If I Didn't Have You

"If I Didn't Have You"
Song by John Goodman and Billy Crystal from the album Monsters, Inc.
Released	2001
Recorded	2001
Genre	Funk, jazz
Length	3:41
Label	Walt Disney
Writer(s)	Randy Newman

"If I Didn't Have You"
Single by Mitchel Musso and Emily Osment
from the album Disneymania 6
Released	May 10, 2008
Recorded	2006
Genre	Dance-pop
Length	4:38
Label	Fox Music
Producer(s)	Bryan Todd

"If I Didn't Have You" is a song written by singer-songwriter Randy Newman, that appears during the end credits of the 2001 Disney·Pixar animated film, Monsters, Inc. Sung by John Goodman and Billy Crystal (voices of James P. Sullivan and Mike Wazowski, respectively), the song won the 2001 Academy Award for Best Original Song. This was Newman's first Oscar. Previously, Newman had been nominated fifteen times in the Best Score and Best 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 of Toy Story's "You've Got a Friend in Me," but it's still a winning song." JazzHistoryOnline deemed it a "heartfelt love song". New York Times described it as " one of his lesser efforts". 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". JazzTimes called it "charming". DVDDizzy called it " a pleasant number that captures the protagonists' friendship".

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. Later, he said "I'd rather have had it for a score, but I was much more moved by the event that 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."

The original versions of the song was recorded for the soundtrack to Pixar's 2001 animated film Monster's Inc. 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.

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Wikipedia