Belle (Disney song)

"Belle"
Song by Paige O'Hara and Richard White
from the album Beauty and the Beast: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
ReleasedOctober 29, 1991
GenreOperetta
Length5:09
LabelWalt Disney
Composer(s)Alan Menken
Lyricist(s)Howard Ashman
Producer(s)
  • Howard Ashman
  • Alan Menken

"Belle" is a song written by lyricist Howard Ashman and composer Alan Menken for Disney's animated film Beauty and the Beast (1991). Recorded by American actors Paige O'Hara and Richard White, "Belle" is a mid-tempo classical music-inspired song that borrows elements from Broadway and musical theatre. It was the first song Ashman and Menken wrote for Beauty and the Beast, which they feared Disney would reject due to its length and complexity, but the film's producers ultimately liked the song.

The film's first song and opening number, "Belle" appears during Beauty and the Beast as a bustling operetta-style musical number that introduces audiences to the film's heroine, Belle (O'Hara), and her arrogant suitor, Gaston (White). In addition to describing Belle's goals and aspirations, the song uses lyrics interspersed with spoken dialogue to reveal how the townsfolk feel about her and Gaston, positioning the former as an outcast due to her beauty and love of reading, and the latter as a hero despite his arrogance. Belle reprises the song later in the film after rejecting a marriage proposal from Gaston, declaring her deep longing for adventure.

"Belle" has received widespread acclaim from film and music critics, who praised its effectiveness as an opening number and likened it to songs from the musical films West Side Story (1961) and The Sound of Music (1965). "Belle" was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Song at the 64th Academy Awards in 1992, but lost to the film's title song. "Belle" was similarly featured in the stage adaptation of the film, originally performed by actress Susan Egan on Broadway. Actors Emma Watson and Luke Evans performed the song in the 2017 live-action remake of the film.

Background and writing

In an effort to replicate the unprecedented success of The Little Mermaid (1989),[1] Disney decided to adapt the fairy tale "Beauty and the Beast" into a feature-length animated film.[2] Although originally developed as an animated film without songs under the direction of Richard Purdum,[3] Disney chairman Jeffrey Katzenberg was unsatisfied with the dark, somber direction of the film at the time,[4] and ultimately ordered that it be re-written into a "Broadway-style musical with a strong heroine", similar to The Little Mermaid.[5] Disney then hired The Little Mermaid's songwriters, lyricist Howard Ashman and composer Alan Menken, to write original songs for the revised film.[6][7] The songwriting duo wrote "Belle".[8]

According to Menken, songs such as "Belle" developed naturally due to the fact that Beauty and the Beast was written in the style of a traditional Broadway musical.[9] Actress and singer Paige O'Hara,[10] who voices Belle, said the songwriters wanted to eschew the pop songs of The Little Mermaid in favor of a more Jerome Kern and Rodgers and Hammerstein-inspired score for Beauty and the Beast.[11] The film's songs were heavily inspired by French, classical, and traditional Broadway music.[12] Additionally, Menken described "Belle" and the other Beauty and the Beast songs as "tangents from 18th-century France",[13] with Ashman suggesting that the film's opening be transformed into "a full-fledged operetta".[14] "Belle" was the first song they wrote for the film,[15] which Menken described as far more ambitious than Disney had asked them for.[16] Hoping to craft a song that would depict Belle in a safe, protected environment,[17] Ashman and Menken drew inspiration from a storytelling technique traditionally heard in operettas,[18] using the opening song to establish the tone of the rest of the film.[19] Written in a style Menken described as "very distant from contemporary pop",[13] the songwriters were influenced by classical music,[20] Mozart, and the stage musical She Loves Me (1963).[21] Menken said the song occupies several roles in the film, simultaneously serving as an opening song, entertaining production number, and showing audiences the character they should be rooting for, and emphasized the importance of it happening early in the film to establish that the film is a musical.[22]

Ashman and Menken were initially skeptical about "Belle"'s success upon completing the song, fearing it would end their Disney careers should the studio not like their creation.[13] Estimating the completed song to be seven minutes long,[23] the songwriters doubted the filmmakers would appreciate their very theatrical approach to animation.[24] Actor Richard White agreed that, at the time, "No show of any kind starts with a seven-minute opening number that's all exposition".[19] Ashman was particularly wary,[25] avoiding submitting the song to Disney for several days.[6][23] Menken claims Ashman's AIDS diagnosis contributed to the lyricist's emotional vulnerability during this time.[26] The cassette tape the songwriters eventually sent to the producers also contained the demo for the reprise and "Be Our Guest".[27][28] Much to their surprise, "Belle" was ultimately very well received by the creative team,[29][30] becoming one of the film's few songs to remain largely unchanged during production.[24] Ashman determined where characters would speak or sing during the song, similar to a choreographer choreographing a dance routine.[31] Story supervisor Roger Allers requested more back-and-forth among the townspeople towards the end of the song, prompting Ashman and Menken to suggest several phrases and actions the characters could sing about.[31] Menken played an electric piano while Ashman wrote dialogue.[31] Their demo recording of "Belle" was included on the compilation album The Legacy Collection: Beauty and the Beast (2018).[32][33] O'Hara called the song one of her favorites from the film because it establishes who Belle is as a character.[34]

