Mary Poppins Returns (soundtrack)
Marc Shaiman · 2018
78 min · 27 tracks
A whimsical blend of orchestral arrangements and catchy melodies that evoke nostalgia while introducing fresh musical moments.
Top tracks — play these first
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(Underneath the) Lovely London Sky — This opening track sets a nostalgic tone with its vibrant orchestration and lyrical imagery, encapsulating the film's spirit of adventure and wonder.
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Trip a Little Light Fantastic — As one of the standout musical numbers, this track combines energetic choreography with infectious rhythms, representing a key moment of joy and community in the film.
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The Place Where Lost Things Go — This poignant ballad captures themes of loss and comfort, showcasing Shaiman's ability to convey deep emotion through melody and lyricism.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The soundtrack blends orchestral and vocal elements effectively but lacks strong cohesion due to its length.
What we noticed
- Many tracks include reprises of earlier themes, creating a sense of continuity throughout the soundtrack.
- The orchestration often shifts between lush strings and playful woodwinds, reflecting the whimsical tone of the film.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- whimsical orchestral storytelling moments
- nostalgic melodies for daydreaming
- short bursts of playful energy
- catchy tunes for family sing-alongs
- immersive soundscapes for imagination
Maybe skip if you
- prefer heavy, dark themes
- want straightforward, minimalistic music
Where this album fits
- Career context
- When Marc Shaiman released the soundtrack for Mary Poppins Returns in 2018, he was already an established composer known for his work on Broadway and film. This project followed his successful collaboration on the original Mary Poppins stage adaptation, showcasing his ability to capture the magic of the beloved franchise while pushing creative boundaries.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Alan Menken· Stephen Schwartz· Lynn Ahrens
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 (Underneath the) Lovely London Sky 3:47
- 2 Overture 2:29
- 3 A Conversation 2:43
- 4 Can You Imagine That? 4:23
- 5 The Royal Doulton Music Hall 3:01
- 6 Introducing Mary Poppins 0:32
- 7 A Cover Is Not the Book 4:25
- 8 The Place Where Lost Things Go 3:44
- 9 Turning Turtle 4:21
- 10 Trip a Little Light Fantastic 7:03
- 11 The Place Where Lost Things Go (reprise) 1:30
- 12 Trip a Little Light Fantastic (reprise) 0:47
- 13 Nowhere to Go but Up 5:45
- 14 (Underneath the) Lovely London Sky (reprise) 1:53
- 15 Theme From Mary Poppins Returns 1:39
- 16 Kite Takes Off 2:40
- 17 Mary Poppins Arrives 1:41
- 18 Magic Papers 1:33
- 19 Banks in the Bank 0:43
- 20 Into the Royal Doulton Bowl 1:58
- 21 Rescuing Georgie 4:01
- 22 Off to Topsy’s 2:54
- 23 Chase Through the Bank 1:12
- 24 Lost in a Fog 1:00
- 25 Goodbye Old Friend 2:33
- 26 Race to Big Ben 4:56
- 27 End Title Suite 5:12
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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