Alvin and the Chipmunks (soundtrack) explained

Alvin and the Chipmunks (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
Type:soundtrack
Artist:The Chipmunks
Length:48:17
Producer:Ali Dee Theodore
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Prev Year:2004
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Alvin and the Chipmunks (Original Motion Picture Score)
Type:film
Artist:Christopher Lennertz
Recorded:2007
Genre:Film score
Length:35:39

Alvin and the Chipmunks (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) is the soundtrack to the 2007 jukebox musical comedy film Alvin and the Chipmunks based on the characters of the same name created by Ross Bagdasarian Sr. Released on November 20, 2007, through Rhino Records, Razor & Tie and Chipmunk Records, the album featured original songs as well as existing musical numbers from the Chipmunks' discography. Ali Dee Theodore served as an executive producer on the soundtrack. An album, consisting of an original score composed by Christopher Lennertz, released as Alvin and the Chipmunks (Original Motion Picture Score) as a limited edition album on September 19, 2008 through La-La Land Records.

Alvin and the Chipmunks is directed by Tim Hill and starred Jason Lee, David Cross and Cameron Richardson while Justin Long, Matthew Gray Gubler and Jesse McCartney voice the titular Chipmunks; Bagdasarian Sr., Steve Vining and Janice Karman provides the playback singing for the Chipmunks.

The soundtrack eventually peaked at Billboard 200 and topped the soundtrack charts within the few weeks of its release. It sold over 1 million copies in the United States and was certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America, thereby becoming the group's sixth album, third Platinum album and first since Chipmunks in Low Places (1992). It also won the American Music Award for Top Soundtrack in 2008.

Album information and release

The film featured eight original songs written by Ali Dee Theodore who served as the executive producer of the album. However, his contributions were credited to the DeeTown Syndicate under the DeeTown Entertainment, Inc.[1] [2] The film features a re-recorded version of "The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late)" (1958) and "Witch Doctor" (1961), along with covers performed by the Chipmunks include—Daniel Powter's "Bad Day" (2005), "Funkytown" (1980) by Lipps Inc. "Only You (And You Alone)" (1955) by the Platters. The soundtrack was released through Rhino Entertainment and Razor & Tie labels on November 20, 2007, three weeks before the film's release. A soundtrack sampler was released along with the DVD of the film on April 1, 2008 in a two-pack sold exclusively at Walmart and featured five original songs exclusively produced for the album.[3]

Reception

Critical

James Christopher Monger of AllMusic wrote "kids who missed out on the Chipmunks' '70s heyday or the trio's animated series a decade later will probably discover a lot of potential Christmas presents in the experience, and the inclusion of the original "Christmas Song" and "Witch Doctor" shows that the producers at least feel a little bit guilty about dressing the furry critters up as gangsta rappers on the cover."[4] Chris Willman of Entertainment Weekly wrote "The soundtrack's producer shows us how to get that squeaky helium sound. But didn't anyone think to film celeb Chipmunk voices Jesse McCartney and Justin Long enunciating at half speed?"[5]

Commercial

In December 2007, the album debuted at number 133 on the Billboard 200.[6] [7] In its second week of sales, the album jumped to number 67 on the chart,[8] and saw an upward trend within the consecutive weeks. The album's highest peak was number 5 on the Billboard 200, making it the group's highest on the chart album since Chipmunks in Low Places (which peaked at number 21).[9] Following Alvin and the Chipmunk DVD release, the soundtrack went back into the top ten from number 16 to number five with a 111% sales increase;[10] [11] it sold 51,000 copies of what was its 18th week on the chart and was the issue's greatest gainer.[12] According to Robert Kraft, executive vice president at Fox Music, he attributed the soundtrack's success as it offered "groovy music that people dig".[13]

Track listing

Alvin and the Chipmunks (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)

CD Sampler

Notes

Alvin and the Chipmunks (Original Motion Picture Score)

Personnel

Chart performance

Chart (2008)! scope="col"
Peak
position
Scottish Albums (OCC)[14] 58
UK Albums (OCC)[15] 61
UK Physical Albums (OCC)[16] 62
UK Soundtrack Albums (OCC)[17] 1
US Billboard 200[18] 5
US Top Current Album Sales (Billboard)[19] 5
US Top Soundtracks (Billboard)[20] 1
Chart (2008)! scope="col"
Position
US Billboard 200[21] 38
US Soundtrack Albums (Billboard)[22] 5

Song charts

Title! rowspan="2" scope="col"
Performer(s)Peak chart positions
US
[23] 		US
Digital[24] 		CAN
[25]
"Witch Door" (2007 version)The Chipmunks featuring Chris Classic62 16 —
"The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late)" (2007 version)The Chipmunks66 28 64
"Bad Day"67 51 —
"Funkytown"86 — —
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart.

Accolades

Award! scope="col"
CategoryResult
American Music AwardsTop Soundtrack[26]
[27]

