Watership Down soundtrack: who composed the Netflix score and how can I listen?

28 December 2018, 11:27

Watership Down (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) | Full Album

Richard Adams’ dark tale of warfare and survival in the rabbit world has a new look and a new soundtrack – but who wrote it and performed it? Find out more about the score for the new series.

When Watership Down was first adapted for the screen in 1978, the animation became instantly associated with Art Garfunkel’s moving song ‘Bright Eyes’.

But this year’s four-part Netflix adaptation has a brand new score, dreamed up by Argentinian composer Federico Jusid – and it sounds completely haunting.

One of the suites from the soundtrack, called ‘Good Times In Watership Down’, is filled with moments of dissonance and disconcerting strings, alongside an disconcertingly calming melody.

Listen to the track on Spotify here.

Sam Smith - Fire On Fire

Jusid, who has composed the music for Loving Pablo and Kidnap (2017), told Premium Beat: “My mission is to go behind the drama, the face of the characters, and the tension of the scene and the unpredictability of the scene. In animation, however, the music canvas can be wider. You can expand yourself a little more without intruding on the film.”

‘Bright Eyes’ has been replaced by a new song called ‘Fire on Fire’, co-written and performed by Sam Smith. The track was recorded with an orchestra at London’s Abbey Road Studios.

“I am so excited and honoured to be a part of this new adaptation of Watership Down,” Smith said. “This story is so powerful and timeless, and it has been thrilling to work with Noam and his team and the incredible Steve Mac on this song for it. I hope everyone loves it as much as I do.”