Use in Beauty and the Beast

"Belle" is the first song in Beauty and the Beast.[35][36] Described by the film's producer Don Hahn as a "Gilbert & Sullivan operetta style" song, "Belle" reveals a significant amount of information within a relatively short period of time.[24] Casey Covel of Geeks Under Grace said the song "manages to convey at least twenty page’s worth of plot and character development within the confines of only five minutes".[37] Taking place shortly after the prologue, "Belle" helps progress the film to the present-day,[38] walking through the town to return a library book.[39] According to Menken, the song relays "the story of Belle going to the town and everyone’s reaction to her and getting to see Gaston and knowing he is infatuated with her  – but more infatuated with himself".[17] As Beauty and the Beast's opening number,[40][41] "Belle" is a "pivotal moment...in the narrative",[42] playing a significant role by introducing both the film's heroine and villain, Belle and Gaston,[35] as well as where both characters are in their lives,[43] establishing Belle as an outsider.[44] The song also introduces the same townsfolk who would eventually hunt the Beast later in the film due to fearing the unknown.[44]

Belle has grown frustrated with her predictable village life and longs for an adventure similar to the ones she reads about in her books,[45] while Gaston is a narcissistic hunter determined to marry her because he believes they are the two best-looking inhabitants.[39] The sequence begins with Belle returning a library book about "a beanstalk and an ogre",[46] in exchange for one she has already read several times.[47] During the scene, Belle attempts to share the plot of her most recent novel with some villagers such as the Baker, only to be brushed off.[48] In roughly five minutes, the song explains both Belle and Gaston's roles in Beauty and the Beast to the audience, offering insight into Belle's desire for "something more".[49] Belle has grown bored of the feeling that every day seems to be the same to her. Ironically, Belle is unaware of the adventure she is about to embark on,[50] or how her dreams would manifest.[51] The song also voices the opinions of the townsfolk and "sets up the overall theme and foreshadows what makes the town so oppressive to [Belle]".[52] While the villagers praise Belle for her beauty, they view her as "odd" because of her love of books,[53] with their opinions of her ranging from open attraction to critical bewilderment.[47] However, they idolize Gaston's looks and masculinity.[54] Commonly referred to as the film's "I Want" song,[55][56][57] "Belle" offers its protagonist an opportunity to convey her yearnings,[10] specifically wanting more than the provincial life she has been living.[57]

Belle reprises the song in a more defiant manner later in the film after rejecting Gaston's marriage proposal,[49] which according to Dirk Libbey of CinemaBlend "captures all of Belle's dreams" in a manner the original version does not.[43] The character explicitly wishes for "adventure in the great, wide somewhere",[58] expressing her boredom with her current circumstances.[59] O'Hara described it as the moment her character "wants to break loose out of this little town and explore the world—not looking for a man—just explore the world".[60] Critics compared the scene to The Sound of Music (1965),[6][61][62] which O'Hara confirmed they borrowed inspiration from.[60] Nate Millado of Backstage cited inspiration from the musical Oklahoma! (1943) in the way the song " propels the plot and peeks into characters".[63]

Music and lyrics

Ashman wrote the song's lyrics while Menken composed its music.[61] According to its official sheet music from Walt Disney Music Publishing, "Belle" is a Broadway and musical theatre-inspired song, performed at a "pastorally" tempo of 80 beats per minute in the key of D major.[64] Vocally, the arrangement includes several high notes.[65] Combined, O'Hara and White's vocal ranges span approximately two octaves, from A3 to G5.[64] Additionally, actors Jesse Corti, Alec Murphy, Mary Kay Bergman, and Kath Soucie's voices are also featured on the track.[64][66] In total, "Belle" lasts five minutes and nine seconds in duration.[67][68] The song's verse, chorus, and musical break structure allows for the interjection of monologue and dialogue.[47] According to Irving Tan of Sputnikmusic, the track is an "idyllic, orchestra-driven" operetta.[69][70] Menken described it as "19th-century operetta style",[13] and Filmtracks.com called it "snare-tapping".[71]

Belle
"Belle" is a highly complex piece, which comprises the interweaving of conversation snippets from several characters.
Problems playing this file? See media help.

The track begins slowly with Belle's solo describing a typical morning in her village before several distinct townspeople join her singing "bonjour".[72][73] Afterwards, "Belle" adopts a faster speed, becoming a "rhythmically driven tune" that several patrons perform at various moments throughout the song,[72] including the Baker's line "Marie! The baguettes! Hurry up".[74] The town ostracizes Belle for her love of reading but considers her beauty a redeeming quality, describing her as "A beauty, but a funny girl".[75] Eventually, the song introduces a counter melody performed by Belle, who lovingly recounts a book she is reading about a young woman and a handsome prince, followed by Gaston singing a faster melody with the Bimbettes, who fawn over him.[72] As the song crescendos, Belle belts her desire for greater ambitions "There must be more than this provincial life",[50][76] countered with Gaston's "Just watch, I’m going to make Belle my wife", highlighting their opposing dreams and goals.[38] According to author Alexandra Heatwole, Belle's line is representative of the Disney Renaissance heroines' overarching desire to break away from the confines of social milieus, noting that Ariel and Jasmine expressed similar longings in their songs.[77] Finally, in a Broadway-style climax, the song concludes with virtually every villager singing together.[72]

