Woody, Buzz and the gang are back in the highly anticipated Disney and Pixar animated film, “Toy Story 4.” Accompanying the film is Walt Disney Records’ soundtrack album, which reunites the Toy Story franchise with the Academy Award-winning composer and songwriter Randy Newman. The soundtrack features two new songs “I Can’t Let You Throw Yourself Away” and “The Ballad of the Lonesome Cowboy.” The end credit version of “The Ballad of the Lonesome Cowboy” is performed by multi-Platinum, Grammy-winning musician Chris Stapleton. The song is available today as a single and lyric video. The soundtrack will be available from Walt Disney Records on June 21 as the film opens in U.S. theaters nationwide.
“The Ballad of the Lonesome Cowboy” was written from Woody’s perspective. Newman said, “Woody feels like he was a lonesome cowboy until someone comes along and changes his world.” Newman was excited to hear Chris Stapleton would record the end credit version of the song and felt he’d bring Woody’s feelings to life perfectly. “Chris Stapleton did a great job on this song.”
Stapleton said, “To me what has made the ‘Toy Story’ films hold up over time has been the strength of the stories and the songs and the writing and the characters. There’s something for people of all ages to enjoy in the world that is ‘Toy Story.’ It’s a tremendous honor to get to sing a Randy Newman song in what is without question one of the most iconic animated franchises in history.”
The Toy Story 4 original motion picture soundtrack is now available for physical pre-order. “The Ballad of the Lonesome Cowboy” performed by Chris Stapleton is available at streaming and download services.