In addition to choreographing the “Car Wash” dance number, Hi-Hat taught the animators dance steps for the party scene in Oscar’s new penthouse and also showed them how to put a certain spring in Oscar’s step. “Oscar is always so energetic; even when he’s just walking, he’s kind of dancing,” Joubert explains.
The new version of “Car Wash” is performed by Christina Aguilera, featuring Missy Elliott, and Higman says that the two chart-topping artists’ version “is even better than the original, in my opinion.”
Another duo, Sean Paul and the film’s Ziggy Marley, teamed on the song “Three Little Birds,” which was one of the late, great Bob Marley’s biggest hits. Vicky Jenson reveals, “We were all a little nervous about asking Ziggy to reprise his father’s song for the movie, but he was totally game.”
Music superstar Justin Timberlake, together with Timbaland, performs the original song “Good Foot” in the movie. Higman recalls, “We felt like we were shooting for the moon when we went to Justin. Lucky for us, he was interested and I think the song is great.”
Teenage music sensation JoJo is also heard singing the song “Secret Love,” which sums up Angie’s feelings for Oscar. Lola also has a theme song, the appropriately titled “Gold Digger,” performed by rap star Ludacris, featuring Bobby V. and Lil’ Fate.
The other artists heard in “Shark Tale” include: D12, doing “Lies & Rumors”; Avant, performing “I Can’t Wait”; India.Arie, singing “Get It Together”; The Pussycat Dolls, doing “We Went As Far As We Felt Like Goin’”; Fan_3, performing “Digits”; and Cheryl Lynn, singing “Sweet Kinda Life.”
If there is one song that sums up the theme of “Shark Tale,” it is the remake of “Got to Be Real,” performed by Mary J. Blige and featuring the film’s star, Will Smith. Katzenberg states, “It really is the anthem for the movie because ultimately Oscar has to be real to get what he wants in life. We were able to use that song to reinforce the story of Oscar and his journey.”
“In many cases in life, and in the movies, people—or even fish—have to go through extraordinary journeys only to find out that what you needed and wanted was right there in front of you,” Damaschke reflects.
“I think we can all relate to that feeling of ‘if only…,’” Jenson says. “You know, ‘My life would be perfect if only…’ Oscar can’t see the treasures he already has in his life because he has his sights set on the top of the Reef. But he learns that everything he ever wanted was there all along.”
Will Smith concludes, “The theme here is that greatness isn’t in what you have or where you live or how nice your clothes are. Greatness is found in who you are, and that is something you can’t fake. The universe will always find out if you’re being true, so in its simplest form: who you are is good enough.”
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