Wonka (soundtrack)

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Wonka (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
Soundtrack album by
Neil Hannon (songs) and Joby Talbot (score)
Released8 December 2023
Recorded2021–2023
Studio
Genre
Length56:31
LabelWaterTower Music
Producer
Joby Talbot chronology
Sing 2 (Original Motion Picture Score)
(2021) 		Wonka (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
(2023)
Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory chronology
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
(2005) 		Wonka: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
(2023)

Wonka (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) is the soundtrack to the 2023 musical fantasy film of the same name co-written and directed by Paul King, and co-written by Simon Farnaby. Based on the origin story of Willy Wonka, a character in the 1964 novel Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl, the film stars Timothée Chalamet in the lead role who leads an ensemble cast. The album features seven original songs composed by Neil Hannon and written by King and Farnaby, further accompanied by the cues from the original score composed by Joby Talbot. The songs are performed by the cast members, including Chalamet (in his singing debut). The soundtrack was released by WaterTower Music on 8 December 2023.

Background[edit]

Neil Hannon, frontman of the Divine Comedy, provided seven original songs for the film in his Hollywood debut.[1][2] The songs were composed in mid-2021 and were recorded at the Abbey Road Studios in London.[1][3] Joby Talbot scored the incidental music for the film which was recorded at the Abbey Road and Air Studios in May 2023.[4] The soundtrack also featured Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley's "Pure Imagination" and "Oompa Loompa" from Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971).[5][6]

Wonka marked Chalamet's debut as a singer on-screen, who said he felt "out of his league" recording at Abbey Road.[7][8] King's casting of Chalamet was attributed to his musical theatre performances at high school, which he found on YouTube having thousands of views, knowing that he could sing and dance really well.[9][10][11] King, who appreciated Chalamet's singing voice, called it reminiscent of Bing Crosby;[12][13] in an interview in The Hollywood Reporter, he said, "There's quite a range because it does go from a couple of bigger, showstopper-y sort of things, to moments of real, pure emotion, and he can do it all... I'm going to sound like a crazed fan."[14]

Release[edit]

Although the full track list was not revealed, in November 2023, Warner Bros. submitted the original song "A World of Your Own" performed by Chalamet, composed by Hannon and written by King and Farnaby, as a contender for the Academy Award for Best Original Song at the 96th Academy Awards.[15] On 14 November 2023, a sneak peek of Chalamet singing "Pure Imagination" from the 1971 film was released, further revealing that it would be featured in the film and the album.[16][17] The soundtrack was released by WaterTower Music on 8 December 2023, a week prior to the United States release.[5] The album is planned to be released on CD and vinyl in 2024.[18]

Reception[edit]

Ross Bonaime of Collider wrote "Music was key to bringing Willy Wonka to the screen in 1971, and while the songs here aren’t quite to the level of that original film, they are toe-tapping fun in the theater and Hannon does a solid job with the musical numbers throughout."[19] David Rooney of The Hollywood Reporter called Neil Hannon's musical numbers being "serviceable" but "there’s little of the sophisticated lyrical wit of the Northern Irish orchestral pop band's best work" with the catchiest being "A World of Your Own"; he reviewed Talbot's score as "playful" and "smoothly integrated with the songs".[20] Tim Grierson of Screen International wrote that Talbot's "wistful score cannily weaves in trace elements of" the track "Pure Imagination" from the 1971 film connecting the prequel.[21] Also opining the same, Entertainment Weekly critic Mauren Lee Lenker also addressed that the first film's "Pure Imagination" and "Oompa Loompa" are the "best musical moments from the film".[22] Julian Roman of MovieWeb wrote "Kudos to composer Joby Talbot (Sing franchise) and songwriter Neil Hannon, from Irish band The Divine Comedy, for a swinging soundtrack [...] The music wisely hearkens back to the styling of Mel Stuart's Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory. The songs aren't edgy and dark like Tim Burton's 2005 adaptation."[23]

Track listing[edit]