Lyrically, its verses are interspersed with dialogue from various characters,[53] which was unusual for an animated film at the time.[36] The protagonist discusses how she feels left out and unseen by her peers,[78] who describe her as their "most peculiar mademoiselle" due to her love of reading.[79] It includes the lyrics "Here's where she meets Prince Charming/But she won't discover that it's him 'til chapter three!"[44] Billboard found the vocal and lyrical layering to be reminiscent of songs from the musical Les Misérables.[80] Katrine Ames of Newsweek likened its "sly and quick-cutting dialogue" to the work of composer Stephen Sondheim.[81] Tyler B. Searle of Collider identified its overall theme as "how society treats those it deems different, which has helped it remain topical thirty years later".[39] Thematically, Jonathan Romney of Sight and Sound found it similar to "Maria" from The Sound of Music.[82]

Critical response

"Wandering through her village while reading a book, Belle becomes the focus of a spectacular opening number that captures the essence of this film's appeal. Bit by bit, the population trickles out to greet Belle and gossip about her, while she herself bemoans the small-mindedness of the place. This rousing number reaches such a flurry of musical counterpoint that it recalls sources as unlikely as West Side Story, while the direction builds energetically from quiet beginnings to a formidable finale."
— The New York Times film critic Janet Maslin's detailed analysis of the song and its corresponding scene.[83]

When an unfinished version of Beauty and the Beast was screened at the New York Film Festival in March 1991, "Belle" was the only sequence to have been completely animated.[84] "Belle" has received widespread acclaim.[85][86] Filmtracks.com hailed the song as "among the most satisfying and clever cast pieces in history", calling its nomination for the Academy Award for Best Original Song deserved.[71] Filmtracks.com also praised the reprise, drawing similarities to the title song from The Sound of Music.[71] Bob Hoose of Plugged In called it "masterful".[87] James Berardinelli of ReelViews described "Belle" as "the animated equivalent of Broadway show-stoppers, with all the energy and audacity of something choreographed by Busby Berkeley".[88] Pete Vonder Haar of the Houston Press liked both the song and its reprise, admitting to the inevitability of having to experience an "unexpected swell of emotion" when both songs are heard.[89]

Several critics praised the song's quality as an opening number for the film.[90][91] Jennie Punter of The Globe and Mail hailed "Belle" as "one of the most delightful openings of any movie musical".[92] In a review for The New York Times, journalist Janet Maslin called "Belle" "a spectacular opening number that captures the essence of this film's appeal", comparing it to the musical selections from the film West Side Story (1961).[83] Highlighting the song as one of the film's most notable, Sandie Angulo Chen of Moviefone described "Belle" as "infectious".[93] TV Guide positively compared "Belle" to some of the songs featured in the musicals Fiddler on the Roof and She Loves Me.[91] Writing for Sight and Sound, Jonathan Romney praised the animation and direction of the sequence, which he likened to the work of comic actor Buster Keaton.[82] In 2017, Bustle writer Kayleigh Hughes said lyrics such as "There must be more than this provincial life" have "stood the test of time".[74] Caitlin Devlin of Ticketmaster called "Belle "the best opening number of any Disney musical",[94] while Flynn Kaufman of Screen Rant called it "wonderful".[95] Gregory Ellwood of HitFix wrote, "you can't argue the cinematic joy in numbers such as the opening 'Belle'."[96]

Alongside "Be Our Guest" and "Beauty and the Beast", "Belle" was one of the three Beauty and the Beast songs that received an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song at the 64th Academy Awards in 1992.[97][98] Beauty and the Beast became the first film to receive three Oscar nominations for Best Original Song.[99] "Belle" ultimately lost to the film's title and theme song.[100]

Live performances and cover versions

O'Hara performed "Belle" live for the first time at the 64th Academy Awards in 1992,[101][102] where the song had been nominated for Best Original Song. Disney executives Michael Eisner and Jeffrey Katzenberg insisted that "Belle" be performed by its original artists, despite producers of the telecast requesting pop stars.[103] O'Hara also insisted on singing live, despite being offered the choice to lip-synch.[104] The actress disliked the blue checked costume she wore for the performance, which she described as "too frilly" for Belle's personal style.[105] In August 2011, O'Hara performed an abridged version of "Belle" live at the Disney Legends awards ceremony, at which she was an honoree.[106] The performance was a Beauty and the Beast medley, in which O'Hara combined "Belle" with "Beauty and the Beast" and "Be Our Guest".[107] In January 2020, O'Hara sang a few lines from "Belle" at the premiere of a Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along at Epcot.[108]

Actress Michelle Nicastro covered "Belle" for her movie-themed album Toonful (1993).[109] The song appears in the stage adaptation of the film, which premiered on Broadway in 1994.[110] David Richards of The New York Times called it "reminiscent of Lerner and Loewe".[110] Actress and singer Susan Egan originated the role of Belle in the production, and recorded the song for the show's original cast album with actor Burke Moses as Gaston.[111]

