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Randy Newman — Political Science
Album: Sail Away
Avg rating:
7.2

Your rating:
Total ratings: 650









Released: 1972
Length: 1:58
Plays (last 30 days): 1
No one likes us, I don't know why
We may not be perfect, but heaven knows we try
But all around even our old friends put us down
Lets drop the big one and see what happens

We give them money, but are they grateful?
No, they're spiteful and they're hateful
They don't respect us, so let's surprise them
We'll drop the big one and pulverize them

Asia's crowded and Europe's too old
Africa is far too hot and Canada's too cold
And South America stole our name
Let's drop the big one
There'll be no one left to blame us

We'll save Australia
Don't wanna hurt no kangaroo
We'll build an All American amusement park there
They got surfin too

Boom goes London and boom Paris
More room for you and more room for me
And every city the whole world round
Will just be another American town
Oh how peaceful it will be
We'll set everybody free
You'll wear a Japanese kimono
And there'll be Italian shoes for me

They all hate us anyhow
So lets drop the big one now
Let's drop the big one now
Comments (111)add comment
Oppenheimer tha bastds- ‘cept Straya!
Randy is an American treasure, we're just too dumb to realize it...
This is awesome
As poignant today as it was then, but not for reasons people think.   Can apply to any country, any time, anywhere.   Just so happens that he's 'Merican.   
You're the bomb, BillG; that was a clever segue into "Mother"...
Trump doesn't need any encouragement...
Wow... haven't heard this one in ages.

Thanks for reminding me of this great album.

 
 kcar wrote:

Americans do not gently part with their ignorance or exceptionalism. 

 
Damn right! and we do whatever you're talking about better than anyone!
I heard this song at a Trump rally on TV.
{#Stop}{#Stop}{#Frustrated}
 Cynaera wrote:

I just know you're going extra-heavy on the sarcasm. I think I probably fit into one of those categories to be nuked. I'm white (actually, I'm sort of a lovely fleshy pink color) but I don't fear God (in fact, I don't even like Him much these days), I'm not really a Christian (I'm flirting with Druidism at the moment, but Cthulu is starting to look pretty good, too), and I'm totally against nukes.

But I absolutely love Randy Newman's music. His sense of nuance and vocal inflection is impeccable. {#Daisy}

 
miss you so much, Cynaera...

love this song... 
Awful!
{#No} ...circus Music....
Poignant.
 Hippostar wrote:


 
...takes an apple...gonna take a bite...gonna blow on it foist...

What a great song! 

Saw Wilco do a great version of this a few years ago on the "Ghost is Born" tour.   


wow, this takes me back.  
 kcar wrote:

Americans do not gently part with their ignorance or exceptionalism. 

  however we seem to have given our country away to the Nazi scum bags ,  HEIL BUSHIT....{#Evil}






 BikeCoachDave wrote:
left foot, right foot, left foot, right foot.

 
Family Guy nailed it.
 mchernaik wrote:
"South America stole our name..." Pure genius.

 
Yes, he's so often reflecting the righteous absurdity/ignorance we manage to brew in the United States.  Amerigo Vespucci landed in Brazil.  Don't think he ever made it to North America at all.

I love the song title too.
Anyone else reminded of the AlbionBlackSheep flash animation The End of the World (NSFW) by these lyrics?
Oh and save Canada, The UK, Ireland & Greenland.
Hilariously sarcastic Randy Newman at his best.  Loved it then.  Love it even more today.  I read somewhere that he once played this song in a concert over in Europe in the mid-70's.  The Europeans didn't quite know how to take it.....was he being sarcastic...was he for real?  The essence of their puzzlement with American's then...and probably still the essence of the bewilderment today....can't say I blame them....sometime I got's to think we're a remarkably bi-polar society. 

So it goes.

Highlow
American Net'Zen
 kcar wrote:

Americans do not gently part with their ignorance or exceptionalism. 
 
Well, I think it's just overcompensation. 
Mama don't allow no above ground nuclear testing around here, we don't care what mama don't allow ....boom!
Holy crap this song is from 1972?!  I thought it was from this decade.  Still just as relevant today as it was 30 years ago.  Yay, human race.
left foot, right foot, left foot, right foot.
Randy Newman for President...
3 ->6. In a mood I guess.
"No one likes us, and we don't care" - the motto of Millwall FC fans.
This has to be Will Sasso
 philbertr wrote:
I say we f#%kin' nuke 'em all!!!  Who needs 'em any way?!  Towel heads, pinkos, slants, spear chuckers, Ruskies, all them people that ain't God-fearin' Christian white folks like us!!
 
