Randy Newman’s Publishing and Recorded Music Rights Acquired by Litmus Music

As a seasoned critic with a penchant for tunes that tug at the heartstrings and tickle the funny bone, I must say that the acquisition of Randy Newman’s musical catalog by Litmus Music is a move that resonates deeply with me. With a career spanning over five decades, Newman has proven himself to be an unparalleled songwriter and performer whose work transcends generations.


On Thursday, Litmus Music officially took over the music publishing rights and a share of Randy Newman’s discography, as stated in an announcement. This acquisition encompasses not only his collection of songs but also his film scores throughout his entire career, which spans from the 1960s.

Notable hits from Newman’s collection that are included in this acquisition comprise “I Love L.A.,” “Short People,” “You Can Leave Your Hat On,” “Feels Like Home,” “Mama Told Me Not to Come,” and “You’ve Got a Friend in Me.” His movie scores encompass the four “Toy Story” movies, “The Natural,” “Awakenings,” “Monsters Inc.,” “Cars,” “Ragtime,” “A Bug’s Life,” and “Marriage Story.

The firm announced they were forming a “collaborative alliance” with the artist, without disclosing the financial details of the agreement.

In the scorching summer of 2022, a newcomer named Litmus entered the scene. By December of the same year, this fresh face made its first significant move by purchasing Keith Urban’s ownership rights to his master recordings. Fast forward to June 2023, when Litmus unveiled a partnership with the talented writer-producer, Benny Blanco. A few short months later, in September of the same year, this Carlyle-supported enterprise proudly announced it had acquired Katy Perry’s extensive music collection, with various sources estimating the cost at an impressive $225 million.

As a great admirer, I can confidently say that Randy Newman stands out as an extraordinary songwriter, composer, and performer whose timeless artistry cements him as a musician for the ages. There simply isn’t anyone quite like him, and his profound impact on the music industry is undeniable. Litmus Music feels incredibly privileged and thrilled to add Randy’s collection of stunningly beautiful, clever, and keenly insightful songs to our catalog.

Prior to releasing his self-titled album “Randy Newman” in 1968, which marked his debut as a recording artist, he had written songs for other musicians. Throughout the ’70s, he emerged as one of the most celebrated rock artists, with albums such as “Sail Away,” “Good Old Boys,” “Little Criminals,” and “Land of Hope and Dreams.” His compositions often carried a satirical tone that earned him widespread recognition as an exceptional songwriter. However, his most significant commercial success came in the realm of film scoring, beginning with movies like “Cold Turkey” and “Ragtime.” In the 1990s and beyond, he became almost synonymous with film scoring for Pixar-Disney.

Artists such as Joe Cocker, Barbra Streisand, Three Dog Night, Linda Ronstadt, Harry Nilsson, Judy Collins, Dusty Springfield, Peter Gabriel, Bonnie Raitt, Johnny Cash, Ray Charles, Marianne Faithfull, and Cilla Black have all recorded versions of his songs.

This month, Newman’s public profile has significantly increased for several reasons. One of these factors is the upcoming publication of an authorized biography chronicling his entire career, penned by Robert Hilburn, a former pop music critic from the Los Angeles Times. This book will be available next Tuesday. Additionally, a revival of Newman’s sole original stage musical, “Randy Newman’s Faust,” took place at the Soraya in Northridge towards the end of September.

Notably accomplished, Newman is a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer who’s amassed an impressive collection of awards. He’s been nominated for 22 Oscars and has taken home two statuettes, and he’s been nominated for 23 Grammys, winning seven times. Additionally, he boasts three Emmy wins from a total of nominations.

Carlyle Global Credit, the parent company of Litmus, reports that they’ve poured over $14 billion into industries such as entertainment, media, and sports since the year 2017.

Read More

2024-10-17 15:16