Summary:
- Family Switch is the perfect concoction of Christmas themes and classic titles which captures the essence of the quirky comedy.
- The music portrays the emotions of the characters and their change into a better family as the plot proceeds.
- Inclusion of holiday themes suggest that Family Switch takes place during the most magical time of the year for a tightly knit family.
Family Switch’s album perfectly blends a Christmassy theme and classic titles from several generations, making for an excellent comedy.
Although the body-swap comedy is incredibly hilarious, it is a family film at its core that teaches us to take time and understand people around us.
Since Family Switch deals with experiencing others’ lives, the soundtrack must also be vastly diverse to portray every ensemble accurately.
Through the film’s music, the audience can feel what the characters played by Jennifer Garner, Emma Myers, Ed Helms, and Brady Noon go through, and the tracks in the background perfectly accentuate their development.
Lastly, the concluding part takes the musical journey to the next level as we realize the importance of staying with the family during a memorable holiday like Christmas.
In this article, we dissect the multitude of tracks used in the film and their importance as a whole in making the story even more special. Sit tight!
- “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” by The Jackson 5 – It all starts with Bill and Jess desperately trying to get the kids to take some interest in the Christmas celebrations. The bored children watch on as the adults dance around.
- “I’d Do Anything for Love (But I Won’t Do That)” by Meat Loaf – When Wyatt’s high school witnesses the arrival of Ariana, this song by Meat Loaf fills the air. The lyrics are apt for the lovers who do ‘anything for love’ in the film.
- “Seven Nation Army” by The White Stripes – The high school band plays this song under Bill’s leadership. Initially, they sound like a broken orchestra, but Bill’s guidance propels them to a level that does justice to The White Stripes.
- “Carmina Burana: O Fortuna (Da capo)” performed by the CSR Symphony Orchestra – A heart-wrenching melody accompanies the escape of Pickles, who is Miles in disguise.
Jess, trapped in CC’s body, watches in horror as her son/dog dashes towards the dangerous traffic, fearing the worst outcome.
- “Christmas Wrapping” by The Waitresses – The Christmas melody starts playing when the teens (disguised as adults) realize they can’t drive a car. Therefore, they jump onto their scooters and ride to the planetarium.
- “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town” by Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons – This beautiful tune plays when the walkers realize that their telescope lens is nowhere to be found, and they start heading back home.
- “Alright” by Superglass – This Superglass song sets the mood as Jess and Bill (who have swapped bodies with their kids CC and Wyatt) head to the high school party. They realize they are going out alone after ages, and the scene sets the tone for something wholesome!
- “Too Cute (Sped Up)” by Kyrie Briana Chalmers & Henry Richard Obree Parsley – Most musical numbers in Family Switch are from the past decades. However, this song is a modern track from 2023 and reflects the generation gap between the pair and everyone else in the house.
- “I’d Do Anything for Love (But I Won’t Do That)” by Meat Loaf – This is the second time we hear this song in the film. This time, it plays when Ariana tries to kiss Wyatt (who is Bill in disguise!)
- “Bust a Move” by Young MC – Contrary to the newer songs, this iconic musical number inspires Jess and Bill to do something out of the box. Moments later, CC and Wyatt join and they all have fun.
- “Mary Christmas (I Don’t Want to Fight)” by Ramones – This song plays when the walkers start running after the police raid the high school. The walkers reach home and start fighting again!
- “Love Is All Around” by Joan Jett & The Blackhearts – As the rock anthem by Joan Jett blasts through the speakers, CC (in Jess’ body) makes a stunning entrance at work, sporting a new outfit that Jess would never dare to wear. The song accentuates the mother-daughter swap in the film and highlights the generation difference.
- “Santa Clause is Coming to Town” performed by Weezer and the Cast of Family Switch – This song is played by Bill’s band, Dad or Alive. However, the band comprises of the members of Weezer, namely Rivers Cuomo, Brian Bell, Scott Shriner, and Pat Wilson.
- “Run Rudolph Run” by Chuck Berry – This fast-paced song plays when the Walkers eccentrically drive the car into all the obstacles in the world while trying to reach the planetarium as soon as possible. They have to reach there before the planets get out of alignment.
- “The Christmas Song” by Nat “King” Cole – The planetarium visit leaves the Walkers extremely disheartened. They come back to their home and resign to their fate. Soon, the family drifts into a peaceful slumber.
- “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” by Andy Williams – This song celebrates the moment the entire family returns to their own bodies and celebrates Christmas together.
As the song plays, we see Angelica waving at the Walkers as she drives away.
- “Feliz Navidad” by José Feliciano – The concluding song of Family Switch plays during the end-credits and the blooper reel, and the finish is incredibly high-spirited and exciting!
About Family Switch
Family Switch is a 2023 American comedy film directed by McG, written by Adam Sztykiel and Victoria Strouse, and starring Jennifer Garner and Ed Helms. It is based on the 2010 children’s book Bedtime for Mommy by Amy Krouse Rosenthal.
Family Switch was released on Netflix on November 30, 2023.
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