Macworld Expo 2008, Randy Newman at Apple Keynote (Full)

[TheFeralMac]

Given Jobs relationship with Joan Baez and others, this was a nice gift. Newman is a brilliant satirist. "... Good bye, good bye, good bye"

[TheAtheistPriest]

Hey there rover, come on over!

[redibeaver]

Who cares if he's a So Cal Jew? Sick minds always have roadblocks to intelligence.

[toystoryfan72]

Randy Newman is a Great Song Writer, and Composer. I love his work!

[TearsOfWar1]

He sounds weird. What the fuck accent is that?

[gothdeer]

@TearsOfWar1

Southern Jew, born in California.

[Cybrggame]

RANDY NEWMAN IS A BEAST

[kev9752]

Or you could all realize, this song, along with other songs like short people, and rednecks are all satire.

[RFIDemocracy]

1. white guy pretending to be black for more cred

No but apparently you are a dumb guy trying to appear intelligent

[ZirconCode]

nicely said= D

[n8rm]

Randy Newman is a brilliant song writer.

Long live Randy Newman!!!!

[nameformyskreen]

this epitomizes why i dont like macs:

1. white guy pretending to be black for more cred

2. "i dont like corporations....except this one"

3. artist thinking this "empire" is gone

[RustyCage352]

is randy newman trying to be black? is he credited as a black piano player and songwriter?

[nb1255]

hey moron, he was born in Louisiana.

[zombywoof112]

wrong. born in L.A. But you are correct. His heart's in New Orleans Ha

[nb1255]

Thanks for the link mate.

You were right, he was born in L.A. but spent 11 years of his childhood in NOLA.

SO, the idiots above are still idiots.

[zombywoof112]

yessir ha

[jzerony]

Everytime I hear Randy sing You Got A Friend In Me I just sit there... smiling from ear to ear... I just love him. Just got his Harps & Angels - - great once again! Thanks for posting.

[chazscheim]

I'd respond but I have no idea what you are talking about. Apparently, you have never learned the concept of a "run on sentence."

[arkayo]

What the hell does this have to do with Randy Newman? Oh by the way...he's a pretty creative guy I would say

[ccastillo90]

i do love his piano though

[ccastillo90]

haha absolutely nothing to do with apple computers

[djgilleke]

it isn't true that we (europeans) all hate you:P

[ArAtEuC]

good to know

[laneatlileden]

7-4-1776 to 9-11-01

[vilxan]

Even though his voice isn't the nicest, I still get a warm feeling listening to him.

[muziekengeluid]

I grew up with the guy's music and he's still as good as he was 30 years ago...

[djm0027]

I'm 23 I just recently started listening to Randy. He is amazing. Great songwriter and singer. I can appreciate his music unlike many others of my generation.

[santafejen]

im 23 and im right there with you

[jfacfan07]

owilde don't be such a prick just cuz you don't like his music (i know i don't i only looked to see if he really sounds as crazy as they make him sound on family guy lmao) doesn't mean he's untalented when he obviously is he's amazing on the piano!

[LaPavoniMac]

I love Randy Newman!! He is a genius!!

[Cyberrob]

I love Randys Stuff i saw him in 2006 in Gateshead, North east, UK. a wonderful performance

[mactutorials08]

why don't you like us? lol

[Cyberrob]

ha, we do really :P

[owilde]

if he was'nt so untalented i might be able to hear a message

[vuetube]

haha! if so-called artists would get past the 60's fad of being political, they might actually sell some records

[owilde]

Maybe....just maybe, if there were more deeper meanings to help enlighten us in this dark age of violence, we might hear and evolve. Selling records should not be the impetus to having your music heard. beauty and meaning are th soul of a song, happy or sad. This guy is an embarrassment to my generation.

[vuetube]

"beauty and meaning are th soul of a song, happy or sad"

as Cheech said once in a movie "Man the 60's must have been good to you..." I noticed Mister Randy doesn't write songs about Liberals, Facist Muslims, EnvironMENTALists, etc. Did he write any about that old fart the Democrat Policicians all love, the KKK Grand Wizard Robert Bird?

He's basically Left's Larry the Cable Guy who learned to play(?) the piano, no, make that Ron White.

