“Up In The Sky” by Emilee Moore is an interpolation of Pixar’s “Up” theme. Already, this instrumental piece carries immense emotion—but with lyrics superimposed on top of the well-recognized melody, this track takes on a whole new meaning. In its depiction of loss, pain, and longing, the song pulls at the heartstrings of just about any listener. Not to mention, Emilee’s vocals hold just the right amount of tenderness and idiosyncratic authenticity. Altogether, it’s the perfect recipe for an effective, meaningful, poignant viral hit.
It begins with vocals and piano, both softly performing the famous motif. “Where did you go / I miss you so / I’m all alone / You’re up there / You’re up in the sky,” Emilee croons. The simplicity of these lyrics is poetic in its own right. Sometimes, literal songwriting has the most harrowing effect. Without needing to be too flowery, you can create that emotional pit in someone’s stomach—and Emilee does just that. As we continue forward, the song blossoms into something a bit more complex (musically, at least). Synths, strings, and vocal harmonies envelop the verses in the most dramatic, glorious way possible. Words like angelic and transcendent come to mind. It’s that wide, chill-inducing sound you get from a live orchestra concert, but in a recorded format. This dynamic swell eventually creates a full-circle moment, dissolving into piano and vocal for the ending. If you’re not left with tears in your eyes, you did something wrong.
Be sure to give this song some love on your choice of streaming platform. It’s worth every second of your time.
Written by Alyce Lindberg
