Aladdin (2019 soundtrack)

Summary

Aladdin (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) is a soundtrack for the film of the same name, released by Walt Disney Records on May 17, 2019.[1] The soundtrack features a cover of "A Whole New World" by Zayn Malik and Zhavia Ward,[2][3] 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.[4][5] The soundtrack was released on May 17, 2019.[6]

Aladdin (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
Soundtrack album by
various artists
ReleasedMay 17, 2019
Studio
GenreSoundtrack
LabelWalt Disney
Producer
Singles from Aladdin
  1. "A Whole New World (End Title)"
    Released: May 9, 2019

Background and composition edit

 
Alan Menken, who composed the score and co-wrote songs for the original film, returned to compose the remake's score and to co-write two new songs, as well as to re-write songs from the original film.

At the 2017 D23 Expo, Alan Menken, who composed the score and co-wrote songs for the animated film Aladdin, was revealed to be co-writing new songs for its 2019 live-action remake with Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, the songwriters of La La Land.[7] Menken will also compose the film's score, which will also include new versions of the original film's songs written by him, Howard Ashman and Tim Rice.[5] Menken said that his score "is obviously pulled from the themes of the songs, almost exclusively, but it is much more live action in its textures and its tone" than the original film's.[8]

Menken, Pasek and Paul also wrote new lyrics for the original film's song "Arabian Nights",[9] which was reworked as a musical number that introduces the film's story and characters to the audience.[8] Menken said that "[t]he job really was to be following along with the camera as it soars through Agrabah, setting up this world for the audience", to which "[he, Pasek, and Paul] rewrote some of the lyrics to go with the visuals that Guy had in mind, introducing Jafar and basically setting the stage for the rest of the film", and said that "[i]t's a much bigger, much more ambitious number than it was [in the original film]".[8] Pasek, Paul, and Menken also rewrote the song "Prince Ali",[10] in order to fit the Genie's actor Will Smith's personality.[8] Smith said that "[Guy] knew how he wanted it to sound and how he wanted it to feel but gave [Smith] the freedom to use [his] hip hop background and bring a fresh vibe to [the song]".[8]

Pasek and Paul wrote the lyrics for a solo for the character of Jasmine,[9][11] titled "Speechless",[12][13] which Paul called "a beautiful piece of music", praising Scott's singing as "incredible".[9] Scott said that the song is "a punch in the face" and that "[i]t's just showcasing that [Jasmine] gets to a point where, 'It's not going to be easy and I may lose this fight, but I need to step up'", and felt that many girls will feel connected to the song's lyrics.[14] Menken said that the song "starts with a solo piano, very intimate, and really gets into the soul of Jasmine", before becoming more instrumental, and ultimately " at the end comes back full circle to that intimate piano with her voice reaching out over it".[8] Menken felt the song "has a beautiful arc to it", but said "the sound is orchestral and pianistic".[8] The film's executive producer, Marc Platt, called the song "Jasmine’s big breakout song where she decides she is going to stand up for what she believes in", and felt that "[t]he song parallels her arc in the story, sung timidly by Jasmine early on and then as a big empowering moment later in the film. Jafar has seized power as her father stands by helpless, and she finally has the strength to tell him what she envisions for her future". Pasek felt that "it made a lot of sense for this really strong woman that so many girls have grown up loving to talk about reclaiming her own power".[8] Pasek and Paul also wrote the lyrics for a new duet for Aladdin and Jasmine, which Paul referred to as "a sweet song".[9][11] On May 19, 2019, Mena Massoud, who plays Aladdin, revealed that the duet was cut from the film.[15] The duet was to have been called "Desert Moon".[16] On August 20, 2019, Disney released the song to the public.[17][18]

The film also features two re-worked versions of the song "Friend Like Me" from the original film; one performed in the film by Smith as the Genie, which was described as "a rap with melody";[19] and an end-credits version performed by Smith and DJ Khaled, with Khaled also producing the end-credits version.[20] Smith and Khaled's version was released as a single.[3] The remake also features the original film's song "A Whole New World",[21] performed by Massoud and Scott respectively,[22] and an end-credits version of the song performed by Zayn Malik and Zhavia Ward.[3] Malik and Ward's version was released as a single on May 9, 2019.[3] A bilingual English and Spanish version, "Un Mundo Ideal", performed by Malik and Becky G, was released on May 17, 2019.[23][24]

