The Soul of Pixar’s Music

Soul of Pixar’s Music is a blog that discusses the music of Pixar movies.

The Birth of a Score

Like the perfect storm of art and science that is Pixar, the music of a Pixar film is born of both creative inspiration and painstaking technical detail. It all begins with the film’s score, which sets the emotional tone for the entire movie.

Pixar’s composers are some of the most talented in the business, and they have to be. Not only do they have to create beautiful and moving music, but they also have to do it in a way that serves the story. The score has to enhance the emotional impact of the film without getting in the way of the visuals or dialogue.

The birth of a Pixar score is a fascinating process, one that involves both creativity and technical expertise. If you’ve ever wondered how a Pixar score comes together, read on for a behind-the-scenes look at the making of some of your favorite films’ soundtracks.

The Evolution of a Score

Over the past three decades, Pixar has become synonymous with not just groundbreaking animation, but also some of the most beloved and iconic film scores in history. From the simple, yet perfect piano melody of “When Somebody Loved Me” from Toy Story 2 to the elaborate full orchestra of Up, each score has helped to make the film it accompanies that much more special. In this article, we’ll take a look at the evolution of Pixar’s music, from its early days to the present.

Toy Story (1995)

As everyone knows, the original Toy Story was released in 1995, and was the first full-length feature film to be completely computer-animated. What is not as well-known, however, is that the film’s score went through a lengthy and complicated process before becoming the masterpiece it is today.

The original composer for Toy Story was Randy Newman, who had already worked with director John Lasseter on several short films. For the feature film, Newman wrote a series of memorable songs, including “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” and “Strange Things.” However, after seeing an early cut of the film, Lasseter decided that the songs were too intrusive and took away from the emotional impact of the scenes they accompanied.

Lasseter then brought in long-time Disney collaborator Alan Menken to see if he could help create a score that would better fit the tone of the film. Menken wrote several great songs for Toy Story, including “I Will Go Sailing No More” and “Andy’s Coming.” However, after seeing a newer cut of the film, Lasseter realized that Menken’s songs were also too intrusive and took away from the emotional impact of the scenes they accompanied.

At this point, Lasseter decided to take a completely different approach and hired renowned composer Hans Zimmer to write an entirely instrumental score. Zimmer’s score perfectly captured the emotional journey of toys coming to life and helped make Toy Story an instant classic.

A Bug’s Life (1998)

Originally, Randy Newman was to score A Bug’s Life, but Pixar was having creative differences with him so they ended up working with Thomas Newman instead. The change in composer meant that much of Randy Newman’s work had to be scrapped. In the end, only two of his songs made it into the final film: “The Time of Your Life” and “Bug Love.”

Toy Story 2 (1999)

Some of the most beautiful and timeless pieces in the Pixar canon come from Toy Story 2. Randy Newman’s “When Somebody Loved Me” is a heart-wrenching ballad that perfectly captures the feeling of loss and nostalgia, while his “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” has become an anthem for friendship. The score as a whole is an emotionally resonant work that elevate the film to new heights.

Monsters, Inc. (2001)

Originally, Monsters, Inc. was going to feature a more traditional score, with an 80-piece orchestra led by conductor James Horner. However, directors Pete Docter and David Silverman felt that the music wasn’t quite right for the film. They wanted something that would reflect the industrial city setting of Monstropolis, and they also wanted the score to sound “bigger than life.”

So, composer Randy Newman was brought on board to provide a more unique sound for the film. Newman had previously worked on Toy Story (1995), and he was able to create a score that perfectly captured the feel of Monstropolis. The end result is an unforgettable score that perfectly complements the film’s story and characters.

Finding Nemo (2003)

Pixar’s Finding Nemo was a turning point for the company not just because of its financial success – it was also the first Pixar movie to win an Academy Award for Original Music Score. The score was composed by Thomas Newman, who had previously worked on scores for The Shawshank Redemption and American Beauty – two movies with very different styles.

For Finding Nemo, Newman wanted to create a score that would evoke the feeling of being underwater. He used a lot of unusual instruments, including hydrophones (underwater microphones), glass harmonicas, and celestas (a type of glockenspiel). He also recorded sounds from real life, like dolphins and waves.

The result was a score that was both beautiful and moving, and which helped to perfectly capture the emotional journey of the film’s characters.

The Incredibles (2004)

Pixar’s The Incredibles remains one of the most popular (and beloved) animated films of all time. In part, this is due to its stellar score, which was composed by Michael Giacchino. The Incredibles is Giacchino’s first Pixar film, and it remains one of his best-known works.

