When the animated musical comedy Sing hit theaters, it brought a roster of cover songs and original tracks to the mainstream. Yet, one specific musical moment cut through the noise: Ash the porcupine belting out her original track on stage. Millions of viewers walked out of cinemas searching for the song, eager to understand why a fictional punk-rock anthem resonated so deeply.
The track in question, officially titled "Set It All Free," wasn't just a throwaway movie tune. It was engineered to capture a universal narrative of creative liberation and emotional independence. Written by Dave Bassett and performed by Scarlett Johansson, the song became the emotional core of the film's second half, turning a cartoon character's personal crisis into a genuine pop-rock earworm.
The Narrative Turning Point: Why Ash's Song Works
In storytelling terms, a musical number only succeeds when it serves the character arc. Before Ash steps up to the microphone, she's dealing with a toxic creative partnership and a fresh breakup. Her arrogant boyfriend, Roy, insisted on keeping her in his shadow as a backing singer while demanding she tone down her edge.
When Ash discovers his infidelity, she doesn't just walk away—she channels that betrayal into an aggressive, driving punk-rock composition.
This narrative setup creates instant high stakes. Audiences root for Ash because her performance is an act of rebellion. When she takes the stage at the ruined Moon Theater, she drops her acoustic guitar, plugs in an electric one, and launches into a high-energy anthem. The song acts as a sonic explosion of suppressed frustration, giving listeners a visceral release that slower ballads cannot match.
Musical Composition and Arrangement
Musically, "Set It All Free" relies on a classic rock build-up that contrasts sharply with the bubblegum pop and jazz numbers performed by other characters in the film.
The track starts with a gritty, distorted guitar riff that immediately establishes a rebellious tone. Unlike synthesized pop tracks, the instrumentation leans heavily on live-sounding drums and raw basslines, giving it an authentic garage-band feel. This choice grounds the animated sequence in a realistic, gritty aesthetic.
Scarlett Johansson’s vocal delivery plays a massive role in the track's success. Rather than relying on polished, auto-tuned perfection, her voice carries a raspy edge. That minor vocal imperfection signals raw emotion, making the performance feel urgent and human.
The chorus explodes with a soaring vocal melody that demands attention, anchored by simple, hard-hitting chord progressions. It follows the time-tested structure of rock anthems like those found in Billboard charts for alternative rock: a verse that builds tension, a pre-chorus that lifts the listener's expectations, and an anthemic chorus that delivers pure catharsis.
The Production Team Behind the Hit
While fictional characters perform these tracks on screen, the real-world success of music from Sing (released by Universal Pictures) comes down to seasoned industry professionals.
Dave Bassett, known for crafting alternative rock and pop hits for artists like Elle King and Shinedown, wrote "Set It All Free." Bassett understood that for an animated movie about singing animals to connect with adult audiences, the music couldn't feel childish or sanitized. He injected authentic rock sensibilities into the track, ensuring it could comfortably sit on mainstream radio alongside real-world artists.
Garth Jennings, the writer and director of Sing, insisted from day one that the music had to drive the narrative rather than just serve as background noise. In interviews with entertainment outlets, Jennings noted that every song in the film was chosen or written to reflect a specific psychological breakthrough for the characters. Ash's song was designed specifically to represent shedding external expectations and embracing one's true identity.
Common Misconceptions About the Song
Many casual viewers and fans make a few common assumptions when analyzing the music from Sing.
- The belief that Scarlett Johansson wrote the song: While Johansson's gritty vocal performance gives Ash her distinct persona, professional songwriters penned the track specifically for the film's narrative beats.
- The idea that it's a cover: Because Sing is packed with recognizable pop covers, many viewers initially assume "Set It All Free" is a cover of an existing 1990s or 2000s rock song. In reality, it was written entirely from scratch for the movie.
- Confusing the genre with standard pop: While the soundtrack features plenty of pop hits, Ash's signature track leans firmly into modern alternative rock, separating her musical identity from the pop-heavy stylings of characters like Buster Moon or Rosita.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who actually sings Ash's song in Sing?
The vocals are performed by actress Scarlett Johansson, who voices the teenage porcupine character named Ash in both the original 2016 film and its 2021 sequel, Sing 2.
Is "Set It All Free" available on streaming platforms?
Yes, the track is featured on the official Sing (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) and can be streamed on major platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube Music.
What is the actual title of the song?
While fans often search for it as the "Ash song" or the "Sing punk rock song," its official commercial title is "Set It All Free."
Did the song win any awards?
While the film itself received Golden Globe nominations, "Set It All Free" functioned primarily as a blockbuster narrative anchor rather than a standalone chart-topping single, though it remains one of the most streamed tracks from the entire franchise.
