Various Artists - Cars Soundtrack

The Music

The Cars Soundtrack contains nine songs performed by artists and bands, while the remaining 11 are instrumentals composed by long-time Disney-Pixar soundtrack go-to guy Randy Newman. Four songs, "Real Gone," "Behind the Clouds," "Our Town," and "Find Yourself," were written for the film, while the remaining five were compiled for the Cars Soundtrack.

The album kicks off with Sheryl Crow's "Real Gone," a typical Crow rocker that's given a little Shania Twain sheen. Bobby Troup's classic "Route 66" is featured twice on the Cars Soundtrack, once with Chuck Berry's understated version, then again with John Mayer's harder-driving remake.

Rascal Flatts turn in a country-flavored cover of Tom Cochrane's "Life is a Highway," while Brad Paisley performs a shuffling "Behind the Clouds" and an introspective "Find Yourself." The tender "Our Town" was written by Randy Newman and performed by James Taylor, and Hank Williams sings his tune "My Heart Would Know."

The remainder of the Cars Soundtrack is comprised of Randy Newman's instrumental score, which ranges from the theatrical "McQueen's Lost" to the twangy "McQueen and Sally," from the bluesy "Bessie" to the head-banging "Opening Race." The tunes "Real Gone," "Life is a Highway," "Our Town," and "McQueen and Sally" were included on the recently-released Disney Pixar Greatest Soundtrack CD.

The Verdict

Newman was given a GRAMMY Award for "Song Written for Motion Picture or Television" for "Our Town," and the Cars Soundtrack won an Annie Award for "Music in an Animated Feature Production." Not Disney-Pixar's best soundtrack, but not their worst; not Randy Newman's best work, but not his worst, either. The Cars Soundtrack ends up being an OK compilation of music for a hugely popular film.

Recommended Tracks

• "Real Gone" - Sheryl Crow
• "Life is a Highway" - Rascal Flatts
• "Behind the Clouds" - Brad Paisley
• "Our Town" - James Taylor
• "Route 66" - Chuck Berry

Awards

• GRAMMY Award, Best Song Written For Motion Picture, Television Or Other Visual Media, "Our Town"
• Annie Award, Music in an Animated Feature Production, Cars Soundtrack