Milan Records today releases THE NAKED GUN (MUSIC FROM THE MOTION PICTURE) featuring music by GRAMMY® Award-winning composer LORNE BALFE. Available everywhere now, the album includes an original score composed by Balfe for the latest film, from Paramount Pictures, in the beloved comedy franchise. Also included in the 13-track collection are two hilarious new original vocal songs performed by the cast, “Sassafras Chicken in D” and “My Sweet Beth”. Drawing inspiration from the well-loved music of past films, Balfe has crafted a nostalgia-tinged score that also manages to balance the film’s serious action with its irreverent charm. Balfe’s score pays homage to the beloved music of the original franchise, blending nostalgic nods with bold, cinematic energy that captures both the intensity of the action and the film’s trademark absurdity. The Naked Gun debuts exclusively in theaters today from Paramount Pictures.
Of the soundtrack, composer LORNE BALFE says, “When I first sat down with the director to talk about the score for The Naked Gun, he told me one thing right away: the music had to feel honest. That set the tone for everything that followed. No matter how absurd the scenes got, the score needed to treat them seriously — especially the action. We weren’t playing for laughs; the music had to sell the drama, because that’s what makes the comedy land.
I grew up loving The Naked Gun and Police Squad! — they were a big part of my childhood. Ira Newborn’s original theme is iconic, and I really wanted to honour that noir-inspired, brassy sound while bringing a fresh energy for today’s audience. That contrast — serious music underscoring ridiculous situations — is what makes this world so fun to play in.
We recorded the score at the Warner Scoring Stage in Los Angeles, and one of my favorite cues is the film’s opening. It starts with this dark, ominous tension and then launches into an explosive action sequence. It lets the audience know exactly what kind of movie they’re in for — one that plays it straight, no matter how unhinged things get.
Scoring this film was all about finding that balance: emotional sincerity and total absurdity, colliding in the best way possible.”
ABOUT THE NAKED GUN
Only one man has the particular set of skills… to lead Police Squad and save the world! Lt. Frank Drebin Jr. (Liam Neeson) follows in his father’s footsteps in THE NAKED GUN, directed by Akiva Schaffer (Saturday Night Live, Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping), written by Dan Gregor & Doug Mand & Akiva Schaffer and from producers Seth MacFarlane (Ted, Family Guy) and Erica Huggins. Joining the case are cast Pamela Anderson, Paul Walter Hauser, CCH Pounder, Kevin Durand, Cody Rhodes, Liza Koshy, Eddie Yu, with Danny Huston.
ABOUT LORNE BALFE
Lorne Balfe has created music in virtually all genres and for all visual media with projects ranging from major studio to independent films, tent pole video game franchises, beloved animated feature films, critically acclaimed television series, and documentary features.
Originally from Inverness, Scotland, Lorne’s love of music and writing was evident from an early age. His childhood home had a residential recording studio where the likes of Ozzy Osbourne and Inner Circle would record – the latter of which he serendipitously worked with for his score to Bad Boys for Life.
As early as eight years-old, Lorne began writing and selling his composed “jingles” for advertisements, and at the age of thirteen he auditioned to be a percussionist with the Edinburgh Symphony Orchestra, becoming their youngest member, and traveled around Scotland with them professionally. It became clear to Lorne that he wanted to become a film composer and in his late teens he started writing letters to other composers in the hope of an opportunity. It was then he decided to move to the U.S., and soon his exceptional career took off.
Consistently receiving accolades for his musical compositions, most notably for his score in Mission: Impossible – Fallout (Paramount Pictures) directed by Christopher McQuarrie and widely regarded as the most successful instalment of the franchise. Further cementing his role in the series, he returned to compose the music for Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning, Part One, released in July 2023. Demonstrating his remarkable versatility, Balfe scored the Netflix nature docuseries Life on Our Planet, executive produced by Steven Spielberg. More of Lorne’s work can be heard in Oscar nominated Top Gun: Maverick (Paramount) which garnered 1.488 billion in the global box office. Lorne served as Score Producer and collaborated with Hans Zimmer, Harold Faltermeyer, and Lady Gaga on the music for the iconic film. In September 2024, the blockbuster movie was brought to life as a spectacular live show, with Balfe conducting the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra before an audience of 5,000 at the iconic Royal Albert Hall in London.
Other notable credits include: Novocaine (Paramount), Carry On (Netflix), Bad Boys: Ride or Die (Sony), Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F (Netflix), Black Widow (Disney/Marvel), and beloved British stop motion animation; Wallace & Gromit (Aardman Animations).
TRACKLIST
1. My Name Is Frank Drebin Jr. (3:05)
2. There She Was Again (2:31)
3. Something Fowl (2:25)
4. Sassafras Chicken in D – Beth Davenport (Pamela Anderson) (2:20)
5. Project Inferno (2:28)
6. Turkey Talk (1:12)
7. Have a Nice Trip (2:11)
8. Hall of Legends (1:34)
9. The Main Event (3:20)
10. Calm People Up (2:03)
11. Two Kodiak Bears / Press Conference (1:52)
12. My Sweet Beth – Frank Drebin Jr. (Liam Neeson) (2:42)
13. The Naked Gun (Gordon Goodwin Remix) (3:05)
* All tracks by Lorne Balfe aside from 4 + 12.
