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Oliver & Company (soundtrack)

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Oliver & Company (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
1988 LP album cover
Soundtrack album by
various artists
ReleasedNovember 11, 1988 (1988-11-11)
Genre
Length35:40
LabelWalt Disney
Producer
Walt Disney Animation Studios soundtrack chronology
The Adventures of the Great Mouse Detective (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
(1986) 		Oliver & Company (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
(1988) 		The Little Mermaid (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
(1989)

Oliver & Company (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) is the soundtrack to the 1988 Disney animated film Oliver & Company. It featured songs performed by Huey Lewis, Billy Joel, Ruth Pointer, Bette Midler, and Rubén Blades, as well as several scores composed by J. A. C. Redford.

After an attempt to create music for the film, each of the songs were written as an extension of a character. The soundtrack of Oliver & Company had multiple producers, and the songs were submitted in different styles and tempos. Jeffrey Katzenberg, former chairman of Walt Disney Studios, wanted to hire singer-songwriters to perform a song for the film. Billy Joel, who voiced Dodger, performed "Why Should I Worry?", and Bette Midler, who voiced Georgette, performed "Perfect Isn't Easy".

The Japanese version uses "Oliver" by Chami Satonaka.[1][2][3][4]

The soundtrack was first released on November 11, 1988 by Walt Disney Records. It was the first soundtrack album release under the Walt Disney Records label. Although "Why Should I Worry?" received radio airplay in Philadelphia, no songs were released as singles. In comparison to the mixed critical reviews for the film, the soundtrack received acclaim from film critics. "Why Should I Worry?" was nominated for Best Original Song at the Golden Globe Awards.[citation needed] The soundtrack was re-released on February 29, 1996.

Background

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In late 1984 or 1985,[a] Michael Eisner and Jeffrey Katzenberg invited twenty film executives to pitch potential ideas for upcoming animated features, infamously called the "Gong Show".[9][8] After Ron Clements had pitched The Little Mermaid (1989) and Treasure Planet (2002) to Eisner and Katzenberg,[8] story artist Pete Young suggested, "Oliver Twist with dogs."[8] The next day,[10] Katzenberg, who had previously developed a live-action adaptation of the musical Oliver! at Paramount,[11][12] approved the pitch for possible development, along with The Little Mermaid.[10][13]

Early in production, there was an attempt to involve the music with the film.[14] Director George Scribner wrote a "mental note" to not treat Oliver as a musical where the story would "abruptly stop" and "go into a song."[14] Each song of the film was instead written as an extension of a character.[14]

Production

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The soundtrack of Oliver & Company had multiple producers, with each song written with a different composer and producer, and a different arrangement date.[14] Various songwriters submitted songs in a range of musical styles, but many of them did not fit with the film's premise.[15] Dodger's song "Why Should I Worry?" was the first song written for the film.[14] It was originally written as dialogue, but Scribner suggested the songwriters, "Forget where we're going to take this music, or the fact that it will be on an album. I don't care if it's released as a single or not. Write for the picture, write for character."[14] Billy Joel was initially approached to write a song,[16][17] but he decided he would "rather act in the movie."[17] Joel agreed to sing the song despite the song not written by himself.[18] It was the first song sung by Joel that he did not write.[16] A gospel and blues musical number was intended to open the film, but it was considered "too dark".[19] At his suggestion of his friend David Geffen, Katzenberg brought in lyricist Howard Ashman, who composed the song "Once Upon a Time in New York City".[20] Tina Turner was also intended to sing the opening number.[21] "It's a Jungle Out There",[22] written by Herbie Hancock, had Jenny playing with Oliver while playing a record with a "jungle rhythm", causing the setting to transition from Jenny's bedroom to an imagination taking place in a jungle.[14] The song was meant to be used in the film, but it was discarded after the story was revised.[14]

