Disney goes ‘Beyond’ in Oscar-contender song ahead of Moana 2 release

As excitement builds for the upcoming release of Moana 2 at the end of the month, Disney has treated audiences to a preview of the film’s soundtrack.

It released the end credit version of the track called “Beyond”. A powerful ballad performed by Hawai’ian actor and singer Auli’i Cravalho who reprises her role as the voice of the witty strong-willed heroine Moana.

Cravalho said in a statement that the song hits on a deep personal and emotional note.

“‘Beyond’ really impacted me as someone who feels deeply connected to my culture.

“It’s about going beyond what you’re capable of, beyond your comfort zone, and not doing it just for yourself, doing it for your people.”

It’s seen as the film’s “I wish” song. A term to describe a series of Disney movie songs where the main character expresses their innermost dreams and desires, with more recent compositions including a climactic call to adventure or action.

Songs of similar status include “How Far I’ll Go” from Moana, The Little Mermaid’s “Part of Your World”, “I Can Go the Distance” from Hercules, and Mulan’s “Reflections”, among many others.

“Beyond” is available on music streaming services such as YouTube, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and Spotify.

Disney still making history

Moana 2 makes a historic move with not only the youngest composers in history to write all the songs for an animated Disney film but also the first female writing team to do so.

They are Grammy Award winners Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear who are reshaping the art of modern musical storytelling. Barlow’s expertise is pop songwriting and acting and Bear is hot off Beyoncé’s 2023 Renaissance World Tour as the pianist.

Barlow and Bear won the 2022 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theatre Album for “The Unofficial Bridgerton Musical Album”, which was written, recorded, produced, and engineered independently in just six weeks.

They said for the writing process of “Beyond” they “spoke with a lot of people from Oceania and the Polynesian Islands”.

“What rings true to all of them is their deep connection to their heritage and how they honour their ancestors.

“No matter how daunting this journey is to Moana, she can’t refuse it. It scares her but also exhilarates her because it’s a call from the ancestors.

“And the idea that the ocean connects us all is a very big part of Pacific Island culture and wayfinding culture.”

The film’s soundtrack is in collaboration with the renowned South Pacific band Te Vaka, led by the Grammy-nominated composer and songwriter, Opetaia Foa’i, and features the award-winning vocalist Olivia Foa’i.

Along with “Beyond”, Disney is submitting a number called “Can I Get a Cheehoo” performed by Mark Macina and returning vocal star of Maui, Dwayne Johnson to the Academy Awards for Best Original Song.

With many songs promised to be on repeat, the full album will be available from 22 November ahead of the film’s English and Te Reo Māori release in Aotearoa cinemas on 28 November.

Here’s the Moana 2 Original Motion Picture Soundtrack tracklist:

1. “Tulou Tagaloa (Sei e Va’ai Mai)” Performed by Olivia Foa‘i, Te Vaka
2. “We’re Back” Performed by Auli‘i Cravalho, Cast
3. “Tuputupu (The Feast)” Performed by Te Vaka
4. “Beyond” Performed by Auli‘i Cravalho
5. “My Wish For You (Innocent Warrior)” Performed by Olivia Foa‘i, Sulata Foa‘i -Amiatu, Matatia Foa‘i, Matthew Ineleo, Opetaia Foa‘i
6. “Finding the Way” Performed by Olivia Foa‘i Te Vaka
7. “What Could Be Better Than This?” Performed by Auli‘i Cravalho, Hualālai Chung, Rose Matafeo, David Fane
8. “Get Lost” Performed by Awhimai Fraser
9. “Can I Get A Chee Hoo?” Performed by Dwayne Johnson
10. “Mana Vavau” Performed by Dwayne Johnson, Opetaia Foa‘i Rachel House
11. “Beyond (Reprise)” Performed by Auli‘i Cravalho
12. “Nuku O Kaiga” Performed by Te Vaka
13. “Finding The Way (Reprise)” Performed by Te Vaka
14. “We Know The Way (Te Fenua te Malie)” Performed by Auli‘i Cravalho, Olivia Foa‘i Opetata Foa‘i Te Vaka
15. “Beyond (End Credit Version)” Performed by Auli‘i Cravalho
16. “We’re Back (Te Vaka Version)” Performed by Olivia Foa‘i Te Vaka