I just know you're going extra-heavy on the sarcasm. I think I probably fit into one of those categories to be nuked. I'm white (actually, I'm sort of a lovely fleshy pink color) but I don't fear God (in fact, I don't even like Him much these days), I'm not really a Christian (I'm flirting with Druidism at the moment, but Cthulu is starting to look pretty good, too), and I'm totally against nukes.

But I absolutely love Randy Newman's music. His sense of nuance and vocal inflection is impeccable. {#Daisy}

A song with a serious message.  Yet he always used humor.  I especially like the line "don't wanna hurt no kangaroo."
 jeremy52 wrote:
A co-worker of mine just stopped by my office about five minutes to make me aware of more explosions happening right now in downtown Baghdad. Her straight-faced take on the situation: We should "just drop a few nukes on Iraq and get the damn thing over with". And then I hear this sone on RP. Sheesh. How appropriate. A great tune from Mr. Newman. Though probably written with the Cold War in mind, it's more relevant now than ever.
 
I occasionally remark that, in my opinion, all people who remark that, in their opinion, certain other people should just be hanged, should just be shot.
Or vice versa. I forget.

"South America stole our name..." Pure genius.
 robotbass wrote:
Amazing...the lyric is still pertinent today.
 
Americans do not gently part with their ignorance or exceptionalism. 
Amazing...the lyric is still pertinent today.
 Nerubo wrote:
Perhaps it's because I have a degree in Political Science, but the line "And South America stole our name" made me genuinely LOL.
 
 
Hmm, replying to my own comment - never a good sign.  However, I felt compelled to say two things
  1. Doesn't "South America stole our name" sound like something a "Tea Party" ranter would say without irony?  
  2. It still makes me laugh.

Perhaps it's because I have a degree in Political Science, but the line "And South America stole our name" made me genuinely LOL.
 
Some people just don't "get" Randy Newman's humor.  Remember when "Short People" came out and was banned from the airwaves because it was so "prejudicial"?  Personally, I love his scathing lyrics - he and Richard Thompson are both masters of sarcasm (or is it satire?)   Thumbs up for this song! {#Music}
Prince Metternich as popular music.
All I hear in Randy's music is Disney and Toy Story. He's over-saturated himself out of the market for serious music in my opinion.
 RobRyan wrote:
This song (Political Science) made it into the FM rotation back in the '70's and was my introduction to Randy Newman. This album is so good, and so sarcastic. I especially like "God's Song (That's Why I Love Mankind)."

God's Song (That's Why I Love Mankind)

Cain slew Abel, Seth knew not why
For if the children of Israel were to multiply
Why must any of the children die?
So he asked the Lord
And the Lord said:

"Man means nothing he means less to me
than the lowliest cactus flower
or the humblest yucca tree
he chases round this desert
cause he thinks that's where i'll be
that's why i love mankind

I recoil in horror from the foulness of thee
from the squalor and the filth and the misery
How we laugh up here in Heaven at the prayers you offer me
That's why i love mankind"

The Christians and the Jews were having a jamboree
The Buddhists and the Hindus joined on satellite TV
They picked their four greatest priests
And they began to speak
They said "Lord the plague is on the world
Lord no man is free
The temples that we built to you
Have tumbled into the sea
Lord, if you won't take care of us
Won't you please please let us be?"

And the Lord said
And the Lord said

"I burn down your cities—how blind you must be
I take from you your children and you say how blessed are we
You must all be crazy to put your faith in me
That's why i love mankind
You really need me
That's why i love mankind"
  Love this one too. Thanks for posting the lyrics!


Genius. Thanks RP!
"If I was President, only thing going to China would be MISSILES!"

— Joad Cressbeckler, Presidential Candidate, 2008 Election

 Jared wrote:

Wow, with one stroke of your brush, you've hit some of the major people I don't really care to hear at all. Still love the dichotomy of RP for that anyways.

 
Dichotomy indeed - I absolutely love all of the people mentioned. Different strokes...

I believe it's called satire
Amen Randy.

Sarcasm aside.

 mafe wrote:
We'll save Australia
Don't wanna hurt no kangaroo
 
At the rate we're glibly driving the charismatic megafauna extinct from planet earth, this is the only line that doesn't ring true. {#Eh}
 copymonkey wrote:


If we were only exposed to artists who 'can sing'—judging by hundreds of posters' opinions—we would be deprived of the songs of: Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Leonard Cohen, Tom Waits, Tom Petty, Lyle Lovett, Randy Newman, Elvis Costello, Lucinda Williams, Mark Knopfler, Neil Young, Ray Davies, Pete Townshend, and more. I don't think I'd want to live in that world.
 