[bigsqueaky]

if you weren't such a pompous little shit you might be able to hear a message

[Iclaudius123]

Thats called satire

[reichmarshall]

Randy often writes from the point of view of ignorant assholes so that he can more effectively make fun of them. Check out "Rednecks" and "Short People."

[tomleonhardt]

yesssss...mr.newman u´ve got it!!!!!!

[LondonGuysVids]

Left foot, right foot, left foot, right foot...

[Bimkovitz]

It's amazing how off-the-wall and random Family Guy can be, and yet fans of the series still seem to assume that the depictions of artists like Randy Newman on the show are somehow accurate. Everytime I tell someone how much I like Randy Newman, I get the same lame Family Guy reference from everyone.

[soulcalibur22]

HAHAHAHAHA cause its funny as hell and it depresses u! I JUST SAW THAT EPISODE it was funny as hell and this song is funnier! CAUSE ITS STUPID!

[laneatlileden]

america wont die but it is written in pop culture that we do leave.its in the 4 red gospels as well.

[iJoebaynham]

watching the family guy episode ha xD

[peejaypo]

"it's a story 'bout friendship with music by me, 'bout a bear and a bunny and the (gibbrish, bla bla bla) that becomes their new fam'ly...something like that!" --Randy Newman on the Family guy movie...hahaha

[simplninja]

haha, i have to say it, family guy!

[dammitdexter]

Genius.

[Roguemarlfox]

i love randy, but he was clearly not comfortable here. he's fine when he's playing, but he doesn't seem to be able to talk to the audience without stumbling over his words.

[eeleyeg]

Steve jobs is a genious, heyyyyyyyyyy doesnt he sing in story?? :O

[dmc4982]

If you've never owned any of Randy Newman's albums, you apparently have no clue that his songs are loaded with satire and humor. You need to lighten up regarding the whole political song in the beginning. My entire family is Sicilian and I completely agree with his comment... but it's just a little humor.

[jackmad007]

Good one

[negron115]

lol.

randy's voice is so funny.

i cant help but "lol".

and if you close your eyes, he sounds like an old black man from the south.

[peachikeen17]

Haha! I thought the same thing!

As a kid, my parents played his music for me, and the first time I saw the music video for, "I love LA", I asked, "Where's the singer?!"

[ryu9114]

Lol, surprisingly, I just found out that Randy did that song in Toy Story, ._. remember watching that when I was little...

ANYWAYS, Randy's song wasn't that great...sorta odd how he's singing a political song at Apple key note, lol.

[pmbear]

The times they are a'changing

[pmbear]

Yeah...it is called satire people

[masaeurope]

Thanks, I got doubts that they get it ;-)

(or forget about it)

[pmango1000]

as the comic book guy would say: "Worst song everrrrrr!"

[ad0304s]

The problem with left-wingers like Newman is that they don't just think things are going poorly. They hope it does. They'd rather see America crumble and their politics affirmed than have their politics proven wrong and see America succeed... "blinded by hate"

[bapyou]

ad0304s: This comment from Teach417 bears repeating:

"Why do idiots (that's you ad0304s) think that hating the current administration means hating the country? Hating incompetence and corruption is not the same as hating America. Defending incompetence & corruption (that's what you do ad0304s)...now that's hating America."

[bapyou]

ad0304s:

I don't know where to begin with your simplistic argument.

"left-wingers...hope things...go...poorly...They'd rather see America crumble...than...see America succeed"

Sounds like President Dumb-Ass: "you're either with us, or against us." What stunning intelligence.

According to you I'm supposed to think that the Bush admninistration isn't responsible for ANY of the "crumbling"? You'd like it if all Americans were fools like you, wouldn't you? Sorry to dissapoint.

[JonnyRobert]

he said aboit tialians because bush and i think uhhh the vie president are italians

[MacRulesWindowsSucks]

What did he said about Italian people? Please tell me... just curious.

[MacRulesWindowsSucks]

I found the lyric. No problem.

And btw i'm italian and i LOVE USA... i love USA... fuck the people that don't like USA...

this guy is pretty unfair. this song is FUCKING OFFENSIVE

[dammitdexter]

You misinterpret what he said. You probably do so because you want to say you heard what you think he said.

[ad0304s]

He was talking about Justices Alito and Scalia on the supreme court. Newman hates them and insults them because he disagrees with their politics. It used to be that attitudes like that were viewed as petty and immature. Now we celebrate it! :)

[MacRulesWindowsSucks]

Sorry! I didn't know...

in this case, no offense at all.

