Wizards of Waverly Place is the soundtrack album from the Disney Channel Original Series of the same name. The album was released as a physical CD, enhanced CD and digital on August 4, 2009, under Walt Disney Records. The album includes songs from and inspired by the television series and Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie.
Background In an interview with Disney Channel's commercial-segment, Disney 365, Selena Gomez discussed her interpretations of the songs on the soundtrack saying: "Disappear is more of a romantic song. It's basically talking about how a girl likes a guy and they [she] don't want him to disappear, and then Magical is about casting a spell on a guy and this song, Magic, ties into Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie". Although recorded for the episode of the same name, "Make It Happen" does not appear on the album.
Critical reception
In response to the soundtrack, Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic recognized Wizards for its "teen revamps of boomer classics that parents can enjoy too". He also stated that the album is "agreeable" and that Selena Gomez "inevitably stands out from the pack". However, Erlewine said: "the dang-awful version of America's "You Can Do Magic" by Drew Seeley is sunk by its hyper-claustrophobic rhythms, the biggest rearrangement of a tune here and easily the worst cut."
Singles "Magic" by Selena Gomez was released on July 21, 2009 as part of the Radio Disney iTunes Pass, serving as a promotional single for the soundtrack. "Magic" premiered on Radio Disney and a music video to Disney Channel on July 24. The song's music video has Gomez singing into a microphone with bright and flamboyant background, as well as including clips from Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie. "Magic" debuted at no. 61 in the Billboard Hot 100 with 42,000 downloads.
Billie Eilish and her record-producer brother, Finneas, acknowledged a connection between her single "Bad Guy" and Gomez's "Everything Is Not What It Seems" in a Rolling Stone interview in December 2019.
Track listing
Notes Despite the printed track listing included on the previously released compilation Disney Channel Playlist, and the performed lyrics matching to the track name, physical and digital editions of the Wizards of Waverly Place soundtrack label "Everything Is Not What It Seems" as "Everything Is Not as It Seems." The 2013 Disney Classics CD box set and digital compilation also uses the "Everything Is Not as It Seems" title. Bonus enchanted content included on the physical CD for Wizards of Waverly Place includes exclusive behind-the-scenes interviews with Gomez and also the music video for "Magic".
Charts and sales The album debuted at No. 24 on the Billboard 200, selling 18,000 units in its first week, and has sold over 106,000 copies in the U.S. Chart (2009)PeakpositionUS Billboard 20024US Top Soundtracks4US Kid Albums3Mexican Albums Top 100Mexico Albums Top 10032Norway Albums Top 40Norway Albums Top 4027UK Soundtrack Albums1
International release The soundtrack was released in the UK on October 5, 2009, although not stocked up in most of the UK, and in Mexico released on August 14, 2009.
Personnel Credits
John Adair - producer Michael Bruno (member of Honor Society) - vocals, guitar Kate Cabebe (member of KSM) - drums Katie Cecil (member of KSM) - vocals, guitar Shelby Cobra (member of KSM) - vocals Ryan Elder - Producer John Fields - Producer, engineer, mixing Steve Gerdes - art direction Matthew Gerrard - producer, mixing Selena Gomez - vocals Paul David Hager - mixing Steve Hampton - producer Daniel James - mixing Andrew Lee (member of Honor Society) - vocals, keyboard, bass Jon Lind - A&R Brian Malouf - executive producer, mixing Stephen Marcussen - mastering Meaghan Martin - vocals Dani Markman - A&R William J. McAuley III - producer, engineer Sophia Melon (member of KSM) - vocals, bass Alyson Michalka - vocals Amanda Michalka - vocals Mitchel Musso - vocals Alexander Noyes (member of Honor Society) - drums Shae Padilla (member of KSM) - guitar Jason Pennock - mixing Jason Rosen (member of Honor Society) - vocals, guitar, keyboard Steve Rushton - vocals Curt Schneider - producer Drew Seeley - vocals Raven-Symoné - vocals Anabel Sinn - design Louie Teran - mastering Kent Verderico - mixing Steve Vincent - music executive Trey Vittetoe - producer
References
External links Wizards of Waverly Place on Walt Disney Records