Paddington (soundtrack)

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Paddington (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
Soundtrack album by
Nick Urata and various artists
Released15 December 2014
Recorded2014
GenreSoundtrack
Length53:40
LabelDecca
Nick Urata chronology
Alfred and Jakobine
(2014) 		Paddington (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
(2014) 		Focus
(2015)

Paddington (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) is the soundtrack to the 2014 film Paddington directed by Paul King. Released in the United Kingdom on 15 December 2014, and in the United States on 13 January 2015, the album accompanied musical score composed by Nick Urata, with a compilation of original and pre-existing songs heard in the film.

Development

"Although [writing the Paddington score] was physically and mentally trying, it was a big positive. That adrenaline gets you out of bed every morning, very early, and it keeps you in the studio all day. It was a very driving creative force. I credit it [for] a lot of great music that’s done this way."

— Nick Urata

Nick Urata of the DeVotchKa band composed the musical score for Paddington.[1] Urata wanted to explore the diverse range of emotions through the music and the pieces he composed eventually attributed the same. He felt moved by the emotional parts despite its simplistic and silly storyline, as it dwells deep into the themes of love, loss and family.[2] Due to King's musical sensibilities, Urata found it easier to work with him as he could assist on specific compositions and re-arrange and re-record the pieces that did not suit. Much of the score featuring string orchestra and choir were recorded live in London, where the film was set in.[3] Urata, though hailing from New York City, did not find it much difficult as he was focused on curating the themes for the characters and the emotions, over the geographical nature, albeit Urata being a fan of British films. He wrote the score in London during the film's production, which helped him subconsciously immersed in the music of the city.[4]

According to Urata, the calypso band was a deliberate choice for the music due to its style, and "there's just that common theme or underlying theme in the story that London is this big welcoming international city made up of immigrants that are all looking for a home" which led him to zero on the calypso band.[4] The film's music was almost allowed to speak louder and to be cartoonish, funny and exaggerated but also highlight the underlying emotion with the film's music; he called the film score to be his funniest he had ever done.[4]

In an action sequence, Urata re-arranged the sample of the Mission: Impossible theme used in the final act.[5] Urata recalled that the producers hosted test screenings and screenings for the families and friends before the film's release, and the audience liked the specific theme and its placement. Since the producers did not get the license to use the original recording, Urata re-recorded the theme by whipping the orchestra.[4]

Urata expressed his interest on returning for the sequel. However, in September 2017, Dario Marianelli was announced as the composer for Paddington 2 instead.[6]

Release

Paddington (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) was marketed by Decca Records and released first in the United Kingdom on 15 December 2014 and in the United States on 13 January 2015.[7] The album featured musical score composed by Nick Urata and songs performed and re-recorded by D Lime and Tobago Cruise as the featured artist, while James Brown's "I Got You (I Feel Good)", Steppenwolf's "Born to Be Wild" and Lionel Richie's "Hello" were also included in the film and its soundtrack.[7]

Gwen Stefani wrote and performed the promotional song titled "Shine" featuring Pharrell Williams as the performer, songwriter and producer.[8][9][10] The song was commissioned as a CD single by the distributor The Weinstein Company and sent to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences as part of the submission process to be considered for the Academy Award for Best Original Song, despite failing to receive a nomination.[11]

Critical reception

Timothy Monger of AllMusic wrote "Mixing a cinematic English wistfulness with upbeat Latin themes, Urata has managed to create something that is both playful and, at times, disarmingly tender."[12] Oliver Lyletton of IndieWire wrote "Nick Urata's lovely score incorporating some Mark Mothersbaugh-ish harpischord—in the way that Edgar Wright might use them."[13] A review from Namibia Economist summarised that "The soundtrack provided a melodic backdrop to the feel of the film, with songs that were reflective of what the bear may have been feeling as a lonely immigrant in a fast-paced city, just trying to find a place to belong."[14]

