Ranking All the Songs from The 13 Going on 30 Soundtrack
Do birthday wishes come true? The 30 Going on 30 fantasy comedy film is about a teenage girl (Jenna Rink) whose 13th birthday wish is miraculously granted. She wakes up a 30-year old. The film received remarkable public acceptance, earning 22 million in its first week, with soundtrack charting top 50 on the Billboard 200 chart. Let’s explore the 18 songs that make the 13 Going on 30 Soundtrack as we highlight the specific scenes that each song features in the film.
18. Keep It Simple (Stupid) – Daniel Lenz
Composed and performed by Daniel Lenz is the song ‘keep it simple.’ The title says it all; it echoes a common phrase used by many fashion experts. The song is featured at the Poise magazine party, and Jenna, the 13 year trapped in a 30-year-old body, is among the attendants.
17. Chick A Boom Boom Boom – Mocean Worker
Featuring David Newman is this 2004 release from the ‘Enter the Mowo’ album composed by Adam Dorn. The ballad plays where Jenna and Lucy are in the bar taking their cocktails.
16. Will I Ever Make It Home – Ingram Hill
Composed by Ingram Hill and released in 2002, ‘Will I Ever Make It Home’ is a song that indicates helplessness. It would resonate with anyone who’s ever experienced a situation that shuttered their plans and rendered them powerless. It plays on the credits.
15. Mad About You – Belinda Carlisle
This is Belinda Carlisle’s first single from her ‘Belinda’ album, penned by Mitchel Evans, Paula Jean Brown, and James Whelan. The song was released in 1986. It plays at Jenna’s party.
14. Good Day- Luce
Released in 2001 from the ‘Luce’ album is the song ‘Good day’. It reminds us that all days are not the same. Some are great, while others are full of blues. It features where Jean buys clothing, watches TV in bed, and enjoys some ice cream.
13. What I Like About You – Lillix
For those who love romance music, this cover by Lilix released in 2003 may impress you. It was written by Wally Palmar, James Marinos and Mike Skill from The Romantics. It plays at the Poise Magazine Part and where Jenna boards a limo to the bash.
12. Why Can’t I – Liz Phair
Why Can’t I, is the lead single from Liz Phair’s album ‘Liz Phair’ released in 2003. Liz composed this song with the help of Scott Spock, Lauren Christy, and Graham Edwards. It was featured at the 13 Going on 30 film where Matt takes photos of Jenna poses for the 2004 yearbook.
11. Head over Heels – The Go-Go’s
Head Over Heels is the first single from The Go-Go’s (an American Rock band) third album ‘Talk Show. The song was written by Kathy Valentine and Charlotte Caffey and released in 1984. It is the film’s opening credit song.
10. Burning Down the House – The Talking Heads
Burning Down the House was released in 1983 by the new wave band (Talking Heads). It’s the first single from the ‘Speaking in Tongues’ album written by Tina Weymouth, Jerry Harrison, Chris Frantz and David Byrne. The song features where Matt is dancing aloe and Chris Grandy steps out of his car in the comedy film.
9. Vienna – Billy Joel
This is one of Joe’s favorite songs from his album’ The Stranger.’ Many artists have covered it, including Ariana Grande, Mac Miller, Grace Vanderwaal, Elise Nicole, Testone, Christian Borle, Ben Platt, and others. The song plays as Jenna catches a train to her parent’s.
8. Everybody Have Fun Tonight – Wang Chung
Everybody Have Fun Tonight by Wang Chung (a British new wave band) was released in 1986. It’s a single from their Mosaic album, composed by Peter Wolf, Nick Fieldman and Jack Hues. It’s featured were Jenna’s appearance at the Poise party.
7. Tainted Love – Soft Cell
Penned by Ed Cobb and released by Soft Cell in 1981, Tainted Love was Gloria Jones’s original recording in 1964. However, this song gained popularity after being covered by Soft Cell on their debut album’ Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret.’ It plays as Jenna narrates her evening encounter with Matt to the girls.
6. Crazy for You – Madonna
Crazy for you is one of Madonna’s hits. It was composed by Jon Lind and John Bettis and released in 1985 from the Vision Quest album. This ballad plays as Jenne waits by the closet, hoping Matt will show up. It also features as she transforms back to her childhood.
5. Canon in D major – Johann Pachelbel
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NlprozGcs80
Canon in D major is great to hark when grieving or sad. The lyrics will calm your soul, leaving you excited. Some prefer listening to this ballad during their meditation or doing their yoga poses. The song was composed by Johann Pachelbel. It’s heard as Jenna takes a look at Matt’s dollhouse.
4. Love Is A Battlefield – Pat Benatar
Composed by Mike Chapman and Holly Knight is this ballad by Pat Benatar from her Live from Earth album. It’s heard in the background during the pajama bash. Jenna is also featured in the film dancing and singing to this ballad.
3. I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me) – Whitney Houston
Penned by Shannon Rubicam and George Merrill is this 1987 release, by ‘The Voice.’ It’s the lead single from her second album ‘Whitney.’ The song plays as Jenna wears makeup and prepares to go to work. It’s also heard at the elevator where she stumbles upon Becky.
2. Ice Ice Baby – Vanilla Ice
Looking for a hip hop song? Here is a great piece composed by Vanilla Ice with the help of – David Bowie, Brian May, Roger Taylor, Earthquake, Mario Johnson, John Deacon and Freddie Mercury. It was released in 1990 from the Ice Ice Baby album. It’s heard when Alex Carson undresses to tease Jenna (his girlfriend).
1. Thriller – Michael Jackson
The Thriller is a song by the king of pop (Michael Jackson), composed by Rod Temperton and released in 1982. It’s a song based on horror and plays as Matt takes his gift to the basement. We also see Jenna dancing to this song.
Key Take away
The ’13 Going on 30′ film was released 18 years ago and is a favorite to many. The movie features actors like Ashley Benson and Brie Larson, who rank among the best actors in the industry today. Like other movies, this film received various criticisms. However, I would recommend it to fantasy movie lovers.