Wow, with one stroke of your brush, you've hit some of the major people I don't really care to hear at all. Still love the dichotomy of RP for that anyways.

I give it a 10 for the sheer audacity of sarcasm Randy Newman is able to pull off in this song.
 noiseindustries wrote:
You know, the message may be valid, interesting, provocative, but why the heck does he need to sing it when he obviously can't? Just my humble opinion, typed as I cleaned the vomit from my keyboard...

 

If we were only exposed to artists who 'can sing'—judging by hundreds of posters' opinions—we would be deprived of the songs of: Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Leonard Cohen, Tom Waits, Tom Petty, Lyle Lovett, Randy Newman, Elvis Costello, Lucinda Williams, Mark Knopfler, Neil Young, Ray Davies, Pete Townshend, and more. I don't think I'd want to live in that world.
More relevant than ever.
 diazo wrote:


I agree.  I tried uploading "God's Song" a year or so ago and it was rejected.  Maybe Bill figures he stirs up enough trouble with XTC's "Dear God"?
 
Wow, what a shame!

 mafe wrote:
No one likes us-I don't know why
We may not be perfect, but heaven knows we try
But all around, even our old friends put us down
Let's drop the big one and see what happens We give them money-but are they grateful?
No, they're spiteful and they're hateful
They don't respect us-so let's surprise them
We'll drop the big one and pulverize them Asia's crowded and Europe's too old
Africa is far too hot
And Canada's too cold
And South America stole our name
Let's drop the big one
There'll be no one left to blame us We'll save Australia
Don't wanna hurt no kangaroo
We'll build an All American amusement park there
They got surfin', too Boom goes London and boom Paris
More room for you and more room for me
And every city the whole world round
Will just be another American town
Oh, how peaceful it will be
We'll set everybody free
You'll wear a Japanese kimono
And there'll be Italian shoes for me They all hate us anyhow
So let's drop the big one now
Let's drop the big one now
 
 I like his work better in print than on the air.


 RobRyan wrote:
This song (Political Science) made it into the FM rotation back in the '70's and was my introduction to Randy Newman. This album is so good, and so sarcastic. I especially like "God's Song (That's Why I Love Mankind)."

...

 

I agree.  I tried uploading "God's Song" a year or so ago and it was rejected.  Maybe Bill figures he stirs up enough trouble with XTC's "Dear God"?


There are far too many wonderful R. Newman tunes to have a "favorite" but this comes close ... . . Louisiana is great,
America is another zinger...
I say we f#%kin' nuke 'em all!!!  Who needs 'em any way?!  Towel heads, pinkos, slants, spear chuckers, Ruskies, all them people that ain't God-fearin' Christian white folks like us!!
You know, the message may be valid, interesting, provocative, but why the heck does he need to sing it when he obviously can't? Just my humble opinion, typed as I cleaned the vomit from my keyboard...

This song (Political Science) made it into the FM rotation back in the '70's and was my introduction to Randy Newman. This album is so good, and so sarcastic. I especially like "God's Song (That's Why I Love Mankind)."

God's Song (That's Why I Love Mankind)

Cain slew Abel, Seth knew not why
For if the children of Israel were to multiply
Why must any of the children die?
So he asked the Lord
And the Lord said:

"Man means nothing he means less to me
than the lowliest cactus flower
or the humblest yucca tree
he chases round this desert
cause he thinks that's where i'll be
that's why i love mankind

I recoil in horror from the foulness of thee
from the squalor and the filth and the misery
How we laugh up here in Heaven at the prayers you offer me
That's why i love mankind"

The Christians and the Jews were having a jamboree
The Buddhists and the Hindus joined on satellite TV
They picked their four greatest priests
And they began to speak
They said "Lord the plague is on the world
Lord no man is free
The temples that we built to you
Have tumbled into the sea
Lord, if you won't take care of us
Won't you please please let us be?"

