"Hocus Pocus 2" Soundtrack Lyrics

"Hocus Pocus 2 (Original Soundtrack)" Soundtrack Description

Overview

What’s more Salem than a spell cast as a pop song? The sequel builds on that paradox. Hocus Pocus 2 opens its grimoire to a hybrid: John Debney’s orchestral mischief returning from 1993, plus two big show numbers that turn crowd control into choreography. It’s playful, knowingly nostalgic, and tailored for streaming-era Halloween replays.

The album—released by Walt Disney Records—collects Debney’s refreshed motifs alongside cast performances by Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy. You get the wink of “The Witches Are Back” (a rewrite of Elton John’s “The Bitch Is Back”) and a Blondie cover staged as a town-wide search spell, bracketed by bright, spooky score cues and a handful of era-anchoring source tracks.

Questions & Answers

Who composed the score?

John Debney returned from the 1993 original and recorded a new, larger score while weaving in refreshed legacy motifs.

Who performs the featured songs?

Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy as the Sanderson Sisters—on “The Witches Are Back” and “One Way or Another.”

When did the soundtrack release?

Digitally on September 30, 2022 (day-and-date with Disney+); a physical edition followed in November 2022.

What label issued the album and how big is it?

Walt Disney Records; 28 tracks, ~57 minutes on standard digital editions.

Are there notable needle-drops beyond the cast songs?

Yes: LVCRFT’s “Skeleton Sam,” The B-52’s “Planet Claire,” Rockwell’s “Somebody’s Watching Me” (remix), and more.

Who handled music supervision?

Buck Damon is credited as music supervisor on the feature.

Does it reuse the first film’s “Sarah’s Theme”?

The sequel nods to that melody in-world; the retail album focuses on new score/songs.

Notes & Trivia

• Two choreographed numbers were designed to echo the original film’s “I Put a Spell on You”—but with new, “familiar” tunes.
• “The Witches Are Back” is a lyric rewrite of Elton John’s “The Bitch Is Back,” tailored to Winifred’s bravado.
• The Blondie cover was staged live with a Salem crowd; temperatures were frigid, but the performance went full take after take.
• Debney recorded across major L.A. stages (Sony and Newman), blending re-orchestrated 1993 ideas with darker new textures.
• The film set Disney+ viewing records on its debut weekend.

Genres & Themes

Orchestral mischief, polished. Piccolo runs, celesta, and choir keep the “storybook spooky” tone; bigger brass and percussion modernize the stakes.

Pop-rock show tunes. The Sanderson numbers weaponize crowd energy—familiar hooks recast as hexes.

Retro needle-drops. New wave, novelty funk, and Halloween-adjacent jams sketch modern Salem and its carnival vibe.

Tracks & Scenes

Note: placements reflect documented scene descriptions and release materials; exact timestamps vary by territory/edition.

“The Witches Are Back” — Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kathy Najimy
Where it plays: The sisters crash a Salem stage event and seize the mic; diegetic performance with full choreography.
Why it matters: A character re-introduction as anthem—Winifred’s ego set to classic-rock swagger.

“One Way or Another (Hocus Pocus 2 Version)” — Sanderson Sisters
Where it plays: A parade-turned-pursuit spell to flush out the mayor; diegetic singing that spreads through the crowd.
Why it matters: Pop hypnosis; the hook becomes a literal command.

“Skeleton Sam” — LVCRFT
Where it plays: Modern-day Salem festivities montage; non-diegetic/source blend.
Why it matters: Halloween-party shorthand that sets tempo before chaos.

“Planet Claire” — The B-52’s
Where it plays: Quirky connective tissue during town hijinks; non-diegetic excerpt.
Why it matters: Kitschy space-age cool mirrors the sequel’s comic tone.

“Somebody’s Watching Me (Urban Renewal Project Remix)” — Rockwell
Where it plays: Gag-driven skulking and “caught-in-the-aisle” moments; non-diegetic.
Why it matters: On-the-nose paranoia with Halloween-radio nostalgia.

Score cue cluster — John Debney
Where it plays: New coven backstory, book-of-spells business, and the final showdown; non-diegetic orchestral writing with choir.
Why it matters: Debney binds old themes to new arcs, giving the sequel a larger, warmer send-off.

Music–Story Links

Each song doubles as spellwork. The stage banger reclaims local adoration; the Blondie cover compels the whole town to obey. Debney’s returning motifs carry memory—witchy scherzos for mischief, broader harmonies for sisterhood—so the finale can pivot from cackle to elegy without losing the franchise’s grin.

How It Was Made

Anne Fletcher’s sequel leans into music the way the 1993 film did—only bigger. Debney recorded more than an hour of new score with large ensembles at Sony and Fox/Newman stages. The musical numbers were mounted like mini-concerts for camera, with on-set choreography and later sweetening; Buck Damon supervised clearances and song integration. The album arrived via Disney with cast tracks, source cuts, and 20+ score cues.

Reception & Quotes

The sequel’s music drew attention for balancing nostalgia and new spectacle, and the film itself quickly became a streaming hit.

“Two big musical numbers set to familiar songs.” Entertainment Weekly

“Record-breaking hit on Disney+.” Vanity Fair

“An emotional return… blending new themes with legacy material.” Composer interview coverage

Additional Info

• Digital album date: September 30, 2022; physical CD: November 11, 2022.
• Album scope: 28 tracks (~57 minutes) mixing cast songs, adapted sources, and Debney’s score.
• Music supervision credit: Buck Damon.
• Off-album uses reported: Silk Sonic’s “Skate,” brief nods to legacy melodies in-scene.
• The sequel later received an Emmy nomination for Music Composition (Original Dramatic Score).

Technical Info

• Title: Hocus Pocus 2 (Original Soundtrack)
• Year: 2022
• Type: Score + songs soundtrack
• Composer/Producer: John Debney
• Music supervision: Buck Damon
• Label: Walt Disney Records
• Select notable placements: “The Witches Are Back” (stage takeover); “One Way or Another” (parade spell); “Skeleton Sam” (festivities montage); “Planet Claire” (town hijinks)
• Release context: Disney+ premiere and digital album on September 30, 2022; CD issued November 11, 2022

Canonical Entities & Relations

Sources: Apple Music; Spotify; Discogs; Wikipedia (soundtrack & film pages); Entertainment Weekly; Los Angeles Times; Film Music Reporter; Vanity Fair; Spitfire Audio composer interview.

November, 10th 2025