"Clean Pastures" is a musical film, which means that it shifts between musical and non-musical sections, both of which are integral to the story. Carl Stalling's musical score makes use of both public-domain music and songs owned by Warner Bros. Stalling's music "supplies both the foundation for the story and the driving force behind the animation." Music is of such importance that characters in "Clean Pastures" dance about even when no performers are pictured. The all-black jazz group the Four Blackbirds performs the backing vocals for these songs.