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The Songs of Randy Newman Trivia Quiz

From behind-the-scenes songwriter, to acerbic solo artist, to film score composer, Randy Newman has had a long and fruitful career.

A multiple-choice quiz by agony. Estimated time: 4 mins.

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Author
agony

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
135,797

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
8 / 10

Plays
410

Awards
Top 20% Quiz

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. "No one likes us, I don't know why. We may not be perfect_________" Just complete the lyric. Hint

but neither are they

we're not always right

but at least we don't lie

but Heaven knows we try

NEXT>

Question 2 of 10

2. "Hate ______________ it's cold and its damp, and all the people dressed like monkeys" Hint

New York City

Chicago

Washington

Seattle

NEXT>

Question 3 of 10

3. "Mama told me not to come, mama said ______________" Hint

stay away from those boogie-woogie girls

you won't like it there

stay home and play checkers

that ain't no way to have fun

NEXT>

Question 4 of 10

4. "In America you'll get food to eat, won't have to run through the jungle _____________" Hint

and be leopard meat

won't have to swing from the vine

so fast and so fleet

and scuff up your feet

NEXT>

Question 5 of 10

5. What song are these lyrics from? "When the road looks rough ahead
And you're miles and miles
From your nice warm bed
You just remember what your old pal said" Hint

I'll Be There

Real Emotional Girl

I'm Different

You've Got a Friend in Me

NEXT>

Question 6 of 10

6. "You know how it is with me baby, you know I just can't stand myself. It takes a whole lot of medicine ____________" Hint

for me to pretend that I'm somebody else

to make me like myself

gotta act like Thomas Edison

for me to get better baby

NEXT>

Question 7 of 10

7. What song are these lyrics from? "Go on over there and turn on the light...no, all the lights
Now come back here and stand on this chair...that's right" Hint

Mama Told Me Not To Come

Tickle Me

You Can Leave Your Hat On

Maybe I'm Doing It Wrong

NEXT>

Question 8 of 10

8. "They got little baby legs that stand so low, you got to pick 'em up __________________" Hint

just to say hello

and put 'em down

before you go

to make 'em fly

NEXT>

Question 9 of 10

9. "What has happened down here is the wind have changed. Clouds roll in from the north ____________" Hint

and it started to rain

blowing us back and forth

and brought a new day

clouds roll in from the south

NEXT>

Question 10 of 10

10. "If I Didn't Have You" won the Oscar for best original song in 2002. What movie was it from? Hint

Ragtime

Toy Story

Monsters, Inc.

Toy Story 2

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. "No one likes us, I don't know why. We may not be perfect_________" Just complete the lyric.

Answer: but Heaven knows we try

"Political Science" from "Sail Away" (1972). "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 'em, let's drop the big one, and pulverize 'em."

2. "Hate ______________ it's cold and its damp, and all the people dressed like monkeys"

Answer: New York City

"I Love L.A." became that city's anthem during the 1984 Olympics. It is from the 1983 album "Trouble in Paradise".

3. "Mama told me not to come, mama said ______________"

Answer: that ain't no way to have fun

"Mama Told Me Not To Come" from "12 Songs" (1970). Three Dog Night took this song to Number 1 on the charts in May of the same year.

4. "In America you'll get food to eat, won't have to run through the jungle _____________"

Answer: and scuff up your feet

Randy Newman has gotten himself into trouble several times over the years, when people don't realize the satirical nature of his songs, and become offended. "Sail Away" from the album of the same name, is the supposed sales-pitch of slave-traders to Africans, trying to persuade them to "climb on board". "You'll just sing about Jesus and drink wine all day, it's great to be an American."

5. What song are these lyrics from? "When the road looks rough ahead And you're miles and miles From your nice warm bed You just remember what your old pal said"

Answer: You've Got a Friend in Me

This song is, of course, from the Disney/Pixar movie "Toy Story" (1995). Randy Newman has written music for an impressive array of movies, including the scores for "Parenthood", "Maverick", and "Ragtime" as well as Walt Disney/Pixar collaborations like "Toy Story", and "Monsters Inc." In this he is following in the footsteps of his uncle, Alfred Newman, the well-known Hollywood composer (one example of his work that we are all familiar with is the 20th Century Fox signature fanfare).

6. "You know how it is with me baby, you know I just can't stand myself. It takes a whole lot of medicine ____________"

Answer: for me to pretend that I'm somebody else

"How come I never do what I'm supposed to do? How come nothing I try to do ever turns out right?" "Guilty" from "Good Old Boys".

7. What song are these lyrics from? "Go on over there and turn on the light...no, all the lights Now come back here and stand on this chair...that's right"

Answer: You Can Leave Your Hat On

This song, from "Sail Away" has been covered with great success by such artists as Joe Cocker and Tom Jones.

8. "They got little baby legs that stand so low, you got to pick 'em up __________________"

Answer: just to say hello

"Short People", from 1977's "Little Criminals" was one of Newman's few commercial successes, peaking at Number 2 on the FM charts. It raised a lot of controversy on the way, as lots of short people became highly incensed.

9. "What has happened down here is the wind have changed. Clouds roll in from the north ____________"

Answer: and it started to rain

"Louisiana 1927" This song from 1974's "Good Old Boys" (my favorite Randy Newman album, by the way) was included on the soundtrack of the 1989 movie "Blaze", with Paul Newman and Lolita Davidovitch.

10. "If I Didn't Have You" won the Oscar for best original song in 2002. What movie was it from?

Answer: Monsters, Inc.

After 16 Oscar nomination for his film work, Randy Newman finally won one (we hope not the last) in 2002.

Source: Author agony

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Dalgleish before going online.
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