Notes and References

  1. Billboard Staff . 2007-12-11 . Alvin, Chipmunks Stay In The Family . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231102202729/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/alvin-chipmunks-stay-in-the-family-1047080/ . 2023-11-02 . 2024-06-11 . Billboard . en-US.
  2. Web site: The Chipmunks . Alvin and the Chipmunks . 2007-11-20 . Alvin and the Chipmunks (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20211226002937/https://music.apple.com/us/album/alvin-and-the-chipmunks-original-motion/1440927044 . 2021-12-26 . 2024-06-11 . Apple Music.
  3. Web site: Customer Reviews . dead . https://archive.today/20120715041335/http://reviews.walmart.com/1336/9185976/alvin-and-the-chipmunks-2007-with-soundtrack-sampler-cd-full-frame-widescreen-reviews/reviews.htm . July 15, 2012 . July 15, 2012 . Walmart.
  4. Web site: Monger . James Christopher . Review: Alvin and the Chipmunks [Original Soundtrack] ]. live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231102203552/https://www.allmusic.com/album/alvin-and-the-chipmunks-original-soundtrack--mw0000585903 . 2023-11-02 . 2024-06-11 . AllMusic.
  5. Willman . Chris . 2008-04-04 . Alvin and the Chipmunks . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20171209101151/https://ew.com/article/2008/04/04/alvin-and-chipmunks-2/ . 2017-12-09 . 2024-06-11 . Entertainment Weekly . en.
  6. Hasty . Katie . 2007-12-12 . Groban Ties Elvis With Third Week At No. 1 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20150925034019/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1047071/groban-ties-elvis-with-third-week-at-no-1 . 2015-09-25 . 2009-02-01 . Billboard . Nielsen Business Media, Inc.
  7. Bronson . Fred . 2007-12-13 . Chart Beat . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230528235307/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/chart-beat-120-1047046/ . 2023-05-28 . 2024-06-11 . Billboard . en-US.
  8. Hasty . Katie . 2007-12-19 . Groban Remains No. 1, Becomes '07's Best-Seller . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20140913182752/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1047006/groban-remains-no-1-becomes-07s-best-seller . 2014-09-13 . 2009-02-01 . Billboard . Nielsen Business Media, Inc .
  9. Hasty . Katie . April 9, 2008 . Strait Speeds Past R.E.M. To Debut At No. 1 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20140706235944/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1045912/strait-speeds-past-rem-to-debut-at-no-1 . July 6, 2014 . December 27, 2019 . Billboard.
  10. Kreps . Daniel . 2008-04-16 . On the Charts: Leona Lewis Makes History With "Spirit"-ed Debut . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20201024071039/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/on-the-charts-leona-lewis-makes-history-with-spirit-ed-debut-101043/ . 2020-10-24 . 2024-06-11 . Rolling Stone . en-US.
  11. Hasty . Katie . 2008-04-23 . Mariah Debuts At No. 1 After Monster First Week . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221221015019/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/mariah-debuts-at-no-1-after-monster-first-week-1045786/ . 2022-12-21 . 2024-06-11 . Billboard . en-US.
  12. April 10, 2008 . Chart Shakers . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20140829073245/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1045891/chart-shakers . August 29, 2014 . December 27, 2019 . Billboard.
  13. Web site: Donahue . Ann . 2008-05-02 . Three chipmunks revive an industry . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240611084309/https://www.emirates247.com/eb247/the-business-of-life/entertainment/three-chipmunks-revive-an-industry-2008-05-02-1.226653 . 2024-06-11 . 2024-06-11 . Emirates 24/7 . en.
  14. Web site: April 27, 2008 . Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 50 – 27 April to 3 May . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20201019045430/https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/scottish-albums-chart/20080427/40/ . October 19, 2020 . June 11, 2024 . Official Charts Company.
  15. Web site: April 20, 2008 . Official Albums Chart Top 50 – 20 to 26 April . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200725004459/https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/albums-chart/20080420/7502/ . July 25, 2020 . June 11, 2024 . Official Charts Company.
  16. Web site: April 20, 2008 . Official Physical Albums Chart Top 50 – 20 to 26 April . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240221083042/https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/physical-albums-chart/20080420/2/ . February 21, 2024 . June 11, 2024 . Official Charts Company.
  17. Web site: June 15, 2008 . Official Soundtrack Albums Chart Top 50 – 15 to 21 June . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240611072839/https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/soundtrack-albums-chart/20080615/140/ . June 11, 2024 . June 11, 2024 . Official Charts Company.
  18. April 19, 2008 . Billboard 200: Week of April 19, 2008 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20151023040927/https://www.billboard.com/charts/billboard-200/2008-04-19/ . October 23, 2015 . June 11, 2024 . Billboard.
  19. April 19, 2008 . Current Album Sales: Week of April 19, 2008 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230414082105/https://www.billboard.com/charts/current-albums/2008-04-19/ . April 14, 2023 . June 11, 2024 . Billboard.
  20. April 12, 2008 . Soundtracks: Week of April 12, 2008 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20150507081125/https://www.billboard.com/charts/soundtracks/2008-04-12/ . May 7, 2015 . June 11, 2024 . Billboard.
  21. Billboard 200 – Year-End 2008 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20151025161111/https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2008/top-billboard-200-albums/ . October 25, 2015 . June 11, 2024 . Billboard.
  22. Soundtracks – Year-End 2008 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20150705181227/http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2008/top-soundtracks-albums . July 5, 2015 . June 11, 2024 . Billboard.
  23. January 12, 2008 . Billboard Hot 100: January 12, 2008 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20150701070745/https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/2008-01-12/ . July 1, 2015 . July 1, 2015 . Billboard.
  24. January 12, 2008 . Digital Songs: Week of January 12, 2008 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20181113210359/http://www.billboard.com/charts/digital-songs/2008-01-12/ . November 13, 2018 . May 21, 2015 . Billboard.
  25. December 22, 2007 . Billboard Canadian Hot 100: December 22, 2007 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20180317120127/https://www.billboard.com/charts/canadian-hot-100/2007-12-22/ . March 17, 2018 . June 11, 2024 . Billboard.
  26. Web site: November 24, 2008 . 2008 American Music Awards Winners . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130520210257/http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/2008-american-music-awards-winners-article-1.338264 . 2013-05-20 . November 21, 2017 . . Associated Press.
  27. Web site: Watson . Margeaux . October 14, 2008 . 2008 American Music Awards nominees announced . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20181207045702/http://ew.com/article/2008/10/14/2008-american-m/ . December 7, 2018 . November 28, 2017 . Entertainment Weekly.

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