Randy Newman

As predicted, Randy Newman won the Oscar for Best Original Song for 'We Belong Together' from Toy Story 3. Usually, the Golden Globe nominations are a good indication of the Oscars, not in this case however. Newman wasn't even nominated, and instead the Globe went to 'You Haven't Seen the Last of me' an empowering Cher ballad from the movie 'Burlesque', which wasn't even nominated for the Oscar. This wasn't Newman's first Oscar though. He has also won the same award for the song 'If I Didn't Have You' from Monsters Inc. He has been nominated for best original song 10 times, and for best original score 4 times, ranging all the way back to 1982.

Even though 'You've Got a Friend in Me' from Toy Story 1 was a much more commercially profitable, and catchier song than this one, it didn't win the Oscar, but was nominated in 1996. It lost to 'Colors of the Wind' from Pocahontas, another commercially viable single. Lastly, the Newman family name has been no stranger to Oscar wins. Randy's uncle, Alfred Newman, has been nominated 45 times and won 9 for his compositions, including the 1970 score of 'Hello, Dolly!'.

Randy isn't just a composer of movie music though. The 67 year old musician has created many of his own albums as well. He most enjoys writing about things that are far removed from his regular experiences. Perhaps his most memorable non-movie song is the 1977 song 'Short People' which Newman wrote about biased and prejudice in the world (and did you know that it is Glenn Fry of the Eagles singing the chorus?). What is your favorite Randy Newman song?