Surf's Up soundtrack- A definitive guide to every soundtrack in the movie

Modified Dec 29, 2024 14:20 GMT

A still from Surf's Up (Image via Prime Video)

Surf's Up (2007) is an animated mockumentary comedy from Columbia Pictures and Sony Pictures Animation. The film, directed by Ash Brannon and Chris Buck, follows Cody Maverick, a teenage northern rockhopper penguin from Antarctica who aspires to be a professional surfer.

Cody competes in the Big Z Memorial surfing competition, inspired by Big Z, against Tank "The Shredder" Evans and meets various quirky characters, including Chicken Joe, his new friend.

The film's soundtrack brings surfing culture to life with surf rock, alternative, and upbeat tracks. Willie and the Hand Jive by The Johnny Otis Show, Good Vibrations, and Surfin' USA are notable soundtracks. The music adds energy and a surf culture feel to the film.

Surf's Up soundtrack details

The Surf's Up official soundtrack includes 14 tracks. The mix includes various genres, such as pop, reggae, and rock.

Reggae Got Soul by 3:11
Drive by Incubus
Stand Tall by Dirty Heads
Lose Myself by Lauryn Hill
Just Say Yes by Ken Andrews
Forrowest by Forro in the Dark
Pocket Full of Stars by Nine Black Alps
Into Yesterday by Sugar Ray
Big Wave by Pearl Jam
Wipe Out by The Queers
Run Home (Instrumental) by Priestess
What I Like About You by The Romantics
You Get What You Give by New Radicals
Hawaiian War Chant (Ta-Hu-Wa-Hu-Wai) by Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys

Green Day's Welcome to Paradise and Holiday appear in Surf's Up but not on the official soundtrack. Other songs, such as Three Little Birds by Sean Paul and Ziggy Marley, enhance the movie's lively surfing sequences.

Also Read: Without a Paddle soundtrack: A definitive guide to every soundtrack in the movie

Mychael Danna, a glimpse of the composer

Mychael Danna is a Canadian composer, renowned for his contributions to film and television scores. Born on September 20, 1958, his career highlights include the Academy Award and Golden Globe he received for his score in Life of Pi.

He also won an Emmy for his World Without End composition. With over thirty years of expertise, Danna worked with prestigious directors, including Ang Lee, Mira Nair, and James Mangold.

Danna's journey began with a degree in music composition from the University of Toronto. His performance in Atom Egoyan's Family Viewing in 1987 brought him first of 13 Genie Award nominations and five wins. Notable works include scores for The Breadwinner, Capote, Moneyball, and Onward. The Zurich Film Festival bestowed upon him a Career Achievement Award in 2021.

Plot of Surf's Up

The story is about Cody Maverick, a young rockhopper penguin from Shiverpool, Antarctica, who dreams of becoming a professional surfer. Inspired by the legendary Big Z, Cody gets the chance to compete in the Big Z Memorial Surfing Competition on Pen-Gu Island after impressing a talent scout.

On the journey, he befriends Chicken Joe, a laid-back rooster surfer from Wisconsin, and arrives at Pen-Gu to find his idol, Big Z, has mysteriously disappeared.

At the competition, Cody faces the reigning champion, Tank "The Shredder" Evans, a ruthless penguin who has won the contest for the past decade. After Tank vandalizes Big Z's memorial, Cody challenges him to a duel but is defeated and nearly drowns, only to be rescued by Lani, a lifeguard penguin, and her uncle, Geek.

To his surprise, Cody learns that Geek is actually Big Z, who faked his death after losing his passion for surfing.

Big Z reluctantly agrees to teach Cody, who learns that surfing is about fun, not fame. With renewed determination, Cody returns to the competition but is disqualified after a dangerous confrontation with Tank. Ultimately, Cody accepts his loss, realizing the true joy of surfing is in the ride itself, not the victory.