In the 2017 live-action adaptation of the film, "Belle" is performed by actors Emma Watson and Luke Evans.[112][113] Among some changes made to the scene's dialogue,[114] Belle does not have a conversation with the Baker,[46] but her love of books is maintained.[114] Director Bill Condon confirmed the scene's staging was inspired by the film Love Me Tonight (1932), which opens with a musical number about Paris waking up.[62] Writing for Variety, Owen Gleiberman found the staging of this version to be lacking the "slapstick spryness" of the animation despite its faithfulness to the original material and Watson's performance, saying, "the number feels like something out of one of those overly bustling big-screen musicals from the late ’60s that helped to bury the studio system".[115] According to Kaitlin Reilly of Refinery29, some fans complained that the baker's line about baguettes had been removed from the remake.[48] The author attributed the revision to the scene being paced differently than the animated film.[48] In 2023, Watson's version of the song was certified Gold by the RIAA.[116]

Legacy

"Belle" is considered to be one of the most famous songs from Beauty and the Beast.[48] CinemaBlend ranked "Belle" and its reprise the third and fifth best songs from the film, respectively.[43] The same publication named it the seventh best Disney Princess song.[78] Consequence ranked "Belle" the 12th best Disney song, hailing it as "One of the great opening numbers in all of musical theatre" and arguably the score's catchiest song.[117] The Ringer ranked Belle 23rd.[118] Billboard ranked it the 42nd best song in the Disney universe, calling it "tough to beat" among opening numbers.[38] The same publication ranked it the 13th best song from the Disney Renaissance,[80] while Syfy ranked it 28th,[44] and Den of Geek placed it 5th.[61] "Belle" has also been ranked among Disney's best "I Want" songs by publications such as MTV News.[53][119] Vulture ranked the reprise Disney's third-best "I Want" song.[6] Collider ranked it the eighth-best opening song from a musical film.[73]

"Belle" is heavily parodied in the animated musical film South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut (1999) through its opening number, "Mountain Town".[120][121] Filmtracks.com described the parody as "a delightful introductory piece".[122] Amy Keating Rogers, a writer working on the animated television series My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic, mentioned she was influenced by the song as she wrote "Pinkie the Party Planner", the first musical number that appears in the musical-intensive episode "Pinkie Pride".[123]

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[124] Gold 500,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

