45 Years Ago - 1977 Randy Newman released his fifth album Little Criminals.
Some of the instrumental work and backing vocals on the album are performed by members of the Eagles. In particular, Glenn Frey played guitar on two tracks, Joe Walsh played guitar on three tracks, and Don Henley and Tim Schmit sang background vocals on one track each. Frey and J. D. Souther, who had earlier been the duo Longbranch Pennywhistle, sang background vocals on three tracks.
"Short People" was a #2 Hot 100 hit (#25 AC), and Newman intended the song to be a satire about prejudice more broadly: "The guy in that song is crazy. He was not to be believed.
In 1978, the State of Maryland delegate Isaiah Dixon attempted to introduce legislation making it illegal to play "Short People" on the radio. He was advised by Attorney General Francis B. Burch that such a law would be a violation of the First Amendment.