Bad Love (album)
1999 studio album by Randy Newman
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Bad Love is the tenth studio album by American singer-songwriter Randy Newman, released on June 1, 1999. It was Newman's first solo album since 1995's Randy Newman's Faust and followed a 3-year hiatus during which Newman had focused on film soundtracks, receiving several Academy Award nominations.
| Bad Love | ||||
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | June 1, 1999 | |||
| Recorded | 1997–1999 | |||
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| Genre | Rock | |||
| Length | 44:45 | |||
| Label | DreamWorks | |||
| Producers | Mitchell Froom, Tchad Blake | |||
| Randy Newman chronology | ||||
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Background
The album finds Newman bitter and satirical – as "biting as ever, yet unafraid to tackle personal and heartfelt concerns".[1] Newman tackles issues such as the state of American culture in "My Country", which chronicles suburbia's growing dependence on television[citation needed], and "The World Isn’t Fair", which takes a look at the world through the eyes of Karl Marx. Another subject is aging – "Shame" takes a negative look at an "older man courting a younger woman" via the barbed lyrics and an exchange between the lead vocalist and the backing singer. "I’m Dead (But I Don't Know It)" is more self-referential in dealing with aging rock stars and commenting: "Everything I write sounds the same / Each record that I’m making / Is like a record that I’ve made / Just not as good".
"Every Time It Rains" was composed for Michael Jackson but he declined to record it,[2] while "I Miss You" was composed for Newman's ex-wife.[3]
Newman later said, "Before I started Bad Love, I wasn't exactly sure I could do a rock 'n' roll record at 65, or however old I was. But I was satisfied that it was a good record. Maybe my best record."[4]
This album was Newman's only release for DreamWorks Records.
Critical reception
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |    [1] |
| The Austin Chronicle | [5] |
| Chicago Sun-Times | [6] |
| Entertainment Weekly | B+[7] |
| Hot Press | 10/12[8] |
| Rolling Stone | [9] |
| The Village Voice | A[10] |
It received generally positive reviews from critics, placing 11th in the 1999 Pazz & Jop Critics Poll.[11]
AllMusic stated that the songs on Bad Love "should rest comfortably alongside his other four-star offerings."[1]
Track listing
All songs written by Randy Newman.
- "My Country" – 5:40
- "Shame" – 4:54
- "I'm Dead (But I Don't Know It)" – 3:25
- "Every Time It Rains" – 3:33
- "The Great Nations of Europe" – 3:26
- "The One You Love" – 3:39
- "The World Isn't Fair" – 2:44
- "Big Hat, No Cattle" – 4:24
- "Better Off Dead" – 4:03
- "I Miss You" – 3:55
- "Going Home" – 2:06
- "I Want Everyone to Like Me" – 2:59
Personnel
- Randy Newman – vocals, piano, arranger, conductor
- Steve Donnelly – guitar
- Greg Leisz – pedal steel guitar
- Brandon Fields – saxophone
- Martin Krystall – saxophone
- Jack Nimitz – saxophone
- Brian Scanlon – saxophone
- Tom Scott – saxophone
- Stu Blumberg – trumpet
- Oscar Brashear – trumpet
- Bruce Fowler – trombone
- George Thatcher – trombone
- James Self – tuba
- Mitchell Froom – keyboards
- Greg Cohen – bass
- Pete Thomas – drums
- Carmen Carter, Donna Davidson, Linda Harmon, Scottie Haskell, Luana Jackman, Teresa James, Melissa Mackay, Kate Markowitz, Bobbi Page, Sally Stevens-Eskew, Carmen Twillie, Terry Wood, Herb Pedersen – background vocals