Lonely At The Top

Rating

Album: Lonely At The Top
#	Song Title		Time
1)	Love Story	More Info...
2)	Living Without You	More Info...
3)	I Think It's Going To Rain Today	More Info...
4)	Mama Told Me Not To Come	More Info...
5)	My Old Kentucky Home	More Info...
6)	Sail Away	More Info...
7)	Simon Smith And The Amazing Dancing Bear	More Info...
8)	Political Science	More Info...
9)	God's Songs (That's Why I Love Mankind)	More Info...
10)	Rednecks	More Info...
11)	Birmingham	More Info...
12)	Marie	More Info...
13)	Louisiana 1927	More Info...
14)	Baltimore	More Info...
15)	Jolly Coppers On Parade	More Info...
16)	Rider In The Rain	More Info...
17)	In Germany Before The War	More Info...
18)	Short People	More Info...
19)	Christmas In Capetown	More Info...
20)	My Life is Good	More Info...
21)	I Love L. A.	More Info...
22)	Lonely At The Top	More Info...

Album: Lonely At The Top
#	Song Title		Time
1)	Love Story	More Info...
2)	Living Without You	More Info...
3)	I Think It's Going To Rain Today	More Info...
4)	Mama Told Me Not To Come	More Info...
5)	My Old Kentucky Home	More Info...
6)	Sail Away	More Info...
7)	Simon Smith And The Amazing Dancing Bear	More Info...
8)	Political Science	More Info...
9)	God's Songs (That's Why I Love Mankind)	More Info...
10)	Rednecks	More Info...
11)	Birmingham	More Info...
12)	Marie	More Info...
13)	Louisiana 1927	More Info...
14)	Baltimore	More Info...
15)	Jolly Coppers On Parade	More Info...
16)	Rider In The Rain	More Info...
17)	In Germany Before The War	More Info...
18)	Short People	More Info...
19)	Christmas In Capetown	More Info...
20)	My Life is Good	More Info...
21)	I Love L. A.	More Info...
22)	Lonely At The Top	More Info...

Tracks

1. Love Story

2. Living Without You

3. I Think It's Going To Rain Today

4. Mama Told Me Not To Come

5. My Old Kentucky Home

6. Sail Away

7. Simon Smith And The Amazing Dancing Bear

8. Political Scirnce

9. God's Song (That's Why I Love Mankind)

10. Rednecks

11. Birmingham

12. Marie

13. Louisianna 1927

14. Baltimore

15. Jolly Coppers On Parade

16. Rider In The Rain

17. In Germany Before The War

18. Short People

19. Christmas In Capetown

20. My Life Is Good

21. I Love L.A.

22. Lonely At The Top

Performer Notes

LONELY AT THE TOP is the remastered best of collection of songs by acerbic, witting songwriter Randy Newman including "Love Story," "Sail Away," "Rednecks," "My Old Kentucky Home," and his lovely ballad "Marie."
From a chart standpoint, Randy Newman's only Top 40 hit came in the form of 1977's "Short People, which reached the number two spot, backed by the Eagles' Timothy B. Schmit, J.D. Souther, and Glenn Frey. Actually, it's the music of Newman's career that didn't chart that made him one of the most renowned songwriters of the modern era. Lonely at the Top is a generous 22-track compilation of Randy Newman's best material. He gained notoriety for his commentary on America's neglect and impoverished treatment of its own people, society's lack of concern and disregard for the down and out, and almost any example of downtroddenness or destitute situation imaginable. His proficiency as a writer is channeled through his blatant opinions, quietly but forcibly hitting home by way of the story song. Tracks like "My Life Is Good" and "God's Song" never achieved commercial appeal, but they didn't have to. Instead, Newman's satirical poetry and openly dark sense of humor offer up a moral that is much more hard-hitting and thought-provoking when listened to without any celebrity. Songs such as "I Think It's Gonna Rain Today," written by Judy Collins, and the beautiful "Sail Away" harbor the artist's genuine emotion and ability to instill passion in his work. "Rednecks" evokes the absurdity and ignorance of racial prejudice in mild Vaudevillian style, while "Political Science" touches on his thoughts about religion and it's validity. Outside of Newman's commentary's, tracks like "Mama Told Me Not to Come" (a number one hit for Three Dog Night), "I Love LA," and "Living Without You" are appealing on their musical essence alone, even if they are morally vacant. But his best allegory comes in "Louisiana 1927," about a legendary flood which devastated farmers and washed away their livelihood. Although a couple of Randy Newman's better songs like "Suzanne" and "Davy the Fat Boy" are missing, Lonely at the Top completes the task of unearthing his genius at addressing moral concerns through delicate songcraft, with his piano and voice as his soapbox. ~ Mike DeGagne