The soundtrack of the 2004 movie “The Polar Express” is iconic and many of its original songs have become modern Christmas classics. Written by Grammy-winning composer Alan Silvestri, the music for the movie is made up of a mix of traditional Christmas carols and original compositions. The soundtrack has become a staple of the holiday season, with millions upon millions of plays on Spotify.
The soundtrack kicks off with the title track, “The Polar Express”, an upbeat song about what happens when you ride on the Polar Express. The first time we hear this song it’s being sung by the children and the conductor, however, later in the film, we hear a musical version of the song as the train arrives at the North Pole. The full version as performed by Tom Hanks is played again during the credits, just after “Believe”.
“Hot Chocolate,” is a playful instrumental piece that captures the joy of the Polar Express journey. It’s an original composition for the film and is performed by none other than Tom Hanks himself.
Arguably the most popular Polar Express song is “Believe”, a beautiful ballad that captures the spirit of belief at the heart of the movie. The track features a beautiful, soaring melody that is accompanied by a heartfelt vocal performance from Josh Groban. It was nominated for best original song at the 2005 Academy Awards, Grammy Award for best song of 2006, and the Golden Globe for Best Original Song of 2005. Since its release, a host of other artists have covered this now-classic in their own styles, including
The soundtrack also features several traditional Christmas carols, including Frank Sinatra’s “Santa Claus is comin’ to town”, “White Christmas” by Bing Crosby and "It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas".
The soundtrack of “The Polar Express” is beloved by fans of all ages, and it’s easy to see why. The mix of traditional Christmas carols and original compositions creates a magical atmosphere that captures the spirit of the movie perfectly. Whether you’re a fan of the movie or just looking for some holiday cheer, the soundtrack of “The Polar Express” is sure to put a smile on your face. Come share in the magic of these Christmas classics on the Churnet Valley Railway Polar Express!
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