Good Old Boys

One again confronting the demons of trying to independently listen to an artist that my dad adores. I respond Randy Newman's writing enough to know that one pass isn't enough to uncover his layer's of satire and rhetoric skills, but I really enjoyed the relaxing vibes.

If you can make it to the end of the first song and past the racial slurs, what you get is actually a really fascinating condemnation of the carceral state and de facto segregation present (to this day) in much of the non-Southern states. That part actually serves a critical purpose in the song in not letting non-Southerners off the hook and view the rest of this concept album about life in the (often poorer parts of the) South with the derision that many outside of the region have for it. The rest of the album does a good job capturing that experience and making it into an interesting, if not somewhat repetitive, piece of art. But still, at least -2 stars for making me explain why a white guy was saying the n-word with a hard r in the 1970s as part of his art. I fully believe Newman knew better, but still.

That first song is crazy and the rest of the album kinda sucks? What am I missing? Randy Newman’s voice certainly is good and unique but other than that? Idk man.

Oh hey it's your opening racist uncle singing shitty songs

There isn't a bad song here but as an album it becomes very tedious

731/1001 2026.10.26 🌕🌕🌗🌑🌑

a guy from the "Toy Story" soundtrack saying the n-word is staggered

I enjoyed this one much more than the other album on this list. I can't not think of Pixar though, which I don't know if it's a good thing or a bad thing. A distracting thing. But, then again, there are the slurs. Honestly, it's a decent album all in all.

Wow, that opening song... The rest wasn't horrific, but not really my jam. Naked Man was pretty interesting, and those are definitely words I never expected to write.

okei ymmärrän mitä meinaat mut ei.

No, please. I just can’t.

Pretty nice

This was probably really diabolical slander back in the day.

OK

Probably could've done without this

It was ok

How can something feel so listenable and so bland at the same time? The lyrics are pretty solid and the musicality inoffensive but in 2026 it feels like this ground has been trodden a bunch of times since. The one thing I can put my finger on while listening to Louisiana 1927 is how almost twee and empty protest songs feel nowadays.

Solid Album

Imagine basically only knowing Randy Newman from Toy Story and then hearing Rednecks. I had barely processed “New York Jew” before the first n-word hit. I did not expect this kind of social commentary at all, but it was a welcome surprise.

Politically correct it is not

From the Wikipedia for this record, "It was Newman's first album to obtain major commercial success, peaking at number 36 on the Billboard 200." "Major" is doing a lot of work in this sentence. Let's be honest about it, Randy Newman is best heard in small doses. You've Got a Friend In Me, for example. Perfect. An excellent song for an excellent movie, but we get to move on quickly. No such luck when listening to a whole album of his nasally voice. That said, he is a very good writer and piano player and this album is better than anticipated. I actually made it all the way through! Rednecks was a fun song to listen to as was Mr. President. All in all, not bad.

Clever story telling songs

2/5 Unique voice. Not sure i really enjoyed it that much. But it was easy to listen too.

He diesn’t do a bad album but he doesn’t deviate much either. This is the second of his on the list and i feel i’ve heard it all in the other.

Ok mr toy story lets take a look at you again Rednecks, what the fuck? Wait its good? GG mr satire Mr. President Guilty!!! Groovy af mr toy story. Well made

As a black person, this gave me a good laugh. And then somehow there were songs that I liked LESS than getting hit with Rednecks in the middle of the work day. Really shocking stuff but maybe not the way he was hoping for. 2/5 Season: Merica Favorite Song: Guilty

Was not expecting an eruption of N-words from Randy Newman.

Я что к рутс-року ну не то что бы благосклонен, что к кантри.. но дэмн.. У этой пластинки есть свое лицо, есть характер и стиль. Это приятно слушается, а ещё Рэнди забавный чел похожий на смесь Мавроди и Weird Al Yankovic Некоторые треки ощущаются как классическая старая пабовая штука с этой характерной распевкой и клавишными, а что-то (как Marie) ощущается как любовная баллада со скрипкой.

I got the other Randy Newman album two days ago. It was a nice surprise and I enjoyed it, so I was looking forward to getting his other album. I just didn’t expect it would be this soon. This one is pretty good too, continuing his satirical songwriting with pretty catchy tunes. Fun stuff

Oh this was tough and it was largely because of this man using slurs but it also didn’t sound good Playlist add: “Mr President (Have Pity On the Working Man)”

Really not my style

Even if this is satire it’s not something for listening aloud to. The first line of the first song is enough to tell you that. Do I like the music? No.

ehhh. never really dug this guys schtick

All I hear is Pixar songs

I understand this album was released over 50 years ago, and it was intended as satire... but I have a hard time imagining there was a point where this wouldn't just been seen as egregiously offensive. I'll throw a second star because the instrumentation is fun and unique, but for someone who was celebrated as a lyricist and storyteller, they're what lost me.

This one really comes in hot, doesn’t it. 😬 Might have eked out a 4 if not for all the N-words.

