original Song)

I'm not disputing whether he should have won now, or in the past - I'm merely pointing out that artists should win for their current work, not tossed a sympathy award.

Personally, this year I feel Enya should have taken home the prize - but that's beside the point.

-matt