| "If I Didn't Have You" | |
|---|---|
| Song byJohn Goodman andBilly Crystal | |
| from the albumMonsters, Inc. | |
| Released | 2001 |
| Recorded | 2000 |
| Genre | |
| Length | 3:41 |
| Label | Walt Disney |
| Songwriter | Randy Newman[1] |
| Audio | |
| "If I Didn't Have You" onYouTube | |
"If I Didn't Have You" is a song written by singer-songwriterRandy Newman, that appears during the end credits of the 2001Disney·Pixaranimated film,Monsters, Inc.[1] Sung byJohn Goodman andBilly Crystal (voices ofJames P. Sullivan andMike Wazowski, respectively), the song won the 2001Academy Award for Best Original Song. This was Newman's first Oscar.[1] Previously, Newman had been nominated fifteen times in theBest Score andBest Song categories, but had never won. Arguably "the film's lone song", the tune serves as the major motif for the film.
AllMusic said, "For all its charm, it can't help but sound a bit like a second-rate version ofToy Story's 'You've Got a Friend in Me', but it's still a winning song."[2] JazzHistoryOnline deemed it a "heartfelt love song".[3] TheNew York Times described it as "one of his lesser efforts".[4] Sydney Morning Herald deemed it "his input in the film's feel-good soundtrack", adding, "Newman's astute musical nuances are crucial in cementing the film's broad appeal".[5] JazzTimes called it "charming".[6] DVDDizzy called it "a pleasant number that captures the protagonists' friendship".[7]
Newman received a standing ovation when collecting his Best Original Song trophy for the song. He said: "I want to thank, first of all, the music branch [of the Motion Picture Academy] for giving me so many chances to be humiliated over the years...I am absolutely astounded that I won for this." During the ceremony he performed "If I Didn't Have You" with help from actor John Goodman.[8] Later, he said "I'd rather have had it for a score, but I was much more moved by the event than I ever thought I would be. You know it's not a measure of anything real, but I was up there and so was Jennifer Lopez and the orchestra stood up and it kind of got to me. I was almost embarrassed – but not quite."[9]
Two versions of "If I Didn't Have You" appear on the film's soundtrack: one sung by Billy Crystal and John Goodman, who voice the film's main characters, Mike and Sulley and one sung by Newman. The tune also serves as the film's theme, which plays during the opening credits.
The song was covered byRiders in the Sky on the 2002 albumMonsters, Inc. Scream Factory Favorites. The album won the 2003Grammy Award for Best Musical Album for Children.
| "If I Didn't Have You" | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Single byMitchel Musso andEmily Osment | |
| from the albumDisneymania 6 | |
| Released | May 10, 2008 |
| Recorded | 2007 |
| Genre | |
| Length | 4:38 |
| Label | Walt Disney |
| Songwriter | Randy Newman |
| Producer | Bryan Todd |
Hannah Montana co-starsMitchel Musso andEmily Osment recorded acover version of the song for theDisneymania 6 album. The song was produced byBryan Todd. The two also filmed a music video for their remake.[10]
| Chart (2008) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| USBubbling Under Hot 100 (Billboard)[11] | 10 |
| USDigital Song Sales (Billboard)[12] | 64 |
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