Mulan (2020 soundtrack)

Last updated

Mulan (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
Mulan (2020 soundtrack).jpg
Soundtrack album by
ReleasedSeptember 4, 2020
Recorded2019–2020
Genre Film soundtrack
Length86:24
Label Walt Disney Records
Producer
  • Harry Gregson-Williams
  • Tom Howe
  • Stephanie Economou
Harry Gregson-Williams chronology
Penguins
(2019)
Mulan
(2020)
The Last Duel
(2021)

Mulan (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) is the soundtrack to the 2020 film of the same name, which is a live-action adaptation of the identically named 1998 animated musical adventure film. Unlike the original version, the film did not reuse any songs from the former, but instead used instrumental version of the tracks. [1] Harry Gregson-Williams, who previously worked with Caro on The Zookeeper's Wife , composed the film's score with additional music by Tom Howe and Stephanie Economou, while also adapted the original themes composed by Jerry Goldsmith for the 1998 film. [2] The soundtrack album was released by Walt Disney Records on September 4, 2020. [3]

Contents

Background

The remake does not feature any songs from the original film, and instead uses instrumental versions of the original film's songs. [1] Caro later explained that the songs were deleted because she felt their use did not fit with her realistic vision of the film; she believes that since people do not break out into song as they enter war, the film should not either. Though she still tried to "honour the music from the animation in a very significant way," [4] as she did not want to disrespect the original film; however, she stated she could not find a place to use the original music. Producer Jason T. Reed clarified Caro's previous statement by saying that the songs would be featured "in a slightly different way" in the remake. [5]

Gregson-Williams confirmed to be a part of the film's project in August 2018 and composition for the film began during late-2019. All the scores were written in context from Mulan's point of view. He opted for using strings and wind instruments, deferring from his electronic and orchestral music, he usually worked, as to authenticate the ancient Chinese music, although minor cues of orchestra being added in the score. [6] He adapted the original themes of Jerry Goldsmith for the 1998 film, which he called it as a "privileged" and "daunting" challenge. [6] For the battle sequences, where huge drums are being played, Caro asked Gregson-Williams to write some drum patterns that could be played on location, which would signal different elements of the Imperial army throughout the battle sequences, and Williams asked for "drummers who could act" rather than "actors who could drum". [7]

Christina Aguilera, who previously performed an end-credits version of "Reflection" for the original film, recorded a new version of "Reflection," as well as new material for the remake's soundtrack. [8]

Singles and album release

On March 6, 2020, Aguilera released a new single for the film's soundtrack, titled "Loyal Brave True." The song was written by Jamie Hartman, Harry Gregson-Williams, Rosi Golan and Billy Crabtree, and produced by Jamie Hartman. The song was also released in Spanish, as "El Mejor Guerrero." Additionally, the singer confirmed that she would also release a re-recorded version of "Reflection." [9] [10] On March 8, a Mandarin-version of the song, titled "自己" ("Zìjǐ"), performed by Yifei Liu was released, [11] while Aguilera's English version was issued later the same year, on August 28. [12] The album was originally scheduled for release on March 25, [13] but as the film's original March 27, 2020 release was deferred due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the soundtrack release was put on hold. [14] On April 1, 2020, the track list of the original soundtrack was unveiled claiming that the album will release coinciding with the final theatrical release date. [14] The soundtrack was released on September 4, coinciding with the theatrical and video-on-demand release through Disney+ Premier Access. [15]

Track listing

Credits adapted from Tidal. [16]