I've never been a fan of Randy Newman's voice and compositions, and this album doesn't really change that, though it is clear on this album that he found his 'sound' that would define him for the next 50 years. I know that this album is not racist, and those who find it racist are not listening to the lyrics carefully enough. This album does commit the sin of being incredibly BORING. So, it comes as no surprise that I don't find this album essential at all to the canon of Western popular music. About the only songs he composed that I actually enjoy and can appreciate is "You've Got a Friend" from Toy Story and "Mama Told Me Not to Come" performed by Three Dog Night. My favorite piece of his work is the scoring of The Natural. Perhaps he should have just stayed in the family business of scoring films. I'm a bigger fan of his cousin Thomas Newman's film scores.

Some great moments on this, strong entry even with a 3 star score

Did not expect this from the guy that made the Toy Story music. Random racial slurs and unfortunately just pretty boring songs

- to dedicate more time -

Always funny with a little satire thrown in.

Day994 - it’s 1974 the republicans are in charge, there’s a war in the middle east, gas prices are through the roof, the fbi is spying on americans, civil rights are trampled on. thank goodness we’ve always had artists and satirists to get us through. randy newman really skewers the ones that need it

Decent.

Mmmm ok.. I guess. Not bad, I don't mind having it on the background, but I wouldn't choose it in purpose.

I’m not the type of person who throws the word “racist” at every turn or opportunity, but this one is pretty simple, I didn’t like this album because of its continuous use of the “N” word. While I understand that Good Old Boys is meant to be a satirical critique of racism, particularly in the American South, I don’t believe in recreating the language and imagery of racism under the guise of critique. It feels classless, and to me, it’s a low form of energy and entertainment.

initially annoying, then charming, nice to have

I wasn't in the mood for this, but I'll probably revisit it one day.

Just not my thing, I can safely conclude after like 4 Randy Newman albums. Objectively it's not bad, but not really my thing. Humor has not aged all too well on some tracks but that doesn't really bother me much. I guess I just don't like lyrically oriented music that much to begin with, especially when it's mostly a humorous effort rather than sad or angry. Can't really dislike it, it's short and decent enough to listen to.

The first song is one of the most racist things I’ve listened too. Otherwise the album was good but I’m not rating it high.

Buen album

If there's such a thing as a "Randy Newman sound" this is it. It's a fine record, but you could be forgiven for singing along to the Toy Story song on top of some of the tracks here.

This was fine. 3.3

Honestly... I can't unsolder this singer from toy story ^^' low-level american pop with not the slightest hint of harshness

Álbum muito agradável e que te transposta para um lugar aconchegante durante a audição. Tangzu Wan'er 2.

Wow hard R huh?

That first song certainly was one of the protest songs of all time

I don't really understand the appeal of Randy Newman. He's a solid songwriter but his vocals are something to be desired.

So bad. Not worth a listen, nothing redeemable here. Kick it off the list. Best track: none Worst tracks: all Rating: 1/10

I think it’s a fine album, the concept is interesting and the songs are pretty good, weird hearing the guy who sings you got a friend in me say the n-word definitely a bit jarring. This gives me the same vibe of ccr though 2 artists from California portraying themselves as southern for the aesthetics.

The sad part is, I now feel confused about Toy Story. Was Andy rascist?!

Some paintings are Sunflowers, others are Guernica. A beautifully made bitter pill. Louisiana 1927 is an all timer.

Goede songs, goede songschrijver.

Es el de tu amigo fiel de toy story!!! Y pues así suena pero con unas letras rarísimas que no sabes si son irónicas o simple y abiertamente racistas. Aun así medio huevita con su estilo

I don't think you're allowed to do that 🤨🤔

Он же очевидный приколист

Beware beware beware of the naked man!

I was not quite prepared for that first track

Woah. That first song has a shockingly high n-word per minute. The fact that Randy did not waver from his signature musical style just makes it that much more grating. But moving past the most surprising track I've heard in these 400+ albums, I have to say Randy was extremely disappointing. This record is supposed to be one of his best, and while lyrically and thematically he's on to something, musically this is just not working for me. Nearly every song is a blues, hitting a 7th chord into the turnaround the exact same way every time, at the same dull, lazy tempo. I was just bored to tears, man. I'm sorry. I know someone out there will love this, and that someone is probably much more interested in deciphering lyrics than I am. I just don't have the energy for this kinda stuff any more. TWO STARS

I am clearly the wrong generation for this album Middle of the Road, Easy Listening simply does not warrent my attention or ear-space This one was so bad, even with heavy skipping, I simply could not make it to the end TRASH

All I could hear was Toy Story! His voice is so nostalgic.

Drunken, mumbling piano-bar storytelling jazz blues. Billy Joel if he'd read Charles Bukowski.

What. The. Fuck? Toy Story will never be the same again

Was fine, not really into country music.

Better than his other album, but if there were two albums by Randy Newman in this list, one of them should have been a soundtrack.

