Shrek is one of the most successful animated franchises in the movie industry. So much so, in fact, that over the years, and despite not having released a film in more than a decade, Shrek still harvests fans around the world and has become a source of memes that are shared by millions every day on social networks. Based on the book of the same name by William Steig, Shrek is made up of four films: Shrek, Shrek 2, Shrek the Third, and Shrek Forever After, the latest installment in the franchise so far, although there have been rumors circulating about a Shrek 5 for several years. Also, due to its great popularity among audiences, the franchise has also released several short films, spin-off movies, and even video games throughout the years.
This franchise’s films are mostly centered on Shrek, a grumpy but big-hearted ogre, and his adventures with Fiona, his family and friends, a group of enchanted fairy tale characters who constantly spoof and challenge everything the audience already knew about them. As such, it features ogres that are heroes, a fairy godmother who might be the greatest villain in the land, and a prince charming who is anything but charming. The movies also feature a well-chosen soundtrack that supports the characters in every key moment of their journey. This article will review some of the best songs of the Shrek franchise, ranked.
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9 “I Need Some Sleep” — Eels
Dreamworks
Eels’ “I Need Some Sleep” was featured on the soundtrack for Shrek 2. In the movie, the ogre (Mike Myers) and his newlywed wife Fiona (Cameron Diaz) visited Far Far Away, where Shrek met his in-laws for the first time, King Harold (John Cleese) and Queen Lilian (Julie Andrews). Sadly, their visit did not go according to plan: Harold could not come to terms with the fact that his daughter married an ogre, and this situation took its toll on Shrek, who was also surrounded by Fiona’s toys and belongings from when she was a little girl who wanted to marry Prince Charming (Rupert Everett). With this song playing in the background, Shrek started to question whether he really made the right decision by marrying Fiona.
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
8 “Hallelujah” — Rufus Wainwright
DreamWorks Animation
This song, sung by Rufus Wainwright, is the theme song for one of Shrek’s most pivotal moments. Upon rescuing Fiona from the tower, it takes them both a short period of time to discover their shared chemistry. But Fiona had a secret: at sunset, she turns into an ogre. One night, in the midst of their journey, Shrek, who was ready to confess his feelings for her, overheard Fiona talking to Donkey (Eddie Murphy) from afar and calling herself an “ugly beast”. As Shrek was unaware of Fiona’s secret, he became convinced that she was, in fact, talking about him, and reverted, albeit briefly, back to the fearful, anti-social ogre he used to be.
7 “Bad Reputation” — Joan Jett & The Blackhearts (Sung by Halfcocked)
In the first Shrek movie, Halfcocked lent his voice to perform Joan Jett & The Blackhearts’ song “Bad Reputation”, in one of the film’s most epic scenes. Shrek and Donkey traveled to Duloc to negotiate with Lord Farquaad (John Lithgow) over the relocation of all the fairy-tale creatures trespassing on his swamp. Farquaad, in the midst of a tournament to find a volunteer to rescue Fiona, established that whoever killed the ogre would be the chosen one. Little did he anticipate that Shrek, whom he considered a no-good, unpleasant ogre, would end up winning the tournament.
6 “Livin’ La Vida Loca” — Ricky Martin (Sung by Eddie Murphy & Antonio Banderas)
Eddie Murphy and Antonio Banderas, who voiced Donkey and Puss in Boots, performed this Ricky Martin classic to wrap up the second installment of the franchise. Following a series of incidents triggered by the Fairy Godmother (Jennifer Saunders) and her son, Prince Charming, the film’s main characters finally got their well-deserved happy ending: Shrek and Fiona kept their physical form as ogres, her parents accepted their relationship, King Harold revealed that, in fact, he had always been a bewitched toad, and Queen Lilian embraced him for who he was. In celebration, Donkey and Puss in Boots took over the stage and, to spice up the party, sang and danced to this song.
5 “Changes” — David Bowie & Butterfly Boucher
David Bowie & Butterfly Boucher performed “Changes” for the soundtrack of Shrek 2. After drinking the Fairy Godmother’s potion, Shrek and Donkey took human and horse form respectively. When they came back to Far Far Away, their new look sparked some changes in the way they were perceived by others: instead of being rejected or looked down upon, as was usually the case, they were acclaimed by the inhabitants of the kingdom and well-received, leading to a hilarious scene in which one could appreciate them going from being distrustful and discreet to trying to show off as much as possible.
4 “Holding Out for a Hero” — Bonnie Tyler (Sung by Jennifer Saunders)
One thing that cannot be denied about the Fairy Godmother is that, despite being the most evil woman in the kingdom, she was an excellent singer and performer, and this can be proven by her rendition of Bonnie Tyler’s “Holding Out for a Hero”. This song was part of the most epic scene of the second installment of Shrek, where the main character and all his friends teamed up to defeat, once and for all, the Fairy Godmother and Prince Charming, starring one of the most exciting battles in animated films.
3 “Accidentally in Love” — Counting Crows
“Accidentally in Love”, by Counting Crows, kicked off Shrek 2, and during this song the audience was able to witness Shrek and Fiona’s honeymoon and their first days as a married couple. Among the most outstanding moments of this sequence, it is worth mentioning some winks to classic movies and books, such as a kiss recalling Peter Parker and Mary Jane in Spider-Man, Little Red Riding Hood’s visit and The Little Mermaid’s arrival during Shrek and Fiona’s picnic on the beach.
2 “All Star” — Smash Mouth
“All Star”, by Smash Mouth, was the first song in the Shrek series, and presented to the audience, in a very meaningful way, the main character and his personality. In just over two minutes, one could get a glimpse at a pretty gross ogre, who really enjoyed his loneliness, bathing in the mud and who considered his swamp to be the best place on earth. One very important thing that was suggested in these initial scenes was that Shrek himself was never a scary character, he was simply an ogre who wanted to live quietly and away from society, which is why he only terrorized those who disturbed him in the swamp.
1 “I’m a Believer” — Smash Mouth
Just as “All Star” opened the first Shrek movie, Smash Mouth’s “I’m a Believer” closed it, musicalizing Shrek and Fiona’s wedding. This song symbolized that, finally, love conquered, and after exchanging vows, the newlywed couple left early to embark on their honeymoon. Yet the party was far from over, as Donkey took it upon himself to take over this song, and invited all the guests to join in and dance to the beat. The scene, filled with little details, was also the beginning of Donkey and Dragon’s romance, both of whom would eventually become parents.
