After deciding to set the story in Kauai, Hawaii, Sanders, DeBlois, and other members of the creative team took a trip to the area to gather authentic inspiration from local Hawaiians. They learned about Hawaiian colloquialisms and culture, and implemented what they experienced into the film. One of those applications was the inclusion of Hawaiian-raised cast members (Tia Carrere as Nani, Jason Scott Lee as David), as well as appointing Hawaiian musician, Mark Keali’i Ho’omalu, and students from the Kamehameha Schools Children’s Chorus to sing two of the film’s original Hawaiian-inspired songs (“He Mele No Lilo” and “Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride”) (Bahr).

In addition to the aforementioned original songs, film composer, Alan Silvestri, worked on the solely instrumental selections “Stitch to the Rescue”, “You Can Never Belong”, and “I’m Lost.” What makes the Lilo & Stitch soundtrack so unique is its heavy use of famous hits by the King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley, throughout the movie. This decision came from a want to differentiate Lilo from her peers, as well as paying homage to Elvis’s association to the islands as he starred in many films set in Hawaii (Blue Hawaii (1961), Paradise, Hawaiian Style (1966)), and performed his biggest concert, Elvis: Aloha from Hawaii (1973), which was broadcast around the world, from Honolulu (Baird). It garnered an audience of over one billion people worldwide (Jones).

Sanders and DeBlois received permission from Elvis’s estate to use Elvis’s name, photo, and popular anthems like “Heartbreak Hotel”, “Suspicious Minds”, and “Hound Dog”, to name a few (Ball). In total, there are seven Elvis songs featured on the soundtrack (five are originals, two are covers). The estate was so pleased with the film, they gave Sanders and DeBlois a private tour of the acclaimed “Graceland”, where Elvis resided (Ball). 

A creature called Experiment 626 is created in an outer space lab for destructive purposes by mad scientist, Jumba Jookiba. Jumba and Experiment 626 are arrested by the Galactic Federation for this unsolicited experimentation, as Experiment 626 has the ability to wreak havoc on anything in its proximity. With the help of deft moves, super strength, small size, and genetic enhancement, he is able to escape space prison with ease. These powers also help him survive getting hit by a truck once he lands on Kauai. He is taken to a dog shelter after his accident, and adopted by sisters Lilo and Nani Pelekai to help Lilo cope with her loneliness. Lilo names him “Stitch.” 

Lilo takes on the role of the Mentor, attempting to teach Stitch how to behave properly, and corral his innate, dark desire to destroy everything in his path. Though he tries his best, he still succumbs to his evil genetic make-up, constantly sabotaging Nani’s chances of employment to serve his own selfish purposes of evading Jumba and henchman, Pleakley. This is particularly bad for Nani since she is under observation by social worker Cobra Bubbles, who believes Nani is not fit to take care of Lilo, and wants to send her to foster care. Stitch hits rock bottom when he puts Lilo’s life at risk by dragging her into the ocean to hide from his hunters. Feeling an immense sense of guilt, but also showing a transformation that he has been positively affected by Lilo’s companionship, he runs away. 

Jumba and Pleakley locate Stitch, track him back to Lilo’s house, and demolish their home with galactic weapons. Cobra witnesses the whole thing, and takes Lilo away. She escapes and reunites with Stitch, but they are promptly abducted by Gantu, a captain from the Galactic Federation, sent to capture Stitch faster, and arrest Jumba. Stitch, using his supernatural powers, escapes the cage, and finds Nani in distress. Stitch atones for his mistakes, convincing Jumba and Pleakley to rescue Lilo from Gantu. They almost succeed, but the Councilwoman of the galaxy orders that Stitch be taken away. He asks if he can say goodbye to his new family, or ohana, and demonstrates his maturity, civil nature, and ability to love. The Councilwoman is impressed, and allows Stitch to stay with Lilo and Nani, under the supervision of the Galactic Federation and Cobra. 

