Randy Newman on why he sold his publishing and what he learned from his biography

50 years ago, I found myself immersed in Randy Newman’s album “Good Old Boys,” where the opening track, “Rednecks,” left an indelible mark. This song, a raw portrayal of American racism, still carries a searing intensity today. The use of the N-word by Newman, voicing his narrator, adds to its shock value. Accompanied by a bluesy country-rock rhythm and luscious backing vocals by the Eagles, “Rednecks” exposes not only the hatred within one individual but also the mechanisms that entrench prejudice into a nation’s very soul. It’s just one of many songs penned by Newman that delve deep into the flaws of the American spirit, as described by Robert Hilburn.