The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (soundtrack) explained

Two soundtracks were released for Ben Stiller-directed 2013 drama film The Secret Life of Walter Mitty: an original soundtrack and original score. Universal Republic Records and Brushfire Records released the original soundtrack consisting 12 songs on December 17, 2013, while Theodore Shapiro's original score was released by Sony Classical Records on December 31, 2013.

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (Music from and Inspired by the Motion Picture)

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (Music from and Inspired by the Motion Picture)
Type:soundtrack
Artist:various artists
Released:December 17, 2013
Genre:Film soundtrack
Length:49:35
Compiler:Ben Stiller

The album consisted of several songs performed by Jack Johnson, Junip, Bahamas, Of Monsters and Men amongst various others.[1] It was a personal experience for the lead cast, as Ben Stiller curated the entire soundtrack being deeply involved in the production of the album, as Kristen Wiig also making her debut as playback singer, performing David Bowie's "Space Oddity" that played a significant role throughout the film. The song is featured in the sequence, where Mitty decides to leap into the helicopter as he imagines Cheryl (Wiig) singing the song. In an interview to Collider, he said:[2]

"I felt like the way it fits into the story, we got to this point and this scene which was sort of how the fantasy and reality come together for Walter, and that was what that came out of. That song, and what he mentioned in his head, and what he imagines and what he does, it all just seemed to come together over that song."[2]

Wiig also covered the song at the Electric Lady Studios which she called it as an "incredible and fun experience". She further recalled that in her mind, she had recorded the song with Bowie at the studio.[3] Johnson remade Rupert Holmes' 1979 song "Escape (The Piña Colada Song)" while Bahamas also covered Human League's 1981 single "Don't You Want Me".[4] The film's trailer, which released on September 16, 2013, is soundtracked by Monsters and Men's "Dirty Paws" which was also included in the album.[5]

The album was released by Universal Republic Records and Brushfire Records on December 17, 2013,[6] in digital and physical formats.[7] [8] Two original songs performed by José González: "Step Out" (written by Theodore Shapiro and Craig Warren)[9] and "Stay Alive" (written by Ryan Adams) released as singles on November 7 and December 3, respectively.[10] [11] Junip performed the cover version of "Far Away" which was released as a single on December 13.[12]

Reception

Janelle Tucknott writing for Renowned for Sound wrote "Ben Stiller has done a fine choice in selecting some great songs which will hopefully fit the movie well. Space Oddity and Step Out are two of the album’s highest points, as well as the closer Maneater which will likely linger in your head for hours after listening to it."[13] Joe Wilde of Contactmusic.com called it as "a pleasant collection of songs that would serve well as a compilation of laid-back songs as well as it serves as a film soundtrack".[14] David Rooney of The Hollywood Reporter wrote that Theodore Shapiro's score is "deftly augmented with symphonic indie alt-rock and beautiful vocal tracks by neo-folkie Jose Gonzalez, breathing epic scope into what’s at heart a small New York fairy tale."[15]

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2014)Peak
position
UK Compilation Albums (OCC)[16] 52
UK Soundtrack Albums (OCC)[17] 8
US Billboard 200[18] 30
US Current Album Sales (Billboard)[19] 30
US Soundtrack Albums (Billboard)[20] 3

Year-end charts

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (Original Motion Picture Score)

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (Music from and Inspired by the Motion Picture)
Type:soundtrack
Artist:Theodore Shapiro
Released:December 31, 2013
Genre:Film score
Length:48:26
Label:Sony Classical
Producer:Theodore Shapiro

Theodore Shapiro composed the film's score in his second collaboration with Stiller after Tropic Thunder (2008). The score was released by Sony Classical Records on December 31, 2013, a week after the film's release and featured 27 tracks with a runtime of 48 minutes. A vinyl edition of the soundtrack was released on December 1, 2015.[22]

