I’m starting up week two of my Randy Newman theme, and for those of you joining us at the midway point, this is where I showcase Newman’s dark side. I spent last week on the more sensitive and romantic songs, demonstrating exactly how effective the man is at playing it straight. But now comes the fun stuff.

Representing Randy Newman’s sophomore album, 12 Songs in week one was ‘Rosemary,’ a jaunty serenade. Today’s featured track takes another woman’s name as its title but creates a very different mood.

‘Suzanne’ is sung from the perspective of a stalker who has come across this woman’s number in a telephone booth and is determined to make her his. “I’m gonna wait in the shadows for you to come by,” he promises… “Gonna run my fingers through your hair and love you everywhere.”

This is a cold-blooded and disturbing song, made even more so by its softly hypnotic delivery. It’s one of the first times Newman put himself in the head of an unlikable protagonist, but it certainly wouldn’t be the last.