On November 14, 2025, Walt Disney re-released The Emperor’s New Groove Soundtrack for the animated film’s 25th anniversary. They also released a 2-disc vinyl LP set for the album, which features two additional bonus tracks.
Keep reading to learn more about the release and where you can buy it.
Walt Disney Released a Vinyl Record Set for The Emperor’s New Groove Soundtrack
Twenty-six years ago, Walt Disney released The Emperor’s New Groove in theaters everywhere. And all things considered, the award-winning animated film became an instant classic that’s still beloved today.
Much of that success came from its captivating story, beautiful animation, and wonderful all-star cast, of course. However, we can’t forget how well its soundtrack brought it all together.
Besides the John Devney original score, that soundtrack featured music from legendary rocker Sting, Sting wrote every song in the soundtrack with his buddy David Hartley. And I mean all the songs, including the award-winning “My Funny Friend and Me”, which Sting performed himself.
Fans didn’t have to wait long for the soundtrack either. That’s because Disney released The Emperor’s New Groove Soundtrack on November 14, 2000, a day before the film. And since it was before the dawn of streaming, they released it on CD, which is unfortunately no longer in print. Luckily, you can still find it up for resale in many places, including Amazon. However, you can always stream the album from the favorite digital platform, such as Amazon Music or Spotify.
A New Release for 25 Years
However, that wasn’t the end of the story. That’s because Disney released the album again last year, on November 14, 2026, to celebrate the film’s 25th anniversary.
Furthermore, they also included a two-disc vinyl record set this time, featuring new album cover art and two bonus tracks. Moreover, you could get the set in either a mixed “lemonade and grape” color scheme or a solid gold one. Most music stores should still have it, including Amazon.
A Quick Review of The Emperor’s New Groove Soundtrack
I love it when soundtracks get released, especially when they also include vinyl versions. That’s because it means the labels were thinking of us soundtrack fans and collectors and wanted to award us for our loyalty.
However, the 2025 release of The Emperor’s New Groove Soundtrack left me a bit disappointed. Firstly, it’s because it wasn’t remastered, only giving us the same tracks from two decades ago.
Secondly, the bonus tracks are vinyl exclusive, meaning you can’t listen to them digitally. Sure, they’re just “My Funny Friend and Me” sung in Spanish and Italian respectively. However, I would have loved to have them on the same playlist as the rest of the album.
However, that doesn’t mean the soundtrack is bad. Musically, the album still offers that great Disney sound we all love. So, if you loved it back in the year 2000, you’d love it now.
Furthermore, the film was Disney’s first non-musical animated feature. So, its soundtrack retained some of that showtune vibe while offering something more modern.
Therefore, the 25th Anniversary The Emperor’s New Groove Soundtrack album is a great buy for animation fans and soundtrack collectors alike, especially if you want the extras. Otherwise, the 2000 original works just as well. And that includes the CD version, if you can find it.
About Walt Disney’s The Emperor’s New Groove Animated Film
Walt Disney’s The Emperor’s New Groove should need no introduction, but if you do, let me break it down for you.
Released on November 15, 2000, the animated feature film is essentially Disney’s modern retelling of the classic folktale “The Emperor’s New Clothes”. However, instead of walking around naked, the movie follows the emperor after he accidentally transforms into a llama and his attempts to undo the spell.
Furthermore, the film got a 4K Ultra HD remaster for its 25th anniversary, which is currently available on Disney+.
Collector’s Guide: The Emperor’s New Groove Soundtrack
Album Details
- Title: The Emperor’s New Groove (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
- Release Date: November 14, 2000
- November 14, 2025 (vinyl LP)
- Label: Walt Disney Records
- Composers: John Debney, Sting, David Hartley
- Format: Digital, CD, Vinyl LP
- Track Count: 12
- 14 (with bonus tracks)
- Runtime: 48 minutes, 55 seconds
- 58 minutes, 11seconds (with bonus tracks)
- Highlights: First non-musical Disney movie soundtrack
Track Listing
- Perfect World – Tom Jones (2:21)
- My Funny Friend and Me – Sting (4:38)
- Snuff Out the Light (Yzma’s Song) – Eartha Kitt (3:37)
- Walk the Llama Llama – Rascal Flatts (2:02)
- Perfect World (Reprise) – Tom Jones (2:33)
- Run, Llama, Run – John Debney (2:25)
- One Day She’ll Love Me – Sting & Shawn Colvin (4:11)
- A New Hope – John Debney (1:46)
- Beware the Groove – John Debney (8:15)
- The Jungle Rescue – John Debney (3:17)
- Pacha’s Homecoming/The Blue Plate Special – John Debney (7:32)
- The Great Battle/Friends Forever – John Debney (6:18)
Bonus tracks
- Un Amigo Como Tú” (Spanish version of “My Funny Friend and Me”) – Sting (4:38)
- Un Amico Come Te” (Italian version of “My Funny Friend and Me”) – Sting (4:38)
Where to Listen
Where to Buy
Final Thoughts
As I have said earlier, I like soundtrack re-releases, especially for long-out-of-print ones. However, I’m not sure I love The Emperor’s New Groove Soundtrack enough to buy the vinyl. The new art and bonus tracks are nice but aren’t worth the additional cost. However, if you have the money, it might be a neat keepsake to have.
However, that’s just my opinion. What’s yours? Post your thoughts in the comments before.
You can then check out my other Disney soundtrack reviews here.
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