Part comic, part cynic and part social critic, Randy Newman has been a cult figure since the release of his self-titled debut album in 1968. With clever storytelling lyrics set to soulful piano pop, Newman humorously examines an array of cultural blunders—from racism to television. His conversationally volatile approach has continued to garner laughs and critical praise through the decades with lyrically sarcastic hits like "Short People", "Sail Away", "Political Science" and "I Love L.A." Newman has also scored many films, including Maverick, A Bug’s Life, Meet the Parents, Toy Story and Monster’s, Inc., which won the Best Original Song Oscar in 2002. With his latest solo album, The Randy Newman Songbook Vol. 1", Newman presents 18 of his best from the '60s and '70s in stripped-down, hauntingly beautiful form.