The Color Purple is the 2023 film adaptation of the stage musical of the same name, which in turn was based on Alice Walker's 1982 novel. Three soundtrack albums were released for the film.
The first album, The Color Purple (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack), was released on December 15, 2023, and feature the film's musical numbers performed by the cast. The second album, The Color Purple (Music From and Inspired by the Motion Picture) was released on December 22, and also feature the musical numbers alongside songs that are not used as musical numbers in the film and performed by popular artists. Both albums were published by WaterTower in collaboration with Gamma.
The third album, The Color Purple (Original Motion Picture Score), was released on December 25 by WaterTower, and feature the film's original score composed by Kris Bowers
The Color Purple featured musical performances from the Broadway production and the original 1985 film. Bazawule described the challenging aspect is being "how to make Broadway music more cinematic", hence he took the influences of African-American music and transitioned it to gospel, blues and jazz to achieve the same.[1] 13 songs from the musical were not included in the film, whereas the song "She Be Mine", which was cut from the musical had been reinstated in the film.[2] [3]
Kris Bowers met Bazawule in late-2021, six months before the film began production. They discussed on whether the score needed to glue with the songs, for which he replied "Even if the score was going to have its own identity, it was important that we had some sort of tangential connection between the songs and whatever I was writing". His early involvement was mostly on the process of pre-recording and arranging the songs.[4] Bazawule showed Bowers, several storyboards for the two-hour version of the film so that he could underly the emotional and character-based themes for the film.[5]
For Mister's (Domingo) theme, he incorporated a banjo which has "an underlying, eerie texture that represents the twisted internal world for him". For other characters, most of the score carried their "internal feelings" throughout their journey, but in a way that is different from the songs.[6] For Celie's (Fantasia) theme, it had a sense of simplicity and a bit of loneliness in the beginning. The score begins with a sparse note, but as her story grows and she steps into power, it grows into a full blown orchestral sound. He wanted the theme to have the brightness and joy as well as scope and scale to it, especially during the emotional moments.[7] A 22-feet gramaphone has been used as an integral part of the film score.[8]
At sequences, where Celie and Shug Avery (Henson) celebrated the color purple, the score had to compliment the scene and not to overpower. Hence, he recorded the sequence with close microphones and a smaller ensemble to give an intimate feeling.[9]
On November 10, 2023, Warner Bros. submitted two original songs from the film for award submission as a part of their For Your Consideration campaign; the titles were revealed to be "Keep It Movin'" and "Superpower (I)".[10] The former was released as a single on November 11, 2023. The song was composed by the record production and songwriting duo Nova Wav, which involeves Denisia Andrews and Brittany Coney, and is produced by Nick Baxter, Stephen Bray, Morten Ristorp and the director himself under the pseudonym "Blitz the Ambassador".[11] Halle Bailey and Phylicia Pearl Mpasi performed the song.[12] [13]
The second single "Lifeline" was released on November 27; the same day the soundtrack being announced. Alicia Keys co-wrote and co-produced the song, with Marshmello, Tricky Stewart and production team TMS. It was described by Keys as a "heartfelt ode to the unequivocal comfort emanating from friends, family, and community that holds us up as we face life's challenging moments."[14]
| The Color Purple (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) | |
| Type: | soundtrack |
| Cover: | The Color Purple Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (2023 cover).jpg |
| Artist: | various artists |
| Released: | December 15, 2023 |
| Length: | 52:14 |
On November 27, WaterTower Music, Warner Records and Gamma Records announced the release of the soundtrack featuring performances from the cast members—Taraji P. Henson, Danielle Brooks, Colman Domingo, Corey Hawkins, H.E.R., Halle Bailey, Phylicia Pearl Mpasi, and Fantasia Barrino.[15] [16] The album featured numbers from both the musical as well as the 1985 film.[17] The album was released on December 15.[18] [19]
| The Color Purple (Music from and Inspired By)[20] | |
| Type: | soundtrack |
| Artist: | various artists |
| Cover: | Music from and Inspired By The Color Purple (2023 cover).jpg |
| Released: | December 15, 2023 |
| Genre: | Film soundtrack |
| Length: | 120:14 |
Besides the original soundtrack, an "Inspired by" album was unveiled by the producers featuring contributions from popular artists such as Alicia Keys, Usher, Mörda, Mary J. Blige, Megan Thee Stallion, Jennifer Hudson, Keyshia Cole, Ludmilla, Jorja Smith, Coco Jones, Mary Mary, and Missy Elliott. The album also featured tracks from the first album (118) along with the new additions, consisting of around 37 tracks in total.
| The Color Purple (Original Motion Picture Score) | |
| Type: | film |
| Artist: | Kris Bowers |
| Cover: | The Color Purple Original Motion Picture Score (2023 cover).jpg |
| Released: | December 25, 2023 |
| Recorded: | 20222023 |
| Genre: | Film score |
| Label: | WaterTower |
| Producer: | Kris Bowers |
The score album to the film composed by Kris Bowers was released by WaterTower Music on December 25, 2023.
Writing for Soul Bounce, D-Money reviewed the soundtrack, saying "It might all seem a bit overstuffed — and with a runtime nearly as long as the film itself, one could argue that it is — but the hodgepodge approach works in its own way as it offers a little something for everyone to enjoy."[21]
Fred Topel of United Press International said that the songs are "rousing" and the choreography being "energetic" even in serious numbers.[22]
Pete Hammond of Deadline Hollywood wrote "Kris Bowers has provided an underscore that perfectly suits the action but respects the sound legions of fans of the live show will be expecting."[23]
Carla Renate of TheWrap said that Kris Bowers "does a wonderful job of marrying a new score with selections from the Broadway production".[24]
| Award | Date of ceremony | Category | Nominee(s) | Result | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| African-American Film Critics Association Awards | 2024 | Best Music | Kris Bowers | [25] | ||
| Black Reel Awards | January 16, 2024 | Outstanding Original Score | [26] | |||
| Outstanding Original Song | "Keep It Movin'" | |||||
| Outstanding Original Soundtrack | The Color Purple | |||||
| Hollywood Music in Media Awards | November 15, 2023 | Original Song — Feature Film | "Keep It Movin'" | [27] [28] | ||
| Song — Onscreen Performance (Film) | "Keep It Movin'" | |||||
| MTV Video Music Awards | September 10, 2024 | Best R&B | "Lifeline" | [29] | ||
| NAACP Image Awards | March 16, 2024 | Outstanding Original Score for TV/Film | Kris Bowers | [30] | ||
| Outstanding Soundtrack/Compilation Album | The Color Purple (2023 Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) | |||||
| Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association Awards | December 10, 2023 | Best Original Score | Kris Bowers | [31] |
In December 2023, the score was shortlisted for Best Original Score at the 96th Academy Awards, as well as Best Original Song for "Keep It Movin'" and "Superpower (I)".[32]