WARNING: Mild spoilers for The LEGO Movie 2.
The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part includes a bunch of new songs and each one is catchy enough to become the new “Everything Is Awesome.” While not really a musical in the sense of a Disney movie or Broadway show, the LEGO movies do make good use of their songs, and this sequel is no different.
The LEGO Movie 2 is a direct follow-up to 2014’s The LEGO Movie, picking up events immediately after where the first film left off. Phil Lord and Chris Miller, the writer-directors of The LEGO Movie, wrote the sequel’s screenplay but the director’s gig was handed over to Mike Mitchell. Most of the original cast return, including Chris Pratt, Elizabeth Banks, and Will Arnett, and practically everyone gets to take part in at least one song, if not more. New additions, like Tiffany Haddish and Stephanie Beatriz, also sing a number or two, expanding not just the sequel’s cast but its soundtrack.
Along with the original songs (found below), The LEGO Movie 2 has a few notable needle drops of popular tracks, including Steppenwolf’s “Born To Be Wild”, Motley Crue’s “Kickstart My Heart”, and ZZ Top’s “Tush”. Additionally, Danny Elfman’s iconic “Batman Theme” makes an unsurprising cameo and there’s a funny gag made of the classic “Let’s All Go To The Lobby” ditty. Every other song featured in The LEGO Movie 2 was written especially for the film and most are performed by the film’s main cast.
Everything Is Awesome (Tween Dream Remix)
Unsurprisingly, the breakout song from The LEGO Movie returns in the sequel. This time, however, it’s a remix version that’s heard early on in the film when Emmet is doing his usual morning routine. The scene mirrors that in the original where Emmet and the town of Bricksburg start their day by jamming out to “Everything Is Awesome” - except that here, Emmet is the only one listening to the song because he’s the only still upbeat enough to listen to such a sugary sweet, pop track.
“Everything Is Awesome (Tween Dream Remix)” is written by Shawn Patterson, with additional music and lyrics by Riki Lindhome and Kate Micucci. Lindhome and Micucci - better known as their stage act, Garfunkel & Oates - perform the song along with Eban Schletter.
5:15
This short track is more of singing invitation than a full song, but it’s the first real introduction to the film’s (sort of) antagonist, General Mayhem. “5:15” is performed by Mayhem’s voice actress, Brooklyn 99’s Stephanie Beatriz (though her voice is heavily modulated due to the character’s helmet) and it serves as the cordial invitation for - and eventual kidnapping of - Lucy, Batman, Unikitty, Benny, and MetalBeard to attend Queen Watevra Wa’Nabi’s wedding. It is written by Chris Miller and Eldad Guetta.
Welcome To The Systar System
Upon arriving in the Systar System, Lucy, Batman, Unikitty, Benny, and MetalBeard are taken to meet Queen Watevra Wa’Nabi. Along the way, the little, golden star servants sing of this new land, setting up what can be expected. The song explains that breaking out into song for “no apparent reason at all” is totally normal in the Systar System, so don’t be surprised when it happens.
“Welcome to the Systar System” is written by comedian/musician Jon Lajoie (known to most as The League’s Taco), who also wrote several of the other new songs featured in The LEGO Movie 2. It is performed by Yossi, Esther Guetta, and Fiora Cutler.
Not Evil
The introductory number for the Systar System’s ruler, Queen Watevra Wa’Nabi is meant to give the impression that she is a good person who can be trusted and is definitely not evil - hence the title, “Not Evil”. The song winds up having the complete opposite effect on Lucy, who after hearing it only becomes more suspicious of Watevra. Also written by Lajoie, the track is a hilarious song for Tiffany Haddish to perform - something she does quite well.
Catchy Song
Positioned to be The LEGO Movie 2’s breakout song, “Catchy Song” is precisely what its name implies - a catchy song to get stuck in your head. And as was the case with “Everything Is Awesome” in Bricksburg, “Catchy Song” is the hit song of the Systar System. Written by Lajoie with a rap verse by Alaya High, “Catchy Song” is performed by Dillon Francis and also features T-Pain and That Girl Lay Lay.
Gotham City Guys
By now, it should come as no surprise that The LEGO Movie 2 includes a few Justice League cameos, not to mention another turn as LEGO Batman from actor Will Arnett. He sings in this one, too, joining Watevra in an amusing duet called “Gotham City Guys.” In it, Watevra explains how she’s just not in to guys from Gotham City, calling them “emotionally wounded” and “brooding”, and instead fancies a man like the Man of Steel.
This obviously wounds LEGO Batman’s pride (as it is meant to), so he jumps to his defense with his own verse. “Gotham City Guys” is the final song contributed by Lajoie, is performed by both Arnett and Haddish, and has loads of Batman references to everything from Selina Kyle to Val Kilmer’s lips.
Everything’s Not Awesome
At a point in The LEGO Movie 2 where the characters are at their lowest, this signature tune returns again - only with yet another twist. Instead of being a remix, “Everything’s Not Awesome” is a slightly altered reprise with a different yet no less uplifting message. Where the original song simply states how stuff is awesome and should be celebrated, this version observes that, actually, a lot of things in the world are not awesome - but that isn’t reason to give up hope.
The song has a surprisingly poignant message, imparting an important lesson to both the kids and adults in the audience: things may seem bad now, but that doesn’t mean they always will be. Written by Shawn Patterson and Jon Lajoie, “Everything’s Not Awesome” samples excerpts from “Catchy Song” and is performed by the film’s main cast.
Super Cool
The first of three songs that play over the credits (the other two being Matt & Kim’s “Come Together Now” and Superorganism’s “Hello Me & You”) this particular tune was written especially for The LEGO Movie 2’s super cool credit sequence. There’s no end-credits scene, but the credits themselves play over a neat sequence which recreates most of the main characters in actual LEGO bricks.
The song, appropriately titled “Super Cool”, is a collaboration between Beck, Robyn, and The Lonely Island and has clever lyrics that knowingly poke fun and celebrate the very credits they’re playing over. So while the credits may not contain any additional scenes or tease the next film in the LEGO franchise, “Super Cool” is reason enough to stay in your seat just a bit longer.
