Tag: music

Before Shrek 5, it’s time to look back on the legendary Shrek 2 soundtrack

The first Shrek movie made a name for itself by having an amazing modern soundtrack paired with a “Ye Olde” fairytale backdrop, but the second movie took it to a whole new level

I will not sell this blog short: I’m extremely excited for Shrek 5.

Following the official announcement of the animated film with a release date of July 1, 2026, Shrek 5 is officially on the way from Dreamworks.

The Shrek franchise has been around since 2001 and the latest installment – until this week’s announcement- Shrek Forever After came out in 2010. It’s been 14 years since we’ve seen new Shrek content and honestly, it’s been sorely missed.

Shrek has found his rightful way into internet meme culture with multiple faces being used as reactions such as:

But Shrek Forever After isn’t a great movie and I would say that I was disappointed that that was going to be the final Shrek movie, but now, we have a redemption chance with Shrek 5.

Since all we can do is hope Shrek 5 is good, I have to take the time to reflect on how AMAZING the Shrek 2 soundtrack is.

Shrek 2 came out in 2004. Everything surrounding the film’s release was nothing short of fantastic.

The film itself, the video game, the DVD release and its bonus features, and the soundtrack.

The first Shrek movie made a name for itself by having such an amazing modern soundtrack paired with the “Ye Olde” fairytale backdrop, but the second movie took it to a whole new level.

Before discussing that, I can’t move past the brief mention of the bonus features on the DVD. Because the Shrek franchise, even at a young age, had become synonymous with an awesome musical soundtrack, the DVD for Shrek 2 included a fully animated American Idol parody titled Far, Far Away Idol.

I miss the days when DVD releases were huge. I know all of the modern day bonus materials can be released to social in some form or another, but it doesn’t feel the same anymore.

I’ll dive down that DVD nostalgia hole maybe another time, but for now, let’s talk the Shrek 2 soundtrack.

Full Playlist Linked Here

Counting Crows starts everything off with Accidentally In Love. I mean are you kidding me? This song will be on my wedding playlist one day and there’s no questioning why. What a banger.

This movie has two covers of Bonnie Tyler’s Holding Out for a Hero. The Fairy Godmother obviously dominates the climax of the movie with her cover, but the end credits of Shrek 2 carries arguably a better version. The hip hop cover from Frou Frou is an incredible addition to the film’s end.

Butterfly Boucher joins David Bowie on a new version of Changes which is just an incredible song already, but as this song plays after Shrek, Donkey, and Fiona transform into their “sexy” versions, this is a perfect pairing.

Lipps Inc.’s Funkytown is next. Come on. What a fantastically groovy song that introduces Shrek to Far, Far Away and provides a fun, upbeat backing to a funny and awkward situation in the movie.

Lipps Inc. also liked the below tweet of mine about the song. Unfortunately, likes are now private on Twitter, but trust me when I say, this was an amazing moment for me that I would never forget:

The next two songs I legitimately listen to on a consistent basis. They’re certified bangers.

I Need Some Sleep by Eels is a peaceful, yet eerily melodic tune that just reaches out to you and makes you feel awake in a tired moment. While it plays for a haunting scene for Shrek, it sits with me years later as a comforting song that I listen to when I need to think.

Next, Peter Yorn’s cover of the Buzzcocks’ Ever Fallen In Love is one of those cases where the cover is way better than the original. The modern rock twist on Yorn’s cover is the best thing that ever happened to this song and the backdrop of Shrek, Donkey, and Puss’s escape from the Fairy Godmother’s factory is a perfect pairing.

Tom Waits singing Little Drop of Poison is perfect for the villains bar scene then Joseph Arthur with You’re So True is another great song during the end credits following Frou Frou’s earlier banger.

During the self-reflection, sad part of the movie, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds hit us with People Ain’t No Good which makes you feel as down in the dumps as you can. If you need a sad song to listen to, this one has you covered.