The score for The Incredibles is an interesting blend of traditional orchestral music and more modern, electronic elements. This reflects the film’s own mix of old-fashioned superhero action and sleek, futuristic visuals. The result is a score that is both exciting and sentimental, perfect for a movie about a family of superheros trying to balance their lives as both heroes and parents.

Giacchino would go on to compose the scores for several more Pixar films, including Ratatouille (2007), Up (2009), and Inside Out (2015). He has also worked on a number of other high-profile projects, such as the new Star Wars movies and the TV show Lost. But it is The Incredibles that remains his most famous work, and it is clear that the Pixar team made the right choice in hiring him to compose its score.

Cars (2006)

In 2006, Pixar released Cars, their first movie since the death of composer and musician Ralph Bashki. The film was a critical and commercial success, and its score was composed by pipeson Grussian and Randy Newman.

Cars is a story about a racecar named Lightning McQueen who gets stranded in a small town called Radiator Springs. There, he meets a variety of characters who teach him the importance of friendship and family. The score for Cars is very different from other Pixar scores, as it is mostly diegetic music that is heard within the film’s fictional world. This means that the music is coming from diegetic sources, such as radios and jukeboxes, rather than being non-diegetic music that is added to create an emotional response in the viewer (like in most other movies).

The majority of the score consists of popular songs from the 1950s and 1960s, as this is when Radiator Springs is set. These diegetic songs help to create the film’s vintage aesthetic and add to its nostalgic appeal. The use of popular songs also allows the viewer to connect with the characters on an emotional level, as they can relate to the music that they are hearing.

The score for Cars was very well received by critics and audiences alike. It won multiple awards, including an Academy Award for Best Original Song for “Our Town” by Randy Newman.

Ratatouille (2007)

Pixar’s “Ratatouille” (2007) is one of the most memorable and heartwarming films in recent memory, in large part due to its exceptional soundtrack. The score, written by Academy Award-winning composer Michael Giacchino, is truly a work of art.

“Ratatouille” tells the story of Remy, a rat who dreams of becoming a great chef. When he is finally given the opportunity to pursue his dream, he must face many challenges, both from his fellow rats and from the humans who are not used to having a rat in the kitchen.

The score for “Ratatouille” is one of Giacchino’s most complex and beautiful works. It incorporates elements of French folk music, jazz, and classical music, all tied together with Giacchino’s signature style. The result is a truly unique and moving piece of art that perfectly complements the film’s emotional story.

WALL-E (2008)

When we think of the music of Pixar, we think of the unforgettable scores that have accompanied some of our favorite films. From the simple but moving melodies of ” Toy Story” to the complex and emotional work in ” Up,” the music of Pixar has always been an important part of the studio’s films.

Interestingly, the score for 2008’s ” WALL-E” was actually quite different from what we’re used to hearing from Pixar. Composer Thomas Newman decided to take a more minimalist approach, using only a handful of instruments to create the film’s unique sound.

Newman’s score was a departure from what we typically expect from a Pixar film, but it perfectly captured the film’s unique tone and atmosphere. It’s just one example of how the studio’s music has evolved over the years, adapting to each new story and bringing audiences along on an unforgettable journey.

Up (2009)

Pixar’s 2009 film Up tells the story of Carl Fredricksen, a widower who ties thousands of helium-filled balloons to his house and sets off to South America in search of adventure. The score for Up was composed by Michael Giacchino, who had previously worked on The Incredibles (2004) and Ratatouille (2007).

Giacchino drew inspiration from the work of film composer Bernard Herrmann, who scored such classics as North by Northwest (1959) and Psycho (1960). Herrmann’s work is characterized by its use of grandiose orchestral arrangements and leitmotifs, or recurring themes associated with specific characters or locations. Giacchino sought to emulate Herrmann’s style in his score for Up, which made use of a full orchestra as well as more unusual instrumentation such as accordions and steel drums.

The main theme from Up, known as “Married Life”, was nominated for an Academy Award and has become one of Giacchino’s most recognizable pieces of work. The theme is first introduced in the film during a montage sequence in which Carl and his wife Ellie meet, fall in love, and get married. The simple melody is reprised throughout the film at key moments, serving as a reminder of Carl’s love for Ellie even after she has passed away.

Up received widespread critical acclaim upon its release and is widely regarded as one of Pixar’s best films. The score also received praise from critics, with many lauding Giacchino’s ability to evoke emotion through his music.

Toy Story 3 (2010)

Praised for its perfect blend of humor, adventure, and emotion, Toy Story 3 was a critical and commercial success upon its release in 2010. The film went on to win two Academy Awards (Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song for Randy Newman’s “We Belong Together”), as well as a Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Animated.