Charts

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Lawrence . Eric J. . 2013-12-23 . Various Artists: The Secret Life of Walter Mitty soundtrack . https://web.archive.org/web/20141022112413/https://www.kcrw.com/music/shows/album-preview/various-artists-the-secret-life-of-walter-mitty-soundtrack . 2014-10-22 . 2023-07-27 . KCRW . en.
  2. Web site: 2013-04-21 . Ben Stiller and Kristen Wiig Talk THE SECRET LIFE OF WALTER MITTY . https://web.archive.org/web/20130821201716/https://collider.com/secret-life-of-walter-mitty-ben-stiller-kristen-wiig-interview/ . 2013-08-21 . 2023-07-27 . Collider . en.
  3. Web site: Vineyard . Jennifer . 2013-12-24 . Kristen Wiig on The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, Singing Bowie, and Sneaky iPhone Pics . https://web.archive.org/web/20140411142420/https://www.vulture.com/2013/12/kristen-wiig-secret-life-of-walter-mitty-interview.html . 2014-04-11 . 2023-07-27 . Vulture . en-us.
  4. Web site: Premiere: Jack Johnson's, Bahamas' 'Walter Mitty' tunes . https://web.archive.org/web/20140803161012/https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2013/11/25/jack-johnson-escape-bahamas-walter-mitty-premiere/3695387/ . 2014-08-03 . 2023-07-27 . USA TODAY . en-US.
  5. Gallo . Phil . 2013-09-16 . 'Walter Mitty' Trailer Gives Of Monsters and Men Song a Lift . https://web.archive.org/web/20230202185905/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/walter-mitty-trailer-gives-of-monsters-and-men-song-a-lift-5695490/ . 2023-02-02 . 2023-07-27 . Billboard . en-US.
  6. Web site: Rodriguez . Cain . 2013-11-15 . 'The Secret Life Of Walter Mitty' Soundtrack Features Of Monsters And Men, David Bowie, Rogue Wave & More . https://web.archive.org/web/20230727165027/https://www.indiewire.com/news/general-news/the-secret-life-of-walter-mitty-soundtrack-features-of-monsters-and-men-david-bowie-rogue-wave-more-91594/ . 2023-07-27 . 2023-07-27 . IndieWire . en-US.
  7. Web site: The Secret Life Of Walter Mitty [Vinyl Soundtrack] ]. 2023-07-27 . Record Store Day.
  8. Web site: Robbins . Caryn . THE SECRET LIFE OF WALTER MITTY Motion Picture' Soundtrack Out 12/17 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230727165139/http://web.archive.org/screenshot/https://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwtv/article/THE-SECRET-LIFE-OF-WALTER-MITTY-Motion-Picture-Soundtrack-Out-1217-20131113 . 2023-07-27 . 2023-07-27 . BroadwayWorld.com . en.
  9. Web site: 2013-10-15 . 'Secret Life of Walter Mitty' Trailer Features a Song By Jose Gonzalez and St. Vincent . https://web.archive.org/web/20201111211017/https://tribecafilm.com/news/secret-life-of-walter-mitty-trailer-song-st-vincent-jose-gonzalez . 2020-11-11 . 2023-07-27 . Tribeca.
  10. Web site: 2013-12-16 . Video: Jose Gonzalez: "Stay Alive" (Written By Ryan Adams) . https://web.archive.org/web/20140730055914/https://pitchfork.com/news/53372-video-jose-gonzalez-stay-alive-written-by-ryan-adams/ . 2014-07-30 . 2023-07-27 . Pitchfork . en-US.
  11. News: Hogan . Marc . 2013-12-16 . See Jose Gonzalez Go 'Walter Mitty' For Ryan Adams-Penned 'Stay Alive' . Spin . 2023-07-27 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200129102923/https://www.spin.com/2013/12/jose-gonzalez-walter-mitty-stay-alive-video/ . 2020-01-29 . 2010-3255.
  12. Gentile . John . 2013-12-13 . Junip Take Fanciful Journey in 'Far Away' . https://web.archive.org/web/20210414173602/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/junip-take-fanciful-journey-in-far-away-173303/ . 2021-04-14 . 2023-07-27 . Rolling Stone . en-US.
  13. Web site: Tucknott . Janelle . Album Review: The Secret Life of Walter Mitty – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack . https://web.archive.org/web/20200926135912/https://renownedforsound.com/album-review-the-secret-life-of-walter-mitty-original-motion-picture-soundtrack/ . 2020-09-26 . 2023-07-27 . Renowned For Sound . en-US.
  14. Web site: 2013-12-09 . Various Artists - The Secret Life of Walter Mitty OST Album Review . https://web.archive.org/web/20141001020223/https://www.contactmusic.com/album-review/the-secret-life-of-walter-mitty-sound-track . 2014-10-01 . 2023-07-27 . Contactmusic.com.
  15. Web site: Rooney . David . 2013-10-05 . The Secret Life of Walter Mitty: New York Film Festival Review . https://web.archive.org/web/20210731231208/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/secret-life-walter-mitty-new-643757/ . 2021-07-31 . 2023-07-27 . The Hollywood Reporter . en-US.
  16. January 5, 2014 . Official Compilation Albums Chart Top 100 - 5 to 11 January . live . . https://web.archive.org/web/20200907224807/https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/official-compilations-chart/20140105/7503/ . September 7, 2020 . July 27, 2023.
  17. Web site: April 26, 2014 . Official Soundtrack Albums Chart Top 50 - 26 April 2014 - 2 May 2014 . December 13, 2023 . Official Charts Company.
  18. January 18, 2014 . Billboard 200: Week of January 18, 2014 . live . . https://web.archive.org/web/20150528035046/https://www.billboard.com/charts/billboard-200/2014-01-25/ . May 28, 2015 . July 27, 2023.
  19. January 18, 2014 . Current Album Sales: Week of January 18, 2014 . live . . https://web.archive.org/web/20220411161718/https://www.billboard.com/charts/current-albums/2014-01-18/ . April 11, 2022 . July 27, 2023.
  20. January 25, 2014 . Soundtracks: Week of January 25, 2014 . live . . https://web.archive.org/web/20150726095126/https://www.billboard.com/charts/soundtracks/2014-01-25/ . July 26, 2015 . July 27, 2023.
  21. 2014 . Soundtracks – Year-End 2014 . Billboard . https://web.archive.org/web/20170412181050/https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2014/top-soundtracks-albums . April 12, 2017 . July 27, 2023.
  22. Web site: Vinyl . Music On . ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK - THE SECRET LIFE OF WALTER MITTY (THEODORE SHAPIRO, JOSE GONZALES) . https://web.archive.org/web/20160722083235/https://www.musiconvinyl.com/catalog/original-soundtrack/secret-life-of-walter-mitty-theodore-shapiro . 2016-07-22 . 2023-07-27 . Music On Vinyl . en.
  23. Web site: January 5, 2014 . Official Soundtrack Albums Chart Top 50 - 5 to 11 January . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20211213233459/https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/soundtrack-albums-chart/20140105/140/ . December 13, 2021 . July 27, 2023 . Official Charts Company.

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