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"Such a joy to work with you on this, Jennifer! Your creativity brought Danny the Dragon’s spirit to life in the most perfect way. We’re so lucky to have your talent on this project — and I’m pretty sure Danny is still humming this theme song on loop... because I know that we are!"
-Rhonda Nourse, Executive Director of the Happy Hollow Foundation
"Perfect Day"
Danny the Dragon's Theme, Magical Resident of Happy Hollow Park and Zoo
The Story Behind Perfect Day
Song Inspiration
I'm a big fan of the "I want" song; a song that focuses an audience on what a main character wants most in all the world. When I went into the studio, I asked myself what Danny most wants and the answer arrived pretty quickly; to play with friends. I also thought about how Happy Hollow is a place where kids get to explore the world and climb and play, and even "fly" on a dragon ride, and that's when the lyrics "hey let's fly," came to mind. I could hear it. It was so catchy. The line, "let your heartbeat come to life," arrived shortly thereafter with its poetry. That's when I knew I was onto something.
I'm a big fan of the "I want" song; a song that focuses an audience on what a main character wants most in all the world. When I went into the studio, I asked myself what Danny most wants and the answer arrived pretty quickly; to play with friends. I also thought about how Happy Hollow is a place where kids get to explore the world and climb and play, and even "fly" on a dragon ride, and that's when the lyrics "hey let's fly," came to mind. I could hear it. It was so catchy. The line, "let your heartbeat come to life," arrived shortly thereafter with its poetry. That's when I knew I was onto something.
Song Production
"Little Danny" sat in the studio with a vintage mini Casio PT-12, (because it's "little Danny" sized), and enthusiastically played along to encourage me, which was not only adorable, but very inspirational. Not many studios have a little dragon on standby.
While I wrote most of the song in a day, I worked for weeks to record, arrange, and produce it. I wanted it to be danceable, so it has anthem overtones. The vocals had to have a kid-level energy, without being camp. I reigned in some of the additional sounds and instrumentation.
Despite being a very whimsical song, I tried to give it a laser focus and drive, like you're sonically being driven through this experience with Danny. There's an intensity, like a rollercoaster, and a danceable payoff. I also included a minor cord in the chord progression because it made the dramatic arch better. I wanted this song to have some a ton of joy, and also a teeny tiny touch of something almost sad, because Danny is almost pleading with you to come and play, because Dragons know that kids grow up, and Danny is so intent on making sure the kids at Happy Hollow enjoy their childhood as much as they can.
I'm a firm believer that theme parks have that unique ability to give guests a perfect day. No matter what may be going on in life, a good theme park can hold you and remind you that there are still good things and that you belong. That is what I think Danny communicates in this song; you belong, you deserve good things, you're going to have the best time!
"Little Danny" sat in the studio with a vintage mini Casio PT-12, (because it's "little Danny" sized), and enthusiastically played along to encourage me, which was not only adorable, but very inspirational. Not many studios have a little dragon on standby.
While I wrote most of the song in a day, I worked for weeks to record, arrange, and produce it. I wanted it to be danceable, so it has anthem overtones. The vocals had to have a kid-level energy, without being camp. I reigned in some of the additional sounds and instrumentation.
Despite being a very whimsical song, I tried to give it a laser focus and drive, like you're sonically being driven through this experience with Danny. There's an intensity, like a rollercoaster, and a danceable payoff. I also included a minor cord in the chord progression because it made the dramatic arch better. I wanted this song to have some a ton of joy, and also a teeny tiny touch of something almost sad, because Danny is almost pleading with you to come and play, because Dragons know that kids grow up, and Danny is so intent on making sure the kids at Happy Hollow enjoy their childhood as much as they can.
I'm a firm believer that theme parks have that unique ability to give guests a perfect day. No matter what may be going on in life, a good theme park can hold you and remind you that there are still good things and that you belong. That is what I think Danny communicates in this song; you belong, you deserve good things, you're going to have the best time!
