Settling the Score

Toy Story was original in concept in more than just its stunning computer animation when in entered theaters in 1995. The musical score also set it apart. Why? Toy Story was unique perhaps not in the genre of music but in the way it was presented. Unlike the previous Disney movies which were shown in a musical orientation style, Toy Story didn’t have its characters sing out how they were feeling. Movies that had preceded Toy Story such as Aladdin and the Lion King were both award winning with many memorable songs, but Lassester from the beginning didn’t want the first full length animated film to be a musical. He would go on to choose, Randy Newman, to score the film. This was Newman’s first animated film but Lasseter stood by his decision, claiming: “His songs are touching, witty, and satirical, and he would deliver the emotional underpinning for every scene.”

When most people think of Toy Story, the song, “You’re Got a Friend in Me” immediately comes to mind. The lyrics are simple, yet touch the heart at the core of its message of love and friendship. Newman developed the signature song in the matter of one day. His other memorable songs for the first film include:  ”Strange Things and I Will Go Sailing No More” where he provided vocals for each song.  The rest of the score was composed and conducted by an orchestra directed by Lassester.  From the very first note where we’re introduced to Woody, until the moment we witness the awe of Buzz flying on the wings of faith the score sticks in the hearts and minds of the past generation of audience goers. It’s sure to have the same impact with future generations to come as well.

Four years later when Toy Story 2 roared into theaters, Newman was once again the composer of the film. Unlike the first Toy Story, musical talents were spread out to a few guests vocalists. The most memorable being that of Sarah McLachlan and her song, “When She Loved Me”. Her song is sung during Jessie’s flashback of being loved, forgotten, and eventually abandoned by her owner, Emily. The heart of the movie is truly felt throughout this song. It was nominated at the Oscars in 2000 for Best Song but eventually lost to Phil Collins, “You’ll Be in My Heart” of the movie Tarzan. “Woody’s Roundup” was performed by the Riders in the Sky and provided a old western cowboy theme to the movie. Finally, Toy Story 2 closes to a montage to the song “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” performed by Wheezy, and sung by Robert Goulet.  The rest of the musical score followed a similar style of its processor echoing the same sounds with a few twists along the way. “Ride Like the Wind” carries the same upbeat, soaring triumphal sound of “Infinity and Beyond” All in all, audiences once again well received the film and came to love Newman’s score.

A full 11 years later when Toy Story 3 was set to be released and reintroduce the Toy Story characters, Lassester didn’t hesitate to rely on what got him to the top before–Randy Newman. During that time period, Lassester composed the score for many of the Pixar films besides Toy Story including A Bug’s Life, Monsters, Inc., and Cars. Unlike the first two films, Toy Story 3 carried a much different and more distinct sound.  There was quite a vast amount of styles of music ranging from fast paced heart-pounding, to rocking electric guitars, classical, salsa, classical, and everywhere in-between. “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” once again was played at the beginning of the film, this time in a flashback sequence of Andy’s childhood with Woody and the gang. It appropriately concludes the trilogy with a Spanish rendition of the song performed by The Gipsy Kings. Standout songs include Newman’s voiced, “We Belong Together”, the fast paced opening song, “Cowboy!”, the climatic, gut-wrenching percussion from the song, “The Claw”, and the tear-enducing goodbye to Woody and the gang in “So Long”.   

What’s your favorite song in the Toy Story trilogy? If you’re like most, you have a soft spot for “You’ve Got a Friend in Me”. Perhaps the songs that most sticks out is the soaring notes from “Infinity and Beyond”  or “Ride Like the Wind”.  Or you may have the most memories when you hear the soft undertones of “When She Loved Me” and “So Long”.  Whatever the case may be the music of Toy Story will never leave us throughout the rest of our days and into infinity and beyond!  

Sources:

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toy_Story_3

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toy_Story_2

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toy_Story

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