  1. ^ Gibron, Bill (October 5, 2010). "How 'Beauty and the Beast' Changed Oscar's Best Picture Race Forever". PopMatters. Archived from the original on July 30, 2017. Retrieved September 22, 2013.
  2. ^ Taylor, Drew (January 12, 2012). "Review: 'Beauty and the Beast 3D' Is The Same Great Movie, With Some Added 3D Charm". IndieWire. Archived from the original on May 21, 2013. Retrieved September 21, 2013.
  3. ^ Brew, Simon (November 4, 2010). "Looking back at Disney's Beauty And The Beast". Den of Geek. Archived from the original on February 11, 2017. Retrieved September 24, 2013.
  4. ^ Clarke, James (2012). "Beauty and the Beast (1991)". Animated Films – Virgin Film. United Kingdom: Random House. ISBN 978-0753512586. Retrieved September 22, 2013.
  5. ^ Susman, Gary (November 15, 2011). "25 Things You Didn't Know About 'Beauty and the Beast'". Moviefone. Archived from the original on September 21, 2013. Retrieved September 22, 2013.
  6. ^ a b c d Smyth, Tom (May 25, 2023). "Every Disney 'I Want' Song, Ranked". Vulture. Archived from the original on May 26, 2023. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  7. ^ Ames, Katrine (November 17, 1991). "Just The Way Walt Made 'Em". The Daily Beast. Archived from the original on September 21, 2013. Retrieved September 21, 2013.
  8. ^ "Belle – ISWC: T9000008151 Work ID: 320375902". ASCAP. Archived from the original on March 23, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
  9. ^ Arnold, William (December 31, 2001). "Disney brings a 'Beauty' of a film to Imax splendor". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Archived from the original on May 21, 2022. Retrieved September 23, 2013.
  10. ^ a b Hartl, John (November 22, 1991). "A Classic Feel Already – Voices, Visuals Fit Superbly In Disney's 'Beast'". The Seattle Times. Archived from the original on March 7, 2023. Retrieved November 25, 2013.
  11. ^ Moore, Roger (January 13, 2012). "Voice of Belle had a ball in 'Beauty and the Beast'". Star Tribune. Archived from the original on February 24, 2017. Retrieved September 24, 2013.
  12. ^ "Interview with Beauty and the Beast Composer Alan Menken". Static Multimedia. October 4, 2010. Archived from the original on September 21, 2013. Retrieved September 20, 2013.
  13. ^ a b c d Holden, Stephen (March 15, 1992). "Film; For Alan Menken, A Partnership Ends But the Song Plays On". The New York Times. Archived from the original on December 20, 2021. Retrieved 20 September 2013.
  14. ^ Bui, Hoai-Tran (August 3, 2020). "'Howard' Review: A Soulful Tribute To The Man Behind Disney's Most Beloved Animated Classics". /Film. Archived from the original on March 28, 2023. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  15. ^ Condon, Bill (2017). Entertainment Weekly – The Ultimate Guide to Beauty and the Beast. United States: TI Incorporated Books. p. 78. ISBN 9781683307839 – via Google Books.
  16. ^ Korkis, Jim (July 10, 2015). "Animation Anecdotes #220". Cartoon Research. Archived from the original on November 27, 2022. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  17. ^ a b Lipworth, Elaine (October 1, 2010). "An Interview with Alan Menken regarding 'Beauty and the Beast: Diamond Edition Blu-ray'". Soundtrack.Net. Archived from the original on March 26, 2024. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
  18. ^ Greenberger, Robert (October 2, 2010). "Alan Menken Revisits 'Beauty & The Beast'". Comic Mix. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved September 20, 2013.
  19. ^ a b Bell, Crystal (October 12, 2016). "The 'Beauty And The Beast' Cast Reflect On What Made The Revolutionary Disney Film So Bittersweet". MTV News. Archived from the original on June 3, 2023. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
  20. ^ Tan, Corrie (April 11, 2016). "Alan Menken: Q&A with the music maestro behind Disney's Beauty And The Beast". The Straits Times. Archived from the original on April 15, 2023. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  21. ^ Trendacosta, Katharine (January 23, 2015). "The Heartbreaking Story Behind Beauty and the Beast's Opening Song". Gizmodo. Archived from the original on January 7, 2024. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  22. ^ Johnston, Sheila (September 24, 1992). "FILM / Drawn by numbers: Scores must be settled before Disney animators set to work. Alan Menken gives Sheila Johnston a song-by-song guide to the making of Beauty and the Beast". The Independent. Archived from the original on July 8, 2022. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
  23. ^ a b Snetiker, Marc (January 22, 2015). "Alan Menken tells stories behind 7 classic Disney songs". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on April 6, 2023. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  24. ^ a b c Brew, Simon (November 3, 2010). "Don Hahn interview: Beauty And The Beast, Howard Ashman, The Lion King, South Park and Frankenweenie". Den of Geek. Archived from the original on February 27, 2023. Retrieved September 25, 2013.
  25. ^ Edel, Victoria (May 29, 2023). "Howard Ashman's Lyrics Live On in the Live-Action "The Little Mermaid": Get to Know the Late Writer". PopSugar. Archived from the original on February 3, 2024. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  26. ^ Aquilina, Tyler (August 6, 2020). "How Disney's Howard Ashman documentary honors The Little Mermaid songwriter's 'heroic' story". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on March 25, 2024. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  27. ^ Daly, Steve (March 14, 2017). "An oral history of the animated Beauty and the Beast". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on June 14, 2024. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
  28. ^ Yamanaka, Jeanine (March 13, 2017). "Ten Minutes With Don Hahn". AllEars.Net. Archived from the original on April 16, 2024. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
  29. ^ Cochrane, Emma. "Beauty And The Beast". Empire. Archived from the original on October 12, 2013. Retrieved September 22, 2013.
