Oscars 2020: Randy Newman performs original ‘Toy Story 4’ song at the piano

10 February 2020, 11:42 | Updated: 10 February 2020, 12:03

By Maddy Shaw Roberts

The Oscar-nominated composer delivered a jaunty, understated performance of ‘I Can’t Let You Throw Yourself Away’.

Randy Newman, 22-time Oscar nominee, was among the performers at last night’s 92nd Academy Awards ceremony – and his performance stood out as beautifully understated and charming.

Sitting at the grand piano, the 76-year-old composer played a jaunty rendition of ‘I Can’t Let You Throw Yourself Away’, the original song he wrote for Toy Story 4.

Listening to Newman’s speak-singing style, you can’t help but be reminded of that familiar voice behind ‘You’ve Got a Friend in Me’ which he recorded, unbelievably, for the first Toy Story film 25 years ago. Newman was then just 51.

Watch his full performance below.

Randy Newman interprète "I Can't Let You Throw Yourself Away" (Toy Story 4) - Oscars 2020

Although Newman lost out on winning Best Original Song to Sir Elton John and Bernie Taupin – who picked up the accolade for ‘I’m Gonna Love Me Again’ from Rocketman – Toy Story 4 took home the Oscar for best animated feature.

Newman was also nominated last night for Best Original Score – in the same category as his cousin Thomas Newman (1917) – for his work on Noah Baumbach’s Marriage Story. They both lost out to Icelandic composer Hildur Guðnadóttir (Joker).

Although he didn’t take home any awards last night, Newman has previously won Best Original Song twice (‘If I Didn’t Have You’ – Monsters Inc (2002)) and ‘We Belong Together’ – Toy Story 3 (2011)).

He has also won three Emmys, seven Grammy Awards, and the Governor’s Award from the Recording Academy, and has been nominated for a total of 22 Oscars.