2003 was the height of Tween Queendom. Hilary Duff, Lindsay Lohan, Amanda Bynes, and Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen graduated from child star to tween to teen in the blink of an eye. The Olsens traded their mystery agency for a grand tour around the world. Hilary's Lizziehelped herbuild an empire of glittery pop and blockbuster teen movies. Lindsay captured America’s heart in The Parent Trap and another decade of films.
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Amanda Bynes channeled her flair for comedy into a collection of witty rom-coms. What a Girl Wantsis the perfect way to experience Amanda's excellent range of emotions and it's a compelling story. The film is based on the 1950s play and movie The Reluctant Debutante.In the 2003 movie, the soundtrack complements the protagonist and highlights her character development. Based on their overall importance to the film, hereis a ranking ofthe songsfromWhat a Girl Wants.
Kiss Kiss
This song doesn't do a whole lot in the movie, but it is part of an interesting scene. Daphne is chilling in her room reading a magazine while "Kiss Kiss" is playing. Her dad interrupts her to awkwardly explain his family's importance and he low-key asks her to totally change herself.
Heaven is a Place on Earth/Shout
Daphne's mom Libby, played by Kelly Preston, sings Belinda Carlisle's "Heaven is a Place on Earth" early in the movie. It's an upbeat tune, perfect for a wedding reception. As Daphne finds a wedding guest underneath a table who has had too much to drink, a Greek instrumental party tune starts playing. The guest falls over and is conked out, so Daphne puts ice down his shirt to wake him up. When he starts flapping around, Daphne mimics his motions and yells "Shout!" so her mother will sing it and make it look like the man is just dancing.
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The song "Shout" was released by the Isley Brothers in 1959. The old school hit is a great way to reveal some aspects of Daphne's character -- she is kind, resourceful, and funny.
Crazy/I Wanna Be Bad
"Crazy" plays as Daphne is attempting to get ready for the royal dress show. She has some trouble figuring out how to tame the Dashwood residence's deluxe shower. The family leaves Daphne scrambling to get dressed for what will be a memorable event.
Once Daphne arrives at the posh fashion show, "I Wanna Be Bad"is the dramatic backdrop for her modeling stint. She accidentally enters the fashion show from the stage entrance and unwittingly walks right onto the runway. Daphne owns it, though. She models her casual wear, yells "Thank you, London!" and then falls down.
Who Invited You
This great rock song by The Donnas is fitting for the scene where Daphne and Ian go on their date. Ian looks like a rocker in his leather jacket and Daphne mounts his motorcycle happily.
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The song captures their rebellious spirit."We don't care if you think our party's cool, 'cause we do!"
What's Your Flava?
This is a great scene inWhat a Girl Wants.Alistair Payne, Henry Dashwood's political advisor and future father-in-law, asks Henry if Daphne is a liability or an asset.
Henry says that his first impression is that Daphne is "quite mature for her age," (film cuts to Daphne jumping on the bed) "well-mannered," (Daphne slides around in her socks,Risky Businessstyle) and "rather self-contained" (Daphne dances to "What's Your Flava?").
Because You Loved Me
This Celine Dion hit is an emotional moment forWhat a Girl Wants.Daphne must watch her mom, Libby, perform the song for a daddy-daughter dance at a wedding reception.
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She sits by thinking about the father she never knew and starts discussing the matter with her mom.
Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo
"Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo" plays when Daphne and her father hang out in London together. They have a blast goofing off, looking at old records, and getting to know one another for the first time.
They let loose just enough to bring the audience in before the relationship is jeopardized.
Out of Place
This Gavin Thorpe song plays as Daphne does research on her dad, Lord Henry Dashwood, and as she leaves New York to go meet him.
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The vocals appropriately have a weary and uncertain sound in the beginning. The sonority and the lyrics combined match Daphne's feelings. "You'll be coming home soon, I know you're out of place. You'll knock on my door soon? I just need to see your face."
Half-Life
"Maybe, I need to see the daylight,to leave behind this half-life. Don't you see I'm breaking down? Lately, something here don't feel right. This is just a half-life. Is there really no escape? No escape from time of any kind."
This depressing message mirrors the way that Daphne feels about life without a relationship with her dad. She has spent so many years without him and she knows what she has been missing once the two have gotten to know each other.
London Calling
"London Calling" is the best music for Daphne's first moments in London. The 1979 tune by The Clash fitsher wide-eyed introduction to the rich and expansive city because of the song's pulsing instrumental line and edgy vocal sound.
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The song also shows its age with the line, "Phony Beatlemania has bitten the dust." As the song plays on, Daphne rides the double-decker bus, glimpses Big Ben, and gets ready for the next chapter of her life.
Get Up Offa That Thing
This scene mirrors the earlier one of Daphne helping the wedding guest. Once in London, she tries socializing at the coming-out party of twins Peach and Pear Orwood.
The event is a bore, but Daphne livens up the party by cranking up the music -- she gets the band to play James Brown's "Get Up Offa That Thing" and peoplecut loose on the dance floor. The only catch? The Orwoods' chandelier comes crashing to the ground due to the uncharacteristically high volume in the room.
Long Time Coming
This Oliver James song is so important to the development of his character's romance with Daphne. After Daphne saves the evening, Ian pours his heart out to her with "Long Time Coming."
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There are perks to dating the guy inthe party band. The two lock eyes and share the meaning behind James's lyrics, "Love's been a long time coming."
Good Life
The big, bouncy opening credits ofWhat a Girl Wantsare bright and sunny, featuring a colorful butterfly that guides the camera. The lyrics remind everyone that this is a summertime movie: "Gotta get me out of the junkyard heap. Kicking back in marigold summertime dream, It's a good, good life, we got the good life.Falling in love under the raspberry sun. Turn up the stereo, baby have some fun. It's a good, good life, we got the good life."
Other lyrics are a sentimental ode to the girl of the 2000s: "Bean bags, bobby pins, glitter gel, I'm home again."
Ride of Your Life
This may as well be Daphne's theme song because it is all about taking the reigns and going after one's dreams in life.
"Come on, here’s your chance, Don’t let it slip right through your hands. Are you ready for the ride of your life? Your dreams are riding on the wind. Just reach out and pull them in and get ready for the ride of your life."What a Girl Wantsis certainly the ride of Daphne's life. It's too bad we never got a sequel.
Have I Told You Lately
The song "Have I Told You Lately" is the second daddy-daughter dance scene. It comes at the end of the movie and is a much happier moment for Daphne than the first dance at the film's beginning.
This time, Libby is about to start singing, but she can't go on when she sees Henry show up. He takes the dance floor for Daphne to finally get that dance with her dad. Ian shows up to dance with Daphne, too. Henry remembers where his home is -- with Libby and Daphne.
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