Tag Archives: Moana

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Song of the Day #3,079: ‘You’re Welcome’ – Dwayne Johnson

moanaThough Moana‘s title character is obviously in the lead role, the film’s biggest star is Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, who voices the demi-god Maui. Based on an actual figure in Hawaiian mythology, Maui is said to have wielded a giant fishhook, raised islands from the deep, lifted the sky, slowed down the sun and invented the coconut tree.

Johnson is a hoot in what’s essentially the genie role from Aladdin with a lot more tattoos. But unlike Robin Williams, he complements the film more than takes it over.

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Song of the Day #3,078: ‘We Know the Way’ – Opetaia Foa’i & Lin-Manuel Miranda

moanaWhile Moana’s father tells her their people have never ventured beyond the island reef, the truth is (SPOILER ALERT) Polynesian people have been beast-mode explorers for generations. Just imagine how ballsy you have to be to venture into the open ocean with no idea what, if anything, you’ll find.

And then you’re rewarded by finding Hawaii! Respect.

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Song of the Day #3,077: ‘How Far I’ll Go’ – Auli’i Cravalho

moanaEvery Disney heroine has her signature song, from Ariel’s ‘Part of Your World’ to Mulan’s ‘Reflection’ and Elsa’s ‘Let It Go.’

For Moana, it’s ‘How Far I’ll Go,’ a yearning, soaring ode to following your heart. Moana wants to find adventure on the high seas but her father, the island chief, allows nobody beyond the reef. It’s the age-old struggle between security and freedom, whether it’s in the Polynesian islands or Miranda Lambert’s small-town Texas.

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Song of the Day #3,076: ‘Where You Are’ – Moana soundtrack

moanaI have an informal rule saying any movie that makes me choke up or tear up automatically leaps to the top of my year-end top ten list. I’m not easily moved so I have to give credit where it’s due.

If you look at the list to the right you’ll see that Disney’s animated film Moana currently sits in the top spot. It’s there for a lot of reasons, but chief among them is the lump I get in my throat every time I listen to its soundtrack, the same one I got sitting in the theater watching it for the first time.

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