Over twenty years later, the Shrek soundtrack remains a cultural touchstone. Here is why the music of the first film was—and still is—a stroke of absolute genius. 1. The Power of the "Placeholder"
Interestingly, the most iconic music moment in the film was an accident. The filmmakers originally used Smash Mouth's as a temporary placeholder while animators worked. They even hired Matt Mahaffey to write an original song for the opening, but test audiences loved "All Star" so much that DreamWorks executive Jeffrey Katzenberg insisted on keeping it. It perfectly captured Shrek’s "self-sufficient rebellious celebration of his filthy life". 2. The Unforgettable Needle Drops Shrek 1 Music
Plays during the Duloc tournament, instantly establishing Fiona as more than just a damsel in distress. Over twenty years later, the Shrek soundtrack remains