And the Lord said
And the Lord said

"I burn down your cities—how blind you must be
I take from you your children and you say how blessed are we
You must all be crazy to put your faith in me
That's why i love mankind
You really need me
That's why i love mankind"


When growing up, this was my father's response to international diplomacy.
BillG wrote:
Not sure what you mean - but if you think that Randy Newman (or me) intended this to be taken literally, let me assure you that this song is as sarcastic as it gets.
His comment falls into the "if I have to explain it, you wouldnt understand" column. I will bump up my next donation to make up for this guy
BadMongo wrote:
Damnit Bill! I've donated before, and I was really thinking of doing it again. Soon it's my birthday, and was hoping for some awsome RP stuff. But today you have broken my heart. Hope this isn't the evolution of music!
Not sure what you mean - but if you think that Randy Newman (or me) intended this to be taken literally, let me assure you that this song is as sarcastic as it gets.
It would seem as if this is Kim Jong Il's favorite song.
I like this song because, like the Short People song, Randy is portraying a character with those sentiments. Just remember that, next time you hear some right-wing dolt on AM radio using it to make his point. Honest to god, I heard some dumb-@ss on WLW or WTVN once on a drive using this song to make his point about attacking Iraq three years ago. You'd think Randy Newman could sue for such blatant mis-representation of his work. mafe wrote:
No one likes us-I don't know why We may not be perfect, but heaven knows we try But all around, even our old friends put us down Let's drop the big one and see what happens We give them money-but are they grateful? No, they're spiteful and they're hateful They don't respect us-so let's surprise them We'll drop the big one and pulverize them Asia's crowded and Europe's too old Africa is far too hot And Canada's too cold And South America stole our name Let's drop the big one There'll be no one left to blame us We'll save Australia Don't wanna hurt no kangaroo We'll build an All American amusement park there They got surfin', too Boom goes London and boom Paris More room for you and more room for me And every city the whole world round Will just be another American town Oh, how peaceful it will be We'll set everybody free You'll wear a Japanese kimono And there'll be Italian shoes for me They all hate us anyhow So let's drop the big one now Let's drop the big one now
Damnit Bill! I've donated before, and I was really thinking of doing it again. Soon it's my birthday, and was hoping for some awsome RP stuff. But today you have broken my heart. Hope this isn't the evolution of music!
It was great seeing Randy on the Colbert Report last night, and as a special treat he played this song (apropos, of course).
How appropos for today!
Three words: No Randy Newman!!
nolands wrote:
Anybody ever see the Family Guy Y2k episode with Randy Newman in it? I laugh everytime I hear his voice now.
Yeah! "Left foot, right foot, left foot, right foot..."
No one likes us-I don't know why We may not be perfect, but heaven knows we try But all around, even our old friends put us down Let's drop the big one and see what happens We give them money-but are they grateful? No, they're spiteful and they're hateful They don't respect us-so let's surprise them We'll drop the big one and pulverize them Asia's crowded and Europe's too old Africa is far too hot And Canada's too cold And South America stole our name Let's drop the big one There'll be no one left to blame us We'll save Australia Don't wanna hurt no kangaroo We'll build an All American amusement park there They got surfin', too Boom goes London and boom Paris More room for you and more room for me And every city the whole world round Will just be another American town Oh, how peaceful it will be We'll set everybody free You'll wear a Japanese kimono And there'll be Italian shoes for me They all hate us anyhow So let's drop the big one now Let's drop the big one now
i cannot help but think of that family guy episode. "Lady walkin' ova', Gonna eat an apple. takes one bite, two bites..." EDIT: that and the Monk theme song, now that's a terrible song. Surprised i'm diggin' this.
Three words - More.. Randy... Newman. :)
I love Randy's sense of humor and his music. Not sure which I like better.
Randy Newman for Secretary of State!
david byrne doing Don't fence me in and then "Big ol' White Boys" and now "Political Science" was that a segway ? I don't need to ask, your cool
my feelings exactly! even though it is sarcastic. great song from a great album. i sure would like to hear "rider in the rain" off of little criminals. it has randy singing with the eagles of all people! did you know... that the singing bush in " the three amigos" is randys voice.
Randy Newman has been writing incredible songs for over 30 years. His singing voice takes a little getting used to, but he grows on you.
oncogene wrote:
If Randy Newman were smitten tomorrow, I'd do a little dance. Typical Randy Newman mp3.
Not only are you remarkably mean-spirited, your link doesn't work. Figures...
oncogene wrote:
If Randy Newman were smitten tomorrow, I'd do a little dance. Typical Randy Newman mp3.
