I am an American singer-songwriter, arranger, composer, and pianist who is known for my distinctive voice, mordant (and often satirical) pop songs, and for my film scores.

Since the 1980s, I have worked mostly as a film composer. My film scores include Ragtime, Awakenings, The Natural, Leatherheads, James and the Giant Peach, Cats Don't Dance, Meet the Parents, Cold Turkey, Seabiscuit, and The Princess and the Frog. I have scored seven Disney-Pixar films: Toy Story, A Bug's Life, Toy Story 2, Monsters, Inc., Cars, Toy Story 3, and most recently, Monsters University.

I have been nominated for 20 Academy Awards, winning twice. I have also won three Emmys, six Grammy Awards, and the Governor's Award from the Recording Academy. I was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2002. In 2007, I was inducted as a Disney Legend. I was inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in April 2013.