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| You’ve Got a Friend in MeRandy Newman & Lyle Lovett |
Writer(s): Randy Newman (see lyrics here) Released: April 12, 1996 First Charted: -- Peak: 1 DF (Click for codes to charts.) Sales (in millions): 3.0 US, 0.6 UK, 3.6 world (includes US + UK) Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, 37.50 video, 20.86 streaming |
Awards:Click on award for more details. 
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About the Song:Singer/songwriter Randy Newman was born in 1943 in Los Angeles, California. He began his songwriting career at the age of 17, writing hits for Cilla Black, the Fleetwoods, Gene Pitney, and others. He also created background music for television shows, including The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis, Lost in Space, and Peyton Place. In 1968, he released his self-titled debut album. He did his first film score in 1971 for Cold Turkey and went on to score Ragtime (1981), The Natural (1984), Parenthood (1989), Avalon (1990), Awakenings (1990), and Maverick (1994). In 1995, he scored Disney/Pixar’s animated film Toy Story, which led to him being a go-to songwriter for multiple projects for Disney/Pixar. Newman said it was both a blessing and a curse. “I have definitely found a place in animation. But I got typecast. I don’t get offered things like Out of Africa. I’d do them. They’re easier. You never stop in animated pictures. In a drama, they’re not skipping around all the time.” SF Over the years, he had sporadic success with singles, such as “Mama Told Me Not to Come” (a #1 hit for Three Dog Night in 1970), “Short People” (#2, 1977), “I Love L.A.” (1982), and “You Can Leave Your Hat On” (#35 for Joe Cocker in 1986). However, the song that he may end up best remembered for is “You’ve Got a Friend in Me.” Not only was it the theme to Toy Story, but was featured prominently in the sequels as well. There have been different recordings of the song, but the best known is Newman’s duet version with Lyle Lovett. “As the name of the song implies, the song sings about how one can always rely on someone through even the roughest of times, thus, finding a friend in that someone.” DF In the first movie, the song is introduced as a song about a boy (Andy) and his relationship with his toy Woody (voiced by Tom Hanks). It later becomes associated with the toy Buzz Lightyear (voiced by Tim Allen) and ultimately can be seen as an anthem for the two toys when they have to put aside their differences and help each other. It became a song with legs beyond the movie because of its universal theme of friendship. It even took on legendary status as the anthem for Pixar, similarly to how Pinocchio’s “When You Wish Upon a Star” became the anthem for Disney. DF Resources:
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First posted 11/21/2025. |
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