I'd be interested to know why you say this, but I'll venture a wild guess and say that you must be short. Or black. And possibly, you have no sense of humor. ;) Randy Newman's songs can seem scathing and bigoted at first listen, but the sarcasm just oozes from his music, and no one is exempt from his potshots (as a short person, I found "Short People" hilarious.) Listen with both ears and an open mind - you might be surprised at what you learn. ;) Then again, if it's just personal preference and nothing against his lyrics, nevermind... :footinmouth:
A co-worker of mine just stopped by my office about five minutes to make me aware of more explosions happening right now in downtown Baghdad. Her straight-faced take on the situation: We should "just drop a few nukes on Iraq and get the damn thing over with". And then I hear this sone on RP. Sheesh. How appropriate. A great tune from Mr. Newman. Though probably written with the Cold War in mind, it's more relevant now than ever.
oncogene wrote:
If Randy Newman were smitten tomorrow, I'd do a little dance. Typical Randy Newman mp3.
your link doesn't work. And why would you be so happy if he was "smitten"? What's he ever done to you?
Anybody ever see the Family Guy Y2k episode with Randy Newman in it? I laugh everytime I hear his voice now.
OK, this works for me...
I used to watch Chicago Hope back when it first came on, and there's an episode somewhere where Mandy Patinkin is singing this song in a piano bar... --d
Love RM and this is him at his best... I'm in Oz which is spared according to his goegraphical choice of where to wipe clean, so not so put off by the idea!?!
If Randy Newman were smitten tomorrow, I'd do a little dance. Typical Randy Newman mp3.
RN has got to be one of the more under-rated song-writer of all times..There is of course all that Disney commercial crap getting in the way but there's a lot more to be discovered..
This has to be one of the snarkiest songs ever written.....and probably one of the least likely to be played right now outside of a web station such as this.
Love it - need to play Marie off of Good Ole Boys.
story of my life LOL
Light \'em up!
That was damned funny! And the follow up...ah, intelligence...sweet IQ
Originally Posted by saeys: Good one! How come I come to think of Toy Story when I hear him sing?
perhaps because he wrote and sang "You've got a Friend in Me" for that movie. Randy has a long and rich catalogue of movie soundtracks in addition to the incredible popular songs he's best-known for, and his father was a composer who also did many soundtracks. They broke the mold with Randy.
Originally Posted by chinacat: Randy needs to write a song about the "search for weapons of mass destrucion".
Good one! How come I come to think of Toy Story when I hear him sing?
Someone needs to translate this song into Korean
Originally Posted by chinacat: Randy needs to write a song about the "search for weapons of mass destrucion".
I 2nd that...
Randy needs to write a song about the \"search for weapons of mass destrucion\".
omigod! forgot how intensely satirical this one is now more than ever!
Originally Posted by BillG: Yes, balance is good. Though in the case of this tune, you'd have to find a pro-nuclear-war anthem. :p
Good one! Speaking of laughs, a Randy Newman song from his BORN AGAIN album ('79) that always tickled my funnybone was - and I hope this doesn't have some scary philosophical meaning - "Pants". Anarchistic "punk" singer-songwriting from Mr. Newman. Another good one from that lp was "The Story of a Rock and Roll Band" a nice dig at a band that had really gone over the top by that time - ELO.
Wow, I hadn\'t heard this song in years but for some reason I started humming it today. And not four hours later it\'s on Radio Paradise. I\'m going to have to start wearing that tin-foil hat more often to keep Bill from reading my mind!
Originally Posted by catmaven: Funny if you like political satire . . . I think there should be a balance mandate for the bent of the opinions though . . . How about *that*, Bill? Equal time for pro and con when doing such? Really enjoy what I learn from other listeners. I should have guessed that I would find a coterie here . . . "eclectic" and "intelligent" are two of my favorite words!
Yes, balance is good. Though in the case of this tune, you'd have to find a pro-nuclear-war anthem. :p
Funny if you like political satire . . . I think there should be a balance mandate for the bent of the opinions though . . . How about *that*, Bill? Equal time for pro and con when doing such? Really enjoy what I learn from other listeners. I should have guessed that I would find a coterie here . . . \"eclectic\" and \"intelligent\" are two of my favorite words!
Loved this song from its first release. Used it for a musical audition for my high school musical senior year. (Goes great with a soft shoe, top hat and cane.) Got a big laugh, and a good part.
One of my favourite RN tunes, together with "Rednecks" and "It's money that matters". More true now than it ever was, IMHO, with GW Bush (and) after 9-sep-2001. I think that the attitude described in this song, or at least people's (inaccurate?) perception of the US, is one of the reasons for the WTC attack. IMHO it has only deteriorated after the attack. YMMV. No, I don't think that the US really thinks this way, but it sure seems like that lately.