Study Music? Try Ratatouille

By Ava Rubin

Everyone has their own study playlist with some questionable songs that have been thrown into the mix over time. Sometimes it is a song from a movie that is in a foreign language; sometimes it is Irish punk rock or 1700s sea shanties. But the best music to keep you focused and relaxed is the Ratatouille soundtrack, thoughtfully composed by Micheal Giachinno. 

In 2007, Michael Giacchino wrote the album for the Disney movie Ratatouille. The album is composed of classical and French sounds. French singer Camile is also featured on the album in her hit song “Le Festin,” which had a period of fame on TikTok. 

Currently, Ratatouille is being turned into a musical. The musical’s songs are choreographed acts that are fun to watch. But better yet, the classical mix of violin and brass instruments stirred into a French soup of “study” will definitely help keep your attention on academics. 

The climactic buildup in the song “100 Rat Dash” creates a sense of urgency for times when you are rushing to hit the “Turn In” button at 11:58 pm. For more focus-orientated studying, songs like “Remy Drives a Linguini” and “Wall Rat” are great additions to your “crying while trying to do my math work that I don’t understand because I was seeing how many mugs I can keep on my cluttered desk and not paying attention” playlist.

A personal favorite for writing a long paper for science classes is “Colette Shows Him Le Ropes” since the sharp and bouncy sounds help me organize my thoughts. 

One key element that sets Giacchino’s music apart from most music is the absence of lyrics. This is great because often lyrics can velcro onto your ear and contribute to losing your train of thoughts that are essential for the social studies work, which don’t have directions. Only one song in the entire album has spoken words, and even if you wanted to sing along, it would be difficult being that the song is entirely in French. 

Although Michael Giacchino may have unintentionally made a recipe for effective brainstorming, it is easy to get sidetracked in making your own ballet routine from his music, or accidentally playing “Cast of Cooks” for your entire English class. 

It is important to mix in your boring songs that revolve around your own music taste. These tunes of yours that may not be as efficient as Ratatouille songs are essential, so you won’t become addicted to the French flavor of flare in the Ratatouille soundtrack that Michael Giacchino so graciously wrote for your hearing pleasure.