Over the Hedge (Music from the Motion Picture) is the soundtrack album to the 2006 DreamWorks Animation film Over the Hedge directed by Tim Johnson and Karey Kirkpatrick. The album features original score composed by Rupert Gregson-Williams and three original songs composed by Ben Folds, who also covered two previous hits. The album was released through Epic Records and Sony Music Soundtrax on May 16, 2006.
Background Over the Hedge is scored by Rupert Gregson-Williams in his first DreamWorks Animation project. His elder brother Harry had composed for several DreamWorks projects including Antz (1998), Chicken Run (2000), Shrek (2001), Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas (2003) and Shrek 2 (2004) before. Ben Folds wrote three original songs along with reusing his 2001 hit single "Rockin' the Suburbs" with William Shatner and a cover version of the Clash's 1979 song "Lost in the Supermarket". Originally Rupert wanted to create it as a "sweet orchestral score" but with Folds' involvement in the soundscape, he went ahead with a "more rock 'n' roll" sound adding, "We had never even met each other before this, but when he came in to work, there was no ego with him. He just loves music, so it was great fun working with him." The score is performed by West Australian Symphony Orchestra. It was released by Epic Records and Sony Music Soundtrax on May 16, 2006.
Track listing
Reception Heather Phares of AllMusic wrote "Over the Hedge is smart enough for parents and fun enough for kids; it's refreshing when a family film soundtrack like this comes along every once in a while." John Hazelton of Screen International wrote "Three songs from jazz-rockartist Ben Folds punctuate the action, but none is particularly memorable andtheir inclusion (backing plot-turn montages) feels somewhat forced."
James Southall of Movie Wave wrote "it's the typical Media Ventures sound for a Dreamworks animation and could have been (and, perhaps unfairly, I can't help but think that it was) written by any or indeed all of Hans Zimmer's entourage. Still, it fulfils its purpose and provides a pleasant diversion for half an hour." Christian Clemmensen of Filmtracks wrote "there's simply too much distance between the score and songs for the 49-minute soundtrack album for Over the Hedge to function, especially with the two halves intermingled throughout. Score collectors specifically will hear material with no unique characteristics, making the whole basically adequate but forgettable."
Legacy Ben Folds considered "Still" as his career's best song, although it was not largely popular or being a fan favorite. Folds said that from a technical standpoint, "there's something about it that feels good and feels real and I remember the time in my life and how it felt, and there's a lot of brilliant, simple moments that in the world we live in, are not going to be given a fair shake" though it cannot be suitable for concert experience. The song "Still" was performed by Billie Eilish on piano which she shared in a TikTok video.
Personnel Credits adapted from liner notes:
Original score – Rupert Gregson-Williams Original songs – Ben Folds Music producer – Hans Zimmer Additional music – Halli Cauthery Orchestra conductor – Alastair King, Rupert Gregson-Williams Orchestration – Alastair King, Rupert Gregson-Williams, Bradley Miles, Seanine Joyce, Simon Whiteside Leader – Gavyn Wright Contractor – Isobel Griffiths Ltd. Score technical engineer – Abhay Manusmare, Richard Robson Assistant technical engineer – Chris Barrett, Jake Jackson, Rob Houston, Rupert Coulson, Sam Okell Recording – Alan Meyerson, Nick Wollage Mixing – Alan Meyerson, Joe Costa Assistant mixing – Jeff Biggers Mastering and compilation – Chris Athens, Dave Donnelly, Ted Jensen Music editor – Slamm Andrews Musical assistance – Tony Clarke Executive producer – Sunny Park Score coordinator – Becky Bentham Music coordinator – Cindi Smith, Julie Imboden Keel, Ken "Kaz" Smith Score preparation – Dakota Music Art direction – Gabrielle Raumberger Design – Kimiyo Nishio Music clearance – Julie Butchko Music business affairs – Lenny Wohl
Charts Chart (2006)PeakpositionUS Top Soundtracks (Billboard)12
References