128 Quotes by Randy Newman

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.

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.

The best of my songs are more than just a joke. There’s something else going on – a character, or it’s not just a plain joke.

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.

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

I like the performing. And interviews, even. And the stuff that’s not sitting in a room by yourself with empty paper. But I never loved writing, to tell you the truth.

I don’t remember ever having writer’s block. If I sit in there for four hours, I’ll usually have something.

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.

We don’t know our ass from a hole in the ground.