Katzenberg wanted to recruit a team of singer-songwriters to provide a song, which included Billy Joel, Barry Manilow, and Huey Lewis.[20] Disney's former senior vice president for feature animation Peter Schneider felt Katzenberg's idea was a wrong way to approach a musical.[20] According to Schneider, The Little Mermaid (1989), which was concurrently in development, was the right approach as the film needed "a unifying score and lyrics."[23] Billy Joel and Bette Midler, who voiced Dodger and Georgette respectively, also performed their characters' songs, "Why Should I Worry?" and "Perfect Isn't Easy".[24] The instrumental score tracks were composed by J. A. C. Redford, under the supervision of Carole Childs.[25] Redford was hired to compose the score because of his previous collaboration with Disney music executive Chris Montan on the television series St. Elsewhere.[25]

Release

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The soundtrack was first released on November 11, 1988 by Walt Disney Records.[26] It was the first soundtrack album release under the Walt Disney Records label.[27] No songs were released as singles due to contractual agreements.[28] However, "Why Should I Worry?" did receive radio airplay in Philadelphia.[28] The soundtrack was re-released on February 29, 1996.[29]

Critical reception

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The soundtrack received acclaim from film critics, particularly "Why Should I Worry?" and "Perfect Isn't Easy". Vincent Canby of The New York Times gave a positive review on the songs in his review, praising three songs, including "Why Should I Worry?" and "Perfect Isn't Easy".[30] Beth Dunlop of The Miami Herald commented that "the music has a wonderful range from sweetness to syncopation."[31] Bob Ross of The Tampa Tribune praised the soundtrack as "sappy".[32] Dave Jewett of The Columbian commented that "Why Should I Worry?" "sounds like like it could be Joel's next hit."[33] Lin Connery of Calgary Herald praised "Why Should I Worry?" and "Perfect Isn't Easy", the latter being stated that Midler "almost steals the show with her petulant performance."[34] Joe Baltake of The Sacramento Bee stated that "the few songs [there] are delightfully urbane in a childlike way."[35] Glenn Lovell of Knight-Ridder picked "Why Should I Worry?" and "Perfect Isn't Easy" as the most memorable songs in the film.[36] Malcolm L. Johnson of Hartford Courant described "Once Upon a Time in New York City" and "Why Should I Worry?" as "boffo opening numbers" and "Perfect Isn't Easy" as a "show-stopper".[37]

Jeff Strickler of Star Tribune commented that "Why Should I Worry?" is the "snappiest song", with the other songs that stood out being "Streets of Gold" and "Perfect Isn't Easy".[38] Ben Yagoda of Philadelphia Daily News stated that a few of them are "so catchy that [he was] still humming them a week after seeing the film."[39] Linda Cook of Quad-City Times had an enthusiastic response about the music, praising the songs as "great, particularly 'Why Should I Worry?'." Cook also commented: "Other offerings from Bette Midler, Huey Lewis, and Ruth Pointer could a provide a best-selling soundtrack."[40] Bruce R. Miller of The Sioux City Journal said that the "Top 40 score", along with the choreography, "both work beautifully". Miller described "Once Upon a Time in New York City" as "Oscar-worthy" and stated that "by the time Billy Joel checks in with 'Why Should I Worry?', the film is rocking."[41] Jack Daugherty of Record-Journal positively reviewed the soundtrack as "one of the most contagious musical scores of any of Disney movie in recent memory."[42] During the film's theatrical re-release in 1996, Barry Walter of The San Francisco Examiner praised "Perfect Isn't Easy", saying that it "suggests the wit and panache of gay sensibility that Disney would embrace with great success in The Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast."[43]

Track listing

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All of the scores listed were composed by J. A. C. Redford.