Btw i'm going to S. Francisco January 28th ;)

[antmeans]

so we shouldn't criticize what we think is wrong?

[marymario]

Calling a man a "tight-ass" does not constitute constructive criticism. It is mere name-calling. Even the implication the insult carries is not a coherent argument but an unsubstantiated claim, which, btw, this song is rife with.

I think the bigger issue here is not what Newman thinks (this is irrelevant) but that the song sucked, and it is a stupid BUSINESS decision to allow such a politically-charged performance in such a venue. You may deny this but cannot disprove it.

[arru79]

This was awesome...it was refreshing to see one of the americans with a perspective of what's been going on in this country in the last couple of years. And during a corporate keynote...doubly amazing!

So props to Randy Newman, and to Steve Jobs for inviting him. America was once a paragon of free speech and fresh ideas (and it hasn't all dried out, apparently) This is what thinking different may sound like, don't get so scared when it actually happens ;)

[mikedashg]

I enjoy Randy Newman's music in the films.

But I was also shocked by his performance. He sort of rambled on in between songs, and did a very political song. I kept on thinking "Is he drunk? What is he on?"

All that aside, I actually enjoyed the performance, and the political song made me laugh. I just couldn't believe it was on an Apple key note. Now I know why it was removed from the podcast.

[Teach417]

Apparently you don't realize that Newman has had a career as a singer-songwriter longer than he's been writing for the movies. His own (non-movie) songs are known for their biting, satirical political content. Try finding a few and listening. It beats the hell out of pixar cartoons.

[mikedashg]

Thanks for posting this up, Apple removed it from the free podcast download, and the streaming stuff from Apple is too choppy to watch for me.

[jojosixty6]

this man is a legend.one of the great songwriters.all you tits abusing him probaby think bruce sprinsteen is a genius.

[Teach417]

Do you really think you can build up one artist by knocking another? I'm a fan of both Newman and Springsteen, and have seen them both in concert. They're both great songwriters and compelling performers. If you don't realize that Springsteen has created great music, you just haven't listened to him.

[Snipereye64]

when i was watching this part of the keynote on apple i could not help but die of laughing. just like the family guy scene

[jwbaumann]

Randy Newman's "performance" was a complete downer for that keynote. It had nothing to do with Apple or cool technology. It had nothing to do with anything Steve said. His singing wasn't even singing. He rambled, he swore, he was political, he offended Italians, blacks, and conservatives, he made a homosexual joke - it was completely wrong for that forum. Steve is *never* political and always G-rated in his keynotes (and wisely so). If I hadn't already sold my AAPL stock, I would now.

[diseaser]

This must be the first time you ever heard Randy Newman, as evidenced by the surprise in your tone.

Either you are young or you just don't listen to enough music. Don't be so politically correct. This is America, and overly sensitive, narcissistic people like you are what make this place suck.

[jwbaumann]

Boy, have you read me wrong!

My point is, a MacWorld keynote was simply the wrong forum for that sort of performance. Steve knows better, or should know better.

I'm probably older than you, and I listen to plenty of music. I happen to like RN's "Drop the Big One," and I like his songs in the Pixar movies.

Check out Ezra Levant's opening statement in front of the Canadian HRC for my views on free speech.

Don't jump to conclusions, and avoid ad hominem attacks. They suck.

[dammitdexter]

Steve can do whatever the f*ck he wants because he owns you, islave. Bwahaha.

[bapyou]

jwbauman:

"Randy Newman...offended Italians, blacks, and conservatives (in his performance)"

I am 100% Italian-American & I wasn't offended in the least. Newman wasn't insulting Italians as a group, he was insulting two inividuals, namely, the two gavones sitting on the Supreme Court. Those two WOPS are about as tight-assed as they come. 100% correct.

As or "offend(ing) conservatives", hell, they offend everyone else. What the hell makes them so Goddamned sensitive all of a sudden?

