Disney’s Frozen and Frozen II have captivated audiences worldwide, and a significant part of their charm lies in their unforgettable musical scores. These animated musicals are renowned for their catchy tunes and emotionally resonant lyrics, sparking debate among fans about which movie boasts a superior soundtrack. One common point of discussion revolves around the perceived quantity of songs, with some viewers feeling that Frozen II might be “too song-heavy.” Let’s delve into the musical landscape of both films to analyze the number, length, and placement of songs, and ultimately address the question: are there really too many songs in Frozen II?
A Song Count Comparison: Frozen vs. Frozen II
To begin, let’s establish a clear count of the songs featured in each movie. We’ll focus on songs with lyrics that are part of the main narrative, excluding credit songs and outtakes.
Songs in Frozen:
- Frozen Heart
- Do You Want to Build a Snowman?
- For the First Time in Forever
- Love Is an Open Door
- Let It Go
- Reindeer(s) Are Better Than People
- In Summer
- For the First Time in Forever (Reprise)
- Fixer Upper
Songs in Frozen II:
- All Is Found
- Some Things Never Change
- Into the Unknown
- When I Am Older
- Reindeer(s) Are Better Than People (Cont.)
- Lost in the Woods
- Show Yourself
- The Next Right Thing
Anna and Elsa in Frozen movie
Image: Anna and Elsa, the beloved sisters from Disney’s Frozen, are known for their captivating songs and musical moments.
As the lists indicate, Frozen actually contains more songs (9) than Frozen II (8). It’s also worth noting the inclusion of the brief ‘Reindeer(s) Are Better Than People (Cont.)’ in Frozen II. If we consider this more of a musical interlude than a full song, Frozen II functionally features only 7 distinct songs, further emphasizing that it doesn’t have more songs than its predecessor.
Examining Song Length and “Meaty” Musical Numbers
Beyond the sheer number of songs, the perceived “song-heavy” feeling could be related to the length and substance of the musical pieces. Let’s identify the “long songs” in both movies – those that extend beyond the two-minute mark and contribute significantly to the narrative and emotional depth.
Long Songs in Frozen:
- Do You Want to Build a Snowman?
- For the First Time in Forever
- Love Is an Open Door
- Let It Go
- For the First Time in Forever (Reprise)
- Fixer Upper (6 total)
Long Songs in Frozen II:
- All Is Found
- Some Things Never Change
- Into the Unknown
- Lost in the Woods
- Show Yourself
- The Next Right Thing (6 total)
Interestingly, both movies feature the same number of longer, more substantial songs. This suggests that the difference in perception isn’t necessarily about the quantity of lengthy musical numbers either.
The Balance and Placement of Songs Within the Narrative
The key to understanding why some perceive Frozen II as having “too many songs” likely lies in the distribution and placement of these songs within the movie’s narrative structure. Frozen‘s song placement is somewhat front-loaded. Songs 2 through 8 occur in relatively quick succession, followed by a significant gap in musical numbers during the rising action and dramatic moments leading to the climax. “Fixer Upper,” placed later in the film, can feel somewhat disconnected from the main emotional arc for some viewers.
In contrast, Frozen II distributes its songs more evenly throughout the film. The feeling that songs are “squished together” or “coming too fast” might actually indicate a more balanced integration of music throughout the narrative. No single section of Frozen II feels particularly devoid of musical expression. While Frozen effectively uses silence and score to enhance drama after “For The First Time In Forever (Reprise),” the consistent musical presence in Frozen II contributes to a different overall pacing and tone.
Anna and Elsa in Frozen movie
Image: Kristoff’s power ballad “Lost in the Woods” from Frozen II showcases the movie’s balanced distribution of songs throughout its runtime.
Furthermore, the recurring motif of “All Is Found” in Frozen II might contribute to the perception of more music. Fragments of this song reappear at crucial moments:
- Anna sings it to Elsa.
- Elsa’s interaction with Honeymaren.
- Elsa’s journey into Ahtohallan.
This repetition creates a thematic consistency and reinforces the song’s importance, but could also be interpreted as increasing the perceived musical density of the film.
Conclusion: Song Preference vs. Song Quantity
Ultimately, the feeling that Frozen II has “too many songs” might stem from a different source altogether: song preference. It’s possible that viewers who express this sentiment simply didn’t connect with the songs in Frozen II as strongly as they did with the Frozen soundtrack.
Perhaps the character transformations within songs like “Into The Unknown” and “The Next Right Thing” felt less impactful to some. Maybe the newer songs lacked the same immediate “oomph” as “Let It Go” or “Love Is an Open Door” for certain listeners. It’s also conceivable that viewers who were less engaged with the plot of Frozen II found the songs less meaningful or even intrusive.
These are valid points of musical critique. However, the assertion that Frozen II suffers from having too many songs is not supported by a factual analysis of the film’s musical content. Frozen II actually features fewer songs, and while song length is comparable, the distribution of songs across the narrative is arguably more balanced than in Frozen. Therefore, the perception of “too many songs” likely reflects subjective preferences for the style and impact of the Frozen II soundtrack rather than an objective overabundance of musical numbers.
After all, Frozen and Frozen II are animated musicals. We are meant to expect a movie filled with songs, and both films deliver on that expectation in their own unique and enchanting ways.
