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proud2BlibKansan

(96,793 posts)
Fri Sep 21, 2012, 09:20 PM Sep 2012

New Randy Newman Song “I’m Dreaming (of a white president)” Available for Free Download

Last edited Sat Sep 22, 2012, 07:04 PM - Edit history (1)

Randy Newman’s new song, “I’m Dreaming,” is available as a free download below, where you can also watch the accompanying video. 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 as well.) 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 the CD/DVD set Live in London, released last year. In addition to his solo recordings and regular international touring, Newman began composing and scoring for films in the 1980s.

&feature=player_embedded

“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

http://www.nonesuch.com/journal/new-randy-newman-song-im-dreaming-available-for-free-download-2012-09-18
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New Randy Newman Song “I’m Dreaming (of a white president)” Available for Free Download (Original Post) proud2BlibKansan Sep 2012 OP
this might be a better song to share awake Sep 2012 #1
kick proud2BlibKansan Sep 2012 #2
I love this. I love Randy Newman and his sentiments. I love Los Angeles. CTyankee Sep 2012 #3
Randy is awesome. proud2BlibKansan Sep 2012 #4
His other perfect song was "short people" which came out in 1978 undeterred Sep 2012 #5
LMAO - I haven't even heard it and I am CRACKING UP. Newman.. NEWMAN!! Newman is a genius underpants Sep 2012 #6
Watch the video proud2BlibKansan Sep 2012 #7
I LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVED it underpants Sep 2012 #9
Fucking genius!!!!! Initech Sep 2012 #8
Yes he is. proud2BlibKansan Sep 2012 #10

awake

(3,226 posts)
1. this might be a better song to share
Fri Sep 21, 2012, 09:49 PM
Sep 2012

One Term More
http://www.onetermmore.com/video_subtitles.html

Please share I am new poster (long time reader) maybe a old poster will share this asa a new post
Thanks

CTyankee

(63,912 posts)
3. I love this. I love Randy Newman and his sentiments. I love Los Angeles.
Sat Sep 22, 2012, 07:35 PM
Sep 2012

this is a wonderful input to our political discussion, our artistic impulse. Let it begin and let it be...

undeterred

(34,658 posts)
5. His other perfect song was "short people" which came out in 1978
Sat Sep 22, 2012, 08:22 PM
Sep 2012

when I was in college. One of my apartment roommates was around 5' tall and that song made her absolutely crazy. I don't think any of us realized it was satire at the time.


Short people got no reason
Short people got no reason
Short people got no reason
To live

They got little hands
And little eyes
And they walk around
Tellin' great big lies
They got little noses
And tiny little teeth
They wear platform shoes
On their nasty little feet

Well, I don't want no short people
Don't want no short people
Don't want no short people
Round here

Short people are just the same
As you and I
(a fool such as i)
All men are brothers
Until the day they die
(it's a wonderful world)

Short people got nobody
Short people got nobody
Short people got nobody
To love

They got little baby legs
And they stand so low
You got to pick 'em up
Just to say hello
They got little cars
That got beep, beep, beep
They got little voices
Goin' peep, peep, peep
They got grubby little fingers
And dirty little minds
They're gonna get you every time
Well, I don't want no short people
Don't want no short people
Don't want no short people
'round here

underpants

(182,839 posts)
6. LMAO - I haven't even heard it and I am CRACKING UP. Newman.. NEWMAN!! Newman is a genius
Sat Sep 22, 2012, 08:26 PM
Sep 2012

I love this and I haven't even heard it yet.

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