Onward (soundtrack)

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All music is composed by Mychael and Jeff Danna, except where noted

Onward (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
Onward (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack).jpg
Soundtrack album by
ReleasedFebruary 28, 2020
Recorded2019-20
VenueWarner Bros. Eastwood Scoring Stage
Genre Score
Length1:03:23
Label Walt Disney
Pixar soundtrack chronology
Toy Story 4
(2019)
Onward (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
(2020)
Soul
(2020)
Mychael Danna chronology
The Addams Family
(2019)
Onward
(2020)
Stillwater
(2021)
No.TitleWriter(s)PerformerLength
1."Carried Me with You" Brandi Carlile, Phil and Tim Hanseroth Brandi Carlile 3:33
2."Quests of Yore"  0:52
3."The World Was Full of Wonder"  1:37
4."A Little Magic"  0:43
5."Bad Dragon"  1:03
6."New Ian"  2:36
7."My Mighty Steed"  0:22
8."My Birthday Is Cancelled"  0:44
9."Wish I Could Spend the Day with You"  1:46
10."The Visitation Spell"  3:35
11."The Spell"  1:06
12."The Spell Only Lasts One Day"  0:56
13."Find Another Phoenix Gem"  0:49
14."Going on a Quest"  0:24
15."Laurel in Pursuit"  0:44
16."The Manticore's Tavern"  0:43
17."Tavern Remodeling"  1:12
18."The Map to Raven's Point"  1:45
19."Two Teenage Elves"  0:38
20."Magnora Gantuan!"  0:32
21."Baby Legs"  0:41
22."Pixie Dusters"  1:18
23."The Guardian Curse"  0:42
24."Driving Test"  3:17
25."Dance Fight"  2:22
26."Path of Peril"  0:41
27."Pawn Shop"  0:28
28."Tracking Guinevere"  1:04
29."Bottomless Pit"  0:56
30."The Trust Bridge"  1:20
31."Follow Your Gut"  0:52
32."Running from the Cops"  1:59
33."Sacrifice"  0:59
34."Just a Beat Up Old Van"  1:36
35."The Cave"  0:54
36."Accelior!"  0:26
37."Boom Bastia!"  0:47
38."Barley's Last Memory of Dad"  0:58
39."Led Us to Our Victory!"  1:49
40."The Truth Comes Out"  0:39
41."Share My Life with Him"  3:24
42."Battling the Dragon"  3:03
43."Voltar Thunderseer!"  0:59
44."Dad"  2:52
45."Magic Returns"  2:48
Total length:1:03:23

Additional music

The track "Magic" by The Cars was featured in the first trailer of the film, [6] the track "Hocus Pocus" by Focus was featured in the second trailer, [7] and the track "Coming Home" by Sheppard was featured in the international trailer. The tracks were used for promotional purposes, and neither were featured in the soundtrack, nor in the film. Additionally, one song featured "Let's Get It On" from Marvin Gaye in the film, but is not included from the soundtrack. [8]

Reception

Alex Reif from Laughing Place reviewed "the first track is the end credit closer by Brandi Carlile, "You Carried Me With You." Her folk pop style is perfect for the film as the genre is all about generational storytelling, which is at the core of the film. The style may be incongruous with the rest of the score, but I love the song and the message within it. This is a perfect song to add to your family road trip playlist." Reif also reviewed "the rest of the soundtrack is forty-four tracks of score by Mychael Danna & Jeff Danna amounting to about an hour of solid music. Being a modern fantasy set in a world with creatures like elves, trolls, fairies, and mantacores, the score borrows musical elements from the fantasy genre. Expect to hear lutes, chimes, harpsichords, and high-pitched chorals. There are quite a few themes that play throughout the score, but the most memorable and frequently used melody tends to underscore Ian's character. It’s a lighthearted, bouncy melody that can be played uplifting, like on "A Little Magic," subdued like on "New Ian," sad on "Share My Life With Him," and adventurous on "Voltar Thunderseer!"" [9] James Southall, a review from Movie-Wave, had stated "A lot of the ingredients are here for a really fine score – there’s action, adventure, fantasy and magic and at times really heartwarming emotional material, and all those components in isolation are done pretty well. It doesn’t really gel together that well though – the very short tracks are an issue and every time things look like they’re really getting going, they just don’t. That’s a shame because there is definitely music here worth hearing." [10]

Accolades

YearAwardCategoryRecipientsResultRef.
2020 BMI Film & TV Awards Film Music Mychael Danna and Jeff Danna Won [11]
2021 Annie Awards Outstanding Achievement for Music in an Animated Feature Production Mychael Danna and Jeff DannaNominated [12]
Grammy Awards Best Song Written for Visual Media "Carried Me with You" – Brandi Carlile, Phil Hanseroth and Tim HanserothNominated [13]
Hollywood Music in Media Awards Best Original Score in an Animated Film Mychael Danna and Jeff DannaNominated [14]
Best Original Song in an Animated Film "Carried Me with You" – Brandi Carlile, Phil Hanseroth and Tim HanserothNominated
Best Soundtrack AlbumOnwardNominated

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References

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