School of Rock
Random article All articles A–Z
2 languages

12 Songs

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Work

12 Songs is the second studio album by the American singer-songwriter Randy Newman and was released in April 1970 on Reprise Records. It sounds like swampy roots music with introspective, satirical lyrics. He left behind the complex orchestrations of his debut and chose an Americana rock line-up, with guitarists such as Ry Cooder, Clarence White and Ron Elliott. The only single was Have You Seen My Baby?. Several songs had already been recorded by others, such as Mama Told Me Not to Come by Eric Burdon.

The record received good reviews straight away. Rolling Stone spoke of the full emergence of an innovator, and Robert Christgau later called it a perfect album. Here he speaks through recognisable American outsiders and touches on themes such as the generation gap, violence, racism and alienation. In 2003 Rolling Stone placed it at number 354 on its list of the greatest albums of all time.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to Mama Told Me Not to Come and notice how loosely the band plays and how Newman tells the story in his slow, indifferent voice.

Track list

  1. 1Have You Seen My Baby?2:35Apple Music ↗
  2. 2Let's Burn Down the Cornfield3:05Apple Music ↗
  3. 3Mama Told Me Not To Come2:11Apple Music ↗
  4. 4Suzanne3:08Apple Music ↗
  5. 5Lover's Prayer1:59Apple Music ↗
  6. 6Lucinda2:44Apple Music ↗
  7. 7Underneath the Harlem Moon1:54Apple Music ↗
  8. 8Yellow Man2:24Apple Music ↗
  9. 9Old Kentucky Home2:40Apple Music ↗
  10. 10Rosemary2:10Apple Music ↗
  11. 11If You Need Oil2:59Apple Music ↗
  12. 12Uncle Bob's Midnight Blues2:02Apple Music ↗

30-second previews via Apple Music. Listen to the whole album on Apple Music ↗

Categories: Albums and songs