Key Performers and Vocal Contributions in Moana
Moana (2016) features a blend of ensemble vocals, featured artists, and original songwriting that define its soundtrack. The film’s songs are primarily performed by the onscreen characters, with recording artists and session singers shaping the studio versions. Below is a breakdown of the principal vocal credits for the major tracks.
| Song | Primary Performer(s) in Film | Notable Recording Credits / Versions | Source Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| How Far I’ll Go | Auli‘i Cravalho (as Moana) | Original demo by Lin-Manuel Miranda; studio versions by Auli‘i Cravalho; covers by various artists | Film credits, soundtrack liner notes |
| Shiny | Jemaine Clement (as Tamatoa) | Performed in film by Jemaine Clement | Film credits |
| We Know the Way | Opetaia Foa‘i, Auli‘i Cravalho, and ensemble | Opetaia Foa‘i of Te Vaka; soundtrack credits include choir and ensemble vocals | Film credits, soundtrack liner notes |
| I Am Moana (Song of the Ancestors) | Opetaia Foa‘i, Auli‘i Cravalho, and ensemble | Features Te Vaka ensemble and tribal chants; choir contributions from The Hollywood Studio Symphony | Film credits, soundtrack notes |
| You’re Welcome | Dwayne Johnson (as Maui) | Recorded with additional vocals by songwriter Lin-Manuel Miranda | Film credits, press notes |
| Know Who You Are | Auli‘i Cravalho | Developed with in-house vocal coach and music team; sung by Moana in key story moments | Music team interviews, soundtrack documentation |
Principal Songwriters and Their Vocal Roles
The score and songs were written by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Opetaia Foa‘i, and Mark Mancina, each contributing performatively and compositionally. Opetaia Foa‘i of the Polynesian group Te Voka sings on several tracks and contributes culturally grounded vocals. Lin-Manuel Miranda wrote early demos and provides background and vocal arrangement input; he is not a featured vocalist in the released soundtrack. Mark Mancina oversees orchestration and supports vocal production but does not perform on the songs.
The Session Singers and Choir Work
In addition to the principal cast, the soundtrack uses trained session singers and choir to build depth and authenticity. The Hollywood Studio Symphony and additional Pacific Islander vocalists were engaged to preserve cultural texture and support harmonic complexity. These singers are credited in liner notes but rarely appear in the film’s onscreen performances, serving instead as background and arrangement resources.
Regional and Cultural Vocal Contributions
Moana emphasizes Polynesian musical identity, and this extends to its vocal approach. Artists and singers from Pacific Island communities were consulted and recorded parts to ensure authenticity. Choir arrangements and chants in tracks such as I Am Moana incorporate traditional structures, performed by vocalists with cultural ties to the regions represented in the film.
Common Questions About Moana’s Singing
- Does Auli‘i Cravalho sing all of Moana’s songs in the film? She performs the core songs including How Far I’ll Go and Know Who You Are; other background vocals are handled by session singers and choir.
- Who sings the villain song in Moana? There is no traditional villain song; Tamatoa’s Shiny is performed by Jemaine Clement, and Te Kā’s motifs are largely instrumental and choral.
- Is the soundtrack recorded live? No; the songs are recorded in studio with backing tracks and choir, then edited to match the animated performances.
- Are there different versions of How Far I’ll Go? Yes; there are movie version, end-credit version, and several language adaptations for international releases.
Summary of Primary Vocal Credits
The principal singing in Moana is anchored by Auli‘i Cravalho and Jemaine Clement, with essential contributions from Opetaia Foa‘i and an ensemble of Pacific Islander and studio vocalists. Songwriters provide demos and arrangement input but do not perform on the official soundtrack. These verified credits clarify the film’s vocal architecture and explain how the music supports its cultural narrative and storytelling.