Disney’s “Descendants” franchise has cemented its status as a cultural phenomenon, and a significant part of its enduring appeal lies in its captivating music. The soundtracks, particularly for “Descendants 3,” have consistently topped charts and garnered millions of views on platforms like YouTube, proving the franchise’s musical prowess.
“Descendants 3” continues the story of the teenage children of Disney villains as they navigate life in Auradon and grapple with new challenges. In this installment, they return to the Isle of the Lost to find new recruits for Auradon Prep, but chaos ensues when Hades escapes, throwing the kingdom into turmoil. This dramatic narrative is powerfully driven forward by a vibrant collection of songs and dynamic dance sequences that have resonated deeply with audiences.
Upon its release, “Descendants 3” was met with enthusiastic reception. Over 8.4 million viewers tuned in on the Disney Channel to watch the movie premiere. The soundtrack mirrored this success, achieving remarkable milestones. Within just five days of release, the songs from “Descendants 3” had already amassed over 111 million views online, highlighting the immediate and widespread adoration for the music.
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Steven Vincent, Vice President of Music and Soundtracks at the Disney Channel, is a key figure behind the musical direction of all three “Descendants” movies, as well as the “High School Musical” series. In a conversation with Variety, alongside acclaimed songwriter Antonina Armato (“Adams Family”), Vincent discussed the unique pressures of developing music for such a successful franchise, the intricacies of their songwriting process, and the ever-present question of a potential fourth “Descendants” movie.
Maintaining Musical Innovation in a Hit Franchise
The challenge for the creators of “Descendants 3” was to surpass expectations and deliver fresh musical experiences while honoring the established sound of the franchise. Steven Vincent explained, “It has to be something we haven’t done before. That’s where the pressure lies.” He and Kenny Ortega, the director, constantly aimed to innovate, ensuring each movie offered unique musical moments.
For example, reflecting on the opening numbers across the films, Vincent noted, “The first movie opened with ‘Rotten to the Core’ this big EDM/dance track. The second was high energy and we looked back to Michael Jackson and other types of dancing. With the third one, we went through the script looking for musical opportunities.” This meticulous approach extended to character-specific songs, such as giving Sofia Carson’s character, Evie, her own solo moment with “One Kiss,” a refreshing addition as she hadn’t had a solo number in the previous films.
Crafting the Anthem: “Good to be Bad”
The opening song, “Good to be Bad,” became a central point of discussion in their creative process. Antonina Armato revealed the complexities of aligning various creative perspectives: “You have to remember we get a lot of push back and we’re dealing with a lot of cooks in the kitchen. Some like it salty and some like it sweet.” Initially, there was uncertainty surrounding “Good to be Bad,” especially given the immense success of songs from “Descendants 2.” The pressure was on to not only match but exceed previous musical achievements.
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Armato elaborated that the goal was to create a celebratory anthem for the villain kids. The lyrics were designed to instill a sense of pride and ownership of their identity. Vincent recalled the impact of the line, “You’re from the Isle if anybody asks / It’s good to be bad,” which resonated deeply with the network and transformed the perception of the villain kids. It shifted from simply being “bad” to embracing self-empowerment and even heroism, perfectly encapsulating the evolving narrative of the “Descendants” story.
The Rise of “Queen of Mean”
Another standout track from “Descendants 3” is “Queen of Mean,” performed by Sarah Jeffery as Audrey. Armato shared her personal connection to the song, despite not identifying as a “mean girl” herself. She tapped into feelings of being misunderstood and the empowering moment of choosing to rise above adversity. “At first, her character was always doing the right thing and, all of a sudden, everything you thought was gonna happen didn’t and she said, ‘Well, I could either take this or I can empower myself.’” This theme of self-empowerment, combined with the song’s catchy and dynamic melody, resonated strongly, particularly with young female audiences.
Vincent highlighted the ambitious songwriting challenge: “I want you to write a Disney villain song, that’s a legitimate Top 40 hit and does all the storytelling and character development that a song like ‘The Little Mermaid’ would do. Oh, and it can’t be a parody.” The success of “Queen of Mean,” trending at number one on YouTube for almost two weeks, is a testament to the songwriting and performance quality. Vincent emphasized the song’s narrative power in depicting Audrey’s transformation from a princess to the “queen of mean,” drawing parallels to iconic Disney villain songs like “Poor Unfortunate Souls” and “Cruella De Vil” in terms of storytelling depth and musical impact.
A Timeless Musical Legacy
The enduring appeal of “Descendants” music transcends generations. Vincent believes the goal is to create “timeless” music, suggesting that the songs are crafted to resonate with audiences for years to come. He envisions today’s “Descendants” fans sharing these movies and soundtracks with their own children in the future, highlighting the franchise’s potential for long-lasting cultural relevance.
When considering the future of the franchise, Vincent acknowledged the widespread desire for a fourth “Descendants” movie. The question remains about the direction of the storyline – whether to continue existing narratives or explore new avenues. Regardless, he affirmed the strong belief in the “power of the ‘Descendants’ franchise” and the “possibilities” it holds, suggesting that there are still many musical and narrative territories to explore. The continued success of “Descendants 3 Songs” and the overall soundtrack underscores the franchise’s potent blend of engaging storytelling and unforgettable music, ensuring its place in popular culture for years to come.
