The Addams Family (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) is the score album to the 2019 film of the same name directed by Conrad Vernon and Greg Tiernan based on the characters created by Charles Addams. The film's original music is composed by Mychael Danna and Jeff Danna, released by Lakeshore Records on October 11, 2019 alongside the film. The film also featured two songs: "My Family" recorded by Migos, Karol G, Snoop Dogg, and Rock Mafia, and "Haunted Heart" by Christina Aguilera released as singles on September 13 and 27, but not in the film's soundtrack. On January 24, 2020, the soundtrack was published in double vinyl by Enjoy The Ride Records and Mondo.
Background While scoring for the film, the Danna brothers imbibed the gypsy music, from France, Spain and Eastern Europe and blended them together. The gypsy music was used to interpret the Addams' "European roots" to access the history and dark humour of the family when they migrate to America. The combination of gyspy instrumentation and orchestral music, gave them "a tremendously colorful and lively pallette". Some of the instrumentation includes using Wurlitzer pipe, gothic organ and musical saw, that gives a "whimsical and gothic sounding". The duo also included Vic Mizzy's titular theme song from the 1964 television series into few bits in the film's score.
The titular track "Welcome to the Addams Family" was released as a single on October 4, 2019, along with the soundtrack's pre-order. Another single titled "Give My Creatures Life!" was released as a single on October 10, while the following day, the album was released in conjunction with the film.
In addition to the original score, the film also featured two songs. Migos, Karol G, Snoop Dogg, and Rock Mafia recorded the song "My Family" which was released as a single on September 13, 2019 by MGM Records. Christina Aguilera recorded the song "Haunted Heart" that was released as a September 27, 2019 by RCA Records. These two songs were however not featured in the soundtrack.
Track listing
Reception Filmtracks.com wrote "The gypsy and folk instrumentation is mildly obnoxious, and although the album does include the Mizzy song adaptation heard over the end credits, it is missing other notable songs heard on screen. It's a solid souvenir from this film, but seek out Shaiman's music from the live-action entries for a better concept listening experience."
Accolades Mychael and Jeff won the BMI Film & TV Awards in 2020, and also won two SOCAN Awards for Achievement in Feature Film Music and International Film Music Award in 2022. The track "Haunted Heart" received a nomination for the Best Original Song in an Animated Film at the 2019 Hollywood Music in Media Awards lost to "Beautiful Life" from Abominable (2019).
Release history +Release dates and formats for The Addams Family (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)RegionDateFormat(s)LabelVariousOctober 11, 2019LakeshoreJanuary 24, 2020Vinyl
Personnel Credits adapted from CD liner notes.
Music – Mychael Danna, Jeff Danna Additional music – Jessica Weiss, Nicholas Skalba Mixing – John Whynot Mastering – Justin Fleuriel, Stephen Marsh Score editor – Erich Stratmann Technician – Jamie Olivera Score coordinator – Shirley Song Music preparation – JoAnne Kane Music Service Scoring crew – Richard Wheeler Jr., Ryan Robinson Executive producer – Brian McNelis, Darren Blumenthal, Tara Finegan Art direction – John Bergin A&R – Eric Craig Instruments Accordion – Nick Ariondo Bass – Drew Dembowski, Ian Walker, Mike Valerio, Ed Meares Bassoon – Anthony Parnther, Rose Corrigan Cello – Cecilia Tsan, Charlie Tyler, Eric Byers, Jacob Braun, Mike Kaufman, Tim Loo, Vanessa Freebairn-Smith, Steve Erdody Clarinet – Don Foster, Stuart Clark Drums – Russ Miller Flute – Johanna Borenstein, Heather Clark French horn – Dan Kelley, Jenny Kim, Katie Faraudo, Mark Adams, Teag Reaves, Dylan Hart Harp – Katie Kirkpatrick Oboe – Lara Wickes, Leslie Reed Organ – Aaron Shows Recording assistance – Dimitri Smith, Harry Risoleo, Kyle Rodriguez Percussion – Bob Zimmitti, Brian Kilgore, Pete Korpela Piano – Mychael Danna Santoor – Hamid Saeidi Saw – Janeen Rae Heller Saxophones, woodwinds – George Shelby, Brian Scanlon, Dan Higgins, Greg Huckins, Jay Mason, Mike Nelson Tambura, bandurria, cuatro, tipple, cittern, ukulele, bouzouki, guitar – Jeff Danna Timpani – Wade Culbreath Trombone – Bill Reichenbach, Steve Holtman, Alex Iles Trumpet – Barry Perkins, Dan Fornero, Dusty McKinney, Rob Schaer, Jon Lewis, Wayne Bergeron Tuba – Doug Tornquist Viola – Alma Fernandez, Luke Maurer, Rob Brophy, Shawn Mann Violin – Alyssa Park, Andrew Bulbrook, Ben Jacobson, Charlie Bisharat, Jackie Brand, Jessica Guideri, Josefina Vergara, Lucia Micarelli, Marisa Kuney, Mark Robertson, Natalie Leggett, Neel Hammond, Sara Parkins, Shalini Vijayan, Songa Lee, Tammy Hatwan, Roger Wilkie Woodwind – Sandro Friedrich Orchestra Assistant orchestration – Brooks Ball Orchestration, conductor – Nicholas Dodd Contractor – Gina Zimmitti Assistant contractor – Whitney Martin Administrative coordinator – Don Smith, Erica Pope Concertmaster – Bruce Dukov Soloists and vocals Bass – Dave Stone Fiddle – Fabrice Martinez Percussion – Quinn Violin – Mark Robertson Soprano vocals – Holly Sedillos
References