Track listing

All music is composed by Nick Urata, except where noted

Paddington (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) track listing
No.TitlePerformerLength
1."Marmalade Harvest"Nick Urata1:43
2."Journey from Peru"Nick Urata2:22
3."London Is the Place for Me"D Lime featuring Tobago Crusoe2:39
4."I Got You (I Feel Good)"James Brown2:47
5."Arrival in London"Nick Urata1:51
6."This Will Do Nicely"Nick Urata1:22
7."Duel with Facilities"Nick Urata2:13
8."The Letter Home"Nick Urata2:57
9."Millicent's Lab"Nick Urata1:49
10."Gruber's Story"Nick Urata0:38
11."Thief Chase"Nick Urata1:49
12."Born to Be Wild"Steppenwolf3:29
13."Bear Bath"Nick Urata1:41
14."Hello"Lionel Richie4:08
15."The Explorer's Film"Nick Urata2:45
16."Millicent Invasion"Nick Urata1:53
17."Gerrard Street"D Lime featuring Tobago Crusoe2:33
18."Ringing Doorbells"Nick Urata1:57
19."Museum Chase"Nick Urata4:15
20."Blow Wind Blow"D Lime featuring Tobago Crusoe1:59
21."Escape from Millicent"Nick Urata2:29
22."Savito"D Lime featuring Tobago Crusoe2:01
23."He Is Family"Nick Urata1:20
24."Epilogue"Nick Urata1:10
Total length:53:40

Charts

Chart performance for Paddington (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
Chart (2014) Peak
position
UK Soundtrack Albums (OCC)[15] 42

References

  1. ^ "Nick Urata to Score 'Paddington'". filmmusicreporter.com. 17 September 2014. Archived from the original on 22 October 2014. Retrieved 31 October 2014.
  2. ^ Turner, Brad (3 February 2015). "DeVotchKa's Nick Urata breathes musical life into the film 'Paddington'". Colorado Public Radio. Archived from the original on 8 December 2022. Retrieved 8 July 2024.
  3. ^ Solomon, Jon (11 February 2015). "How DeVotchKa's Nick Urata Is Making His Mark on Hollywood". Westword. Archived from the original on 14 February 2015. Retrieved 8 July 2024.
  4. ^ a b c d Pape, Danny (25 March 2015). "Paddington - An interview with composer Nick Urata". Flickreel. Archived from the original on 20 December 2015. Retrieved 8 July 2024.
  5. ^ Radford, Ivan (10 June 2015). "How Hollywood soundtracks repeat the same old tune". Den of Geek. Archived from the original on 28 September 2023. Retrieved 8 July 2024.
  6. ^ "Dario Marianelli to Score 'Paddington 2'". Film Music Reporter. 11 September 2017. Archived from the original on 18 October 2017. Retrieved 8 July 2024.
  7. ^ a b "'Paddington' Soundtrack Details". Film Music Reporter. 21 November 2014. Archived from the original on 15 March 2015. Retrieved 8 July 2024.
  8. ^ Zuckerman, Esther. "Pharrell and Gwen Stefani writing and performing song for 'Paddington'". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on 20 March 2016.
  9. ^ Doyle, Patrick (4 December 2014). "How Gwen Stefani Discovered Emojis and Jump-Started Her Career". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 5 November 2015. Retrieved 11 September 2017.
  10. ^ Nguyen, Dean Van. "Gwen Stefani and Pharrell collaboration 'Shine' released online". NME. Archived from the original on 20 March 2016.
  11. ^ "Shine" (Liner notes/ CD booklet). Gwen Stefani featuring Pharrell. The Weinstein Company. 2015.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  12. ^ Monger, Timothy. "Review: Paddington [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack]". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 5 March 2024. Retrieved 8 July 2024.
  13. ^ Lyttelton, Oliver (13 January 2015). "Review: 'Paddington' Starring Ben Whishaw, Nicole Kidman, Hugh Bonneville & Sally Hawkins". IndieWire. Archived from the original on 11 June 2023. Retrieved 8 July 2024.
  14. ^ "Paddington – Film Review". Namibia Economist. 6 February 2015. Archived from the original on 17 September 2021. Retrieved 8 July 2024.
  15. ^ "Official Soundtrack Albums Chart Top 50 – 21 to 27 December". Official Charts Company. 21 December 2014. Archived from the original on 4 April 2024. Retrieved 8 July 2024.
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