“Ultimate” was originally performed by Lindsay Lohan in the 2003 film Freaky Friday, and quickly became a defining anthem of the Y2K era. The scene, a final concert performance by the fictional band Pink Slip, was more than just a fun musical moment. It captured a feeling: the chaotic, emotional rush of being a teenage girl with something to say and a stage to say it on. Even for those of us who haven’t seen the film in years, myself included, certain parts are unforgettable. The line “This is the ultimate!” and the gritty, guitar-driven hook live rent-free in the memories of a generation.
Now, over 20 years later, “Ultimate” is getting a revival and it’s in incredibly capable hands. Canadian rock band The Beaches were chosen to record a cover of the song for the official Freaky Friday reboot soundtrack. And once you hear it, the decision makes perfect sense.
The Beaches have carved out a space in modern rock that’s both fresh and nostalgic. They’re known for high-energy performances, unapologetic lyrics, and a musical identity rooted in power, rebellion, and fun. In many ways, they’re exactly what Pink Slip represented in the original film, a band of girls who don’t just play music, but live and breathe it, with all the attitude and heart that comes with it.
In a recent Instagram Reel, The Beaches shared that Pink Slip was a real inspiration to them when they were younger. Watching a group of girls rock out on screen helped pave the way for their own dreams of being in a band. So now, being the ones to reintroduce “Ultimate” to a new generation? It’s a full-circle moment. It’s not just a cover, it’s a torch being passed.
Their rendition of “Ultimate” isn’t a note for note remake. It doesn’t need to be. The Beaches bring something new to the table: a version that feels more mature but just as fun. There’s a coolness and confidence in their delivery, a sense of ease that comes from years of performing and evolving as artists. Where the original screamed teenage angst, this version nods to it, but with a knowing smile. It’s playful without being juvenile, and polished without losing its punky edge.
That balance is what makes this cover work so well. It bridges the gap between past and present, between the wild emotions of teenhood and the grounded voice of women who’ve been through it. It captures the same spirit that made the original special, but it does it in The Beaches’ own language: guitars loud, vocals fierce, and energy dialed all the way up.
Ultimately (pun intended), this track is more than just a fun addition to a movie soundtrack. It’s a celebration of girlhood, growth, and the impact of representation, on stage, on screen, and in sound. The Beaches grew up watching Pink Slip and dreaming. Now they’re the ones on the soundtrack, the ones inspiring others. And that? That’s the real full-circle power of music.
What makes their version stand out even more is the timing. The resurgence of early 2000’s fashion, music and film, paired with a growing appreciation for female fronted rock creates the perfect storm for this cover to land. It doesn’t feel like a throwback for throwback’s sake. It feels intentional. It feels like a reminder of the people we were, the people we’ve become, and the loud, messy, beautiful middle ground we’re still figuring out.
The production of the song leans into that duality too. It’s slick where it needs to be, but never loses its bite. The guitars still rip. The vocals still punch. But there’s a polish here, a self awareness that reads as grown up without ever sounding tired. That’s what The Beaches do best, they make rock feel alive, urgent, and undeniably cool.
For fans of the original film, this new version of “Ultimate” is a treat. For newcomers who may be discovering the story for the first time through this reboot, it’s a perfect introduction. Not just to Freaky Friday, but to The Beaches themselves. And if there’s one takeaway from this cover, it’s that the torch of girl powered rock is still burning bright and is in great hands.