Side one
No.TitleWriter(s)Recording artist(s)Length
1."Once Upon a Time in New York City" ([A])
Huey Lewis3:55
2."Why Should I Worry?" ([B])
Billy Joel3:32
3."Sykes" (Score)  2:17
4."Bedtime Story" (Score)  4:39
5."Streets of Gold" ([C])
Ruth Pointer3:36
Total length:17:59
Side two
No.TitleWriter(s)Recording artist(s)Length
1."Perfect Isn't Easy" ([D])
Bette Midler2:58
2."Good Company" ([E])
Myhanh Tran2:30
3."The Rescue" (Score)  3:24
4."Pursuit Through the Subway" (Score)  3:45
5."Buscando Guayaba"Rubén BladesBlades3:48
6."End Title" (Score)  1:16
Total length:17:41

Notes

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Notes

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  1. ^ Although George Scribner has stated that the "Gong Show" happened in late 1984,[5] several sources stated that it happened in 1985.[6][7][8] It is unknown which time-frame is more accurate.

References

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  1. ^ "『里中茶美「オリバー」』". High-DA！のブログ (in Japanese). Retrieved 2025-04-17.
  2. ^ "GOOD COMPANY — 里中茶美". Last.fm (in Spanish). Retrieved 2025-04-17.
  3. ^ "GOOD COMPANY — 里中茶美". Last.fm (in German). Retrieved 2025-04-17.
  4. ^ 里中茶美 - オリバー (in Japanese), 1990-07-21, retrieved 2025-04-17
  5. ^ McCracken 1989, p. 20.
  6. ^ Everett, Clayton (June 6, 2002). "Treasure Island as it has never been seen before". The Scene Magazine. Archived from the original on March 30, 2009. Retrieved May 8, 2011.
  7. ^ Ron Clements, Roy Conli, Dan Cooper, Roy E. Disney, Ian Gooding, Glen Keane, John Musker, John Ripa (2003). Treasure Planet DVD Bonus Materials: Visual Commentary (DVD). Walt Disney Home Entertainment.
  8. ^ a b c d Stewart 2005, p. 71.
  9. ^ Thomas, Bob (December 5, 1988). "Animation still draws the crowds: [Final Edition]". Ottawa Citizen. Ottawa, Ontario. ISSN 0839-3222. ProQuest 239277730. Retrieved February 2, 2025.
  10. ^ a b John Musker, Ron Clements, Alan Menken (2006). The Little Mermaid: Platinum Edition — Audio Commentary (DVD). Walt Disney Home Entertainment.
  11. ^ Culhane, John (November 13, 1988). "'Oliver & Company' Gives Dickens A Disney Twist urban scene from an appropriate rooftop". The New York Times. Archived from the original on May 25, 2015. Retrieved July 10, 2015.
  12. ^ Stewart 2005, p. 72.
  13. ^ Stewart 2005, pp. 71–72.
  14. ^ a b c d e f g h McCracken 1989, p. 23.
  15. ^ Koenig 1997, p. 192.
  16. ^ a b Willistein, Paul (November 19, 1988). "A New York State Of Voice In Animated Film Billy Joel Speaks For Dodger The Dog". The Morning Call. Retrieved July 10, 2015.
  17. ^ a b Gelmis, Joseph (April 20, 1988). "Disney Going Back to the Kids: [NASSAU AND SUFFOLK Edition]". Newsday. Long Island, New York: Newsday LLC. p. 15. ProQuest 277941177. Retrieved February 2, 2025.
  18. ^ Portman, Jamie (December 10, 1988). "Oliver with a twist – it's no dog". Telegraph-Journal. p. 37. Retrieved February 11, 2025.
  19. ^ Koenig 1997, pp. 192–193.
  20. ^ a b c Stewart 2005, p. 89.
  21. ^ Fleming 2016, p. 191.
  22. ^ Koenig 1997, p. 193.
  23. ^ Stewart 2005, p. 103.
  24. ^ Willistein, Paul (December 2, 1988). "LIP SERVICE VOICES BEHIND 'OLIVER & COMPANY' HAD TO SHOW A LOT OF CHARACTER: [FIFTH Edition]". The Morning Call. Allentown, Pennsylvania: Tribune Publishing Company. ISSN 0884-5557. ProQuest 392308522. Retrieved November 27, 2024.
