If Pixar decides to make a heart-warming epic about Russian strongman Vladimir Putin, Randy Newman has already written the song. Except it won\u2019t be heart-warming, exactly. Newman can do that on commission, but when he\u2019s writing for himself, things get a little messy. The characters are broad, but complicated and not easy to read. Even, or maybe especially, when they\u2019re based on real people. They are comic, tragic, or both. <\/p>\n
When Newman writes a song like \u201cPutin,\u201d from Dark Matter<\/em>, out August 4, he knows stuffing him with bravado is the expected choice. He gives us that, but he also gives us a moment of self-doubt. With backup sings \u201cThe Putin Girls\u201d playing the part of Greek Chorus, Putin wonders if he can do what Stalin and Lenin couldn\u2019t \u2013 lead Russia to the promised land. After all, he puts his pants on one leg at a time, just like a regular fellow. His confidence doesn\u2019t lag for long. Of course he can put Russia in the comfy chair. God damn, he\u2019s the Putin man. <\/p>\n