“Heartbreak Hotel” is a stripped down Elvis classic. Using echoey vocals, electric and acoustic guitars, a simple piano trickle, and a subtle bass, a complementary tone of somberness, blues, and vulnerability is created in this scene. It juxtaposes the sense of urgency Nani is feeling to get inside the house in time for the social worker meeting. This contrast also creates a comedic moment between the two sisters. We have seen in the opening scene that Lilo is a bit different from other girls her age through dialogue, but through her music taste, and even her use of an antiquated record player in the early 2000s gives us a clear characterization of Lilo’s one-of-a-kind personality. She is truly an old soul, and finds solace in Presley’s timeless heartbreak anthem, much like young folks in the 1960s did listening to Elvis. 

The montage ends with Stitch in a full Elvis costume, complete with gold bling and a wig, showing off his newly acquired skills to beachgoers. He smiles as he performs the impressive guitar solo, but when folks begin to snap pictures of Stitch, his combative dark side takes over. The music cuts out, establishing a more serious tone, and Lilo urges the people to stop crowding Stitch. This scene is pivotal as it ends with Stitch looking visibly regretful and sorry for his actions – something we have not seen from him before this point. What Lilo has done with Stitch transcends "domesticati[on]" (Bland). The bond he and Lilo have formed through Elvis’s music has evidently had an effect on his psyche, and cut through his innate evil behavior. He has hurt someone, which was his initial purpose for creation, but it doesn’t feel right because it is someone he has grown to care about. 

This scene is underscored by the nondiegetic cover of Presley’s “Burning Love” by female country star, Wynonna. She provides a powerful, lively reimaging of the hit that complements its strong-willed female protagonist. Being that the film focuses on Lilo and Nani’s dynamic as sisters, it is quite neat that the last song of the movie is sung by a female vocal powerhouse. Like “Heartbreak Hotel” and “(You’re The) Devil in Disguise”, the lyrics of the song perfectly coincide with the visuals presented - the love this family has for one another, especially Stitch’s love for Lilo, is palpable, enduring, and “burning.”

The sentiment that “the addition of his songs to the soundtrack truthfully fuels the white American entertainment experience” is inaccurate and close-minded (Bland). Elvis was a global rockstar – and though he does have an American background, Lilo does too! Both her Hawaiian heritage and American culture are reflected in the soundtrack. It is multidimensional, just like Lilo. 

Bahr, Sarah. "'Lilo & Stitch' at 20: Disney Mold Breaker: [the Arts/Cultural Desk]."New York Times, Jun 22, 2022. ProQuest, http://proxy.wexler.hunter.cuny.edu/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/newspapers/lilo-amp-stitch-at-20-disney-mold-breaker/docview/2679033802/se-2.

Baird, Woody. "`Lilo & Stitch' Brings Elvis to New Generation: [North Final Edition]."Chicago Tribune, Jul 04, 2002, pp. 3. ProQuest, http://proxy.wexler.hunter.cuny.edu/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/newspapers/lilo-stitch-brings-elvis-new-generation/docview/419621430/se-2.

Davis, Chris. "Elvis Redux: With the Animated Lilo & Stitch, Disney Reinvigorates Elvis' Legacy." Memphis Flyer, Jul 10, 2002, pp. 52. ProQuest, http://proxy.wexler.hunter.cuny.edu/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/newspapers/elvis-redux-with-animated-lilo-stitch-disney/docview/365225710/se-2.

“Elvis Presley – Heartbreak Hotel.” Genius, genius.com/Elvis-presley-heartbreak-hotel-lyrics. 

“Elvis Presley – (You're The) Devil in Disguise.” Genius, genius.com/Elvis-presley-youre-the-devil-in-disguise-lyrics. 

Jones, J. R. "Elvis: Aloha from Hawaii." Reader, Aug 13, 2009, pp. 26. ProQuest, http://proxy.wexler.hunter.cuny.edu/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/newspapers/elvis-aloha-hawaii/docview/204569179/se-2.