Randy Newman - Wandering Boy Lyrics

From this poignant song segue into Mark's younger brother David Knophler's "Gone Fishing" and continue to cry.

It penetrated slowly and so profoundly It touched the essence of Life... I gave myself a hug.

"Push him toward the light." Thank you, Randy Newman, for so much beautiful music.

One day he will look in the mirror and realize he's been blackfacing black vocals his whole career

What's that mean

Lost my 3 month old son this year. The pain that's not always present was there in an instant when i listened to this song for the first time. Hard...

Thank you for the party
I was glad we came
I'm the only from the family to make it
But I know they'd say the same
I came here with my father
And I brought my wife
Three sons, a daughter
And a last baby boy
A little caboose we call the light of our life
And that's who I'm waiting for

Where is my wandering boy tonight?
Where is my wandering boy?
If you see him, push him towards the light
Where is my wandering boy?

He went over that harbor there
When he was five years old
Laughing like a maniac
Shining in the sun like gold
He was afraid of nothing then
He was loved by everyone
I see it clear as I see you
That day there in the sun

I hope he's warm and I hope he's dry
And that a strangers eye is a friendly eye
And I hope he has someone close by his side
And I hope that he'll come home

Where is my wandering boy tonight?
Where is my wandering boy?
If you see him, tell him everything is alright
Push him towards the light
Where is my wandering boy?

He went over that high board there
(as in swimming pool).

If you had to explain compassion to someone, you wouldn't go to a dictionary definition. You would play this song. It shows compassion for the father who shows compassion for the son.

Like everybody else I cried the first time I heard this, without knowing what it was all about.
When I found out what it was all about it made me cry even more.
It's the saddest song I've ever heard.

This is really a great song

Powerful gorgeous song and performance. Thought they could’ve used it on soundtrack to the recent and wonderful film ‘Beautiful Boy’.

Tears every time.

This song made me break down crying, I genuinely couldn't help myself for a straight 20 minutes. It's why I love it.

Merci Mr. Newman. Cette chanson est un crève-coeur. Même la tristesse quand elle est écrite si bien, chantée si bien, jouée si bien, peut être belle. Fier d'être humain sur une planète où je coexiste avec des gens comme vous.

A great song from a songwriters songwriter. It kills me dead every time I hear it.

Sitting here crying my eyes out. The beauty, pain, and tragedy of this song strikes me to the core. Thank you Randy - for this gift...

According to Randy, the song's even made him cry, while he was writing it and when he's played it before

Stupid water coming out of my eyes.

Did the kid in the song run away from home? :/

Yes, and is probably homeless on the streets.

I think it's about how every lost soul was beautiful and bright with potential at one time. It reminds me a little of Tom Waits's song "On the Nickel," another tearjerker.

@Philip Mayer or returned to starlight -

I first heard this last night at Randy's show in New Orleans. My girlfriend collapsed in tears and I barely held it together. Gorgeous.

I don't remember the last time I've cried this hard.

Guaranteed tears every time.

Oh man. this song. We ought to be thanking the Lord for his mercy.

Heard this for the first time today. I cried. Thanks for all the great music, Randy.

It was early evening when I got the call, he said she'd taken a turn for the worse suddenly, unexpectedly... His tone implied that this was indeed, 'that' call. Frantic search for flights, cancellation slots, knowing the pendulum was on the return swing.
Being on the antipode of her location, I knew a was at least two days away, and that's if an immediate flight was available. She passed on half a day later, and I never got to say goodbye.

Today is her birthday, and as fate would have it, I stumbled across this song via NPR tiny desk concert series only moments ago.. And I cannot help but feel she's singing this to me from beyond... Stränge coincidence... Thankyou Mr. Newman....

Weeping - my Frankie went August 15, 2018 and this song will forever recall that time to me.

Thank you for the party
I was glad we came
I'm the only from the family to make it
But I know they'd say the same
I came here with my father
And I brought my wife
Three sons, a daughter
And a last baby boy
A little caboose we call the light of our life
And that's who I'm waiting for

Where is my wandering boy tonight?
Where is my wandering boy?
If you see him, push him towards the light
Where is my wandering boy?

He went over that high board there
When he was five years old
Laughing like a maniac
Shining in the sun like gold
He was afraid of nothing then
He was loved by everyone
I see it clear as I see you
That day there in the sun

I hope he's warm and I hope he's dry
And that a stranger's eye is a friendly eye
And I hope he has someone close by his side
And I hope that he'll come home

Where is my wandering boy tonight?
Where is my wandering boy?
If you see him, tell him everything is alright
Push him towards the light
Where is my wandering boy?

I wanna thank the producer for not auto tune-ing this vocal. The emotion is within the quarter-steps.. Beautiful.

Also, the squishing of the sustain pedal is really pronounced in this recording. It's like you are sitting next to him at the piano.

I'd like to thank all the black people he's trying to imitate.the man has a brit accent..

been a fan since 60s thought wed lost him to cartoon soundtrack land but hes found the magic again the music as a boy loved and grew up with as mr cohen and mr cash proved its never to late to be great again

Was listening to this album on a bike ride today and this song hit me out of nowhere. I had to pull over because I was sobbing by the end thinking about my own son growing up. What powerfully sad lyrics.

Exactly the same thing happened to me today (but I was on foot). How great that people as good as Randy Newman are still writing songs this great.

When did you not know that Randy has that streak of melancholy in his lyrics and harmony? I've listened for years - he is very biting at times - his right - but he is very sad at times as well -
To cheer you up - I played on the road for years - one of my two favorites is 'Rider in the rain' - the other is 'Big Hat' - Big Hat always reminded of as an address to GW Bush - almost appropriate now ...
Since Randy has written a tune about Tumps small penis - I for one would like to hear that tune !

BTW My son is growing up across the country - he'll learn like us all - it is sad so you cant teach any longer :(

Zo snel mogelijk naar de winkel😃😃😃

CD winkels zijn er bijna niet meer. Maar ik begrijp wat u bedoeld. Ik heb hetzelfde idee....kopen die CD en dat rijmt.

zo snel mogelijk naar de vredenburg :)

Thank you for that beautiful "vinyl" return:-).

Hello. I have been a big fan of yours since 1980. Your music has been
such a big part of my life. You are a great artist, and your music has
been such a constant in my life. Keep it up.

en el corazón... gracias por haber existido en mi vida, Randy!

The beautifulness of this song somewhat reminds me of a broken toy.

That's interesting, especially considering Randy Newman did the music for toy story.

NPR brought me here

Ben Averill it did me too.

This blew my mind when you played it on tour last night, so beautiful.

I want that album

First!
Love to big man, Randy. Saw you at ACL. Best live act I saw at the festival.

This is what i wait... 😍😍👍