++: Redneck, Birmingham, Mr. President (Have Pity on the Working Man), Guilty, Louisiana 1927, Every Man a King, Kingfish, Naked Man, A Wedding in Cherokee County, Back on My Feet Again, Rollin' +: Marie 9,5/10

Enjoyment: 3/10 Replayability: 3/10 Cohesion: 3/10 Flow/Pacing: 3/10 Artistic Merit: 2/10 Weighted Average: 2.85/10 Review: Putting Randy Newman on this list is an... interesting choice. Most of the tracks are the same and he drops slurs like it's nobody's business, even if it's supposed to be satire. Liked Song(s): Marie, Every Man a King Disliked Song(s): Rednecks Recommend? No Heard Before? No

Never heard before Not bad. I do like his voice and the album flowed nicely. No particular track jumped out as special but I was quite comfortable listening to it and I would happy give it another go.

He wasn't too short. Good album.

It's a pretty decent album. I liked it, but it wasn't the greatest album ever. The influence of Jazz is heard but it's more like Randy Newman's own genre. Good album!

laughing at the idea of a family loving toy story so much they buy this and get blasted with that opening song

i love this guy!! wish i had listened in a more focused way (not while working) so i could really #get #it. planning to do a randy newman deep dive on my next long drive...

7/10

Tuesday, 1 September, 2026 At first, I was not a fan. The music is very good, but Randy newsman’s lyricism and vocal delivery are not my cup of tea. But then I was reading about the album and I listened again. It is a tremendous work. I am still not a Randy Newman fan, but this record is important.

easy to listen to and he can obviously write, but this man should not be performing. nothing sounds finished.

Sometimes joyful, sometimes boring, it is not all bad, but really not much. 5/10

vergessen

I get that this is in essence a satirical view on the American South, and musically it tells this story well enough. It feels like an upbeat poppy piano sound that I'm sure people would have interpreted as happy and optimistic, at least until they hear the lyrics. It's a concept album though at its heart, and if we're using a five rating as an album I'd seek out frequently and add to my collection, this one wouldn't be it for me. I enjoyed listening to it as a concept, but I'm happy to let this one go.

I was not prepared for Randy Newman to drop the hard r N-word right out of the gate on "Rednecks," and it definitely makes for a jarring, uncomfortable, and polarizing listen. While I understand the album is a deeply satirical concept piece skewering the hypocrisy of both the American South and smug Northerners, hearing the man behind Toy Story casually belt out those slurs through his signature ragtime piano is an experience that leaves you with very complicated feelings.

The good: If you enjoyed Randy Newman's work in Toy Story, you'll love his satirical album about the American South. Newman's voice sounds great, and the music is very much the stuff of Toy Story and wedding bands. The bad: There is definitely more than one instance of Newman saying the N word. I get that it's done satirically, but I still wish he didn't say it at all.

WTF! Heard before ❌️ Listened this time ✅️ a bit, enough (not much) Revisit ❌️ ★☆☆☆☆(2/10) Total reviewed : 417 Already owned : 93 Purchased : 21 To buy : 5 Nope : 298

I struggled a bit with this although I wanted to like it more. A couple of tracks are great though

Newman's apparent belief that rednecks are monolithic racists is as ignorant as the character he sings about. And everything he does sounds exactly the same. 3

Randy Newman should not be on this list

This is the kind of album you listen to when you're alone in a room with whiskey in hand, and the fireplace is the only source of light, while you're reminiscing your past.

This was fine. Probably never listen to it again though. 3/5

No standouts

Hadn't heard this one before. I like it better than Sail Away.

This was really fun, but it definitely falls off quickly! The opener obviously had mixed reception due to his usage of the N-word, but he is playing the part of a redneck and used it satirically - pretty much mocking the racists! The rest of the albums fails to reach the heights of that song though, as it’s the highlight of the album; the rest of the album is a lot more generic, but anything Randy Newman makes is guaranteed to be an enjoyable listen!

Randy Newman obviously isn’t the most talented singer I’ve heard on this list, but I’m starting to realize that’s almost beside the point with his albums. Every song feels like its own little story, usually told through some flawed character whose perspective you’re not necessarily supposed to agree with. Good Old Boys takes that approach to the South, and as someone born and raised here, I found it especially interesting. We have a very difficult past, and there are still plenty of people here who don’t want to reckon with parts of it. “Guilty” was really poignant. That final line, “It takes a whole lot of medicine for me to pretend that I’m somebody else,” hits pretty hard after everything leading up to it. Then you get something like “Naked Man,” which weirdly gave me an “Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da” vibe musically despite being a completely different kind of song. There’s a lot that could be said about how “Mr. President” applies to today but I’ll leave it at that. I don’t know that I’d put Newman on for his voice or even the music by itself. It’s the writing that makes this album. There’s humor, sadness, racism, poverty, alcoholism, regional pride, and resentment all mixed together, sometimes coming from narrators who are clearly full of crap. It’s a pretty fascinating portrait of the South precisely because it isn’t a flattering one. Favorite song: “Guilty”

As with Sail Away this guy is great, I wish he wasn't the one signing. I found this to be more interesting than Sail Away with more to say. While I don't have the referential knowledge of most of what Newman is singing about, I get that there is something behind the lyrics worth exploring. I don't know that I'm going to be one who takes the time to do that exploration.