You probably didn’t expect a cartoon porcupine to make you cry over a 1980s U2 anthem. Honestly, most people didn't. But when Scarlett Johansson I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For hit the screen in Sing 2, it became one of those rare movie moments that actually transcends the "kids' movie" label. It wasn't just another celebrity voice-over. It was a legit musical crossroads where a Hollywood A-lister and a rock legend met to breathe new life into a song that’s been played a billion times.
The track is raw. It's stripped back. It starts with just Ash (Johansson’s character) and her guitar, and by the time Bono’s Clay Calloway joins in, it’s basically a masterclass in emotional storytelling.
Why This Version Hits Differently
Usually, when actors cover iconic rock songs for animated soundtracks, the result is... well, it’s fine. It’s polished and safe. But Scarlett Johansson doesn't really do "safe" with her voice. You've gotta remember she has a history with music—she released an entire album of Tom Waits covers back in 2008. She knows how to handle grit.
In Sing 2, her character Ash is trying to coax a reclusive, grieving rock star back into the light. The choice of U2's 1987 classic was deliberate. The song itself is about spiritual longing and the search for meaning, but in the context of the film, it becomes a bridge between generations.
The Bono Connection
The coolest part of the story? Bono actually gave Scarlett the ultimate stamp of approval. He didn't just let the production use the song; he stepped into the recording booth with her.
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Bono has mentioned in interviews that he was genuinely impressed by her vocal delivery. He even joked that he had to "step up his game" because she brought such an authentic rock edge to the performance. It wasn’t a case of a legend carrying a novice. It was two artists working on the same level.
Breaking Down the Performance
If you listen closely to the recording, it doesn't sound like a typical pop mix. It’s got this echoey, stadium-like quality that builds slowly.
- The Intro: Johansson starts solo. Her voice is low, slightly breathy, and carries a lot of weight.
- The Harmony: When Bono enters, he doesn't take over. He provides this gravelly foundation that sits right under her melody.
- The Energy: By the final chorus, the arrangement swells with strings and drums, but the focus stays on the dual vocals.
Most people don't realize how much work went into making it sound "unproduced." Director Garth Jennings wanted it to feel like a live performance in a massive arena, even though it was recorded in isolated booths (some of it during the pandemic).
The Legacy of the Song
U2’s original version is a masterpiece of the "Joshua Tree" era. It’s about a specific kind of Irish soul-searching. When Scarlett Johansson I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For started trending on TikTok and Spotify, it introduced that feeling to a whole new generation.
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Suddenly, kids who had never heard of The Joshua Tree were humming the melody of a song written twenty years before they were born. That’s the power of a good cover. It doesn't replace the original; it acts as a gateway.
Scarlett’s Musical Roots
People often forget that Scarlett isn't a "singing actress" in the way some others are. She’s a musician in her own right. Aside from her Tom Waits project (Anywhere I Lay My Head), she also collaborated with Pete Yorn on the album Break Up.
She has a contralto range that is super distinctive. It’s smoky. It’s a bit dark. It’s the exact opposite of the high-pitched "princess" voices we usually get in animation. That’s why she was able to pull off a U2 cover without it sounding like karaoke.
What Most People Miss
There is a specific moment in the movie where the music stops, and it’s just the sound of the guitar ringing out. That’s a nod to the way U2 actually plays the song live. It shows a level of respect for the source material that you don't always see in "jukebox musicals."
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The soundtrack for Sing 2 ended up being a massive hit, peaking at number two on the UK charts and staying on the Billboard 200 for weeks. While the movie featured tracks from Billie Eilish and Halsey, the duet between Scarlett and Bono remained the emotional anchor of the whole project.
How to Get the Most Out of the Track
If you’re a fan of the song, don’t just watch the clip on YouTube. The full soundtrack version has a slightly different mix that highlights the instrumentation.
- Listen for the Bass: The bass line in this version is actually a bit punchier than the 1987 original, giving it a modern pulse.
- Watch the Animation: The way the character Ash moves while playing—the focus on her paws on the guitar strings—was modeled after real rock performances to match the intensity of Scarlett’s vocal.
- Check out "Stuck in a Moment": If you liked this cover, you need to hear Scarlett's version of "Stuck in a Moment You Can't Get Out Of" from the same movie. It’s even more stripped down and showcases her range even better.
Scarlett Johansson’s take on this U2 classic proved that she’s one of the few actors who can actually hold her own next to a rock god. It wasn't just a marketing stunt. It was a genuine musical moment that still resonates years after the movie's release.
If you haven't revisited the track lately, go back and listen to the final thirty seconds. The way their voices blend is honestly chilling. It’s proof that sometimes, even in a movie about singing animals, you can find some of the most honest music in Hollywood.
Actionable Insights:
- Compare the versions: Listen to the original 1987 U2 recording back-to-back with the Sing 2 version to hear how the vocal arrangement changes the song's "longing" into "healing."
- Explore Scarlett's discography: Check out her 2009 album Break Up with Pete Yorn if you want to hear more of her natural, non-character singing voice.
- Watch the Behind-the-Scenes: Search for the interviews where Bono discusses the recording process; his insights into Scarlett's vocal "honesty" give a great perspective on how professional musicians view her talent.