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Alvin and the Chipmunks (soundtrack)

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Alvin and the Chipmunks (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
Soundtrack album by
The Chipmunks
ReleasedNovember 20, 2007 (2007-11-20)
Length48:17
Label
ProducerAli Dee Theodore
The Chipmunks chronology
Little Alvin and the Mini-Munks
(2004) 		Alvin and the Chipmunks (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
(2007) 		Christmas with The Chipmunks (2008 reissue)
(2008)
Alvin and the Chipmunks (Original Motion Picture Score)
Film score by
Christopher Lennertz
ReleasedSeptember 19, 2008 (2008-09-19)
Recorded2007
GenreFilm score
Length35:39
Label
  • 20th Century Fox
  • Fox Music
  • La-La Land Records
Christopher Lennertz chronology
The Comebacks
(2007) 		Alvin and the Chipmunks
(2007) 		Meet the Spartans
(2008)

Alvin and the Chipmunks (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) is the soundtrack to the 2007 jukebox musical comedy film Alvin and the Chipmunks based on the characters of the same name created by Ross Bagdasarian Sr. Released on November 20, 2007, through Rhino Records, Razor & Tie and Chipmunk Records, the album featured original songs as well as existing musical numbers from the Chipmunks' discography. Ali Dee Theodore served as an executive producer on the soundtrack. An album, consisting of an original score composed by Christopher Lennertz, released as Alvin and the Chipmunks (Original Motion Picture Score) as a limited edition album on September 19, 2008 through La-La Land Records.

Alvin and the Chipmunks is directed by Tim Hill and starred Jason Lee, David Cross and Cameron Richardson while Justin Long, Matthew Gray Gubler and Jesse McCartney voice the titular Chipmunks; Bagdasarian Sr., Steve Vining and Janice Karman provides the playback singing for the Chipmunks.

The soundtrack eventually peaked at Billboard 200 and topped the soundtrack charts within the few weeks of its release. It sold over 1 million copies in the United States and was certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America, thereby becoming the group's sixth album, third Platinum album and first since Chipmunks in Low Places (1992). It also won the American Music Award for Top Soundtrack in 2008.

Album information and release

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The film featured eight original songs written by Ali Dee Theodore who served as the executive producer of the album. However, his contributions were credited to the DeeTown Syndicate under the DeeTown Entertainment, Inc.[1][2] The film features a re-recorded version of "The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late)" (1958) and "Witch Doctor" (1961), along with covers performed by the Chipmunks include—Daniel Powter's "Bad Day" (2005), "Funkytown" (1980) by Lipps Inc. "Only You (And You Alone)" (1955) by the Platters.[1] The soundtrack was released through Rhino Entertainment and Razor & Tie labels on November 20, 2007, three weeks before the film's release.[1] A soundtrack sampler was released along with the DVD of the film on April 1, 2008 in a two-pack sold exclusively at Walmart and featured five original songs exclusively produced for the album.[3]

Reception

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Critical

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James Christopher Monger of AllMusic wrote "kids who missed out on the Chipmunks' '70s heyday or the trio's animated series a decade later will probably discover a lot of potential Christmas presents in the experience, and the inclusion of the original "Christmas Song" and "Witch Doctor" shows that the producers at least feel a little bit guilty about dressing the furry critters up as gangsta rappers on the cover."[4] Chris Willman of Entertainment Weekly wrote "The soundtrack's producer shows us how to get that squeaky helium sound. But didn't anyone think to film celeb Chipmunk voices Jesse McCartney and Justin Long enunciating at half speed?"[5]

Commercial

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In December 2007, the album debuted at number 133 on the Billboard 200.[6][7] In its second week of sales, the album jumped to number 67 on the chart,[8] and saw an upward trend within the consecutive weeks. The album's highest peak was number 5 on the Billboard 200, making it the group's highest on the chart album since Chipmunks in Low Places (which peaked at number 21).[9] Following Alvin and the Chipmunk's DVD release, the soundtrack went back into the top ten from number 16 to number five with a 111% sales increase;[10][11] it sold 51,000 copies of what was its 18th week on the chart and was the issue's greatest gainer.[12] According to Robert Kraft, executive vice president at Fox Music, he attributed the soundtrack's success as it offered "groovy music that people dig".[13]

Track listing

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Alvin and the Chipmunks (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)