No.TitlePerformerLength
1."Ancestors" 3:21
2."Tulou Courtyard (Extended)" 3:14
3."The Desert Garrison" 3:27
4."Böri Khan & Xianniang" 1:37
5."The Lesson of the Phoenix" 3:14
6."Honor to Us All" (Originally written by Matthew Wilder and David Zippel) 1:54
7."The Matchmaker" 2:30
8."Mulan Leaves Home" 3:50
9."Four Ounces Can Move a Thousand Pounds" 3:40
10."Mulan Rides into Battle (Extended)" 5:41
11."Honghui (Extended)" 1:34
12."Training the Men" 3:02
13."Mulan & Honghui Fight" 1:25
14."Oath of the Warrior" 1:24
15."The Witch" 3:42
16."I Believe Hua Mulan" 3:56
17."The Charge" 5:21
18."Imperial City" 3:36
19."Chasing the Hawk" 2:24
20."Fight for the Kingdom" 5:43
21."Mulan & the Emperor" 0:57
22."Return to the Village" 1:32
23."The Fourth Virtue (Extended)" 5:41
24."Loyal Brave True" Christina Aguilera 2:46
25."Reflection (2020)"Christina Aguilera3:38
26."Reflection (Mandarin)" Yifei Liu 3:39

Charts

Chart (2020)Peak

position

UK Soundtrack Albums (OCC) [17] 13
US Billboard 200 [18] [ failed verification ]109
US Soundtrack Albums (Billboard) [19] [ failed verification ]23

See also

Related Research Articles

<i>Mulan</i> (1998 film) Animated film directed by Barry Cook and Tony Bancroft

Mulan is a 1998 American animated musical coming-of-age action-adventure film produced by Walt Disney Feature Animation for Walt Disney Pictures. Based on the Chinese legend of Hua Mulan, the film was directed by Barry Cook and Tony Bancroft and produced by Pam Coats, from a screenplay by Rita Hsiao, Chris Sanders, Philip LaZebnik, and the writing team of Raymond Singer and Eugenia Bostwick-Singer, and a story by Robert D. San Souci. Ming-Na Wen, Eddie Murphy, Miguel Ferrer, and BD Wong star in the English version as Mulan, Mushu, Shan Yu, and Captain Li Shang, respectively, while Jackie Chan provided the voice of Li Shang for the Chinese dubs of the film. The film's plot takes place in China during an unspecified Imperial dynasty, where Fa Mulan, daughter of aged warrior Fa Zhou, impersonates a man to take her father's place during a general conscription to counter a Hun invasion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Christina Aguilera</span> American singer and songwriter (born 1980)

Christina María Aguilera is an American singer, songwriter, actress, and television personality. Referred to as the "Voice of a Generation", she is noted for her four-octave vocal range, musical reinventions, sustaining high notes including use of the whistle register, and a signature use of melisma throughout her music. Recognized as an influential figure in popular music, she also became known for incorporating controversial themes such as feminism, sexuality, LGBT culture and the sex-positive movement into her work. Aguilera was also honoured as a Disney Legend, for her contributions to The Walt Disney Company.

<i>Christina Aguilera</i> (album) 1999 studio album by Christina Aguilera

Christina Aguilera is the debut studio album by American singer Christina Aguilera. It was released on August 24, 1999, by RCA Records. After recording "Reflection", the theme song for the 1998 Disney film Mulan, RCA laid the foundation for the album immediately and started presenting Aguilera with tracks for her debut album, which they originally decided would have a January 1999 release. Primarily a dance-pop and teen pop album, its music incorporates bubblegum pop, R&B, soul, hip hop, as well as ballads. Contributions to the album's production came from a wide range of producers, including David Frank, Ron Fair, Guy Roche, Robin Thicke, Matthew Wilder and Aaron Zigman.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Niki Caro</span> New Zealand filmmaker (born 1966)

Nikola Jean Caro is a New Zealand film, television, and music video director and screenwriter. Her 2002 film Whale Rider was critically praised and won a number of awards at international film festivals. She directed the 2020 live action version of Disney's Mulan, making her the second female and the second New Zealand director hired by Disney to direct a film budgeted at over $100 million. Caro's works ranged from music videos, commercials, television dramas, and films, etc.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Genie in a Bottle</span> 1999 single by Christina Aguilera