One of the elements that helped make Toy Story 3 so special was its score, composed by Michael Giacchino. Building on the foundations laid by Randy Newman in the first two films, Giacchino created a beautiful and moving soundtrack that perfectly complimented the film’s story.

In this article, we’ll take a look at the evolution of the score for Toy Story 3, from early demos to the final product. We’ll also hear from Giacchino himself about his work on the film and how he was able to create such an emotionally powerful score.

Brave (2012)

Brave was Pixar’s first movie to feature a female protagonist, and the studio took care to craft a score that would be every bit as strong and heroic as any of its previous releases. The resulting work is an epic, sweeping score that hearkens back to the golden age of Hollywood film music.

Composer Patrick Doyle was brought on board to create the music for Brave, and he rose to the challenge with a masterful score that captures the spirit of the film perfectly. The music is both grand and intimate, with soaring themes that highlight the film’s expansive landscapes and intimate character moments.

Doyle expertly weaves traditional Scottish folk music into his orchestral score, creating an undeniably Scottish feel that perfectly complements the film’s setting. The use of traditional instruments like the penny whistle and bodhran give the score an authentic Celtic flavor, while Doyle’s own original themes add a modern sensibility.

The result is a truly unique score that captures the heart of Pixar’s Brave.

Inside Out (2015)

Pixar’s “Inside Out” is the story of an 11-year-old girl, Riley, who is uprooted from her Midwestern life when her father starts a new job in San Francisco. The film follows Riley’s emotions – Joy, Fear, Anger, Disgust and Sadness – as they help her adjust to her new home.

The music for “Inside Out” was composed by Michael Giacchino, who has worked on several other Pixar films including “The Incredibles” and “Up”. Giacchino was brought on to the project relatively late in the development process, which gave him less time than usual to write the score.

Despite the tight timeline, Giacchino was able to create a score that perfectly captures the film’s emotional journey. The main theme for “Inside Out” is an infectious tune that echoes Riley’s optimistic outlook on life. This theme is interwoven throughout the score, appearing in different forms as Riley’s emotions experience highs and lows.

One of the most memorable moments in the film comes near the end, when Joy and Sadness are trying to find their way back to Headquarters (Riley’s mind). As they walk through a vast landscape of memories, Giacchino’s music swells to a triumphant climax, representing Joy’s realization that Sadness is just as essential to Riley’s life as any other emotion.

The music of “Inside Out” is an integral part of the film’s success, and it perfectly communicates the complex emotions of childhood.

Coco (2017)

“Coco” is one of the most beautiful and emotionally powerful films in recent memory, and a large part of its success is due to its music. The score, composed by Michael Giacchino, is an evolution of the traditional Pixar sound – a perfect blend of heartwarming nostalgia and toe-tapping energy that will stay with you long after the credits have rolled.

The film’s opening sequence is a perfect example of this. We are introduced to the Land of the Dead, a colorful and vibrant world that is a far cry from the dreary afterlife we typically see in movies. The music swells with excitement as Miguel (played by Anthony Gonzalez) embarks on his journey to find his long-lost ancestors. It’s a joyful and life-affirming moment, and it sets the tone for the rest of the film.

As Miguel delves deeper into his family’s history, the music takes on a more reflective tone. The tracks “Remember Me” and “Much Needed Advice” are both beautifully written ballads that capture the film’s themes of love, loss, and redemption. These songs will stay with you long after you’ve left the theater, and they perfectly capture the film’s emotional core.

“Coco” is a film that celebrates life, even in death. It’s a reminder that our loved ones never really leave us, and that their memories live on in our hearts forever. The score reflects this sentiment perfectly, and it is sure to be one of the most memorable cinematic experiences of 2017.

The Future of Pixar’s Music

Pixar’s music has come a long way since the early days of “Toy Story” and “A Bug’s Life.” The studio has built a reputation for crafting some of the most emotionally resonant animated films in recent memory, and its scoring has played a large role in that success.

Pixar’s music has always had a very distinct sound. In the early days, that sound was largely defined by Randy Newman, who scored all of Pixar’s films from “Toy Story” through “Monsters, Inc.” Newman’s signature style – wistful melodies, twangy guitars and country influence – helped to define the tone of many of Pixar’s early classics.

In recent years, Pixar has begun to experiment with its scoring. The studio has brought in new composers like Michael Giacchino and Patrick Doyle to add fresh perspective to its films. These composers have brought their own unique styles to the table, giving Pixar’s music an even broader range.

The future of Pixar’s music looks very bright. With the studio expanding its storytelling horizons with films like “Inside Out” and “Coco,” there is no telling what new musical heights could be reached.