The Polar Express Tom Hanks Lyrics

It was Christmas Eve, probably like 2004 or somewhere around there, and I remember my little brother insisting we wrap up in blankets and watch The Polar Express. He barely sat still, but when Tom Hanks started singing, he went completely silent. That's the kind of magic we're talking about.

Years later, I found myself randomly humming "Hot Chocolate" at my desk — in the middle of July, no less. A coworker gave me the strangest look, and honestly? I didn't even care. Some songs just stick like glue.

Who Actually Sings in The Polar Express Film?

Here's the thing people don't always realize: Tom Hanks isn't just the narrator and the Conductor. He actually voices multiple characters throughout the movie. But when it comes to the lyrics, things get a little murky.

The most famous musical moment in the film is definitely "Hot Chocolate," performed by the character known as Waitress. And everyone swears it's Tom Hanks, but nope — he doesn't sing that one. Crazy, right?

Actually, Tom Hanks does speak and perform nearly every line in the movie in some form. But the actual musical numbers? Those are handled more creatively. (Keep reading, I'll break it down.)

The Hot Chocolate Scene — An Iconic Moment

So picture this: the Conductor bursts onto the train, throws his arms wide, and the elves start moving pots of hot chocolate with insane choreography. It's over the top, it's theatrical, and it's impossibly fun.

The lyrics themselves are simple — almost deceptively simple. Lines like "Hot chocolate, hot chocolate, hot hot chocolate" aren't winning any poetry awards, but they don't need to. They're pure joy.

Songwriter Alan Silvestri (who also composed the film's entire score) crafted melodies that just feel like Christmas. And sometimes that's enough.

Tom Hanks - The Polar Express [Lyrics] (The Polar Express Soundtrack

So, Did Tom Hanks Write or Sing Lyrics?

Okay, let's clear this up right now: Tom Hanks wrote the lyrics — yes, that's true for some of the musical passages. But singing them on the final soundtrack? That's a different story.

The magical, ethereal song "Believe" was performed on the soundtrack by Josh Groban. If you haven't heard it in a while, go listen to it now. I'll wait. (Tissues recommended.)

Tom Hanks' voice appears in the spoken and dialog-driven musical elements of the film. His delivery as the Conductor is rhythmic and musical even when it's not technically a song. That man has range. Who's surprised?

The Song(s) Tom Both Wrote and Performed

There's a special magic when the Conductor and the children interact — part talk, part song, part dramatic narration. Tom Hanks was deeply involved in shaping those moments. You can hear his personality bleeding through every line.

One lesser-known track is the opening narration, where the world of Christmas unfolds through spoken word layered with instrumental music. It sits perfectly between film score and lyric.

Tom Hanks - The Polar Express Lyrics

And honestly? That gray zone between narration and song is where Hanks absolutely thrives. Not every moment needs a chorus.

Why These Lyrics Hit So Hard

People ask me — okay, not many people, but SOME people — why The Polar Express lyrics resonate so deeply. It's not complex writing. It's the emotional delivery.

Think about that children's chorus singing about the impossible journey to the North Pole. The words are simple, but combined with the orchestration and Hanks' encouragement? Goosebumps. Every single time.

The film understands something most holiday media forgets: belief itself is the lyric. The words support a feeling bigger than any word could capture alone.

Fun Facts You Probably Didn't Know

Tom Hanks is one of only two actors in the film to play multiple roles. The other is Eddie Deezen. Both completely disappear into their characters. Nobody talks about this enough.

Tom Hanks - The Polar Express (Lyrics) - YouTube

Also, the opening sequence with the hero boy and the mysterious conductor was nearly cut from the film. Imagine how different the whole movie would feel without it. Just imagine.

And here's my favorite nugget: Tom Hanks reportedly recorded many of his voice lines while wearing a conductor's hat in his own recording booth. Because of course he did. The man commits.

The Bottom Line

The Polar Express lyrics aren't some Great American Songbook masterpiece. They're warm, inviting, and perfectly matched to a film about childlike wonder.

Tom Hanks brought his voice, his heart, and an almost annoying amount of enthusiasm to every musical moment. And even when he wasn't technically singing, you felt every note. That's a rare gift.

So next time December rolls around and someone asks why you're belting "Hot Chocolate" at the coffee shop — just smile. You're not crazy. You just believe.