A film score holds more than meets the eye—or ear, rather. It can reshape a movie’s overall tone. Think back to Forrest Gump. The story brought audiences back to the ‘70s and ‘80s with hits like “California Dreamin’” and “Sweet Home Alabama.” And Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood achieved the same through songs such as “Mrs. Robinson.” Aside from the era, these scores add a specific aura to each scene, whether it be Forrest’s innocent dance with Jenny or Cliff Booth’s distant greeting with one of the Spahn Ranch women. But when it comes to a Disney film, we typically hear harmonic compositions that unravel the story of a hero or princess.
However, that isn’t the case with the live-action Cruella prequel. Its Led Zeppelin and Rolling Stones-laced score is an array of classic rock and pop songs—tunes normally not associated with a Disney film. Since its plot takes place in the ‘70s, the score reflects the era that was filled with new pop cultural trends. Nevertheless, before Cruella, the Mouse House usually infused its live-actions with original music of magic and merriment. Even villain-centered adaptations like Maleficent uphold Disney’s musical tradition through orchestral crescendos and symphonic beats. And yet, the majority of Cruella plays head-banging hits—a more modern approach from a platform that otherwise promotes magic. However, Cruella’s score conveys more than just a recognizable setting. It also defies Disney’s family-friendly musicality through sexier undertones.
Let’s recap Estella’s first Cruella appearance at the Black and White Ball. Deep Purple’s “Hush” commences the chase to banish her from the room. And the song is a quintessential reminder of Cruella’s fashionable villainy: “No doubt about it, she looks so fine/Sometimes she’s gonna make me feel so bad.” Like countless other rock songs, “Hush” includes sexual innuendos, signaling a definitive change for a Disney production. But this is not Cruella’s only sensual track. Fans should recall the ‘I Wanna Be Your Dog” scene. If the song’s title doesn’t give it away, the lyrics will. Artie begins Cruella’s punk-rock runway, singing, “So messed up, I want you here/In my room, I want you here/Now I wanna be your dog.” And later, Cruella returns to her, Horace, and Jasper’s apartment belting out the lyrics. Although young viewers may not understand the lyrical meaning, the song’s innuendos still taint the child-friendly image.
Sexy songs aren’t part of the daily dose of Disney. Yes, it’s true that the platform broke away from archetypal 1950s patriarchal traditions. Nevertheless, each Disney film conveys another realm, most of them being fairytales. And each film’s music emphasizes the “Chim-Chim Cher-ee”-ness or the “Whole New World’ quality. So, Cruella’s sensuality isn’t the only trait that sets it apart from other Disney-fied creations. Some of the songs also reflect irony, like Judy Garland’s “Smile” during Estella’s near-death experience.
Cruella could influence future Disney films to include pop-cultural hits instead of original scores. Perhaps the upcoming Little Mermaid live-action could jazz up its songs with pop. And just as Cruella leaned away from child-friendly show tunes, maybe The Little Mermaid and future live-actions could follow suit. Then again, we’re talking about a villain here. So maybe Disney won’t give its princesses a down-to-earth musicality. But it could pave the way for villainous prequels to have more secular music.