Newman is noted for his practice of writing lyrics from the perspective of a character far removed from Newman's own biography, often using the literary device of an unreliable narrator. For example, the 1972 song "Sail Away" is written as a slave trader's sales pitch to attract slaves, while the narrator of "Political Science" is a U.S. nationalist who complains of worldwide ingratitude toward America and proposes a brutally ironic final solution. One of his biggest hits, "Short People" was written from the perspective of "a lunatic" who hates short people. Here are thirty great songs from this brilliant artist, including hits from such movies as Toy Story and Parenthood. |