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Track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Performer(s)Length
1."Bad Day"Daniel PowterThe Chipmunks3:47
2."The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late)" (DeeTown OG Mix)Ross Bagdasarian Sr.The Chipmunks2:34
3."Follow Me Now[A]"The DeeTown Syndicate for DeeTown Entertainment, Inc.The Chipmunks featuring Jason Gleed3:07
4."How We Roll[A]"The DeeTown Syndicate for DeeTown Entertainment, Inc.The Chipmunks3:54
5."Witch Doctor"Ross Bagdasarian Sr.The Chipmunks featuring Chris Classic3:03
6."Come Get It[A]"The DeeTown Syndicate for DeeTown Entertainment, Inc.The Chipmunks featuring Rebecca Jones3:34
7."The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late)" (DeeTown Rock Mix)Ross Bagdasarian Sr.The Chipmunks2:14
8."Funkytown"Steve GreenbergThe Chipmunks3:34
9."Get You Goin'[A]"The DeeTown Syndicate for DeeTown Entertainment, Inc. 3:16
10."Coast 2 Coast[A]"The DeeTown Syndicate for DeeTown Entertainment, Inc.The Chipmunks2:47
11."Mess Around[A]"The DeeTown Syndicate for DeeTown Entertainment, Inc.The Chipmunks3:20
12."Only You (And You Alone)"Buck Ram, Ande RandThe Chipmunks2:50
13."Ain't No Party[A]"The DeeTown Syndicate for DeeTown Entertainment, Inc.The Chipmunks featuring Rebecca Jones and Chris Classic2:43
14."Get Munk'd[A]"The DeeTown Syndicate for DeeTown Entertainment, Inc.The Chipmunks featuring Al D3:01
Bonus tracks
No.TitleWriter(s)Performer(s)Length
15."Witch Doctor[B]" (classic version)Ross Bagdasarian Sr.The Chipmunks2:15
16."The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late)[C]" (classic version)Ross Bagdasarian Sr.The Chipmunks2:17

CD Sampler

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Track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Performer(s)Length
1."How We Roll"The DeeTown Syndicate for DeeTown Entertainment, Inc.The Chipmunks3:54
2."Get You Goin'"The DeeTown Syndicate for DeeTown Entertainment, Inc.The Chipmunks3:16
3."Get Munk'd"The DeeTown Syndicate for DeeTown Entertainment, Inc.The Chipmunks featuring Al D3:01
4."Ain't No Party"The DeeTown Syndicate for DeeTown Entertainment, Inc.The Chipmunks featuring Rebecca Jones and Chris Classic2:41
5."Mess Around"The DeeTown Syndicate for DeeTown Entertainment, Inc.The Chipmunks3:20
Notes
  1. ^ a b c d e f g h Denotes original song
  2. ^ Performed by Ross Bagdasarian, Sr. as David Seville. This version is technically without the Chipmunks.
  3. ^ Featuring Ross Bagdasarian, Sr. as David Seville (speaking only) and the singing voice for Alvin, Simon and Theodore.

Alvin and the Chipmunks (Original Motion Picture Score)

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Track listing
No.TitleLength
1."Main Title"1:07
2."I'm Late"0:40
3."Ever?"2:07
4."Dave's Theme"0:48
5."No More Nuts/Storing Food for the Winter"4:43
6."Rescue the Gear/Toaster Waffles"1:44
7."Leave Me Alone"2:17
8."I'll Clean Out My Office"1:35
9."Are You Awake?"1:13
10."Christmas Morning"4:09
11."Live with Uncle Ian"2:36
12."Dinner!"2:07
13."Dave Remembers/Missing the Boys"1:08
14."Get Them!"1:03
15."Dave's Phone Call"1:06
16."Theodore's Nightmare"1:05
17."I Want to Go Home"1:28
18."Alvin!!!/You'll Never Take Us Alive"4:09

Personnel

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  • Ross Bagdasarian Jr. — lead guitars and the spoken voice of Dave on track 2 and the sung vocal of Alvin
  • Steve Vining — bass on track 8 and the sung vocal of Simon
  • Janice Karman — the sung vocal of Theodore
  • Jason Lee — spoken voiceover on track 7 (as "David Seville")
  • Justin Long — spoken voiceover on tracks 7 (as "Alvin")
  • Matthew Gray Gubler — spoken voiceover on tracks 7 (as "Simon")
  • Jesse McCartney — spoken voiceover on tracks 7 (as "Theodore")
  • Jason Gleed — guest vocals and rhythm guitars
  • Chris Classic — secondary guest lead vocals
  • Rebecca Jones — tertiary guest lead vocals
  • Ali Dee Theodore — keyboards, bass (except track 8) and drum programming
  • Alana Da Fonseca — uncharacterized backing vocals
  • Joey Katsaros — manipulation of original concept album samples and uncharacterized backing vocals
  • Zach Danziger — live drums and uncharacterized backing vocals
  • Vinny Alfieri — uncharacterized backing vocals
  • Andy Richards — string synthesizer on track 4, piano on track 8
  • Ross Bagdasarian Sr. — piano on track 15, the singing voice of Dave on track 15, and the spoken voice of Dave, as well as singing voices for Alvin, Simon, and Theodore on track 16
  • Aaron Sandlofer — keyboards, bass, guitar, drums & uncharacterized backing vocals

Chart performance

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Song charts

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List of songs with selected chart positions
Title Performer(s) Peak chart positions
US
[23] 		US
Digital[24] 		CAN
[25]
"Witch Door" (2007 version) The Chipmunks featuring Chris Classic 62 16 —
"The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late)" (2007 version) The Chipmunks 66 28 64
"Bad Day" 67 51 —
"Funkytown" 86 — —
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart.