  30. ^ "The Best of The Beast: 25 Enchanting Beauty and the Beast Facts". Disney Rewards. November 28, 2016. Archived from the original on June 6, 2023. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
  31. ^ a b c Rannie, Alexander (September 21, 2016). "Tales of the Songs and Score for Beauty and the Beast". D23. Archived from the original on December 8, 2023. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
  32. ^ "Belle (Demo) [Remastered 2018]". Apple Music. 2018. Archived from the original on March 27, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
  33. ^ "The Legacy Collection: Beauty and the Beast". Soundtrack.Net. February 9, 2018. Archived from the original on March 27, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
  34. ^ Gibson, Kelsie (March 16, 2016). "Beauty and the Beast: Emma Watson Has the Original Belle's Seal of Approval!". PopSugar. Archived from the original on March 27, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
  35. ^ a b Brown, Tracy (March 17, 2017). "Which Disney character has the best 'I Want' song?". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on May 27, 2023. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  36. ^ a b Coggan, Devan (March 15, 2017). "Beauty and the Beast: The Tales Behind the Tunes". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on March 27, 2023. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
  37. ^ Covel, Casey (January 12, 2015). "Review: Beauty and the Beast Official Soundtrack". Geeks Under Grace. Archived from the original on March 26, 2024. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
  38. ^ a b c Chan, Anna (March 25, 2023). "The 100 Greatest Disneyverse Songs of All Time". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 26, 2024. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  39. ^ a b c Searle, Tyler B. (October 6, 2023). "Every Song in 'Beauty and the Beast,' Ranked". Collider. Retrieved April 3, 2024.
  40. ^ Corliss, Richard (January 12, 2012). "Beauty and the Beast in 3-D: Still an Enchantment". Time. Archived from the original on April 19, 2023. Retrieved September 24, 2013.
  41. ^ Cling, Carol (April 21, 2013). "More than 20 years after 'Beauty and the Beast,' Paige O'Hara still remembered as voice of Disney princess". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on April 8, 2016. Retrieved September 24, 2013.
  42. ^ Vaux, Rob (January 13, 2012). "Mania Review: Beauty and The Beast 3D". Mania.com. Archived from the original on January 15, 2012. Retrieved November 18, 2013.
  43. ^ a b c Libbey, Dirk (March 13, 2017). "Original Disney Beauty And The Beast Songs, Ranked". CinemaBlend. Archived from the original on March 26, 2024. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
  44. ^ a b c d Busch, Caitlin (May 21, 2019). "Every Disney Renaissance Period Song, Ranked". Syfy. Archived from the original on April 1, 2024. Retrieved April 1, 2024.
  45. ^ Ashman Gillespie, Sarah. "Beauty and the Beast". Part of His World – Celebrating the Work of Howard Ashman. Archived from the original on March 12, 2017. Retrieved September 24, 2013.
  46. ^ a b Gallagher, Brian (February 20, 2017). "Emma Watson Sings 'Belle' in Latest Beauty and the Beast Clip". MovieWeb. Archived from the original on November 28, 2021. Retrieved April 19, 2024.
  47. ^ a b c Wells, Paul (2013). Understanding Animation. United Kingdom: Routledge. pp. 103–104. ISBN 9781136158735. Archived from the original on June 20, 2024 – via Google Books.
  48. ^ a b c d Reilly, Kaitlin (February 21, 2017). "Did You Notice Beauty & The Beast Left Out An Important Part Of This Song?". Refinery29. Archived from the original on April 17, 2024. Retrieved April 17, 2024.
  49. ^ a b Siede, Caroline (April 17, 2015). "All of Disney's "I Want" songs, ranked". Boing Boing. Archived from the original on July 8, 2023. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
  50. ^ a b Turan, Kenneth (November 15, 1991). "Movie Review : A 'Beast' With Heart : Animated Disney Feature Is Most Satisfying in Years". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on June 1, 2023. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
  51. ^ Dye, Tracy (August 15, 2015). "5 Reasons Belle Was Disney's Best Heroine". Bustle. Retrieved April 1, 2024.
  52. ^ Goldberg, Matt (January 12, 2012). "Beauty and the Beast 3D Review". Collider. Archived from the original on May 6, 2021. Retrieved September 24, 2013.
  53. ^ a b c Barnes, Chloe (September 19, 2022). "Disney's 10 Greatest "I Want" Songs from Animated Musicals". Collider. Archived from the original on August 20, 2023. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
  54. ^ Wise, Kirk (director); Trousdale, Gary (director) (November 22, 1991). Beauty and the Beast (Motion picture). United States: Buena Vista Pictures.
  55. ^ Kois, Dan (November 24, 2010). "Tangled Looks and Feels Great, So Why Is Disney Selling It Short?". The Village Voice. Archived from the original on February 23, 2016. Retrieved November 25, 2013.
  56. ^ Blauvelt, Christian (November 16, 2010). "Tangled". Slant Magazine. Archived from the original on July 1, 2015. Retrieved December 8, 2013.
  57. ^ a b Kois, Dan (November 24, 2010). ""Tangled": Disney's latest makes Rapunzel funny and lively". SF Weekly. Archived from the original on November 29, 2014. Retrieved December 15, 2013.
  58. ^ Ruiz, Michelle (January 17, 2017). "Wait, How Feminist Is Beauty and the Beast, Really?". Vogue. Retrieved April 1, 2024.
  59. ^ Davis, Amy M. (2006). Good Girls & Wicked Witches – Women in Disney's Feature Animation. United Kingdom: John Libbey Publishing. p. 192. ISBN 9780861969012 – via Google Books.
  60. ^ a b Fierberg, Ruthie (February 5, 2019). "Watch: Disney's Paige O'Hara On Finding Her Belle Voice for the Original Beauty and the Beast". Playbill. Archived from the original on March 27, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
  61. ^ a b c Crow, David; Burt, Kayti (March 21, 2017). "The Top 25 Best Disney Songs from the Renaissance Era". Den of Geek. Archived from the original on June 3, 2023. Retrieved April 1, 2024.
