The Importance of Soundtrack in Disney Films

When you think of a Disney film, one of the first things that usually comes to mind is the songs, am I right? If you ask me, the soundtrack in Disney films are the best bit about it. The way it sets the mood or lightens up the room, our instant association with the song is truly spectacular and highlights the importance of a music in film. Our favourites such as the iconic Beauty and The Beast by Celine Dion and Peabo Bryson, Frozen’s Let It Go by Idina Menzel or A Whole New World Peabo Bryson and Regina Belle, they mean a lot to us and we all have different memories attached to them.

The soundtrack in a film is one of the important elements that make up a film. Choosing the right composition to fit a particular scene will determine how the audience receives it. If an emotional scene takes place, for example when Ray the firefly dies in The Princess and The Frog, aligning the scene with a fast upbeat soundtrack would not work and would ruin the ambience. Try watching an entire film without a soundtrack… I’m guessing it would be so boring you would turn it off.

From the earliest Disney princess Snow White to the latest Moana, when it comes to recording the soundtrack for the film, you would think that all the percussion is done electronically in today’s digital world. However, it is done exactly like they did thirty years ago, with an entire symphony orchestra.

As the visuals play on a huge screen, around fifty percussionists play their instruments, whether it is a violin, piano or flute, they all blend together as one to create a beautiful masterpiece. I think it is the music th

at brings out the culture of the film, as when watching Moana I was indulged in the Hawaiian culture and it felt as if I was dancing on the island with Moana and Maui.

I found myself listening to the Moana soundtrack album on Spotify with a huge grin on my face. Despite the weird looks I received, it was totally worth it because I found the soundtrack to be so uplifting and inspiring.

Additionally, soundtracks are also becoming modernized by having two versions of the main song. For instance, Demi Lovato sang the pop version of Let It Go from Frozen, Alessia Cara sang the How Far I’ll Go for Moana. These songs are usually shown at the end credits but I think it’s a nice touch to get pop culture involved with Disney films.

There are so many people behind the scenes that contribute to what we see and hear in a film. So the next time you are watching a Disney film, listen to the soundtrack carefully and appreciate how much hard work and effort has gone into it.

Few Facts about Music in Disney films

“The Jazz Singer (the first film with synchronised sound), which came out in 1927, helped fuel Walt Disney's desire to create the first cartoon with synchronised sound.” (Nicole n.d)

“Beauty and the Beast was the first animated film to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture and was also nominated for best original score, best sound, and best original song.” (Nicole n.d)

“Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs was the first Disney film to commercially release a film soundtrack.” (Nicole n.d)

“Alice in Wonderland has the greatest number of songs included in any Disney film, because some of them only last for a few seconds.” (Cristin 2016)