Certifications

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Region Certification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[26] Silver 60,000*
United States (RIAA)[27] Platinum 1,000,000^

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Accolades

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List of accolades for Alvin and the Chipmunks (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
Award Category Result Ref.
American Music Awards Top Soundtrack Won [28]
[29]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Staff, Billboard (December 11, 2007). "Alvin, Chipmunks Stay In The Family". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 2, 2023. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
  2. ^ The Chipmunks (November 20, 2007). "Alvin and the Chipmunks (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)". Apple Music. Archived from the original on December 26, 2021. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
  3. ^ "Customer Reviews". Walmart. Archived from the original on July 15, 2012. Retrieved July 15, 2012.
  4. ^ Monger, James Christopher. "Review: Alvin and the Chipmunks [Original Soundtrack]". AllMusic. Archived from the original on November 2, 2023. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
  5. ^ Willman, Chris (April 4, 2008). "Alvin and the Chipmunks". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on December 9, 2017. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
  6. ^ Hasty, Katie (December 12, 2007). "Groban Ties Elvis With Third Week At No. 1". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Archived from the original on September 25, 2015. Retrieved February 1, 2009.
  7. ^ Bronson, Fred (December 13, 2007). "Chart Beat". Billboard. Archived from the original on May 28, 2023. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
  8. ^ Hasty, Katie (December 19, 2007). "Groban Remains No. 1, Becomes '07's Best-Seller". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Archived from the original on September 13, 2014. Retrieved February 1, 2009.
  9. ^ Hasty, Katie (April 9, 2008). "Strait Speeds Past R.E.M. To Debut At No. 1". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 6, 2014. Retrieved December 27, 2019.
  10. ^ Kreps, Daniel (April 16, 2008). "On the Charts: Leona Lewis Makes History With "Spirit"-ed Debut". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on October 24, 2020. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
  11. ^ Hasty, Katie (April 23, 2008). "Mariah Debuts At No. 1 After Monster First Week". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 21, 2022. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
  12. ^ "Chart Shakers". Billboard. April 10, 2008. Archived from the original on August 29, 2014. Retrieved December 27, 2019.
  13. ^ Donahue, Ann (May 2, 2008). "Three chipmunks revive an industry". Emirates 24/7. Archived from the original on June 11, 2024. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
  14. ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 50 – 27 April to 3 May". Official Charts Company. April 27, 2008. Archived from the original on October 19, 2020. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
  15. ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 50 – 20 to 26 April". Official Charts Company. April 20, 2008. Archived from the original on July 25, 2020. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
  16. ^ "Official Physical Albums Chart Top 50 – 20 to 26 April". Official Charts Company. April 20, 2008. Archived from the original on February 21, 2024. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
  17. ^ "Official Soundtrack Albums Chart Top 50 – 15 to 21 June". Official Charts Company. June 15, 2008. Archived from the original on June 11, 2024. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
  18. ^ "Billboard 200: Week of April 19, 2008". Billboard. April 19, 2008. Archived from the original on October 23, 2015. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
  19. ^ "Current Album Sales: Week of April 19, 2008". Billboard. April 19, 2008. Archived from the original on April 14, 2023. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
  20. ^ "Soundtracks: Week of April 12, 2008". Billboard. April 12, 2008. Archived from the original on May 7, 2015. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
  21. ^ "Billboard 200 – Year-End 2008". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 25, 2015. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
  22. ^ "Soundtracks – Year-End 2008". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 5, 2015. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
  23. ^ "Billboard Hot 100: January 12, 2008". Billboard. January 12, 2008. Archived from the original on July 1, 2015. Retrieved July 1, 2015.
  24. ^ "Digital Songs: Week of January 12, 2008". Billboard. January 12, 2008. Archived from the original on November 13, 2018. Retrieved May 21, 2015.
  25. ^ "Billboard Canadian Hot 100: December 22, 2007". Billboard. December 22, 2007. Archived from the original on March 17, 2018. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
  26. ^ "British album certifications – Alvin & The Chipmunks – Alvin & The Chipmunks - Ost". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
  27. ^ "American album certifications – soundtrack – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack: Alvin And The Chipmunks". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
  28. ^ "2008 American Music Awards Winners". New York Daily News. Associated Press. November 24, 2008. Archived from the original on May 20, 2013. Retrieved November 21, 2017.
  29. ^ Watson, Margeaux (October 14, 2008). "2008 American Music Awards nominees announced". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on December 7, 2018. Retrieved November 28, 2017.
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