Family Switch Soundtrack Guide: Every Song & When It Plays

Family Switch‘s soundtrack mixes the themes of Christmas with plenty of classic songs spanning several genres, which is perfect for this wacky family comedy. The Netflix body-swap film is full of outrageously hilarious moments, but, at its core, it’s a family movie that drives home the importance of taking time to walk in someone else’s shoes. Though it doesn’t contain many features of a traditional Christmas film, the spackling of classic holiday songs reminds audiences that Family Switch is set during the most magical time of the year.

Since Family Switch is all about seeing others’ experiences through their own eyes, the soundtrack also needed to express this. Through the film’s music, audiences can see what the characters portrayed by Jennifer Garner, Ed Helms, Emma Myers, and Brady Noon are feeling throughout each scene, and their development into a more loving and understanding family is reflected this way as well. Finally, by the middle and end of Family Switch, the film’s soundtrack takes things up another level, finishing strong with Holiday classics that emphasize the importance of family during the Christmas season.

Music also plays an integral part in the plot of Family Switch since Bill Walker is a band teacher with a great passion for teaching his students how to play as a single unit. It’s comedically revealed in the Netflix film that he had been a member of Maroon 5 before they got famous (though they were apparently called Maroon 6 back then). The new band that Bill is a part of, “Dad or Alive,” is made up of the real-world members of the band Weezer—Rivers Cuomo, Brian Bell, Scott Shriner, and Pat Wilson. Together with the cast of Family Switch, they pulled off a spectacular musical moment.

“Santa Claus is Coming to Town” by The Jackson 5 – Family Switch opens up with Jess and Bill trying desperately to get their children to participate in the yearly Christmas dance video. As CC, Wyatt, and Miles sit disinterested on the couch, the adults dance around to this classic Christmas tune.

“I’d Do Anything for Love (But I Won’t Do That)” by Meat Loaf – As Ariana’s character is introduced to audiences in slow motion at Wyatt’s high school, this song by Meat Loaf plays—fitting since he eventually does “anything for love.”

“Seven Nation Army” by The White Stripes – This is the song played by the high school band as Bill conducts. Though they sounded terrible initially, he ultimately inspires them to pull it together to perform the song in a way that does justice to The White Stripes.

“Carmina Burana: O Fortuna (Da capo)” performed by the CSR Symphony Orchestra – As Pickles the dog—who is actually Miles the toddler—runs away from his family, this dramatic song plays, driving home just how terrified Jess (in CC’s body) is that her baby boy/dog will be hit by a car.

“Christmas Wrapping” by The Waitresses – This Christmas tune begins playing as the Walkers realize that they can’t drive the car, since the teens don’t know how and the adults look like teens. So, they hop on their scooters to head to the planetarium, which is even more comical, accompanied by The Waitresses.

“Santa Claus Is Coming To Town” by Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons – This tune plays between the scene in which the Walkers realize that the lens to the telescope is missing and their arrival back home.

“Alright” by Superglass – As Jess and Bill (in CC and Wyatt’s bodies) head to the high school party, this Superglass song plays. The upbeat number reflects the excitement the two parents feel at, not only going out together for the first time in ages but actually having the energy to stay up late.

“Too Cute (Sped Up)” by Kyrie Briana Chalmers & Henry Richard Obree Parsley – Though most songs in Family Switch are from decades past, the number playing when Jess and Bill enter the high school party from 2023 reflects how much older the pair are from everyone else in the house.

“I’d Do Anything for Love (But I Won’t Do That)” by Meat Loaf – The second time this song plays in Family Switch, and it is once again associated with Ariana. This time, it’s heard as Ariana tries to kiss Wyatt (who is actually Bill).

“Bust a Move” by Young MC – In contrast with the newer songs heard at the house party, this iconic song inspires Jess and Bill (in CC and Wyatt’s bodies) to, as the title says, “bust a move.” Not long after they start dancing, CC and Wyatt (in Jess and Bill’s bodies) show up and join in on the fun.

“Mary Christmas (I Don’t Want to Fight)” by Ramones – After the high school party gets busted by the police, the Walkers have to make a run for it. This song plays as they get home and begin fighting again, which is fitting considering its title.

“Love Is All Around” by Joan Jett & The Blackhearts – This powerful Joan Jett song is perfect for the moment of Family Switch when it plays, which sees CC (in Jess’ body) showing up to work in a fresh new outfit—one Jess would have never considered wearing.

“Santa Clause is Coming to Town” performed by Weezer and the Cast of Family Switch – Played by Bill’s band, “Dad or Alive,” which is actually made up of the members of the rock band Weezer—Rivers Cuomo, Brian Bell, Scott Shriner, and Pat Wilson—joined by the Walker family.

“Run Rudolph Run” by Chuck Berry – This high-energy Christmas song played as the Walkers frantically tried to drive to the planetarium before the planets went out of alignment, all while crashing the car into about any obstacle that they possibly could.

“The Christmas Song” by Nat “King” Cole – After the disappointing events at the planetarium, the Walkers returned home to accept defeat. As they settled in on the couch together, “The Christmas Song” played as the holiday officially arrived and the family fell asleep.

“It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” by Andy Williams – Plays as the family celebrates being returned to their own bodies by dancing around in the snow. As the song continues, Angelica is seen smiling at the Walkers, wishing them a merry Christmas as she drives away.

“Feliz Navidad” by José Feliciano – The final song of Family Switch plays during the end credits and film bloopers reel—and it’s the perfect, high-energy Christmas song to finish out the Netflix film.