Warning: This post contains spoilers for Pinocchio
Every song in the live-action adaptation of Pinocchio. Pinocchio joins a plethora of Disney’s live-action adaptations, bringing the 1940 animated film to life in a new way. The film, which stars Tom Hanks as Geppetto and Benjamin Ainsworth as Pinocchio, is one of the few live-action remakes to receive a streaming only release, and had its premiere on Disney+ September 8.
Directed by Robert Zemeckis from a screenplay he co-wrote with Chris Weitz, Pinocchio follows the titular character on his journey toward becoming a real boy after being brought to life by the Blue Fairy (Cynthia Erivo). While that sounds relatively easy, Pinocchio is side-tracked by a slew of mischievous and conniving characters who don’t have the best intentions. With the help of his conscience Jiminy Cricket (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), Pinocchio must learn many lessons along the way, including being brave, truthful, and unselfish.
Pinocchio, like so many of Disney’s animated classics, had a few musical numbers. The live-action adaptation brings many of the beloved songs back. While Pinocchio sticks very closely to its animated predecessor, there are a few changes and additions — namely, in the soundtrack department. Classics like “When You Wish Upon a Star,” which has become the unofficial Disney theme, are included in the live-action remake, along with a couple of new additions, one of which is sung by Fabiana and the puppet Sabina, characters created for the live-action Pinocchio.
Every Song In Pinocchio (& When They Appear In The Film)
“When He Was Here With Me” by Tom Hanks - This song is performed when Geppetto is putting the final touches on Pinocchio. He’s looking longingly at the photo of his son (who remains unnamed) and reminiscing about their time together, not knowing that he’s about to gain another son. “When He Was Here With Me” is the first song in the live-action remake.
“Pinocchio Pinocchio” by Tom Hanks - “Pinocchio Pinocchio” is sung after the Blue Fairy transforms Pinocchio into a living wooden puppet. Geppetto is so ecstatic about the fact that Pinocchio is alive and can talk that he breaks out into a song and dance.
“Hi-Diddle-Dee-Dee (An Actor’s Life for Me)” by Keegan-Michael Key - “An Actor’s Life for Me” is performed after Pinocchio’s run-in with “Honest” John, an anthropomorphic wolf who has set his sights on taking Pinocchio to work for Stromboli, the cruel puppeteer. Rather than going to school, Pinocchio decides to go with Honest John, convinced he wants to be famous. Honest John gleefully sings “Hi-Diddle-Dee-Dee” in celebration of Pinocchio’s choice.
“I’ve Got No Strings” by Benjamin Evan Ainsworth - “I’ve Got No Strings” is sung during Pinocchio’s performance in Stromboli’s puppet show. He’s showing off to the crowd that he is a puppet who can sing, dance, and do anything he wants because he’s not a traditional marionette.
“I Will Always Dance” by Kyanne Lamaya - “I Will Always Dance” is performed after Pinocchio’s puppet set is over and highlights Kyanne Lamaya’s two characters, the human Fabiana and her ballerina marionette Sabina. The song is one of the new additions to the live-action Disney film and is focused on Fabiana’s longing to be free from Geppetto.
“The Coachman to Pleasure Island” by Luke Evans - This song is the last one in Pinocchio, and is sung by the Coachman to convince the wooden boy to join his peers, including Lampwick, in Pleasure Island. Luke Evan’s Coachman performs the song on a wagon taking a group of kids to Pleasure Island for a night of mischief and irresponsibility.