| Dumbo (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) | ||||
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| Film score by | ||||
| Released | March 29, 2019 | |||
| Recorded | 2017–2019 | |||
| Studio | AIR, London | |||
| Genre | Film score | |||
| Length | 60:56 | |||
| Label | Walt Disney | |||
| Danny Elfman chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Dumbo (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) | ||||
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Dumbo (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) is the soundtrack to the 2019 filmDumbo directed byTim Burton, which is alive-action adaptation andreimagining ofWalt Disney's1941 film of the same name. The film's soundtrack featured musical score composed byDanny Elfman and songs from the original film. The album was released through Walt Disney Records digitally on March 29, 2019 and physically on April 26.
Burton's norm composerDanny Elfman assigned to score music forDumbo.[1][2] Despite his norm practice of writing the score during production and post-production, Elfman wrote a musical piece even before the production began and did not read the script. Instead, he thought of an idea of a baby elephant and his mother being separated, with the theme being "something innocent and sweet and sad", he wrote the particular piece with 20 minutes and made a demo of it. During post-production, Burton found his demo music and eventually discovered that the piece suited the film resulting in the cue being unchanged and served as the main theme. He deciphered it as a combination of bittersweet music being frivolous and light as well as more triumphant and grandeur.[1] For the film, Elfman had recorded source music—a process he was doing for the first time—for the circus and its clowns. Despite focusing on a dramatic music, Elfman's liking to circus and carnivals felt that it added color and flavor to the score.[3] The score pays homage toFrank Churchill andOliver Wallace's music from the original film.[4]
The original film's song "Baby Mine" had two versions—the first being performed in the film bySharon Rooney, who played Miss Atlantis,[5] and the end-credits version performed byArcade Fire.[6][7] Norwegian singerAurora also covered the song for the film's trailer, though it was not featured in the actual film.[8][5] Instrumental versions of the songs "Casey Junior", "When I See an Elephant Fly", and "Pink Elephants on Parade" from the originalDumbo are also included in the 2019 film.[5]
The soundtrack was preceded with Arcade Fire's version of "Baby Mine" as a single on March 11, 2019.[9][10][11] The album was unveiled digitally on March 29, 2019, alongside the film, and followed by a physical release on April 26, 2019.[12]
Anton Smit ofSoundtrack World described the music as "a true gem".[13]Zanobard Reviews assigned 8/10 to the album, summarising "Dumbo is a welcome return to classic Burton-esque Danny Elfman, complete with a memorable main theme, some truly incredible individual compositions and spectacular orchestration all-round."[14] Writing forMFiles, Jim Paterson summarised "While the score isn't a full-on classic Elfmanfest, it is thoroughly well crafted with many moments to enjoy."[15] Christy Lemire ofRogerEbert.com attributed that the film's music is "frequently reminiscent of Elfman's haunting score forEdward Scissorhands".[16] Scott Mendelson ofForbes called it as "relatively unshowy".[17]
All music is composed byDanny Elfman, except where noted.
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Artist | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Logos / Intro" | 0:59 | ||
| 2. | "Train's a Comin'" (quotes "Casey Junior", written byFrank Churchill andNed Washington) | 2:05 | ||
| 3. | "The Homecoming" | 2:40 | ||
| 4. | "Meet the Family" | 2:29 | ||
| 5. | "Stampede!" | 3:35 | ||
| 6. | "Baby Mine" | Frank Churchill andNed Washington | Sharon Rooney | 1:44 |
| 7. | "Dumbo's Theme" | 2:31 | ||
| 8. | "Clowns 1" | 1:01 | ||
| 9. | "Vandevere's Arrival" | 1:25 | ||
| 10. | "Dumbo Soars" | 1:25 | ||
| 11. | "Happy Days" | 1:00 | ||
| 12. | "Goodbye Mrs. Jumbo" | 1:40 | ||
| 13. | "Photographs / First Flight" | 2:25 | ||
| 14. | "Colosseum" | 0:21 | ||
| 15. | "Pink Elephants on Parade (2019)" | Oliver Wallace and Washington | 1:48 | |
| 16. | "Colette's Theme" | 1:06 | ||
| 17. | "First Rehearsal" | 2:55 | ||
| 18. | "Clowns 2" | 0:39 | ||
| 19. | "Nightmare Island" | 3:46 | ||
| 20. | "Dumbo in Hell" | 1:10 | ||
| 21. | "Holt in Action" | 0:52 | ||
| 22. | "Searching for Milly" | 2:29 | ||
| 23. | "The Breakout" | 3:08 | ||
| 24. | "Rescuing the Farriers" | 1:40 | ||
| 25. | "The Final Confrontation" | 4:58 | ||
| 26. | "Medici Circus / Miracles Can Happen" | 4:21 | ||
| 27. | "Baby Mine" | Churchill and Washington | Arcade Fire | 2:57 |
| 28. | "Soaring Suite" | 2:41 | ||
| 29. | "Carnival Music" | 1:06 | ||
| Total length: | 60:56 | |||
Credits adapted from production notes.[5]
| Chart (2019) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK Soundtrack Albums (OCC)[18] | 12 |
| Ceremony | Category | Recipient(s) | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| International Film Music Critics Association | Best Original Score for an Action/Adventure/Thriller Film | Danny Elfman | Nominated | [19] [20] |
| Saturn Awards | Best Music | Nominated | [21] |