"Genie in a Bottle" is a song by American singer Christina Aguilera from her self-titled debut studio album (1999). It was written by Pam Sheyne, Steve Kipner and David Frank, and produced by Kipner and Frank. The song was released on May 11, 1999, by RCA Records as the album's lead single. It is a soul-pop, teen pop and dance-pop song with elements of R&B. "Genie in a Bottle" uses sexual references to address the themes of self-respect and abstinence.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Turn to You (All-4-One song)</span> 1997 single by All-4-One

"I Turn to You" is a song written by American songwriter Diane Warren and first recorded by R&B quartet All-4-One from the soundtrack album to the film Space Jam (1996). The ballad, produced by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, received little recognition until American pop singer-songwriter Christina Aguilera recorded it for her self-titled debut album. Aguilera, who worked with Warren in another song for her debut album, felt connected to the song after relating its lyrics to her relationship with her mother, and was encouraged by Warren to record the track.

"Reflection" is a song written and produced by Matthew Wilder and David Zippel for the soundtrack of Disney's 1998 animated film Mulan. In the film, the song is performed by Tony Award winner, Filipina singer and actress Lea Salonga as Fa Mulan. An accompanying music video for "Reflection" was included as a bonus to the Disney Gold Classic Collection DVD release of the film in February 2000. Reflection has received highly positive reviews, with critics highlighting its emotional writing and Salonga's vocals.

<i>The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe</i> (soundtrack) 2005 soundtrack album by Harry Gregson-Williams

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is the soundtrack of the film of the same name. Harry Gregson-Williams composed the soundtrack, which was released on 13 December 2005 in the United States by Walt Disney Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Christina Aguilera discography</span>

American singer Christina Aguilera has released nine studio albums, two extended plays (EPs), six compilation albums, one soundtrack album, 54 singles, and 17 promotional singles. To date, Aguilera has sold around over 100 million records worldwide, making her one of the best-selling female music artist of all time. Billboard ranked Aguilera as the 37th Greatest Hot 100 Women of All Time and the 44th Greatest Billboard 200 Women of All Time. In the United States alone, Aguilera has sold 18.3 million albums. Through the RIAA she has 18.6 million certified albums units and 10 million certified digital singles units. Aguilera is recognized as the 20th best-selling artist of the 2000s. She has also achieved 10 number one hits on Billboard's Dance Club Songs. In the United Kingdom, Aguilera has sold over 3.3 million albums and 6.1 million singles.

<i>Mulan</i> (soundtrack) 1998 soundtrack album by Various artists

Mulan: An Original Walt Disney Records Soundtrack is the soundtrack for the 1998 Disney animated feature film, Mulan. Released by Walt Disney Records on June 2, 1998, the album featured songs by Matthew Wilder and David Zippel, conducted by Paul Bogaev, and score composed and conducted by Jerry Goldsmith. Vocalists included Lea Salonga, Donny Osmond, 98 Degrees, Jaz Coleman, Stevie Wonder and Christina Aguilera.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Disney Renaissance</span> Period of Disney animated films, 1989–1999

The Disney Renaissance was a period from 1989 to 1999 during which Walt Disney Feature Animation returned to producing critically and commercially successful animated films. These were mostly musical adaptations of well-known stories, similar to the films produced during the era of Walt Disney from the 1930s to 1960s. The resurgence allowed Disney's animated films to become a powerhouse of successes at the domestic and foreign box office, earning much greater profits than most of the Disney films of previous eras.

<i>Princess Disneymania</i> 2008 compilation album by Various artists

Princess Disneymania is Disney's first compilation album in the Disneymania series. It was released on September 30, 2008. The album features various artists renditions of classic songs originally from the Disney Princess films. Emily Osment's cover of "Once Upon a Dream", is the only previously unreleased song on the compilation, the song was also used to promote Sleeping Beauty's Platinum Edition home video release, which was released the following month. Kari Kimmel, Amy Adams, and Sierra Boggess' contributions on the compilation were all taken from their respective soundtrack albums Ella Enchanted, Enchanted, and The Little Mermaid: Original Broadway Cast Recording, all the other songs on the compilation were previously released on a Disneymania album and are mainly sung by female artists. The album became the lowest-peaking of the series, peaking at #191 on the Billboard 200.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Christina Aguilera videography</span>