  25. ^ a b Noyer, Jérémie (February 2, 2009). "Once Upon A Time In New York City: Oliver & Company's Composer J.A.C. Redford!". Animated Views (Interview). Retrieved July 10, 2015.
  26. ^ Grein, Paul (November 7, 1988). "Pop Goes the Kiddie Record Market: [Home Edition]". Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles, California: Los Angeles Times Communications LLC. p. 1. ProQuest 280581278. Retrieved February 2, 2025. Some of pop's biggest selling acts-including Billy Joel, Huey Lewis and Bette Midler-will be featured on the sound track to "Oliver & Company," a new animated feature from Disney that is aimed at children. The album is due Friday on Walt Disney Records.
  27. ^ DiMartino, Dave (November 19, 1988). "'Oliver' Track Launches Disney Subsid Label". Billboard. Vol. 100, no. 47. New York. p. 84. ISSN 0006-2510. ProQuest 226988366. Retrieved November 27, 2024.{{cite magazine}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  28. ^ a b Willistein, Paul (November 19, 1988). "A New York State Of Voice In Animated Film Billy Joel Speaks For Dodger The Dog". The Morning Call. Retrieved July 10, 2015.
  29. ^ McCormick, Moira (September 21, 1996). "'Oliver': Promos, glorious promos". Billboard. Vol. 108, no. 38. New York. pp. 61–62. ISSN 0006-2510. ProQuest 227083791. Retrieved February 4, 2025.
  30. ^ Canby, Vincent (November 18, 1988). "'Oliver,' With Twists, From Disney". The New York Times. p. C8. Retrieved November 2, 2021.
  31. ^ Dunlop, Beth (November 20, 1988). "Oliver & Company: New film Disney delight for kids, parents". The Miami Herald. p. 868. Retrieved February 15, 2025.
  32. ^ Ross, Bob (November 26, 1988). "2 animated films merit holiday viewing" / "'Oliver' boasts snappy songs". The Tampa Tribune. pp. 78–79. Retrieved February 15, 2025.
  33. ^ Jewett, Dave (November 23, 1988). "Disney's 'Oliver' a twist". The Columbian. p. 34. Retrieved February 11, 2025.
  34. ^ Connery, Lin (December 16, 1988). "Oliver is perfect holiday fare". Calgary Herald. p. 74. Retrieved February 11, 2025.
  35. ^ Baltake, Joe (November 22, 1988). "'Oliver' doesn't have the Disney look". The Sacramento Bee. p. 39. Retrieved February 11, 2025.
  36. ^ Lovell, Glenn (November 24, 1988). "'Oliver & Company' shows positive step for Disney animators". The Chapel Hill Herald. p. 6. Retrieved February 11, 2025.
  37. ^ Johnson, Malcolm L. (November 19, 1988). "Disney puts new twist on 'Oliver'". Hartford Courant. p. 36. Retrieved February 15, 2025.
  38. ^ Strickler, Jeff (November 18, 1988). "Disney movie: new Twist, old delight for kids 3 and up". Star Tribune. pp. 5E – 6E. Retrieved February 15, 2025.
  39. ^ Yagoda, Ben (November 18, 1988). "Nicely Twisted". Philadelphia Daily News. p. 56. Retrieved February 15, 2025.
  40. ^ Cook, Linda (November 24, 1988). "A musical 'Oliver' is the cat's meow". Quad-City Times. p. 29. Retrieved February 15, 2025.
  41. ^ Miller, Bruce R. (November 18, 1988). "'Oliver' joins Disney's best". The Sioux City Journal. p. 24. Retrieved February 15, 2025.
  42. ^ Daugherty, Jack (November 25, 1988). "'Oliver & Company' pure Disney". Record-Journal. p. 40. Retrieved February 15, 2025.
  43. ^ Walters, Barry (March 30, 1996). "Bones to pick with dog movies, old and new". San Francisco Examiner. Retrieved July 10, 2015.

Bibliography

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Books

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News, journals, and magazines

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