The Shrek 2 ending is one of the most memorable endings ever. Eddie Murphy and Antonio Banderas covering Livin’ La Vida Loca is just incredible. See below:

This album has only highs, even with songs that are supposed to make you feel lows. It’s just incredible. Shrek 2 is Far, Far and away the best Shrek movie, but boy does it have one of the most iconic soundtracks ever.

As we have another 2 years before we can see what the Shrek 5 soundtrack will offer, let’s dive into another Shrek series rewatch and enjoy all of the soundtracks.

There are even more layers to why Shrek is such a cultural phenomenon. Much like onions, or parfaits, there’s too much to discuss to fit it all into a blog.

However, if you just look at the film’s simplest element of a great soundtrack backing a story about love in all forms, it’s a classic for a reason.

~DS

blink-182’s Two New Songs Ruined A Tradition I Keep (In A Good Way)

Do you remember?

blink-182 released two new singles today ahead of their October 20th album release.

One of which is ONE MORE TIME, which they’ve released a new music video for:

This song made me an emotional wreck today. The song dives into the band’s reunion from last year and how it shouldn’t take a tragedy to bring friends, loved ones, and brothers to talk to eachother.

The song talks about Tom leaving the band to go discover aliens, Mark’s cancer diagnosis and Travis surviving a plane crash but it’s all led them back here to do it one more time.

The music video puts the three in different settings of music videos, concerts, and home videos from their past. Fans of blink (and music in general) will recognize some of the sets that include homages to I Miss You, All the Small Things, What’s My Age Again?, The Rock Show, and many, many more.

This song trivializes all the bullshit that life throws at you that makes you strain yourself, your work, your relationships, your friendships, your home life, all of it. It rips your heart out and lets you know that it could be a lot worse and it shouldn’t take a tragedy happening for you to realize that you belong with the people that make you who you are.

It’s incredible and it got me choked up. Travis even has vocals in it, which is a rarity. It’s an instant classic that shapes the band’s reunion more than EDGING even did. I absolutely love it.

The other song is called MORE THAN YOU KNOW which they released a lyric video for that includes not only the lyrics, but also clips from their recent tour:

Now if ONE MORE TIME made me cry, MORE THAN YOU KNOW did the exact opposite. This was a punk rock song to its core.

It begins with a soft piano intro that makes you think it’ll be another slow, emotional song like ONE MORE TIME and then Travis’s drums kick in to remind you “Nope, this is still a punk rock band.”

The pacing and the way Tom’s singing is perfect. The drums in this song might be the best part, which isn’t hard to argue when Travis Barker is the drummer. Mark’s interludes and verses give you a sense of calm in the chaos. It’s blink to its core.

It’s very Neighborhoods (2011) and Dogs Eating Dogs (2012), which some would argue was when Tom started to lose interest in the band’s second reunion. But to me, that album and EP were how blink adapted into the modern landscape. They’re both incredible works and for the longest time until last year, they were the lasting image of the Mark, Tom, and Travis show.

This song has vibes of When I Was Young but with some of the Matt Skiba vibes that brought a different face to blink following Tom’s second exit. Tom even has a few screaming lines that he started to move away from when he caps off the chorus with “MORE THAN YOU’D KNOW!”

It was a return to a place of comfort for them while also being something new and I absolutely loved it.

Now the title of this blog mentions how blink made me break a tradition of mine. Funnily enough it’s a musical tradition.

Do you know what day it is? Do you remember?

The only song I usually listen to on repeat on the 21st Day and Night of September is September by Earth, Wind, and Fire. But I’d argue that blink is the only band that could get me to break that tradition.

Here’s a little bit of that to close out this blog:

I can’t wait for the 20th day of October for the new blink album. But we’ve got two new songs and plenty of old classics to get us by in the mean time.

I’m going to go listen to these songs at least ONE MORE TIME…

~DS

BONUS SONG: