Ferdinand (soundtrack)

Ferdinand (Music from the Motion Picture)
EP by Various Artists
Released	December 1, 2017 (2017-12-01)
Genre	Pop Latin pop
Length	18:55
Label	Island
Producer	John Powell
Singles from Ferdinand (Music from the Motion Picture)
"Home" Released: October 20, 2017 "Watch Me" Released: December 1, 2017

Ferdinand (Music from the Motion Picture) is the soundtrack extended play that accompanied the 2017 film of the same name, released by Island Records on December 1, 2017. The album featured three original songs, with two of them being released as singles: "Home" and "Watch Me" performed by Nick Jonas. The score album, composed by John Powell, was released as Ferdinand (Original Motion Picture Score) by Fox Music on December 15, 2017.

On September 19, 2017, it was announced that singer Nick Jonas wrote and recorded a song called "Home" for the film. It was featured in the third trailer released the next day and also appears in the film and end credits.^[1] It was released as the first promotional single of the soundtrack on October 20, 2017.^[2] A second song by Jonas, "Watch Me", was used for the dance battle between the bulls and the horses; it was released alongside the film's EP on December 1.^[3]

The soundtrack features three original tracks: "Home" and "Watch Me" by Nick Jonas, and "Lay Your Head On Me" by Juanes.^[3][4] Additionally, "I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho)" by Pitbull, were featured in the film but not on the soundtrack.

Euan Franklin of The Upcoming wrote "John Powell’s soundtrack is full of pleasant strumming from Spanish guitars, but is intruded upon by the poppy hindrance of Nick Jonas. His songs (specially written for Ferdinand) are tied to the animation’s dance and action sequences, making the scenes more like music videos or even parodies. His involvement feels shoehorned into the movie and appears to be a greedy attempt at publicity, encouraging people to purchase the soundtrack."^[5] Michael Rechtshaffen of The Hollywood Reporter said, "a golden opportunity seems to have been missed with the soundtrack, where, of the three original songs, two are performed by Nick Jonas, reserving the third for Juanes. In a year when Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee’s “Despacito” smashed chart records the world over, it might have been a better plan to hear how Ferdinand and company would do it down in Madrid or Toledo."^[6]

John Powell, who scored for most of Blue Sky Studios' ventures, composed the score for Ferdinand. It was his last work for the company, after its closure on April 10, 2021. The score album was digitally released by Fox Music on December 15, 2017 and physically distributed by La-La-Land Records on December 22, 2017.

James Southall of Movie Wave wrote "Ferdinand is such a fun score" and adds "It’s a little more laid-back than most of the composer’s animated scores but still so energetic and full of life, the hour-long album passes by in no time–and the inherent flair which comes from the Spanish touches is just delightful."^[9] Filmtracks.com wrote "In the end, though, the competent ethnic applications and outstanding recording quality cannot really compensate for a rather underwhelming musical narrative sans strong themes. A charming score-only album passes without worry and doesn't have the obnoxious interludes of the Rio scores. Casual listeners should explore the track "From Train Station to Arena" before all others. The whole will undoubtedly entertain, but this is not Powell at his most memorable in the genre."^[10]

Credits adapted from CD liner notes.^[11]