A Few Words in Defense of Our Country / Putin (Vinyl 7")

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This vinyl 7-inch single, ready for Inauguration Day 2017, includes two Randy Newman songs: "A Few Words in Defense of Our Country," from the Randy Newman Songbook box set, b/w "Putin," a new song previously released only digitally that went on to win the Grammy Award for Best Arrangement, Instruments and Vocals. The Los Angeles Times called the former a "three-decades-on bookend to 'Political Science'" that was "so funny it hurt."

Description

Grammy Award Winner for "Putin," Best Arrangement, Instruments and Vocals

Nonesuch Records released a vinyl 7-inch single of two Randy Newman songs this coming Inauguration Day, January 20, 2017: "A Few Words in Defense of Our Country," from the new Randy Newman Songbook box set, b/w "Putin," a new song released digitally this past October.

Randy Newman first presented the lyrics of "A Few Words in Defense of Our Country" as an op-ed piece in the New York Times in January 2007, in response to a State of the Union address by then-President George W. Bush, and included the song on his 2008 album Harps and Angels. The Los Angeles Times called it a "three-decades-on bookend to 'Political Science'" that was "so funny it hurt." Here is his performance of the song from 2007:

Upon the release of "Putin," just prior to this year's presidential election, the New York Times said the song, "featuring a billowy orchestra in razzle-dazzle mode, feels uncannily well timed ... As is often the case in Mr. Newman’s satire, the tone lands somewhere in between scathing and sympathetic, making earnest points amid ridicule." You can watch the video for the song here:

Nonesuch Selection Number

559113

ns_album_releasedate
Album Status
Artist Name
Randy Newman
Cover Art
UPC/Price
Label
VINYL 7"
UPC
075597938876
  • A Few Words in Defense of Our Country / Putin (Vinyl 7")
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  • 559113

Track Listing

News & Reviews

  • Randy Newman was the musical guest on Netflix's Everybody's Live with John Mulaney. You can watch him perform "I Think It's Going to Rain Today" and "Political Science" here. Also on the episode were David Letterman, Hannibal Buress, Leanne Morgan, and Nikki Glaser. 

  • In celebration of Nonesuch Records' 60th anniversary, the label has partnered with photographer Michael Wilson—who has exquisitely captured dozens of Nonesuch artists over the past quarter-century—to produce Michael Wilson / 25 Years: A Nonesuch Collection, an extremely limited quantity of 100 box sets containing newly created prints from his Nonesuch archive, out now. You can take a quick look inside here. Designed by the Grammy-winning team at SMOG Design, each box comprises twenty 12" x 12" prints, numbered and signed by the photographer. Artists featured are Allen Toussaint, Ambrose Akinmusire, Audra McDonald, Bill Frisell, The Black Keys, Brad Mehldau, David Byrne, Dr. John, Emmylou Harris, Frederic Rzewski, Jeremy Denk, Kronos Quartet, Lorraine Hunt Lieberson, Manuel Galbán and Ry Cooder, Philip Glass, Randy Newman, Rhiannon Giddens, Stephin Merritt and Lemony Snicket, Steve Reich, and Timo Andres, who wrote a note for the box.

  • About This Album

    Grammy Award Winner for "Putin," Best Arrangement, Instruments and Vocals

    Nonesuch Records released a vinyl 7-inch single of two Randy Newman songs this coming Inauguration Day, January 20, 2017: "A Few Words in Defense of Our Country," from the new Randy Newman Songbook box set, b/w "Putin," a new song released digitally this past October.

    Randy Newman first presented the lyrics of "A Few Words in Defense of Our Country" as an op-ed piece in the New York Times in January 2007, in response to a State of the Union address by then-President George W. Bush, and included the song on his 2008 album Harps and Angels. The Los Angeles Times called it a "three-decades-on bookend to 'Political Science'" that was "so funny it hurt." Here is his performance of the song from 2007:

    Upon the release of "Putin," just prior to this year's presidential election, the New York Times said the song, "featuring a billowy orchestra in razzle-dazzle mode, feels uncannily well timed ... As is often the case in Mr. Newman’s satire, the tone lands somewhere in between scathing and sympathetic, making earnest points amid ridicule." You can watch the video for the song here: