Charles Randolph Goodrum, known professionally as Randy Goodrum, is an American songwriter, pianist, and producer. He began playing piano by ear at a young age and started formal lessons at eight, initially studying classical music before later expanding into jazz. Goodrum attended Hendrix College, where he discovered his talent for songwriting after composing music for an original musical project. His breakthrough came with “You Needed Me,” recorded by Anne Murray in 1978, which reached Number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earned major industry awards. He went on to write hit songs across multiple genres for artists including Michael Johnson, Dottie West, Steve Perry, and others. Goodrum co-produced Dottie West’s Special Delivery (1979) and later collaborated with Steve Perry on his solo debut Street Talk (1984). His notable songs include Michael Johnson’s “Bluer Than Blue” and Dottie West’s “A Lesson in Leavin’.”
