Last time I had the pleasure of interviewing pianoman Randy Newman, he said he thought he was probably done writing about political issues. "I'd have to come up with something that people were missing," he said. "And with Jon Stewart covering a lot of that ground nowadays, there's not as much need."

That was in 2005. And fortunately, it seems that Newman just can't help himself. As another presidential election kicks into high gear, Newman has checked in with a tongue-in-cheek little ditty inspired by...Well, take a look at some of the lyrics and decide for yourself:

I’m dreaming of a white President
Just like the ones we’ve always had
A real live white man
Who knows the score
How to handle money or start a war
Wouldn’t even have to tell me what we were fighting for
He’d be the right man...

Take a listen here; or check out the video here. The song is available as a free download, but Newman is encouraging listeners to donate to the United Negro College Fund. He's also got a few things to say about the song here.

As if I weren't upset enough about the series finale of "Monk" airing tonight, and the possibility that USA is doing something dastardly with the show's beloved main character, Randy Newman has gone and written a new song for the show that nearly sends me to blubbering every time I hear it.

Newman wrote and performs the current "Monk" theme song ("It's a Jungle Out There"), which for me is the greatest TV theme song of all time. It's funny and upbeat, and fits Monk's personality perfectly. For the finale, Newman penned a somber tune in which he laments, "Though many hearts are broken, we must somehow carry on. I think you're gonna miss me when I'm gone."

Damn you, Randy Newman and your mournful singing voice! I'm still hoping that by "gone" they only mean "new episodes gone from my TV set," but it's not looking good (read the recap of part one of the "Monk" finale). I like closure, "Monk" writers, but not like that.

This is one I've posted before, but it bears repeating on this Independence Day -- the last of the Bush Administration, whatever that's worth for your particular world view. Anyway, dig the incomparable Randy Newman offering up "A Few Words in Defense of Our Country."

Happy 4th of July, y'all.