We've thought of something to cheer you up in these dark times. To mark International LEGO Day, we've compiled our essential LEGO Movie playlist, encompassing songs from all four theatrically released films.
Warning: ear-worms may ensue upon listening to this selection of catchy hits again. But we all need distractions from real life at the moment. From exuberant power anthems to hip hop-flavoured takedowns of the greatest superhero bachelor (no, it's not Superman), this is everything you need to feel uplifted.
1. 'Everything is Awesome' – The LEGO Movie (Tegan and Sara feat. The Lonely Island)
It's impossible to separate the first LEGO Movie from Tegan and Sara's irresistibly cheery theme song. It encapsulates the adorable, do-gooder eagerness of central character Emmett (Chris Pratt), a Bricksburg builder who finds himself bestowed with the power of the KRAGLE.
More than that, however, 'Everything is Awesome' is an anthem to teamwork, solidarity and creativity. This becomes evident in the trippy, fourth-wall-breaking qualities of the movie's final act, a case of biting the hand that feeds at the same time as warming the heart.
2. 'Who's the (Bat)man' – The LEGO Batman Movie (Patrick Stump)
Has there been a more hilariously self-absorbed Batman than Will Arnett's LEGO Movie incarnation? We think not, but that's why he's so brilliant. The devious creatives behind the franchise ball up everything we've come to know about the Batman franchise and launch them back at us, in hysterically self-referential fashion.
Arnett's bass tones are put to good use in The LEGO Batman Movie's opening number, which establishes the emotional arc of the plasticised Caped Crusader. As The Joker (Zach Galifianakis) urges his goons to kill Batman before he starts singing, we get lyrical gems such as: "Ladies, it's OK if you stare/Why/'Cos I'm a billionaire."
3. 'Friends are Family' – The LEGO Batman Movie (Oh, Hush! feat. Will Arnett and Jeff Lewis)
The cut and thrust of The LEGO Batman Movie is Bruce Wayne's self-imposed isolation. Like it or not, he's calling out for a family – he just does it by medium of punching the bad guys, wearing black and not rising from Wayne Manor until it's morning.
This central theme is put to amusing use in Oh, Hush!'s 'Friends are Family'. The song connects the ostracised Bruce with the puppyish Robin (Michael Cera) and sort-of-but-not-quite-dad Alfred (Ralph Fiennes). It's hilarious and also really sweet, showing that this Batman is a figure of affection, as well as fun.
4. 'Found my Place' – The LEGO Ninjago Movie (Oh, Hush! feat. Jeff Lewis)
The LEGO Ninjago Movie didn't get the rave reception of the first two LEGO films, but there are still pleasures to be found. The narrative revolves around Lloyd (Dave Franco) and his supervillain father Lord Garmadon (Justin Theroux), incorporating lots of martial arts mayhem into the mix. And Jackie Chan is one of the voice actors, which makes everything better.
Like the other LEGO films, this is about a nominal outsider attempting to find his place in the world. The central song 'Found My Place' reinstates Oh, Hush! from LEGO Batman, fashioning another sweet-natured, upbeat ode to togetherness.
5. 'Not Evil' – The LEGO Movie 2 (Tiffany Haddish)
There are many superb gags in the somewhat underrated LEGO Movie sequel. One of the best revolves around the main characters realising that they're in a musical. The returning Emmett and Wyldstyle (Elizabeth Banks) are kidnapped by representatives of the Systar System, and presented to Queen Watevra Wa'Nabi, voiced with clear relish by Girls Trip scene-stealer Tiffany Haddish.
The shape-shifting overlord can't resist setting her motivations to music. And the wonderful irony is that her songs, intended as jokes, work brilliantly as tunes in their own right. You've got to love a villain attempting to go the extra mile to cover up the fact that she's bad news. Problem is, she's not fooling anyone, least of all Wyldstyle. Batman, however? That's another story...
6. 'Catchy Song' – The LEGO Movie 2 (Dillon Francis feat. T-Pain and That Girl Lay Lay)
The LEGO films are all about cheeky fun and a gleeful sense of pace. The second movie's 'Catchy Song' is essentially an ode to this philosophy, making a big (and very funny) deal about the nonsense nature of the lyrics.
Beginning with the repeated mantra "this song's gonna get stuck inside your head", it essentially acts as a self-referential mirror on contemporary movie songs. Remember that inescapable Justin Timberlake number from Trolls? The LEGO Movie 2 has its number.
7. 'Gotham City Guys' – The LEGO Movie 2 (Tiffany Haddish and Will Arnett)
The best LEGO Movie 2 track is the flirtatious, groovy duet between Queen Watevra Wa'Nabi and Batman. Never one to miss a trick, the creators of the movie cram in an extraordinary amount of rib-tickling references to the wider Batman legacy, all as Bruce attempts to convince his captor that he's worthy of a date night.
However, the amorphous Queen shoots him down at every turn in fine style. When Bruce protests that he can fly, she points out it's the Batwing that does the job. And for all his references to George Clooney charm and Val Kilmer lips, she remains uninterested. Of course, she's really playing the long game with him, manipulating the perennial 'Bat-chelor' into the suggestion of marriage, and thereby fashioning her own power dynamic in the Systar System. Now that's cold – but also very, very funny.
What is your favourite song from the LEGO Movie franchise? Let us know @Cineworld – and stay awesome!
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