Bad Love
Randy Newman · 1999
44 min · 12 tracks · blues
A blend of sardonic wit and poignant melodies, reflecting on love and life with Newman's signature storytelling.
Top tracks — play these first
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My Country Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
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I'm Dead (but I Don't Know It) — This track captures Newman's dark humor through its reflection on oblivion and mortality, blending witty lyrics with an upbeat melody that contrasts the serious subject matter.
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The Great Nations of Europe — Through clever wordplay, this song critiques cultural arrogance while maintaining an engaging musicality, demonstrating Newman's ability to tackle heavy themes with levity.
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I Want Everyone to Like Me — This track encapsulates Newman’s introspective side as he navigates vulnerability and the desire for acceptance, delivered with a catchy refrain that underscores its emotional weight.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong songwriting and production, balancing wit and emotion effectively.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features more upbeat tempos, while the second half shifts to slower, more reflective tracks.
- Newman's vocal delivery often employs a conversational tone, with lyrics that blend humor and melancholy in a storytelling format.
- Several tracks incorporate orchestral arrangements, adding depth to the overall sound without overshadowing the vocals.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- sardonic wit with heartfelt melodies
- steady pacing for reflective listening
- mix of humor and heartache
- for late-night introspection
Maybe skip if you
- seekers of high-energy tracks
- prefer instant gratification sounds
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — Reestablished Newman as a significant voice in contemporary music post-1988.
- Career context
- By 1999, Randy Newman was a seasoned artist known for his unique blend of satire and heartfelt songwriting. 'Bad Love' marked his first studio album since 'Land of Dreams' in 1988, showcasing a return to form after a lengthy hiatus during which he focused on film scores.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Harry Nilsson· Leonard Cohen· Tom Waits
Tracklist
- 1 My Country Start here 5:40
- 2 Shame 4:54
- 3 I'm Dead (but I Don't Know It) 3:25
- 4 Every Time It Rains 3:33
- 5 The Great Nations of Europe 3:26
- 6 The One You Love 3:39
- 7 The World Isn't Fair 2:44
- 8 Big Hat, No Cattle 4:24
- 9 Better Off Dead 4:03
- 10 I Miss You 3:55
- 11 Going Home 2:06
- 12 I Want Everyone to Like Me 2:59
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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