[ugotmelovestoned]

I'm sorry but i Randy Newman is retarded, i really don't like him, i mean STALON, HITLOR TOO AAAAW I HAVE DOWN SYNDROME!!! come on, family guy had it right on the nail with there parodies of randy newman. I was expecting Feist or someone cool but Randy Newman?? I liked the songs in Toy Story and A Bug's Life, but come on! He seriously is a mongoloid

[Teach417]

You're probably not smart enough to realize this, but when you start calling a brilliant, insightful artist "retarded," you're just revealing that you're not intelligent enough to understand what he's saying. Also, you clearly lack the brains to make any kind of cogent criticism, relying on empty, childish insults. Go listen to Britney Spears, kid, I'm guessing that's something you can handle.

[camrydabomb]

left foot, right foot, left foot, right foot.....lol.

[teda64]

they love us canadians becuase we don't piss everyone off

[Youtrvw]

True. Many Europeans have a positive opinion about Canada. I live in the Netherlands, and I have never heard anyone over here say anything negative about it. In fact, it's on my "to visit list" too.

[arru79]

I agree too. In Sweden, Canada is viewed a lot more sympathetically than the US, and sharing some of the sides of Sweden that swedes are content with (and yet it's not a very patriotic culture, I should add)

[dammitdexter]

(sings)OH CANADA...

[enderbender]

I'm a little surprised some Europeans are taking offense to his lyrics. Take Randy Newman's political statements with a grain a salt. He's not writing a political commentary, he's performing a piece of art. Randy Newman is the best!

[bloodyquestions]

It isn't going to hurt anything everyone know US political state and just because of this song won't make anyone change there mind. It's most likely if you were there or you watched the whole video on the website you are dedicated to apple all ready. if this song makes you turn to Microsoft then it's pretty obvious you were already change your mind on what to buy before hand

[MenloBob]

FYI: Steve's birth father is Syrian.

[arru79]

Newsflash: Steve Jobs is an american

[Alec374]

I think youtrvw has a point. During a European tour in the summer of 2006, Newman premiered three new songs including the politically controversial "A Few Words in Defense of Our Country". It favorably compares the leaders of the United States to those of previous "evil" european empires, although it criticizes the War on Terror and the Supreme Court, and posits that "this empire is ending like all the rest."

[thepleasuremachine]

I have to agree with allengwinn here. Decorum dictates that unless Apple itself is engaging in the bad behavior than politics are better left out of this forum. The livelihood of thousands if not million of people depend on the success of apple and its advocates and suppliers. Foisting an unwarranted political embroglio upon Apple, at its annual Gala, will not yield a positive result.

[allengwinn]

I was there for the keynote. Regardless of your politics--very, very risky move.

Politics can't help sales it can sure hurt sales. Put another way: you won't run out and buy a Macbook Air because of it, but it certainly might make you less likely to spend money on Apple stuff.

Now you might say, "well, we just don't want them as customers anyway," but a dollar lost for whatever reason is a dollar lost.

As I say, pretty questionable judgment regardless of what political views were expressed.

[masaeurope]

"Politics can't help sales it can sure hurt sales", true in general.

But I am pretty sure in this case they won more sympathy (friends) than they (maybe) lost. Watching the US Election campain these days you get an idea of what people want to hear these days.

As I said (see below), a brave step. Chapeau, Apple.

[allengwinn]

Unfortunately, unless your product happens to be something like talk radio (Rush Limbaugh), you don't "win" customers this way. Put another way, I'm not going to say "gee, I don't want a Macbook Air but after watching Newman's performance, I'm on my way to the Apple store."

You would, on the other hand, say "gee, those looked pretty good for my sales force, but after that performance, I think I might do a little more looking around before making a decision."

[xs1ner]

no.

[Roguemarlfox]

agreed. jobs is smart enough to know not to use politics to sell technology. i think he was trying to make apple appear "edgy," but it doesn't really work. while i'm a fan of randy newman and this performance doesn't offend me, i realize that randy newman is quite possibly the WORST sort of artist to endorse a product or company.

[sslolita]

LOL! I agree, he's too honest to be selling something.

[nateswhore]

Youtrvw, you're a complete moron. He was poking fun of President Bush and the current state of affairs in the U.S., not Europe.

[Youtrvw]

Thanks nateswhore. It's always nice to get such a polite and mature reaction. Maybe you should take a look at the lyrics?

[nateswhore]

So using the word moron makes me immature? Fine, I can live with that even if I don't think that's true.

And I did look at the lyrics. Hitler and the Spaniards behind the Inquisition are hardly contemporary figures. The current members of the U.S. Supreme Court, however, are.

