You know, they say you can reduce genius to someone who spent 10,000 hours trying to get good at something. I'm not claiming either one of those. I haven't done anything for 10,000 hours but sleep. But you do stuff enough, you get better at it. Usually it's a simple thing like that. Essentially, a brainless endeavor.

Randy Newman

If getting on the radio was a major motivation, I'd be one of the worst writers of all time. I admire people who do it, and I think it's a nice way to work, but I try to do the best I can and write what I like. I don't worry about it.

Randy Newman

motivation nice writing

You keep wondering whether people will see that Barack Obama is a liar and not very bright.

Randy Newman

wonder liars people

Learn about the world, the way it works, any kind of science and anthropology, it's really an interesting place we live in. Evolution is a really fantastic idea, even more than the idea of God I think.

Randy Newman

ideas interesting thinking

God bless the potholes on Memory Lane.

Randy Newman

god-bless lanes memories

People become who they are. Even Beethoven became Beethoven.

Randy Newman

people

They don't respect us, so let's surprise them, we'll drop the big one, pulverize them.

Randy Newman

surprise bigs politics

You've got troubles, I've got 'em too. There isn't anything I wouldn't do for you. We'll stick together to see it through cause you've got a friend in me.

Randy Newman

causes sticks together

But if you're doing something, show up everyday, and something good might happen - it's not going to happen if you don't show up.

Randy Newman

everyday shows might

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 white man.

Randy Newman

president white dream

I sit here in this chair, I pour myself some whiskey, and watch my troubles vanish into the air.

Randy Newman

drug alcohol air

More of my songs are intended to be funny than almost anyone else. Sometimes maybe it cheers me up a bit. I've got a distance from it. Sometimes what I'm writing is more important to me than the rest of my life. It's more important to me that I'm writing well than anything else.

Randy Newman

distance cheer song

I've written about a lot of different things, but the whole idea of writing for another character is unusual for pop music... Most of the repertory is love songs, and most of mine isn't. I don't know if that's a mental defect, or shyness, or what.

Randy Newman

writing song character

I've always had a lot of respect from the people I respected.

Randy Newman

people

The radio is blastin', someone's knockin' at the door. I'm lookin' at my girlfriend, she's passed out on the floor.

Randy Newman

alcohol girlfriend doors

It's funny; people get so doctrinaire about music. It should be the last thing you don't have an open mind about.

Randy Newman

lasts mind people

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 all must be crazy to put your faith in me. That's why I love mankind.

Randy Newman

crazy blessed children

I ain't saying that I'm better than you, but maybe I am.

Randy Newman

egotism better-than-you

Don't forget to bring that little blonde haired girl along. You know the one, love to watch her jump up and down.

Randy Newman

girl blonde watches

It takes a whole lot of medicine for me to pretend I am somebody else.

Randy Newman

medicine drug alcohol

I seen her with the milkman, riding down the street. When you're through with my baby, milkman, send her home to me.

Randy Newman

infidelity home baby