Top 10 Darkest Songs in DreamWorks Movies
#10: “Clint Eastwood” AKA “Ain't Happy” “Trolls” (2016)
The way a song is sung can have a major impact on its tone. While “The Sound of Silence” is technically a darker song overall (with themes of miscommunication and difficult emotional connection at its helm), Anna Kendrick’s ukulele cover as Poppy really amps it up. For this entry, we’re looking at the Bergens’ downcast anthem, which is none other than the Gorillaz’s “Clint Eastwood”. The way it’s delivered, with gravelly voices and dreary visuals, does a lot to give this number a more somber feel. It didn’t make the soundtrack, so if you’re searching for this one, you’ll have to actually watch the movie to hear it.
#9: “Hallelujah” “Shrek” (2001)
This song is sometimes played at weddings and “Shrek” keeps in time with the tradition, as it plays when we see Fiona in her wedding dress. More than being a religious song, however, “Hallelujah” speaks on heartbreak and regret, among other heavy themes. The filmmakers must have understood this because it comes at the moment that Shrek and Fiona have given up on each other and Fiona is betrothed to another. “Hallelujah” is a gorgeous, mournful ballad and, though it feels a bit out of place in the otherwise sarcastic, wry piece that is “Shrek”, it does help create a bit of levity for this high-stakes moment.
#8: “This Is the End” “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” (2022)
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Outside of the silly visuals, this is a song full of despair. In contrast with Puss’s big happy hero number at the beginning of the movie, “This Is the End” stretches to the other end of the emotional spectrum. It comes after the death of his old identity and during a sequence where he’s desperately trying to make the best of a living situation he’s clearly not very enthused about. Eventually, our protagonist is worn down into apathy which is incredibly sad considering how full of life Puss always was. It doesn’t last for too long, luckily, but for a while there it felt like Puss really had accepted the end of his old life and self.
#7: “Playing with the Big Boys Now” “The Prince of Egypt” (1998)
“The Prince of Egypt” might just be the DreamWorks movie with the most intense soundtrack. The story is quite serious in comparison to other hits from the studio, so it’s fitting that the film’s songs would take on more of a grave tone too. “Playing with the Big Boys Now” is as imposing as it is sinister. We get hissed lyrics, shadowy visuals, ominous chanting, and some rather thinly veiled threats. Plus, lyrics like “it's your own grave you’ll dig” make this one a shoo-in for baleful theatrical numbers.
#6: “Born to Die” “Trolls World Tour” (2020)
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The “Trolls” franchise, while appreciated for its music, is not exactly known for any hard-hitting sequences. In fact, even the slower songs in the series are at least somewhat motivational or moving in nature. “Born to Die”, however, is the big exception. It. Is. Grim. Country music is often about hardship, sure, but this is another level entirely. The Country Trolls have the kind of working conditions that have hardened them to the point of feeling like they’re simply born to die, with no real life inbetween. Led by Kelly Clarkson, this ballad goes beyond dark to downright dystopian.
#5: The Whistle of Death “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” (2022)
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Talk about hair-rising! We’re treating the term “song” a little loosely with this entry, but we think it’s well worth the mention. The premise of “The Last Wish” is about Puss finally facing the prospect of death. With nine lives, this was not something to worry about for a long time but, now that it’s so near, he begins to panic. Then again, how could he ever remain cool and collected when Death looks like that?! And Death has the fighting skills to back up his whole menacing appearance too. It’s not just the creepy melody of the whistle that makes this one so terrifying, it’s what it signifies for our protagonist.
#4: “Little Drop of Poison” “Shrek 2” (2004)
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This track is heard for less than a minute, and for about half that time it serves as background ambience. But, during that short period, it perfectly reflects the dingy atmosphere of the pub. The full tune, sung by Tom Waits, can be heard on “Shrek 2: Motion Picture Soundtrack” and it definitely merits at least one listen all the way through. If you’re a fan of theater or just the macabre, you’ll get a kick out of it for sure. It’s a real shame we didn’t get to hear more of this one in the movie.
#3: “You Can’t Take Me” “Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron” (2002)
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Performed by Bryan Adams, this number is an absolute treat. His voice has a slightly grittier quality than we’re used to and works perfectly for the emotion that needs to be conveyed in this scene. Spirit was born to be free, and he doesn’t go without a fight when the wranglers attempt to drag him to captivity. Eventually, he stops straining only long enough to be brought into his new enclosure. It was hard to watch when we were kids and, honestly, it still is today. When all is said and done, “You Can’t Take Me” reminds the audience of Spirit’s persevering nature, a quality we’ll see brought forward throughout much of his story.
#2: “The Plagues” “The Prince of Egypt” (1998)
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Moses and God unleash the Ten Plagues on the people of Egypt, and it’s horrific for all involved – including Moses who clearly feels a great deal of grief. This number also gives focus to the fact that Moses and Rameses were once raised as brothers. Each feels they’ve been betrayed by the other and the powerful melody certainly reflects that sentiment. It’s like tug of war, a heavy back-and-forth for who will wave the white flag in the end. Even without the dark scenes playing out in front of us, the devastation is obvious in the lyrics and construction of the piece. We need a breather after this one.
#1: “Deliver Us” “The Prince of Egypt” (1998)
From the very beginning of this song, we are painted a grisly picture of life for the enslaved Hebrew people dwelling in Ancient Egypt. They work tirelessly, are physically brutalized, and are certainly not being fed enough for the manual labor they’re forced to do. Still, their plea to God for deliverance feels inspirational in some measure. The second half of the song is where things become truly spine-chilling as Yocheved is forced to send off her newborn across the Nile River in order to give him a chance of survival. It’s all kinds of heart-wrenching and we get choked up watching it every time. What DreamWorks song gave you the shivers? Let us know in the comments below.
