Image from Alamy
The Alvin and the Chipmunks film was a global box office hit following its release in 2007, with children growing up loving the singing rodents and their music. But after 18 years, since its cinema debut the soundtrack has made its way to TikTok.
Creators have been posting to the song ‘How We Roll’, expressing their admiration for the impressive vocal runs, by Alvin, Simon and Theodore and garnering millions of views in the process. One creator got a staggering 285,000 likes on their video stating it had “the best chorus and bridge ever, this was PEAK MOVIE MUSIC”. So, why are the animated chipmunks back and why is the song so popular?
The film’s popularity started with its release, when it did extremely well at the box office and according to IMDP now has grossed over $365 million. This prompted the release of three sequels and the introduction of the Chipettes, which were equal fan favourites. Their cover of Single Ladies has over 700 million views on YouTube and they appeared in all three sequels.
The film was also released around the boom of rodents on tv, when mice and rats were making waves across cinema. Flushed Away, the BAFTA nominated film about a rat getting flushed into the sewer was released in 2006, as well as the Disney Pixar film Ratatouille about a chef rat being released in 2007 and Mickey Mouse clubhouse in 2006.
The success of animated rodent films led to more being made and negative stereotypes about them being improved, and it was clear to publication companies that rodent films were a success amongst children, possibly contributing to the Chipmunks success.
The film was also inspired by the original band, which created “the chipmunk song” in 1958, which was extremely successful and hit #1 on the Billboard Chart. The original cartoon then followed in 1961, so the idea of chipmunk high-pitched music and talking rodents was already established as a previous success.
The film followed popular genre tropes of children’s films such as, misbehaving children and young popstars, making it a comedic musical success. Children enjoyed watching the three brothers misbehave and cause trouble for Dave, which followed into the sequels.
Alongside the films popular characters, the music in the film is well received. The chipmunks have a range of covers and original music in their discography, which has been popular over the past 18 years, with people enjoying the sped up high-pitched vocals. In order to create the chipmunks iconic voices, the singers had to record vocals at a slower pace, so it could be sped up and pitched higher.
This has led people on social media to appreciate the music in a way they had not as a child because they understand the impressive vocal talent the original voice actors had to have to create the chipmunks. The layered vocals and harmonies between the three chipmunks also added to the impressive arrangements of the music, possibly why the Chipmunks and Chipettes covers have been so successful online.
Another element adding to Alvin and the Chipmunks recent success is nostalgia and the resurgence of people rewatching childhood films, since they have been added to streaming services, so people who watched the film as a child can watch it again as an adult.
Overall, there are a variety of reasons why Alvin and the Chipmunks are making a comeback on social media and it is clear from the engagement and views online that people are genuinely enjoying the music. What do you think?
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