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David Mook, writer of the Scooby-Doo theme song, helped discover Randy Newman
Scooby dooby doo, you've got a friend in me!
In an interview with Noblemania, Rose Marie Mook discussed her late husband, David Mook, and his career and legacy as co-writer of the classic theme song to Scooby-Doo, Where Are You?. While reminiscing about how their children enjoyed their father's connection to the theme song, Mrs. Mook dropped a surprising bombshell: her husband discovered Randy Newman.
David Mook began as a songwriter in New York and, after his initial success with Hanna-Barbera, moved his family out to California and started his own music company. The Scooby-Doo theme song boosted Mook's career as a songwriter and independent music publisher, allowing him to submit music to all the studios. In addition to Scooby-Doo, he also wrote the theme songs for shows like The Banana Splits Adventure Hour and The Daying Game.
Mook was making a name for himself in the industry, but he was still new to California and needed a doctor. Colleagues recommended Dr. Newman, so Mook went to see him and, during his appointment, told the doctor about his work. Dr. Newman mentioned his son, Randy, and said, “My son is a genius, has been composing since he was four years old, and if you don’t mind, we’d love you to listen to his tapes.”
Dr. Newman gave David Mook the tapes, and Mook loved Randy Newman's music. Randy Newman was still a student at UCLA at this time, but Mook signed him as an in-house songwriter and sent his music out to bands like The Beatles. Under Mook's guidance, Randy Newman launched into stardom and, like Mook, ended up writing iconic songs for cartoons like Toy Story and Monsters, Inc.
If you think about it, we likely wouldn't have nostalgic hits like "You've Got a Friend in Me" without the Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? theme song.
