Randy Newman’s new song, “Stay Away,” written as a PSA about COVID-19 safety for his local Southern California public radio station KPCC, is available to purchase digitally today, April 17, 2020, via the Nonesuch Store and iTunes; it is also streaming at Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon, and other services. A video of Newman performing “Stay Away” at home may be seen below. Proceeds from the song will benefit the Ellis Marsalis Center in New Orleans, a city to which Newman has a deep, lifelong personal connection.
In his video performance Newman introduces the song by saying, “I’ve been asked by KPCC to say some words about social distancing, because of my scientific background, because apparently there’s some disease that’s going around. Stay six feet away from people, wash your hands religiously and often, and don’t touch your face.” He concludes, “I wish everyone well, and I wish myself well to some extent. Stay safe. It’s hard for Americans, we don’t like being told what to do at all. But in this case, let’s do it and we’ll be all right. All my love to everybody.”
Located in New Orleans’ Ninth Ward, within the Musicians’ Village, the Ellis Marsalis Center for Music broadens opportunities for underserved children, youth, and musicians. The Center deeply values its connection to the surrounding community and endeavors to be an ongoing source of information and cultural inspiration to residents of the Ninth Ward in particular, and to New Orleans as a whole. It is named in honor of the New Orleans native and legendary jazz pianist, educator, and patriarch of the Marsalis clan, who recently passed away from COVID-19-related complications.
“New Orleans is really suffering and since African Americans are taking the brunt of the punishment, I thought something to help the Ninth Ward would be a good idea,” Newman said. “The Ellis Marsalis Center has a great reputation among musicians and people I know who live in the city.
“If the song makes a great deal of money, all bets are off.”
“Stay Away” Lyrics
Venus in sweatpants
That’s who you are
And when this mess is over
I’ll buy you a car
We’ll drive that car
So fast and so far
All your stupid friends
Will be left behind
Stay away from me
Baby, keep your distance, please
Stay away from me
Words of love in times like these
I’m gonna be with you 24 hours a day
A lot of people couldn’t stand that
But you can
You’ll be with me 24 hours a day
What a lucky man I am
Stay away from me
Wash your hands
Don’t touch your face
How do you like that
Wash your hands
Don’t touch your face
I saw you
Thirty years together
And we’re still having fun
Once we were two,
Now we are one
Let’s go out and get a burger
When you’re done, you’re done
Memories of the past
Be kind to one another
Tell her you love her every day
If you’re angry about something, let it go
If the kids are frightened, tell them not to be afraid
But don’t let them touch your face
Don’t let them touch your face
