Music

What Does Daft Punk Have in Common with Barbra Streisand, The Carpenters and Kermit the Frog?

This guy.

Paul Williams, 72, is a tremendously successful songwriter who won an Oscar for “Evergreen,” the sappy Barbra Streisand song performed in the 1976 movie, A Star Is Born.  He also wrote “We’ve Only Just Begun” (a major hit for the Carpenters and a first-dance staple at weddings since 1970) and “Rainbow Connection” for The Muppet Movie.

He was also this guy.

The evil rock star/empressario Swan in Brian de Palma’s Phantom of the Paradise. (The soundtrack is a guilty pleasure for me; I’m still trying to find it on CD.)

If you have a copy of Daft Punk’s Random Access Memories, you’ve heard Williams’ work.  He wrote lyrics for two songs on the album.  Read about it here.

Alan Cross

is an internationally known broadcaster, interviewer, writer, consultant, blogger and speaker. In his 40+ years in the music business, Alan has interviewed the biggest names in rock, from David Bowie and U2 to Pearl Jam and the Foo Fighters. He’s also known as a musicologist and documentarian through programs like The Ongoing History of New Music.

Alan Cross has 37940 posts and counting. See all posts by Alan Cross

2 thoughts on “What Does Daft Punk Have in Common with Barbra Streisand, The Carpenters and Kermit the Frog?

  • Picked up a copy of Random Access Memories last night and while looking at the liner notes, I noticed his name… I thought it must have been another Paul Williams.
    (Oh, and don't forget his appearance in Smokey & The Bandit Parts 1 & II)!

    Reply
  • woo-hoo– you make me feel so special right now for having The Phantom of Paradise soundtrack on CD which I bought years ago at a now defunct Future Shop. It's a damn fine album and makes me sad that there aren't more albums by Jessica Harper (aside from her line of Kid's albums). So happy to see Paul Williams getting his second wind with Daft Punk. He is a fantastic singer/songwriter.

    Reply

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