Danny Elfman - Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas [Special Edition] (2006)

The Nightmare Before Christmas (also known as Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas) is the 1993 soundtrack to the film of the same name. Composed by Danny Elfman, the soundtrack was nominated for the 1993 Golden Globe for best original score. Was re-released as a special edition with a bonus disc in 2006.

The film is a stop-motion fantasy directed by Henry Selick and produced/co-written by Tim Burton. Danny Elfman composed the film score and provided the singing voice of Jack Skellington, as well as other minor characters. The remaining principal voice cast includes Chris Sarandon, Catherine O'Hara, William Hickey and Glen Shadix. The Nightmare Before Christmas tells the story of Jack Skellington, a being from "Halloween Town" who opens a portal to "Christmas Town". Jack is impressed by the feelings and style of Christmas, and believes he can take over the holiday by adding elements of Halloween.

The film's production numbers include: "This Is Halloween," the song that introduces the storyline; "Jack's Lament," in which Jack expresses his frustration with his life; "What's This?," Jack's exuberant testimonial to Christmastown; "Town Meeting Song," which introduces the denizens of Halloweentown; "Jack's Obsession," in which Jack realizes his newfound desire for Christmas; "Kidnap the Sandy Claws," which unveils Lock, Shock, and Barrel's plan to abduct Santa Claus; "Making Christmas," Halloweentown's off-kilter impression of Christmas; "Sally's Song," a tender ballad of unrequited love; "Oogie Boogie's Song," the evil demon's gloriously ghoulish tribute to himself; "Poor Jack," a song of self-awakening, in which Jack discovers he truly belongs in Halloweentown; and the finale reprise performed by Jack, Sally, and the citizens of Halloweentown.

Not only is The Nightmare Before Christmas one of the best musicals of the past two decades; it may well be Danny Elfman's masterpiece, successfully integrating his main influences (from Cab Calloway to Nino Rota) into a fantastic whole. The original release and first disc of the reissue features the original soundtrack, its songs still teetering between dark humor and poetic flights of fancy; this so-called kids' music is at least as sophisticated and skilled as anything you're likely to hear on Broadway. Excluded from the reissue is the closing credits montage "Credits." The second disc on the reissue set includes demo versions of four songs on which Elfman plays and sings everything, and five new covers of some of Nightmare's best-loved songs. Marilyn Manson successfully applies his spooky Weimar-circus style on "This Is Halloween" while Panic! At the Disco's lushly orchestrated take on the same tune is closer to the original. Fiona Apple's poignant "Sally's Song" is enhanced by very nice string charts, and She Wants Revenge does a disco take on "Kidnap the Sandy Claws." Best perhaps is Fall Out Boy's cover of "What's This?" which sounds like an unexpected cross between the Beach Boys and Queen. A highly recommended set.

Tracklist:
Disc 1
01. Danny Elfman - Overture (01:48)
02. Danny Elfman - Opening (00:57)
03. Danny Elfman - This is Halloween (03:16)
04. Danny Elfman - Jack's Lament (03:14)
05. Danny Elfman - Doctor Finklestein - In the Forest (02:36)
06. Danny Elfman - What's This (03:05)
07. Danny Elfman - Town Meeting Song (02:56)
08. Danny Elfman - Jack and Sally Montage (05:17)
09. Danny Elfman - Jack's Obsession (02:46)
10. Danny Elfman - Kidnap the Sandy Claws (03:02)
11. Danny Elfman - Making Christmas (03:57)
12. Danny Elfman - Nabbed (03:04)
13. Danny Elfman - Oogie Boogie's Song (03:17)
14. Danny Elfman - Sally's Song (01:47)
15. Danny Elfman - Christmas Eve Montage (04:44)
16. Danny Elfman - Poor Jack (02:31)
17. Danny Elfman - To the Rescue (03:38)
18. Danny Elfman - Finale - Reprise (02:44)
19. Danny Elfman - Closing (01:26)
20. Danny Elfman - End Title (05:05)

Disc 2
01. Marilyn Manson - This is Halloween (03:22)
02. Fiona Apple - Sally's Song (03:20)
03. Fall Out Boy - Whats This (03:00)
04. She Wants Revenge - Kidnap the Sandy Claws (05:09)
05. Panic! at the Disco - This is Halloween (03:36)
06. Danny Elfman - Making Christmas (Demo) (05:34)
07. Danny Elfman - Oogie Boogie's Song (Demo) (03:15)
08. Danny Elfman - Kidnap the Sandy Claws (Demo) (02:51)
09. Danny Elfman - This is Halloween (Demo) (03:19)
10. Danny Elfman - Town Meeting Song (Demo) (02:47)
11. Danny Elfman - What's This (Demo) (03:01)