What song did Randy Newman write and perform for Pixar's Cars?

Randy Newman wrote and performed “Our Town” for Pixar's Cars.

The song plays during a montage showing Radiator Springs changing over time. Its lyrics reflect the town's earlier prosperity, the arrival of the interstate, and the gradual disappearance of customers from its businesses. That perspective makes the song an important piece of the film's emotional account of memory and decline.

“Our Town” was written specifically for Cars by Randy Newman, who also composed the film's score. It earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song at the 79th Academy Awards. The award went to “An Inconvenient Truth” from An Inconvenient Truth, so “Our Town” was nominated but did not win.

The song is often confused with “Life Is a Highway,” performed by Rascal Flatts for the film's end credits. That track became one of Cars' most recognizable songs, but it was not written and performed by Newman.