Frozen 2 Songs: Debunking the Myth of “Too Many Tunes”

It’s a common refrain among some viewers: “Frozen 2 had too many songs!” But does this criticism hold water? Let’s delve into the musical landscape of Frozen and Frozen II to see if the sequel truly overindulged in musical numbers, or if something else is at play.

Frozen 2 songs critique blog post title screenshot

Examining the Number of Songs in Frozen and Frozen 2

First, let’s address the raw numbers. When we list out the songs with lyrics featured in both films, excluding credit tracks and outtakes, a clear picture emerges.

Frozen boasts a memorable soundtrack with nine songs:

1. Frozen Heart
2. Do You Want To Build A Snowman?
3. For The First Time In Forever
4. Love Is An Open Door
5. Let It Go
6. Reindeer(s) Are Better Than People
7. In Summer
8. For The First Time In Forever (Reprise)
9. Fixer Upper

Now, let’s look at Frozen II:

1. All Is Found
2. Some Things Never Change
3. Into The Unknown
4. When I Am Older
5. Reindeer(s) Are Better Than People (Cont.)
6. Lost In The Woods
7. Show Yourself
8. The Next Right Thing

A direct comparison reveals that Frozen II actually features fewer songs than its predecessor. In fact, if we consider “Reindeer(s) Are Better Than People (Cont.)” as a brief interlude rather than a full song, Frozen II functionally has only seven songs, compared to Frozen‘s nine. This directly contradicts the notion of an overabundance of songs in the sequel.

Song Length: Quality over Quantity?

Perhaps the perception of “too many songs” stems from the length of the musical numbers? Let’s analyze the “long songs” – those exceeding two minutes – in both movies:

Frozen features six songs surpassing the two-minute mark:

• 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

Frozen II also presents six songs of similar length:

• All Is Found
• Some Things Never Change
• Into The Unknown
• Lost In The Woods
• Show Yourself
• The Next Right Thing

Again, the numbers are strikingly similar. Both films offer the same quantity of substantial musical pieces. Therefore, song length doesn’t explain the feeling that Frozen II is overloaded with music.

The Real Difference: Song Balance and Placement

The key to understanding this perception lies not in the number or length of songs, but in their distribution throughout the narrative. Frozen‘s song placement is notably front-loaded. Songs 2 through 8 essentially occur in rapid succession, followed by a significant musical drought until “Fixer Upper” appears later in the film. This late placement of “Fixer Upper” can feel somewhat disjointed and less integrated into the main storyline.

Conversely, Frozen II distributes its songs more evenly across the movie. The feeling that songs are “squished together” or arriving “too fast” actually indicates a more balanced and consistent musical presence. No single section of Frozen II feels particularly devoid of songs, unlike the latter part of Frozen after the initial flurry of musical numbers. While Frozen shifts to a darker tone after “For The First Time In Forever (Reprise),” making songs potentially less thematically appropriate in that specific section, musicals often integrate songs even in darker moments. Consider “The Next Right Thing,” a poignant and emotionally heavy song about grief and moving forward amidst despair, demonstrating that Frozen II isn’t afraid to use music to explore darker themes.

Furthermore, the recurring motifs within Frozen II‘s music contribute to the feeling of a richer, more song-filled experience. The melody of “All Is Found” reappears in various moments: when Anna sings Elsa to sleep, during Elsa’s conversation with Honeymaren, and as Elsa approaches Ahtohallan. This thematic repetition, similar to the repeated AURORA call, creates a cohesive musical tapestry throughout the film, enhancing the perception of musical density.

Conclusion: It’s Not About Quantity, It’s About Preference

Ultimately, the criticism that Frozen II has “too many songs” likely stems from subjective preferences rather than objective numerical analysis. Perhaps some viewers found the newer songs less impactful or memorable than the Frozen soundtrack. Maybe the rapid character development within some songs felt rushed to some. Or, perhaps, viewers simply didn’t connect with the overall plot of Frozen II, leading to a negative perception of the songs within that context.

These are valid criticisms regarding song quality, narrative integration, or personal taste. However, the assertion that Frozen II suffers from an excessive number of songs is demonstrably false. It has fewer songs, but their balanced placement throughout the film creates a different feeling – a feeling that, for some, might be misconstrued as “too many.”

But let’s remember the fundamental nature of the medium: Frozen II is an animated musical. Should we really be surprised, or critical, when a musical is, well, filled with music?