FW: Randy Newman: “I’m Dreaming (of a White President)”

 

 

Feed: The Big Picture
Posted on: Tuesday, September 25, 2012 7:30 AM
Author: Barry Ritholtz
Subject: Randy Newman: "I'm Dreaming (of a White President)"

 

"I'm Dreaming" – a new song by Randy: Free download! "It's difficult to imagine any other musician so nimbly addressing contemporary America without hiding behind the abstraction that plagues so many songwriters. Forty years after his debut LP, Newman remains in a class of his own. Now as before, no one can touch him." —Time Out NY Randy Newman's new song, "I'm Dreaming" is also available as a free download (see below). With lyrics from the viewpoint of a voter who casts his ballot solely based on skin color, the song draws attention to something Newman has noticed and written about for 40 years: racism in America. (The complete lyrics are below.) While the song, which Newman performs solo at the piano, is free, anyone wishing to contribute is encouraged to donate to the United Negro College Fund at www.uncf.org. Newman explains, "No other Western industrialized nation would've elected a black president. I'm proud of this country for having elected Obama in 2008. But from the beginning of his term, I noticed a particular heat to conversations that wouldn't ordinarily generate that kind of passion: The budget, appointments, health care." He continues, "I think there are a lot of people who find it jarring to have a black man in the White House and they want him out. They just can't believe that there's not a more qualified white man. You won't get anyone, and I do mean anyone, to admit it. "I often write songs in character. You can't always trust or believe the narrators in my songs. So why listen? Good question. "Anyway the guy in this song may exist somewhere. Let's hope not. Vote in November." After starting his songwriting career as a teenager, Newman launched into recording as a singer and pianist in 1968 with his self-title album Randy Newman. His reputation as a songwriter grew quickly, as Judy Collins, Dusty Springfield, Peggy Lee, Harry Nilsson, and Joe Cocker, among others, recorded his work. Throughout the 1970s he released several other acclaimed albums such as 12 Songs, Sail Away, and Good Old Boys. His most recent albums include two volumes of The Randy Newman Songbook, 2008′s Harps and Angels, and a live CD/DVD set from London, released last year. In addition to his solo recordings and regular international touring, Newman began composing and scoring for films in the 1980s. Download link "I'm Dreaming" on Soundcloud "I'm Dreaming" Lyrics George Washington was a white man Adams and Jefferson too Abe Lincoln was a white man, probably And William McKinley the whitest of them all Was shot down by an immigrant in Buffalo And a star fell out of heaven I'm dreaming of a white President Just like the ones we've always had A real live white man Who knows the score How to handle money or start a war Wouldn't even have to tell me what we were fighting for He'd be the right man If he were a I'm dreaming of a white President Someone whom we can understand Someone who knows where we're coming from And that the law of the jungle is not the law of this land In deepest darkest Africa nineteen three A little boy says, "Daddy, I just discovered relativity. A big eclipse is coming And I'll prove it. Wait and see!" "You better eclipse yourself outta here, son And find yourself a tree There's a lion in the front yard And he knows he won't catch me." How many little Albert Einsteins Cut down in their prime? How many little Ronald Reagans Gobbled up before their time? I don't believe in evolution But it does occur to me, What if little William Howard Taft had to face a lion Or God forbid, climb a tree? Where would this country be? I'm dreaming of a white President Buh buh buh buh 'Cause things have never been this bad So he won't run the hundred in ten seconds flat So he won't have a pretty jump shot Or be an Olympic acrobat So he won't know much about global warming Is that really where you're at? He won't be the brightest, perhaps But he'll be the whitest And I'll vote for that Whiter than this? Yes Whiter than this? Yes Whiter than this? Yes Whiter than this? Oh yeah New Randy Newman Song "I'm Dreaming" Available for Free Download

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