You’re sitting on the couch, the credits for Sing are rolling, and that pop-rock anthem "Set It All Free" is still rattling around in your head. It sounds like a professional recording. It’s got that raspy, soulful edge. You check the cast list and see Scarlett Johansson voiced Ash, the punk-rock porcupine.
Now you're wondering: Was that actually her? Or did some uncredited studio singer do the heavy lifting while a Marvel superstar took the credit?
Honestly, the answer is a lot more interesting than a simple "yes." Scarlett Johansson didn't just "do a little singing" for the movie. She performed every single note her character sang.
In a world where animated movies often swap out actors for professional vocalists (think Disney’s Aladdin or The Lion King), Scarlett belongs to the rare camp of actors who handle their own mic work.
Does Scarlett Johansson Sing in Sing? The Short Answer
Yes. She really does.
She isn't just "talking through" the songs or relying on heavy pitch correction to get by. Whether it’s the original track "Set It All Free" from the first film or her haunting U2 covers in Sing 2, that is Scarlett’s actual voice you’re hearing.
People often get this wrong because her voice is so distinct. It’s deep. It’s smoky. It has a texture that feels more "professional musician" than "Hollywood actor trying to carry a tune."
But if you’ve followed her career outside of the MCU, this shouldn’t come as a total shock. Johansson has a long, somewhat eccentric history with music that predates her time as a prickly porcupine.
The Secret Music Career You Probably Missed
Long before she was Black Widow, Scarlett was trying to be a legit indie musician.
In 2008, she released an album called Anywhere I Lay My Head. It wasn't your typical pop starlet cash-grab. It was a collection of Tom Waits covers. Think weird, moody, and atmospheric. It even featured backing vocals from David Bowie.
Yeah, that David Bowie.
A year later, she teamed up with Pete Yorn for a collaborative album called Break Up. If you listen to those records, you’ll recognize the exact same vocal DNA that she brings to Ash in Sing.
She has a contralto range. It’s low. It’s rich. It’s perfect for a character like Ash, who is supposed to be a rebel with a broken heart.
Why Her Performance Stands Out
Most actors in animated musicals try to sound "pretty." Scarlett does the opposite.
In Sing, she plays a teenager dealing with a cheating boyfriend and a massive blow to her confidence. When she sings "Set It All Free," she puts a rasp into her voice that feels earned.
It’s not just about hitting the notes. It’s about the attitude.
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By the time Sing 2 rolled around in 2021, the stakes got even higher. She had to sing alongside Bono. Imagine being an actor and having to hold your own against the lead singer of U2 on a track like "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For."
She didn't just hold her own. She arguably grounded the song.
Breaking Down the Soundtrack: What Songs Does She Sing?
If you're looking to update your Spotify playlist, here is the breakdown of her major musical moments across both films.
In the original Sing (2016):
- "I Don't Wanna": A short, bratty punk duet with Beck Bennett (who voiced her boyfriend, Lance). It’s basically a parody of bad garage rock, but it shows off her ability to play a character through song.
- "Set It All Free": This is the big one. An original song written specifically for the movie. It’s a full-on empowerment anthem.
In Sing 2 (2021):
- "Heads Will Roll": A high-energy cover of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. It’s punchy and fits her vocal texture perfectly.
- "Stuck In A Moment You Can't Get Out Of": This is a stripped-back, acoustic version of the U2 classic. It’s arguably her best vocal performance in the franchise because there’s nowhere for the voice to hide.
- "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For": The big duet with Bono (Clay Calloway).
- "Where the Streets Have No Name": Part of the ensemble finale.
The "Realism" Factor in Animated Vocals
There’s a common misconception that voice actors just walk into a booth, talk for a bit, and then a singer takes over for the musical numbers.
That wasn't the case for Sing. Director Garth Jennings was adamant about the cast doing their own singing.
Think about Taron Egerton. He voiced Johnny the gorilla and sang "I'm Still Standing." He did it so well he ended up playing Elton John in Rocketman a few years later.
Reese Witherspoon (Rosita) also did all her own vocals, which wasn't a surprise given she won an Oscar for playing June Carter Cash in Walk the Line.
Scarlett fits right into this group. She treats the singing as part of the acting. When Ash is nervous, her singing voice sounds a bit tighter. When she finds her groove, the voice opens up. You can't get that kind of emotional synchronization if you use a "ghost singer."
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Why This Matters for the Fans
Knowing that Scarlett Johansson actually sings in Sing changes how you view the character of Ash.
It makes the emotional arc feel more authentic. When Ash's heart breaks on stage, you're hearing the actor’s actual physical effort.
There’s no "uncanny valley" where the voice suddenly changes quality or timbre when the music starts. It’s seamless.
It also highlights how versatile she is. Most people see her as an action star or a dramatic powerhouse, but she actually started out wanting to do Broadway. She was obsessed with Rodgers and Hammerstein as a kid.
She took vocal lessons at age seven. She even auditioned for the role of Cosette in Les Misérables when she was a child (she didn't get it, but still).
So, when you hear her belting out rock songs as a porcupine, you’re actually hearing a lifelong dream finally getting its biggest stage.
Practical Takeaways for Your Next Rewatch
Next time you put the movie on for the kids—or for yourself, no judgment—pay attention to the nuances in her voice.
- Listen for the breath: Unlike highly processed pop stars, you can hear her taking breaths and the natural "break" in her voice.
- Compare it to her speaking voice: Notice how she maintains that signature husky tone whether she’s talking to Buster Moon or screaming lyrics into a microphone.
- Check out her indie albums: If you like her style in the movie, go listen to Break Up. It’s a very different vibe but shows the same vocal soul.
Scarlett Johansson is the real deal. She’s one of the few A-listers who can genuinely claim the title of "singer" without it being a vanity project.
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If you want to dive deeper into the music of the franchise, you can find the full soundtracks on most streaming platforms. Comparing her raw, acoustic U2 cover to the polished studio version of "Set It All Free" is a great way to see just how much range she actually has.
Check out the official Sing soundtrack credits on platforms like AllMusic or Discogs to see the full list of songwriters and producers who worked with her to craft that specific "Ash" sound.