Remember “Toy Story”? It was a computer-generated masterpiece of friendship and the importance of having someone to lean on. Remember that great song “You’ve Got a Friend in Me”?

The song came in at the emotional climax of the movie and added to the feel of emotional forgiveness between Buzz and Woody.

-Randy Newman was behind the creation of many great songs featured in some of the bigger movies of our time, including “Forrest Gump,” “Meet the Parents” and “Monsters, Inc.” – the latter of which earned Newman an Oscar (after 14 nominations) for Best Original Song for “If I Didn’t Have You.”

Newman is best known for simplistic lyrics and melodies, and shines brightly when behind the action on the silver screen. He recently released the first volume of his greatest hits, which on its own isn’t as great as the name suggests.

Something about his music doesn’t stand up on its own. It’s technically too simplistic for pure listening enjoyment. I enjoy seeing movies with his work, and he’s one of the better composers out there.

But when his music goes solo and there are no pretty visuals for his tunes to back up, it leaves me with a hollow feel, like something’s missing.

Anyone would be better off just buying their favorite soundtrack featuring his music, but this disc, with Newman’s coarse voice and sparse lyrics, not only wears thin after a few songs but leaves the listener wanting a greatest-hits disc to have songs they’ve actually heard before.