  62. ^ a b Strauss, Bob (March 14, 2017). "How Disney scored new music for "Beauty and the Beast'". Los Angeles Daily News. Archived from the original on November 16, 2017. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
  63. ^ Millado, Nate (February 26, 2024). "How These 8 Golden Age Broadway Shows Influenced Today's Movie Musicals". Backstage. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
  64. ^ a b c Menken, Alan (music); Ashman, Howard (lyrics) (1991). "Belle – From Beauty and the Beast – Digital Sheet Music". Musicnotes.com. Walt Disney Music Publishing. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved September 20, 2013.
  65. ^ Strassberg, Rebecca (August 25, 2023). "8 Disney Audition Songs for Female Singers". Backstage. Archived from the original on March 23, 2023. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
  66. ^ "Belle (From "Beauty and the Beast" – Soundtrack Version)". Apple Music. Archived from the original on March 28, 2024. Retrieved March 28, 2024.
  67. ^ Hobart, Tavia (November 1, 1991). "Disney / Alan Menken Beauty and the Beast". AllMusic. Archived from the original on April 15, 2023. Retrieved September 24, 2013.
  68. ^ "Beauty and the Beast (Soundtrack from the Motion Picture) – Alan Menken". iTunes. January 1, 1991. Archived from the original on October 4, 2018. Retrieved September 24, 2013.
  69. ^ Tan, Irving (April 10, 2011). "Disney Soundtracks – Beauty and the Beast". Sputnikmusic. Retrieved September 20, 2013.
  70. ^ Johnson, Malcolm (November 22, 1991). "Disney's 'Beast' Is A Work Of Extraordinary Beauty, Brilliance". Hartford Courant. Archived from the original on September 21, 2013. Retrieved September 20, 2013.
  71. ^ a b c "Beauty and the Beast (Alan Menken)". Filmtracks. September 24, 1996. Archived from the original on March 4, 2021. Retrieved September 20, 2013.
  72. ^ a b c d MacDonald, Laurence E. (2013). "The Rise of Independent Films, 1990-1999". The Invisible Art of Film Music: A Comprehensive History. United States: Scarecrow Press. pp. 369–370. ISBN 9780810883987 – via Google Books.
  73. ^ a b Busani, Michael (February 4, 2023). "10 Best Opening Numbers from Movie Musicals, According to Reddit". Collider. Archived from the original on February 10, 2023. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
  74. ^ a b Hughes, Kayleigh (March 21, 2017). "5 Big Lyric Changes In 'Beauty And The Beast'". Bustle. Archived from the original on April 17, 2024. Retrieved April 17, 2024.
  75. ^ Dray, Kayleigh (2017). "Emma Watson convinced Disney to give Beauty and the Beast a feminist makeover". Stylist. Archived from the original on February 25, 2021. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
  76. ^ Moore McClatchy, Roger (January 13, 2012). "Forever known as 'Belle'". The Spokesman-Review. Archived from the original on March 26, 2024. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
  77. ^ McHugh, Dominic, ed. (2022). The Oxford Handbook of the Hollywood Musical. United Kingdom: Oxford University Press. p. 109. ISBN 9780197503423 – via Google Books.
  78. ^ a b Ramos, Alexandra (January 8, 2023). "12 Iconic Disney Princess Songs, Ranked". CinemaBlend. Archived from the original on March 27, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
  79. ^ Lee, Ashley (March 16, 2017). "'Beauty and the Beast': 9 Differences Between the Live-Action and Animated Movies — and Why They Matter". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on April 17, 2024. Retrieved April 17, 2024.
  80. ^ a b W, T. (March 13, 2017). "Every Song From the Disney Renaissance (1989–'99), Ranked: Critics' Take". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 4, 2023. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
  81. ^ Ames, Katrine (November 17, 1991). "Just The Way Walt Made 'Em". Newsweek. Archived from the original on March 26, 2024. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
  82. ^ a b Romney, Jonathan (1992). "Sight and Sound (1992–10)(BFI)(GB)". Sight and Sound. pp. 46–47. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
  83. ^ a b Maslin, Janet (November 13, 1991). "Beauty and the Beast (1991)". The New York Times. Archived from the original on March 25, 2024. Retrieved September 21, 2013.
  84. ^ Jamieson, Doug. "Beauty and the Beast". The Jam Report. Archived from the original on June 21, 2024. Retrieved June 21, 2024.
  85. ^ "Around Town 1". The Korea Times. August 17, 2017. Archived from the original on June 20, 2024. Retrieved June 20, 2024. numerous other songs including "Belle," "Gaston" and "Be Our Guest" garnered wide acclaim.
  86. ^ "Paige's Pacific paradise". South China Morning Post. June 8, 1994. Archived from the original on June 20, 2024. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
  87. ^ Hoose, Bob. "Beauty and the Beast (1991)". Plugged In. Archived from the original on March 27, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
  88. ^ Berardinelli, James. "Beauty and the Beast". ReelViews. Archived from the original on November 17, 2022. Retrieved April 20, 2014.
  89. ^ Vonder Haar, Pete (January 13, 2012). "Reviews For The Easily Distracted: Beauty And The Beast 3D". Houston Press. Archived from the original on August 20, 2012. Retrieved September 21, 2013.
  90. ^ "Beauty and the Beast". Beliefnet. January 13, 2012. Archived from the original on 13 October 2013. Retrieved 22 September 2013.
  91. ^ a b "Beauty And The Beast: Review". TV Guide. 2001. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved September 23, 2013.
  92. ^ Punter, Jennie (January 13, 2012). "Beauty and the Beast 3D: Disney classic gets added pop". The Globe and Mail. Archived from the original on April 15, 2023. Retrieved September 21, 2013.
  93. ^ Chen, Sandie Angulo (November 27, 2013). "The Best Disney Soundtracks of the Past 25 Years: 'Frozen,' 'Lion King,' and More (Video)". Moviefone. Archived from the original on December 14, 2013. Retrieved December 14, 2013.
