Who wrote the song “Our Town” for Pixar’s Cars?

Randy Newman wrote the song “Our Town” for Pixar’s Cars.

“Our Town” plays over the film’s closing credits and reflects the history and emotional character of Radiator Springs. The song looks back on a community that once flourished before the highway diverted travelers elsewhere, matching the movie’s themes of memory, change, and renewal.

Newman wrote the lyrics and music, and the song was performed by James Taylor for the film’s soundtrack. This distinction often causes confusion: James Taylor is the singer, while Randy Newman is the songwriter credited for creating the song.

“Our Town” received an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song. Randy Newman was already closely associated with Pixar before Cars, having written music for earlier films including Toy Story and A Bug’s Life. His score and songs helped give Cars a distinctly American road-movie atmosphere.