The streamer will submit “Too Much to Ask” from the new animated film in the original song category. Netflix will officially submit “Too Much To Ask” from the animated feature “Ray Gunn” for consideration in the original song category at the Oscars, Variety has learned exclusively. Directed by Brad Bird, “Ray Gunn” is set in Metropia, a gigantic city in an alternate future as seen from 1939, where private eye Raymond Gunn is drawn into a case involving aliens, murder and a multimedia star named Venus Nova.
Scarlett Johansson, Sam Rockwell and Tom Waits lead the voice cast. In the film, the song is performed by Johansson. Kimbra, who has two Grammy Awards under her belt and blends pop, rock, R&B and jazz into her music, needed to find a distinct sound for Venus.
The idea behind the song was this was Venus’ moment. She explains that she drew from her own experience within the music industry when approaching the song. I’ve also been very blessed to have some real commercial success in my career, but I’ve always wanted to maintain integrity and authenticity in what I do.
The music that’s closest to my heart is soul music — music that comes from a place of heartbreak.” Without spoiling much, Kimbra explains it’s a moment where Venus, one of the biggest popstars in Metropia, says she just wants to be herself. And you really feel that in the film.” The song was recorded at London’s Abbey Road Studios with the London Symphony Orchestra. As for her influences, Kimbra cites a bit of Billie Holiday with a hint of Aretha Franklin.
She says, “You can hear the organic nature of those instruments compared to ‘Innocent,’ which is drenched in cookie candy claustrophobic intensity.” “Innocent” is another song in the film which, unlike the jazzy smooth vibes of “Too Much To Ask,” is an earworm of a pop song. Bird wanted a number that she says, “needed to feel almost like that song you hate so much you love it. It’s so annoyingly good.” Kimbra drew inspiration from the likes of Britney Spears and Charli XCX.
I love a lot of hyper pop.” She adds, “I definitely was thinking a lot of Britney, but I also wanted Venus to have her own sound and her own thing and the song had to be bad, but also not bad, because I guess I was protective about her also being a real amazing pop star and so the lyrics verge on very predictable.” Kimbra also wrote another number for the film, again for Venus. Asked about it, she kept her lips sealed since it reveals a side to Venus that audiences can discover. As for Johansson, who sings the numbers, Kimbra says she was familiar with the actor’s singing voice.
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