Randy Newman’s Publishing and Recorded Music Rights Acquired by Litmus Music

variety.com:

Chris Willman Senior Music Writer and Chief Music Critic Litmus Music has acquired Randy Newman‘s music publishing and his stake in his recorded music catalog, the company announced Thursday.

The deal includes both songs and film scores from throughout his entire career, which dates back to the 1960s. Among the more famous songs in Newman’s catalog that are part of the acquisition are “I Love L.A.,” “Short People,” “You Can Leave Your Hat On,” “Feels Like Home,” “Mama Told Me Not to Come” and “You’ve Got a Friend in Me.” His film scores include the four “Toy Story” films, “The Natural,” “Awakenings,” “Monsters Inc.,” “Cars,” “Ragtime,” “A Bug’s Life” and “Marriage Story.” The company said it was entering a “creative partnership” with the musician.

No price tag was publicly set on the deal. Litmus launched in the summer of 2022 and made its first major acquisition the following December, buying Keith Urban’s rights to his master recordings.

In June 2023, the company announced a deal with writer-producer Benny Blanco, and three months later, the Carlyle-backed company revealed it had acquired the rights to Katy Perry’s catalog, with multiple sources putting the price tag at $225 million. “Randy Newman is a unique and brilliant songwriter, composer, and performer whose body of work has proven him to be an artist for the ages,” said Dan McCarroll, co-founder and chief creative officer of Litmus Music. “There is absolutely no one like him, and his influence on the music world cannot be overstated.