Madagascar (Motion Picture Soundtrack) is the soundtrack album to the 2005 animated adventure comedy film Madagascar from DreamWorks Animation, which is the first instalment in the Madagascar franchise. The soundtrack featured popular disco and new-age songs, along with few score cues from the film's original score composed by Hans Zimmer. The film's soundtrack album was released by DreamWorks Records, Geffen Records and UMG Soundtracks on May 24, 2005.
Background Originally, frequent DreamWorks collaborator Harry Gregson-Williams who had worked with the studio on Antz (1998), Chicken Run (2000), Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas (2003) and the first two Shrek films (2001–2004) was hired to compose the film score. But as Gregson-Williams was busy on the production of Kingdom of Heaven (2005), his mentor and another recurring DreamWorks collaborator Hans Zimmer, who worked on the studio's productions: The Prince of Egypt (1998), The Road to El Dorado (2000), Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron (2002) and Shark Tale (2004), was assigned as the composer. James Dooley, Heitor Pereira, James S. Levine and Ryeland Allison provided additional music. Zimmer also adapted John Barry's instrumental from "Born Free" into the score track of the same name; the Mormon Tabernacle Choir's cover of the song was used in the opening title sequence. Louis Armstrong's song "What a Wonderful World" is used in the film. The cover version of Reel 2 Real's 1993 single "I Like to Move It" by Sacha Baron Cohen, was also used in the film and since become a recurring theme song throughout the Madagascar franchise.
Release Heather Phares of AllMusic wrote "Madagascar is an unpretentious, gets-the-job-done kind of soundtrack, but that's precisely what makes it so appealing." However, Christian Clemmensen of Filmtracks called the album an "insufferable mess" and added "The film's running time indicates that there must be more score material by Zimmer and his ghostwriters than just the ten minutes here. Not even the odd selection of classic songs can save this one."
Track listing
Personnel Credits adapted from liner notes:
Music composer and producer – Hans Zimmer Additional music – Heitor Pereira, James Dooley, James S. Levine, Ryeland Allison Orchestra conductor – Gavin Greenaway, Nick Ingman Orchestra leader – Gavyn Wright Orchestra contractor – Isobel Griffiths Technical engineer – Abhay Manusmare, Mark Wherry, Tom Broderick Assistant engineer – Chris Barrett, Ian Wood, Jeffrey Biggers Recording – Geoff Foster Mixing – Alan Meyerson, Al Clay Mastering – Dave Donnelly Music editor – Melissa Muik Music coordinator – Cindi Smith, Julie Imboden Keel, Ken "Kaz" Smith Executive in charge of music – Sunny Park Art direction and design – Giant2 Instruments Cello – Jonathan Williams, Paul Kegg Clarinet – Dave Bishop, Nicholas Bucknall Double bass – Allen Walley, Steve Mair Flute – Andrew Findon French horn – Richard Bissill Percussion – Paul Clarvis Trumpet – Andy Crowley, Daniel Newell, Mike Lovatt, Pat White, Paul Archibald Viola – Bruce White, Helen Goatly, Jake Walker, Rachel Bolt Violin – Everton Nelson, Mark Berrow, Tom Pigott-Smith, Warren Zielinski
Charts Chart (2005)PeakpositionUS Billboard 20036US Soundtrack Albums (Billboard)3
Awards and nominations Award Category Recipient(s) Result Annie AwardsMusic in an Animated Feature ProductionHans Zimmer ASCAP AwardsTop Box Office Films
References