American singer Christina Aguilera has released five video albums and been featured in thirty-three music videos, five films, thirteen television programs, and seven commercials. Aguilera achieved early fame in 1993 and 1994 when she appeared in the Disney Channel television series The New Mickey Mouse Club, which co-starred her contemporaries Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake, and Ryan Gosling. In 1999, she rose to prominence with her eponymous debut album, whose singles "Genie in a Bottle", "What a Girl Wants", "I Turn to You" and "Come On Over Baby " all received their music videos. The videos for the Spanish versions of the four singles were subsequently released in conjunction with the promotion of Aguilera's 2000 Spanish album Mi Reflejo. In 2001, Aguilera appeared in the music video for "Lady Marmalade", a collaboration with Mýa, Lil' Kim, and Pink, which earned two MTV Video Music Awards for Video of the Year and Best Video from a Film at the 2001 ceremony.

<i>Mulan</i> (franchise) Disney franchise

Mulan is a Disney media franchise that began in 1998 with the theatrical release of Mulan.

<i>Mulan</i> (2020 film) Film directed by Niki Caro

Mulan is a 2020 American fantasy action historical drama film produced by Walt Disney Pictures. Directed by Niki Caro from a screenplay by Rick Jaffa, Amanda Silver, Lauren Hynek, and Elizabeth Martin, it is a live-action adaptation of Disney's 1998 animated film of the same name, itself based on the Chinese folklore story Ballad of Mulan. The film stars Yifei Liu in the title role, alongside Donnie Yen, Tzi Ma, Jason Scott Lee, Yoson An, Ron Yuan, Gong Li, and Jet Li in supporting roles. In the film, Hua Mulan, the eldest daughter of an honored warrior, masquerades as a man to take her ailing father's place during a general conscription to counter the Rouran army in Imperial China.

<i>Aladdin</i> (2019 soundtrack) 2019 soundtrack album by various artists

Aladdin (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) is a soundtrack for the film of the same name, released by Walt Disney Records on May 17, 2019. The soundtrack features a cover of "A Whole New World" by Zayn Malik and Zhavia Ward, songs from the original film, a new song written by the original film's composer, Alan Menken, Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, and a score composed by Menken. The soundtrack was released on May 17, 2019.

<i>The Lion King</i> (2019 soundtrack) 2019 soundtrack by Hans Zimmer

The Lion King: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack is the soundtrack for the 2019 Walt Disney Pictures remake film of the same name, a live-action photorealistic computer-generated remake of Disney's 1994 animated feature film of the same name. It features songs from the original film written by Elton John and Tim Rice and performed by the film's cast. It also features the score composed by Hans Zimmer, the original film's composer, and two new songs: "Spirit," written by Beyoncé, Labrinth, and Ilya Salmanzadeh and performed by Beyoncé, and the end-credit song "Never Too Late", written by John and Rice and performed by John. Beyoncé also produced a curated soundtrack titled The Lion King: The Gift, which features new songs performed by multiple artists. The Lion King: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack was digitally released on July 11, 2019, and both the soundtrack's CD and Beyoncé's album were released on July 19, 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fall on Me (Andrea Bocelli and Matteo Bocelli song)</span> 2018 single by Andrea and Matteo Bocelli

"Fall on Me" is a song by Italian singer Andrea Bocelli and his son, Matteo Bocelli. It was released as a single on September 20, 2018. The song was written by the members of the American duo A Great Big World, and produced by Bob Ezrin. Matteo and Fortunato Zampaglione provided the Italian lyrics. Both the Italian and English versions were included on Bocelli's 2018 album, . A music video was released for the soundtrack of the movie The Nutcracker and the Four Realms. The song played over the movie's end credits. The song was performed at the opening ceremony of the 2019 Summer Universiade in Naples on 3 July 2019.