[Youtrvw]

Today the European Community is trying very hard to make this world a safer place for everyone. Our continent is still devided into many countries. All have their own political issues, but all are trying hard to be good neighbours. It's mr. Newman's way of "being honest" that will raise many eyebrows in Europe. He cannot ask for European friendship if he puts his finger up in the air. Certainly not if he accompanies his request with politically incorrect moral lecturing.

[Youtrvw]

Mr. Randy Newman told the audience that Europeans do not like "us" (read: Americans) very much. I heard him singing about bad leadership in the US and about the US needing a friend in "times like this". Oke, I understand that many Americans are not pleased with their current president. But then he started singing about the Ceasars, the Spanish Inquisition, Hitler and Stalin as if these examples are honest representatives for modern European politics. I very much disliked his approach >>

[brightonbreezy]

MenloBob, Randy Newman has crafted a song which mixes political criticism with patriotism, and compassion with his own delicious irony and great musicianship. You respond by criticising him for being Jewish, and apparently "vermin"

I'd say his darts have struck home. :)

[cyberdale]

Kudos to Jobs for inviting Randy. "The Spanish Inquisition...I don't even like to *think* about it!...(evil gleam) *Sometimes* I like to think about it..."

Classic Randy aside (see also "...what a slimy old bastard he was" in "A Wedding in Cherokee County").

Kudos from a big Randy fan, and coincidentally, a new iPhone owner (first piece of Apple hardware I own after 22 years in IT. I looooooooove it! Now how about supporting FLAC format in iTunes?

[quasselwasser]

@six15solutions and @xs1ner, I suppose you're referring to MenloBob ...

@MenloBob: You're one of those who are so brave and free they mistake criticism for anti-americanism, and who actually believe people like George W. Bush are patriotic.

[masaeurope]

Thanks for your comment. Yes, I think "criticism and anti-americanism" gets mixed up often.

I posted this video because I was surprised by his performance.

I am from Europe and I know most of us like America (god bless Marshall and his plan ;-) But I was impressed that a big player in IT was brave enough to have an artist perform that mixed art, love to his country, criticism and humor in pretty smart way.

The only static thing in life is the "change". ;-)

Hope you enjoy the video.

[xs1ner]

somebody throw a apple at him

[six15solutions]

This guy is an idiot.

[MenloBob]

Allow me to amend my comment; Obviously there are lots of patriotic Jews. Randy Newman isn't one them, and he has an awful lot of comrades who have his back. The Upper West Side of NYC has been the ideological home of this cabal. Since the 30s they've been trying to pollute the film industry with pro-socialist propaganda. Time was when we had a stomach to deal with this vermin.

[bapyou]

MenloBob: This comment from Teach417, to which you lack the subtleties of mind to respond, bears repeating:

"Why do idiots (that's you MenloBob) think that hating the current administration means hating the country? Hating incompetence and corruption is not the same as hating America. Defending incompetence & corruption (that's what you do MenloBob), & attacking entire ethnic groups (that's what you've done MenloBob) for the insightful statements of one man, now that's hating America. Moron.

[emerson134]

Luv how Apple has benefited from Globalism, Slave Labor and War...The hypocrisy is amazing...They should be singing the praises of dictators...

[chiarde]

I was very fortunate to be in the audience. His performance was absolutely breathtaking and hysterically funny. We were hanging on his every word. This was so much better than the standard John Mayer crud of prior years. Smart, edgy, and an absolute joy to witness. Like the message or not, Randy's got a huge set of nuts!

[sannerligen]

Amen, brother! Amen.

[afahsu]

I remember His Steveness himself is Jewish

[MenloBob]

Why do American Jews hate this country? Thanks for insulting your customers Steve.

[MartinMounier]

Hi, English is not my native language, maybe I missed something: (where) did he relate to American Jews?

I think he said "European do not like us 'US' so much".

I am European, but I think I did understand him and I enjoyed his subtle humor.

[daivdlkatz]

where do you get that American Jews hate the united states???

or are you trying to say that Steve said that?

[kirky1801]

read the guys comment again...

[Teach417]

Why do idiots think that hating the current administration means hating the country? Hating incompetence and corruption is not the same as hating America. Defending incompetence and corruption, and attacking entire ethnic groups for the insightful statements of one man, now that's hating America, moron.

[Deltawk]

This guy is a genius.