The following contains spoilers for Moana 2, now playing in theatersMoana 2’ssoundtrack builds on the music ofMoanaand expands the scope to a whole new set of characters. A key part ofMoana’s massive success in 2016 and beyond was thanks to the soundtrack. With artists like Lin-Manuel Miranda on writing duties, songs like “How Far I’ll Go” and “You’re Welcome” became certifiable hits. It’s a tall order to match forMoana 2’s songwriters Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear, who do solid work with a number of new tracks.
Some ofMoana 2’s new charactersget great little musical showcases, like Awhimai Fraser’s incredibly fun villain song. Other tracks are more direct connections to the Polynesian culture and history that helped inspire and flesh out the world ofMoana. It’s a solid number of additions to the Disney canon of songs. Here are all themajor songs inMoana 2, when they happen in the film, and where fans can find them online.
“We’re Back”
Moana 2Has 9 Big Songs, But A Number Of Extra Minor Musical Moments
“We’re Back” by Auliʻi Cravalho, Villagers of Motunui
“We’re Back” is the first major musical moment ofMoana 2, and establishes the status quo for Moana’s next adventure. “We’re Back” is the audience’s reintroduction to Montuni, revealing how the community has changed in the three years that have passed since the events of the first film. It’s also serves as the film’s way of introducing new characters, like Moana’s sister Simea and her future crewmates Leto, Kele and Moni.
“Beyond” by Auliʻi Cravalho
“Beyond” plays early inMoana 2, shortly after the vision of her ancestor Tautai Vasa. “Beyond” serves as a spiritual successor toMoana’s “How Far I’ll Go,” with a similar tease of Moana’s adventure given a deeper meaning through a more overt recognition of her mission’s dangerous qualities. “Beyond” is also one of Auliʻi Cravalho’s big solo tracks in the soundtrack, and eventually gets a reprise later in the film.
“Finding The Way” by Olivia Foa’i, Te Vaka
“Finding The Way” is sung by the villagers of Motunui as Moana and her crew embark on their voyage. It’s a stirring song that isn’t translated to English, retaining the Polynesian roots inherent to theMoanafilms. It’s also a great showcase for Olivia Foa’i, who was a crucial member of the efforts to feature strong representation of Polynesian culture inMoanaandMoana 2.
Why Moana 2 Was Originally Going To Be A Disney+ Show & Why Disney Changed It To A Movie
The feature-length Disney animated movie sequel Moana 2 was originally developed as a Disney+ series before changing course, for a variety of reasons.
“What Could Be Better Than This?” by Auli’i Cravalho, Hualālai Chung, Rose Matafeo, David Fane
“What Could Be Better Than This?” plays while Moana is trying to inspire unity with her crewmates. Moni and Leto join in on the song as they become more to sailing. By contrast, Kele speaks his lines, highlighting his resistance to “sing alongs” and commitment to his grumpy attitude. The song’s ending sets the stage for the confrontation with the Kakamora.
“Get Lost” by Awhimai Fraser
“Get Lost” is the closest thingMoana 2gets to a villain song, and happens about at the halfway point in the film after Moana has been separated from her crew. Sung by Nalo’s mystical agent Matangi, the song ends up being a more inspiration ballad that Matangi sings to Moana to inspire her towards unexpected paths. Matangi ultimately doesn’t play much of a role in the film after this song, but it serves as a memorable showcase for the character.
“Can I Get A Chee Hoo” by Dwayne Johnson
After being freed from Matangi’s clutches, Maui joins the action for the rest of the film. At Moana’s lowest point in the narrative, Maui sings “Can I Get A Chee Hoo” as a pump-up song, hoping to inspire Moana not to give up despite the odds stacked against them. The song functions as a contrast to “You’re Welcome” fromMoanabut is far less self-serving. While it retains a similar visual aesthetic as that former braggart ballad, the song is all about Moana’s internal strength and capabilities.
“Manu Vavau” by Dwayne Johnson, Opetaia Foa’i, Rachel House
After Moana seemingly sacrifices her life to lift Nalo’s curse, Maui tearfully sings “Manu Vavau” while cradling her body. He’s soon joined by the spirits of Moana’s ancestors, who sing the song as they and the ocean restore her to life by making her a demigod. It’s the quietest song in the film, but gains a newfound energy once the tone shifts from mournful to uplifting.
“Beyond (Reprise)” by Auliʻi Cravalho
The reprise of “Beyond” is sung by Auliʻi Cravalho, and serves as a triumphant celebration after she and her crew fully step foot on the raised island of Motufetu. It’s a powerful moment for Moana, a personal triumph after the cosmic rescue she received from the ocean. It also sets upMoana 2’s ending, which has a number of other small minor musical touches.
“We Know The Way (Te Fenua te Malie)” by Auli’i Cravalho, Olivia Foa’i, Opetaia Foa’i, Te Vaka
“We Know The Way (Te Fenua te Malie)” is the final song ofMoana 2, and plays as Moana and her crew return home. It’s a big stirring song, meant as a direct parallel to the wayMoanaconcluded with a different version of “We Know The Way.” It creates another thematic bond between the two films.
Where To Listen To Moana 2’s Soundtrack
The Full Soundtrack Is Already Widely Available
Moana 2is expected to be a box office smash, justifying why Disney has already been pushing the film’s soundtrack.The entire soundtrack was made available for purchase on November 22, days before the film debuted in theaters.Moana 2’s soundtrack can be found through online stories like Apple Music and Amazon Prime.
The soundtrack is also already available to be streamedon other apps like Spotify and websites like YouTube. This way, fans of the film and those just curious about the new tracks can give Moana’s newest musical ballads a try. It’s worth it too, because tracks like “Get Lost” are deceptively great additions fromMoana 2to the overall Disney canon.
Moana 2
Cast
Moana 2 is the sequel to the 2016 animated film Moana. Directed by David G. Derrick Jr., Jason Hand, and Dana Ledoux Miller, the film continues the journey of Moana as she embarks on new adventures, exploring the vast Pacific Ocean while encountering new characters and challenges along the way.