Ritchie said that the new songs are "marginally shifted" to reflect the changes between the time of the original film and the remake, though he said that "essentially the soundtrack’s the same, just somewhat embellished with a couple of new tunes in it".[25][26]

Track listing edit

All music is composed by Alan Menken[27]

No.TitleLyricsPerformer(s)Length
1."Arabian Nights (2019)"Howard Ashman; Benj Pasek & Justin PaulWill Smith3:13
2."One Jump Ahead"Tim RiceMena Massoud2:55
3."One Jump Ahead (Reprise)"RiceMena Massoud1:00
4."Speechless (Part 1)"Pasek & PaulNaomi Scott1:17
5."Friend Like Me"AshmanWill Smith2:35
6."Prince Ali"AshmanWill Smith3:29
7."A Whole New World"RiceMena Massoud and Naomi Scott2:55
8."One Jump Ahead (Reprise 2)"RiceMena Massoud1:06
9."Speechless (Part 2)"Pasek & PaulNaomi Scott2:24
10."A Whole New World (End Title)"RiceZAYN and Zhavia Ward4:02
11."Friend Like Me (End Title)"AshmanWill Smith featuring DJ Khaled2:39
12."Speechless (Full)"Pasek & PaulNaomi Scott3:28
13."The Big Ship"  1:17
14."Agrabah Marketplace"  1:53
15."Aladdin's Hideout"  1:55
16."Jasmine Meets Prince Anders"  0:34
17."Breaking In"  1:46
18."Returning the Bracelet"  0:58
19."The Dunes"  0:36
20."Simple Oil Lamp"  0:52
21."The Cave of Wonders"  2:43
22."The Basics"  1:38
23."Escape from the Cave"  1:09
24."Prince Ali's Outfit"  2:18
25."Until Tomorrow"  2:03
26."Aladdin's Second Wish"  2:08
27."Never Called a Master Friend"  2:25
28."Harvest Dance"  2:26
29."Jafar Becomes Sultan"  0:57
30."Hakim's Loyalty Tested"  1:14
31."Most Powerful Sorcerer"  1:28
32."Carpet Chase"  1:49
33."Jafar Summons the Storm"  1:20
34."Jafar's Final Wish"  3:37
35."Genie Set Free"  5:36
36."The Wedding"  1:11
37."Friend Like Me (Finale)"AshmanAlan Menken featuring Will Smith1:31
Total length:1:16:27

Hindi Version edit

Alladin (Hindi Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) edit

No.TitleLyricsPerformer(s)Length
1."Arabian Nights (2019)"Howard Ashman; Pasek & PaulMantra3:13
2."One Jump Ahead"Tim RiceArmaan Malik2:55
3."One Jump Ahead (Reprise)"RiceArmaan Malik1:00
4."Speechless (Part 1)"Pasek & PaulMonali Thakur1:17
5."Friend Like Me"AshmanMantra2:35
6."Prince Ali"AshmanMantra3:29
7."A Whole New World"RiceArmaan Malik, Monali Thakur2:55
8."One Jump Ahead (Reprise 2)"RiceArmaan Malik1:06
9."Speechless (Part 2)"Pasek & PaulMonali Thakur2:24
10."A Whole New World (End Title)"RiceZayn and Zhavia Ward4:02
11."Friend Like Me (End Title)"AshmanMantra featuring DJ Khaled2:39
12."Speechless (Full)"Pasek & PaulMonali Thakur3:28
13."The Big Ship"  1:17
14."Agrabah Marketplace"  1:53
15."Aladdin's Hideout"  1:55
16."Jasmine Meets Prince Anders"  0:34
17."Breaking In"  1:46
18."Returning the Bracelet"  0:58
19."The Dunes"  0:36
20."Simple Oil Lamp"  0:52
21."The Cave of Wonders"  2:43
22."The Basics"  1:38
23."Escape from the Cave"  1:09
24."Prince Ali's Outfit"  2:18
25."Until Tomorrow"  2:03
26."Aladdin's Second Wish"  2:08
27."Never Called a Master Friend"  2:25
28."Harvest Dance"  2:26
29."Jafar Becomes Sultan"  0:57
30."Hakim's Loyalty Tested"  1:14
31."Most Powerful Sorcerer"  1:28
32."Carpet Chase"  1:49
33."Jafar Summons the Storm"  1:20
34."Jafar's Final Wish"  3:37
35."Genie Set Free"  5:36
36."The Wedding"  1:11
37."Friend Like Me (Finale)"AshmanAlan Menken featuring Will Smith1:31
Total length:1:16:27

Charts edit

Certifications edit

Region Certification Certified units/sales
Singapore (RIAS)[49] Gold 5,000*
United Kingdom (BPI)[50] Gold 100,000
United States (RIAA)[51] Gold 500,000

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "Walt Disney Records to Release Soundtrack Album for Live-Action 'Aladdin' - Film Music Reporter". Filmmusicreporter.com.
  2. ^ "Zayn's 'A Whole New World' from new 'Aladdin' soundtrack released".
  3. ^ a b c d "Watch Zayn, Zhavia Ward cover classic 'Aladdin' track 'A Whole New World'". EW.com.
  4. ^ Carlin, Shannon (9 May 2019). "Zayn's Take On "A Whole New World" Has Fans Declaring Him The Only Real Aladdin". Bustle.
  5. ^ a b Evry, Max (September 6, 2017). "Aladdin Filming Begins as the First Set Photo is Revealed". ComingSoon.net. Retrieved September 6, 2017.
  6. ^ "ZAYN's & Zhavia Ward's 'A Whole New World' Cover from 'Aladdin' Soundtrack Released - Film Music Reporter". Filmmusicreporter.com. Retrieved 8 June 2019.
  7. ^ Diamond, Robert (July 17, 2017). "VIDEO: Pasek & Paul to Team with Menken on Live-Action 'Aladdin'; Miranda Confirmed for 'Little Mermaid'". Broadway World. Retrieved March 31, 2019.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h "Aladdin Press Kit" (PDF). May 8, 2019. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 8, 2019. Retrieved May 10, 2019.
  9. ^ a b c d Chase, Stephanie (August 15, 2018). "Disney's live-action 'Aladdin' songwriters reveal new songs and soundtrack details". Digital Spy. Retrieved December 1, 2018.
  10. ^ "Aladdin (2019) - "Prince Ali" Clip". YouTube. 14 May 2019. Retrieved 8 June 2019.
  11. ^ a b George, Rachel (March 6, 2018). "New 'Aladdin' Movie Will Feature Songs from 'Greatest Showman' Songwriting Duo Pasek & Paul". Billboard. Retrieved March 31, 2019.
  12. ^ "Naomi Scott - Speechless (Full) (From "Aladdin"/Official Video)". YouTube. 23 May 2019. Retrieved 8 June 2019.
  13. ^ Mistroff, Michael (March 16, 2019). "Here's The First Snippet Of Naomi Scott's New Song From 'Aladdin'". Heroic Hollywood. Retrieved March 31, 2019.
  14. ^ Truitt, Brian (January 4, 2019). "Naomi Scott details Princess Jasmine's new 'Aladdin' song: 'It's a punch in the face'". USA Today. Retrieved March 31, 2019.
  15. ^ S, Ian; well (18 May 2019). "Aladdin star confirms new duet was cut from the remake". Digital Spy. Retrieved 8 June 2019.
  16. ^ Carolyn Giardina (28 May 2019). "'Aladdin' Composer Alan Menken on Updating Music and Adding Power Ballad "Speechless"". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 20 August 2019.
  17. ^ "Mena Massoud, Naomi Scott - Desert Moon (Audio Only)". YouTube. 20 August 2019. Retrieved 20 August 2019.
  18. ^ "Mena Massoud, Naomi Scott - Desert Moon (From "Aladdin")". YouTube. 2 September 2019. Retrieved 2 September 2019.
  19. ^ "Aladdin Friend Like Me: We Saw the New Live Action Version". io9.gizmodo.com. 4 April 2019. Retrieved 8 June 2019.
  20. ^ "Disney's Aladdin: DJ Khaled to Join Will Smith for "Friend Like Me"". Movies. Retrieved 8 June 2019.
  21. ^ "Mena Massoud, Naomi Scott - A Whole New World (From "Aladdin")". YouTube. 7 June 2019. Retrieved 8 June 2019.
  22. ^ "Aladdín, de Disney - Último tráiler oficial (Subtitulado)". YouTube. 12 March 2019. Retrieved 8 June 2019.
  23. ^ "Zayn and Becky G Give 'Aladdin' Theme Latin Makeover on 'Un Mundo Ideal': Listen". Billboard. May 17, 2019. Retrieved May 17, 2019.
  24. ^ "ZAYN, Becky G - Un mundo ideal (Versión Créditos) (De "Aladdín"/Official Video)". YouTube. 31 May 2019. Retrieved 8 June 2019.
  25. ^ Sinha-Roy, Piya (March 12, 2019). "Guy Ritchie on keeping the DNA of original Aladdin songs in new live-action film". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved May 1, 2019.
  26. ^ "ZAYN, Zhavia Ward - A Whole New World (End Title) (From "Aladdin")date=9 May 2019". YouTube. Retrieved 8 June 2019.
  27. ^ "'Aladdin' Soundtrack Details - Film Music Reporter". Filmmusicreproter.com. Retrieved 8 June 2019.
  28. ^ "Australiancharts.com – Soundtrack / Alan Menken – Aladdin %5B2019%5D". Hung Medien. Retrieved June 1, 2019.
  29. ^ "Austriancharts.at – Soundtrack / Alan Menken – Aladdin %5B2019%5D" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved June 5, 2019.
  30. ^ "Ultratop.be – Soundtrack / Alan Menken – Aladdin %5B2019%5D" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved May 31, 2019.
  31. ^ "Ultratop.be – Soundtrack / Alan Menken – Aladdin %5B2019%5D" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved May 31, 2019.
  32. ^ "Soundtrack Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved June 27, 2019.
  33. ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Soundtrack / Alan Menken – Aladdin %5B2019%5D" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved May 31, 2019.
  34. ^ "Le Top de la semaine : Top Albums Fusionnes – SNEP (Week 23, 2019)" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved June 11, 2019.[permanent dead link]
  35. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Soundtrack / Alan Menken – Aladdin [2019"] (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved May 31, 2019.
  36. ^ "Oricon Top 50 Albums: 2019-06-24" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved June 19, 2019.
  37. ^ "NZ Top 40 Albums Chart". Recorded Music NZ. June 10, 2019. Retrieved June 7, 2019.
  38. ^ "Gaon Album Chart – Week 22, 2019". Gaon Chart (in Korean). Retrieved June 6, 2019.
  39. ^ "Top 100 Albums: Semana 22". Productores de Música de España. Retrieved June 4, 2019.
  40. ^ "Swisscharts.com – Soundtrack / Alan Menken – Aladdin %5B2019%5D". Hung Medien. Retrieved June 5, 2019.
  41. ^ "Official Compilations Chart Top 100". The Official Charts Company. Retrieved 10 June 2019.
  42. ^ Caulfield, Keith (June 2, 2019). "Billie Eilish Returns to No. 1 on Billboard 200 Albums Chart". Billboard. Retrieved June 3, 2019.
  43. ^ "Soundtrack Chart History (Soundtrack Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved June 10, 2019.
  44. ^ "ARIA End of Year Albums Chart 2019". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved January 10, 2020.
  45. ^ "Jaaroverzichten 2019". Ultratop. Retrieved December 20, 2019.
  46. ^ "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2019". Billboard. Retrieved November 26, 2020.
  47. ^ "Soundtracks – Year-End 2019". Billboard. Retrieved July 3, 2020.
  48. ^ "Soundtracks – Year-End 2020". Billboard. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  49. ^ "Singapore album certifications – Various Artists – Aladdin OST 2019". Recording Industry Association Singapore. Retrieved November 25, 2021.
  50. ^ "British album certifications – Original Soundtrack – Aladdin". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
  51. ^ "American album certifications – Alan Menken, Aladdin - Cast, Disney – Aladdin". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved January 11, 2023.