"Loyal Brave True" is a song recorded by American singer and songwriter Christina Aguilera, taken from the soundtrack to the 2020 action drama film Mulan. The song was written by Billy Crabtree, Harry Gregson-Williams, Jamie Hartman, and Rosi Golan, and produced by Hartman. It was released as a single on March 6, 2020 by Walt Disney Records. "Loyal Brave True" received a nomination for the Soundtrack Song of 2020 at the 46th People's Choice Awards. It was also shortlisted as one of fifteen potential nominees for the Academy Award for Best Original Song.

References

  1. 1 2 Taylor, Drew (March 17, 2018). "Exclusive: 'Mulan' Director Niki Caro Says No Songs in the Upcoming Remake". MovieFone. Archived from the original on January 11, 2020. Retrieved January 13, 2020.
  2. "Harry-Gregson-Williams to Score Disney's 'Mulan' Live-Action Movie". Film Music Reporter. Archived from the original on August 24, 2018. Retrieved August 24, 2018.
  3. "Every Song in Mulan 2020". ScreenRant. September 5, 2020. Retrieved April 8, 2022.
  4. "The Director Of "Mulan" Just Revealed Why There Won't Be Any Songs In Disney's Live-Action Remake". BuzzFeed. January 13, 2020. Archived from the original on January 13, 2020. Retrieved January 13, 2020.
  5. Szany, Wendy Lee (February 27, 2020). "'Mulan': The Biggest Changes from the Animated Version in Disney's Live-Action Remake". Collider . Archived from the original on February 27, 2020. Retrieved February 27, 2020.
  6. 1 2 Newman, Melinda (September 4, 2020). "Harry Gregson-Williams on Scoring 'Mulan' And Why He Temporarily Banned the Disney Original In His Home". Billboard . Retrieved April 8, 2022.
  7. "Exclusive Interview - Composer Harry Gregson-Williams discusses Disney's Mulan". Flickering Myth. September 12, 2020. Retrieved April 8, 2022.
  8. Lenker, Maureen Lee (February 27, 2020). "Original 'Reflection' singer Christina Aguilera has recorded new material for live-action Mulan". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on April 17, 2020. Retrieved March 4, 2020.
  9. "Christina Aguilera shares her track, 'Loyal Brave True', taken from the upcoming Disney remake of Mulan". The Digital Fix. March 6, 2020.
  10. Nolfi, Joey (March 6, 2020). "Hear Christina Aguilera's warrior spirit on new Mulan ballad 'Loyal Brave True'". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on March 15, 2020. Retrieved March 6, 2020.
  11. 顾馨. "Chinese version of 'Reflection' released for upcoming 'Mulan' – Chinadaily.com.cn". www.chinadaily.com.cn. Archived from the original on March 16, 2020. Retrieved March 15, 2020.
  12. DisneyMusicVEVO (August 28, 2020). Christina Aguilera – Reflection (2020) (From "Mulan"/Official Video). YouTube.
  13. Billboard, Bianca Gracie (March 6, 2020). "Christina Aguilera Returns to Disney Roots With Song in 'Mulan' Live-Action Film". The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved April 8, 2022.
  14. 1 2 Says, Liamdude5. "Track List for Disney's Live-Action 'Mulan' Soundtrack Album Revealed". Film Music Reporter. Retrieved April 8, 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  15. Mulan (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) by Harry Gregson-Williams, September 4, 2020, retrieved April 8, 2022
  16. "Mulan (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) / Harry Gregson-Williams – TIDAL". Tidal . Retrieved September 4, 2020.
  17. "Official Soundtrack Charts Top 50". Official Charts Company. September 10, 2020. Retrieved December 10, 2023.
  18. "Soundtrack Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard . Retrieved April 8, 2022.
  19. "Soundtrack Chart History (Soundtrack Albums)". Billboard . Retrieved April 8, 2022.