Wonka (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) track listing[24]
No.TitleLyricsMusicArtist(s)Length
1."Pure Imagination" (opening titles version) 
Joby Talbot1:05
2."A Hatful of Dreams"
Neil Hannon
4:27
3."Welcome to Scrubbit's" 
Talbot3:16
4."You've Never Had Chocolate Like This (Hoverchocs)"
  • Hannon
  • Farnaby
  • King
HannonChalamet1:13
5."Flying Chocolatiers" 
  • Talbot
  • Hannon
Talbot1:27
6."Scrub Scrub"
  • Hannon
  • Farnaby
  • King
HannonCast of Wonka1:50
7."Wonka's Case" 
  • Talbot
  • Hannon
Talbot3:05
8."Sweet Tooth" Hannon
2:10
9."Willy and Noodle at the Zoo" 
  • Talbot
  • Hannon
Talbot2:26
10."For a Moment" Hannon
3:22
11."The Letter 'A'" 
  • Talbot
  • Hannon
Talbot1:37
12."Clock Tower" 
  • Talbot
  • Hannon
Talbot0:49
13."You've Never Had Chocolate Like This"
  • Hannon
  • Farnaby
  • King
Hannon
  • Chalamet
  • Cast of Wonka
3:49
14."Oompa Loompa" 
  • Bricusse
  • Newley
1:05
15."A World of Your Own"
  • Hannon
  • Farnaby
  • King
Hannon
  • Chalamet
  • Cast of Wonka
3:42
16."Sorry, Noodle" HannonChalamet1:28
17."Mamma's Secret" 
  • Talbot
  • Hannon
Talbot2:42
18."Pure Imagination" (from Wonka) 
  • Bricusse
  • Newley
  • Talbot
Chalamet3:08
19."Oompa Loompa (Reprise)" 
  • Bricusse
  • Newley
Grant1:05
20."500 Monks, 1 Giraffe" 
  • Talbot
  • Hannon
Talbot4:24
21."Death by Chocolate" 
  • Talbot
  • Hannon
Talbot4:20
22."The Oompa Loompa to the Rescue" 
  • Bricusse
  • Newley
  • Talbot
Talbot1:22
23."Noodle Gives Affable the Ledger" 
  • Talbot
  • Hannon
Talbot1:28
24."Chocolate Fountain" 
  • Talbot
  • Hannon
Talbot1:11
Total length:56:31
  • "Pure Imagination" (opening titles version) contains an interpolation of "Pure Imagination" written by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley.
  • "The Oompa Loompa to the Rescue" contains an interpolation of "Oompa Loompa" written by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley.

Charts[edit]

Weekly chart performance for Wonka (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
Chart (2023–2024) Peak
position
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[25] 53
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)[26] 182
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)[27] 53
Japanese Digital Albums (Oricon)[28] 48
UK Compilation Albums (OCC)[29] 1
UK Soundtrack Albums (OCC)[30] 8
US Soundtrack Albums (Billboard)[31] 18

You've Never Had Chocolate Like This reached 78 on the UK Official Chart.[32]

Accolades[edit]

Accolades for Wonka (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
Award Date of ceremony Category Recipient(s) Result Ref.
Hollywood Music in Media Awards 15 November 2023 Original Song — Sci-Fi/Fantasy Film Neil Hannon, Simon Farnaby, and Paul King ("A World of Your Own") Nominated [33]
[34]
[35]
Neil Hannon, Simon Farnaby, and Paul King ("You've Never Had Chocolate Like This") Nominated
Best Song – Onscreen Performance (Film) Timothée Chalamet ("A World of Your Own") Nominated

