“Short People” by Randy Newman

Randy Newman’s “Short People” is a catchy song from back in the day, one of the types of tunes that if you ever heard it you’d probably never forget it. And its message, at least as presented by the chorus, seems pretty clear. The singer is more or less classifying being “short” as akin to being cursed. And considering that “Short People” was indeed a hit, a lot of individuals got really cheesed off by this derogatory message. For instance, organizations which cater to shorter people protested against the song, and it is said that Randy Newman’s life was even threatened as a result.

“Short People” is a “Joke”

But the singer/songwriter has contended that this track is “purely a joke”. Or more the point, the lyrics are actually intended to harp on the bigotry which some individuals have against people who aren’t of average heights. More specifically they are meant to do so in a comedic fashion. And for the record, at the time, Newman had already established himself as one of those types of artists who uses satire, as in adopting the role of controversial characters, to confront important issues.

Chorus

Now we as human beings have a tendency to pay more attention to the choruses, especially in terms of pop music when such is more or less the desired effect, than verses. So again with “Short People”, the chorus, even if you don’t know the rest of the song, is likely to stick with you. But if one were to actually pay attention to the verses, it’s hard not to conclude that this song is in fact an exercise in comedy. For instance, Randy makes assertions such as an individual needing to ‘pick a short person up just to say hello’. And hearing such is likely to have either one of two effects on the listener. That is either a person will chuckle, or they will shake their head.

An Offensive Song?

Indeed at the end of day it isn’t like short people or even midgets per se are a group that is commonly classified as an oppressed minority. So even if the singer was moved by their plight – for instance he referenced in an interview “a short kid in junior high school” being picked on – the way he went about expressing such is obviously in poor taste. But again, that depends on what perspective a listener may approach “Short People” with.  Some, if not most people can shrug it off as some sort of a joke. But others, particularly those who fit the titular attribute, understandably perceive the tune as being offensive. Or let’s say that even if they do acknowledge the comedic nature of the tune, they do not like being the subject of a joke.

Conclusion

So conclusively we can say that, out of respect for such individuals, maybe Randy exercised a poor choice of words. But considering that “Short People” was actually his first hit the song itself achieved its primary goal, which was to sell.

Facts about “Short People”

This song was released on 23 September 1977 as part of Randy’s album “Little Criminals”. And the label behind the track is Warner Bros. Records.

“Short People” was written by Randy himself. And the producers of the tune are Russ Titelman and a musician Newman knew since childhood, Lenny Waronker.

“Short People” was the first song which Newman, who had been dropping tunes as a lead vocalist since 1968, released that actually charted. And it did so impressively, peaking at number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and topping Canada’s Adult Contemporary listing. 

“Short People” also charted in Belgium, Australia and New Zealand and overall sold one and-a-half million copies.

And for the record, Randy Newman himself is 1.83 m (6 feet) in height. He is therefore certainly not a short person!