  94. ^ Devlin, Caitlin (May 6, 2022). "The 20 best Disney movie musical soundtracks, ranked". Ticketmaster. Archived from the original on March 28, 2024. Retrieved March 28, 2024.
  95. ^ Kaufman, Flynn (October 14, 2023). "15 Best Animated Disney Movie Soundtracks, Ranked". Screen Rant. Archived from the original on October 15, 2023. Retrieved March 28, 2024.
  96. ^ Ellwood, George (November 25, 2013). "Top 20 Disney Animated Films of All-Time". HitFix. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved April 16, 2014.
  97. ^ "The 64th Academy Awards (1992) – Winners & Nominees". Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Archived from the original on May 7, 2024. Retrieved September 23, 2013.
  98. ^ Deats, Sara Munson; Lenker, Lagretta Talent (January 1, 1999). Aging and Identity: A Humanities Perspective. Westport, Connecticut, United States: Greenwood Publishing Group. p. 211. ISBN 978-0275964795. Retrieved 23 September 2013.
  99. ^ Grein, Paul (December 12, 2023). "From 'Cabaret' to 'Barbie,' All the Films That Received 2 or More Golden Globe Nods for Best Original Song". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 3, 2024. Retrieved April 1, 2024.
  100. ^ Gallagher, Pat (February 21, 2013). "20 Of The Best Oscar Songs of All Time – From The Vault". The Huffington Post. Archived from the original on June 3, 2023. Retrieved September 23, 2013.
  101. ^ Greenbeeger, Robert (October 3, 2010). "Paige O'hara, The Voice of Belle, on Being Part of 'beauty and The Beast'". Comic Mix. Archived from the original on January 8, 2019. Retrieved September 23, 2013.
  102. ^ Rusoff, Jane Wollman (November 22, 1992). "BEAUTY & THE BRIDGE FIRST SHE CHARMED US WITH HER VOICE IN BEAUTY AND THE BEAST. NOW FORT LAUDERDALE'S PAIGE O'HARA TAKES ON A VERY DIFFERENT ROLE IN A FILM ABOUT CHAPPAQUIDDICK". Sun Sentinel. Archived from the original on June 1, 2023. Retrieved March 28, 2024.
  103. ^ "An Interview with Paige O'Hara, the voice of Belle". Dad of Divas. October 2, 2010. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved 24 September 2013.
  104. ^ "Belle by Cast of Beauty And The Beast". Songfacts. Archived from the original on January 28, 2022. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
  105. ^ Sands, Jez (October 25, 2010). "Beauty And The Beast: Paige O'Hara Interview". On the Box. Archived from the original on November 18, 2022. Retrieved September 24, 2013.
  106. ^ Brigante, Ricky (August 20, 2011). "Disney Princesses and Muppets sing at 2011 Disney D23 Expo Legends ceremony". Inside the Magic. Archived from the original on February 4, 2023. Retrieved December 4, 2013.
  107. ^ Goldhaber, Mark (September 2, 2011). "Disney Legends Class of 2011: Modern princesses, the Muppet master and more". USA Today. Archived from the original on November 1, 2013. Retrieved December 4, 2013.
  108. ^ Price, Jon (January 24, 2020). "Paige O'Hara, Disney Legend and Voice of Belle, Surprises Guests at the 'Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along'". Disney Parks. Archived from the original on June 10, 2023. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
  109. ^ "Toonful – Michelle Nicastro". AllMusic. 1993. Archived from the original on December 9, 2021. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
  110. ^ a b Richards, David (April 19, 1994). "Review/Theater: Beauty and the Beast; Disney Does Broadway, Dancing Spoons and All". The New York Times. Archived from the original on March 10, 2017. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
  111. ^ Fawthrop, Peter (April 26, 1994). "Beauty and the Beast [Original Broadway Cast Recording] – Original Broadway Cast". AllMusic. Archived from the original on December 18, 2022. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
  112. ^ Konerman, Jennifer (January 8, 2017). "Emma Watson Sings "Belle" in the Newest 'Beauty and the Beast' Trailer". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on April 19, 2024. Retrieved April 19, 2024.
  113. ^ Utley, Riley (September 27, 2022). "Beauty And The Beast's Luke Evans Shares Cute Video After Waking Up To Billboard Of Belle Actress Emma Watson". CinemaBlend. Archived from the original on April 19, 2024. Retrieved April 19, 2024.
  114. ^ a b Lee, Ashley (February 21, 2017). "Watch Emma Watson Sing 'Beauty and the Beast' Opening Number 'Belle'". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 19, 2024. Retrieved April 19, 2024.
  115. ^ Gleiberman, Owen (March 3, 2017). "Film Review: 'Beauty and the Beast'". Variety. Archived from the original on December 22, 2021. Retrieved March 28, 2024.
  116. ^ "Gold & Platinum". Recording Industry Association of America. Archived from the original on March 20, 2023. Retrieved May 2, 2023.
  117. ^ Shoemaker, A. (May 17, 2023). "A Definitive Ranking of Every Disney Song, Ever". Consequence. Archived from the original on March 25, 2024. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  118. ^ Goddu, Charlotte (July 17, 2019). "The 40 Best Disney Songs, Ranked". The Ringer. Archived from the original on June 2, 2023. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  119. ^ Bell, Crystal (November 21, 2016). "Ranking Disney's 'I Want' Songs From Worst To Best". MTV News. Archived from the original on March 26, 2024. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
  120. ^ Ehren, Christine (July 2, 1999). "'South Park' Movie Mocks Bway Musicals, Features Howard McGillin". Playbill. Playbill, Inc. Archived from the original on 13 October 2013. Retrieved 11 October 2013.
  121. ^ William, Chris (August 9, 1999). "Music From and Inspired by South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on 13 October 2013. Retrieved 11 October 2013.
  122. ^ "South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut". Filmtracks. Filmtracks Publications. Retrieved 11 October 2013.
  123. ^ Amy Keating Rogers (2014-02-01). "When I wrote the lyrics for..." Twitter. Retrieved 2014-02-01.
  124. ^ "American single certifications – Richard White – Belle". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved August 29, 2022.