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Campbell, Lee (3 December 2023). "Neil Hannon on his dream Wonka project". The Times. ISSN 0140-0460. Archived from the original on 6 December 2023. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
  2. ^ Larman, Alexander (31 January 2022). "Neil Hannon on the Troubles, his songs for Wonka, and why he 'can't stand' The Frog Princess today". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Archived from the original on 17 February 2022. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
  3. ^ Corcoran, Nina (12 October 2021). "Timothée Chalamet Talks Willy Wonka, Recording Music at Abbey Road". Consequence. Archived from the original on 13 October 2021. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
  4. ^ "Joby Talbot Scoring Paul King's 'Wonka'". Film Music Reporter. Archived from the original on 31 May 2023. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
  5. ^ a b "'Wonka' Soundtrack Album Details". Film Music Reporter. Archived from the original on 8 December 2023. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
  6. ^ "Wonka soundtrack: What songs are in new Timothée Chalamet film?". Radio Times. Archived from the original on 5 December 2023. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
  7. ^ Landwehr, Amanda (13 October 2021). "Timothée Chalamet Recording Songs For Wonka Movie". ScreenRant. Archived from the original on 17 November 2021. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
  8. ^ "The Promise of Timothée Chalamet". Time. 11 October 2021. Archived from the original on 27 October 2021. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
  9. ^ Piña, Christy (16 July 2023). "'Wonka' Director on How Many Sweets Were Eaten on Set, Creating a Massive Vat of Chocolate for Timothée Chalamet". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 17 July 2023. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
  10. ^ Zemler, Emily (11 July 2023). "'Wonka' Director Can't Wait for You to See Hugh Grant's Sassy Oompa Loompa". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 23 August 2023. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
  11. ^ Kaufman, Gil (13 July 2023). "'Wonka' Director Says Timothée Chalamet Didn't Have to Audition Because His High School Rapping Videos Sealed the Deal". Billboard. Archived from the original on 14 July 2023. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
  12. ^ Sharf, Zack (11 September 2023). "Timothée Chalamet's Singing Voice Is 'Beautiful' and 'Reminded Me of Bing Crosby,' Says 'Wonka' Director: He Has 'Quite a Range'". Variety. Archived from the original on 25 September 2023. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
  13. ^ "Show Us Timothée Chalamet Singing in 'Wonka,' You Cowards". Vanity Fair. 12 October 2023. Archived from the original on 14 November 2023. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
  14. ^ Piña, Christy (11 September 2023). "Wonka Director Praises Timothée Chalamet's Singing Voice, Says the Movie Isn't a Musical". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 14 October 2023. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
  15. ^ Davis, Clayton (11 November 2023). "Warner Bros. Plans to Submit Two Original Songs From The Color Purple, Plus One Wonka Tune Sung by Timothée Chalamet". Variety. Archived from the original on 25 November 2023. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
  16. ^ "Timothée Chalamet sings enchanting 'Pure Imagination' in new sneak-peek at Wonka movie". Classic FM. Archived from the original on 18 November 2023. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
  17. ^ Hendrickse, Kelly (20 November 2023). "Timothée Chalamet's Wonka Song Proves He Can Handle The Iconic Role". ScreenRant. Archived from the original on 21 November 2023. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
  18. ^ "Wonka (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) Now Available from WaterTower Music" (Press release). 8 December 2023.
  19. ^ Bonaime, Ross (4 December 2023). "'Wonka' Review: Timothée Chalamet Presents a World of Pure Imagination". Collider. Archived from the original on 8 December 2023. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
  20. ^ Rooney, David (4 December 2023). "'Wonka' Review: Timothée Chalamet Sings, Dances and Gets Gooey in Cloying Musical Prequel". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 6 December 2023. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
  21. ^ Grierson, Tim (4 December 2023). "'Wonka': Review". Screen. Archived from the original on 6 December 2023. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
  22. ^ Lee Lenker, Mauren (4 December 2023). "Timothée Chalamet leans into sense of pure imagination in 'Wonka' prequel". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on 5 December 2023. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
  23. ^ Roman, Julian (4 December 2023). "Wonka Review | Timothée Chalamet Dazzles in a Spectacular Origin Story". MovieWeb. Archived from the original on 5 December 2023. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
  24. ^ "Wonka (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)". WaterTower Music. Retrieved 28 December 2023.
  25. ^ "Ultratop.be – Soundtrack – Wonka" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
  26. ^ "Ultratop.be – Soundtrack – Wonka" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
  27. ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Soundtrack – Wonka" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 13 January 2024.
  28. ^ "Oricon Top 50 Digital Albums: December 25, 2023" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved 20 December 2023.
  29. ^ "Official Compilations Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 13 January 2024.
  30. ^ "Official Soundtrack Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 6 January 2024.
  31. ^ Trust, Gary (5 January 2024). "Sweet Success: A History of Willy Wonka Music on Billboard Charts". Billboard. Retrieved 7 January 2024.
  32. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100 | Official Charts". Official Charts.
  33. ^ Grein, Paul (2 November 2023). "Songs from 'Barbie' Pace 2023 Hollywood Music in Media Awards Nominations (Full List)". Billboard. Archived from the original on 7 November 2023. Retrieved 3 November 2023.
  34. ^ Brew, Caroline (2 November 2023). "Billie Eilish, Olivia Rodrigo Nominated for 2023 Hollywood Music in Media Awards". Variety. Archived from the original on 6 November 2023. Retrieved 3 November 2023.
  35. ^ Grein, Paul (16 November 2023). "Billie Eilish's 'Barbie' Song, Robbie Robertson's Scorsese Score Honored at 2023 Hollywood Music in Media Awards". Billboard. Archived from the original on 19 November 2023. Retrieved 16 November 2023.

External links[edit]

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