A Bugs Life Jewel A Bug's Life Soundtrack CD

A BUG'S LIFE won the 2000 Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Composition Written For A Motion Picture, Television Or Other Visual Media.

"The Time Of Your Life" was nominated for the 2000 Grammy Award for Best Song Written For A Motion Picture, Television Or Other Visual Media.

"It's the time of your life so live it well." Wise words sung by Randy Newman in the opening song of his excellent score to the other animated insect movie of 1998 (don't forget ANTZ), A BUG'S LIFE. Over the past decade, Newman has moved from being one of our most important singer-songwriters to a deserved position as prominent film composer. It's only natural, since his uncle Alfred Newman was one of Hollywood's most estimable composers back in its Golden Age.

Newman generally eschews synthesizers and electronics in favor of old fashioned orchestration in his film work. And he has a field day employing everything he knows in a lively Copland-esque evocation of the film's buggy characters' trials and tribulations. The alternating use of brass and strings is especially skillful in advancing the plot. While there is plenty of brash and optimistic Americana to be heard here--recalling Uncle Alfred's classic HOW THE WEST WAS WON--there is also a sophisticated Kurt Weill/Three-Penny Opera strain running through this music, especially the elegant little chromatically descending melody that serves as a leitmotif throughout. A great kid's introduction to orchestral music and guaranteed to evoke fond memories of the movie.

Original score composed by Randy Newman.

All tracks have been digitally remastered.

Original music composed by Randy Newman.

Composed By Randy Newman