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Little Criminals is the fifth studio album by American singer-songwriter Randy Newman. Like most of Newman's work, the album eschews traditional pop-music themes ("I'll Be Home" is the only love song on the album) in favor of musical story-telling, often featuring quirky characters and cynical views. The first song on the album – "Short People" – became a hit single in its own right. The album itself peaked at #9 on the US Billboard 200 chart, Newman's highest-charting album to date. Some of the instrumental work and backing vocals on the album are performed by members of the Eagles. In particular, Glenn Frey played guitar on two tracks, Joe Walsh played guitar on three tracks, and Don Henley and Tim Schmit sang background vocals on one track each. Frey and JD Souther, who had earlier been the duo Longbranch Pennywhistle, sang background vocals on three tracks. Newman wrote, conducted and played keyboards on all tracks. Synthesizers were programmed by Michael Boddicker. In September 1977 the British music magazine NME published the following interview with Newman talking sardonically about his then new release: "There's one song about a child murderer," Newman deadpans. "That's fairly optimistic. Maybe. There's one called 'Jolly Coppers on Parade' which isn't an absolutely anti-police song. Maybe it's even a fascist song. I didn't notice at the time. There's also one about me as a cowboy called 'Rider in the Rain'. I think it's ridiculous. The Eagles are on there. That's what's good about it. There's also this song 'Short People'. It's purely a joke. I like other ones on the album better but the audiences go for that one." "Baltimore" was covered by Nina Simone, Nils Lofgren, the Tamlins, David Gray, Billy Mackenzie, Lianne La Havas, Jazmine Sullivan, Mink Stole, and Dr. Samuel Waymon. "In Germany Before the War" was covered by British band Diesel Park West on their covers album "God Only Knows" in 1992, and by Marianne Faithfull on her album Easy Come, Easy Go, in 2009. The song "I'll Be Home", meanwhile, had been written by Newman years previously, and was originally recorded in 1970 by Harry Nilsson on his album Nilsson Sings Newman and by Tim Hardin on his 1972 album Painted Head. The album's cover artwork is a photographic portrait of Randy Newman by Bob Seidemann. It shows Newman standing on the West 7th Street overpass above the I-110 freeway in the Financial District of Los Angeles.
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Reviews
Little Criminals is one of the classic albums (together with "Sail Away" and "Good Old Boys") of American singer songwriter Randy Newman with contributions from Glenn Frey, Joe Walsh, Don Henley and Ry Cooder. It contains famous songs like "Short People", "In Germany Before the War" and "Baltimore". The voice of Randy is somewhat of an acquired taste, but the ironical lyrics are top-notch.
I listened to this on the balcony of a cruise ship staring out to sea, so the song In Germany Before the War really hit me! I grew up loving the song Short People which introduced me to sardonic wit from one of the masters of the form… Randy Newman. Since he may have softened with his lovely Pixar soundtracks but this is really where I most appreciate Newman. This listen was terrific and earns a five, but I’m sure when I listen again it will only go up in esteem.
Decent Newman.
Classic song: Short People The album is solid and probably better than the other Randy Newman on the 1001 list. 4/5
Not bad
Short people got No reason
He's always good. Never great, but good. :) I was 10 when short People came out. Good fun. Not sure today's generation could handle it.... 4/5
Randy wild for this one
As a lifelong short person (I'd like to think not a hung up or resentful one), the opening track and main hit is not endeared to me. I realize Newman meant it as satire on the general absurdity of prejudice, and I gather he bore it something of a grudge for its popularity as a novelty song being arguably his biggest claim to fame, at least until Toy Story came around. Anyway, Randy Newman: I tend to feel that outside of his sharpest satire (songs like Political Science come to mind), there tends to be a bit too much of a smirk behind much of his work, and the music is about as straight down the middle American songbook fare as it's possible to get. Even so, I liked this well enough.
Randy Newman is alright, sometimes a bit too cutesy for his own good. 3 stars.
We get it, he sings with snark and irony.
A few notable tracks, but mostly bland fare compared to the rest of Newman's discography. The heavy hitters are already on the main 1001, not sure why this is a necessary addition.