Belle (Disney song)
From Wikipedia the free encyclopedia
"Belle" | |
---|---|
Song by Paige O'Hara and Richard White | |
from the album Beauty and the Beast: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack | |
Released | October 29, 1991 |
Genre | Operetta |
Length | 5:09 |
Label | Walt Disney |
Composer(s) | Alan Menken |
Lyricist(s) | Howard Ashman |
Producer(s) |
|
"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 Beauty and the Beast filmmakers ultimately enjoyed the song.
The film's first song and opening number, "Belle" appears during Beauty and the Beast as a busy operetta-style musical number that introduces audiences to the film's heroine Belle and her arrogant suitor, Gaston. In addition to describing Belle's goals and aspirations, it reveals how the townsfolk feel about Belle and Gaston, positioning the former as an outcast due to her beauty and love of reading, and the latter as their hero despite his arrogance. Belle reprises the song later in the film after rejecting a marriage proposal from Gaston, declaring her longing for adventure.
"Belle" has been universally acclaimed by film and music critics. Musically, the song has been compared to various musical numbers from the musical films West Side Story (1961) and The Sound of Music (1965). At the 64th Academy Awards in 1992, "Belle" was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Song, but ultimately lost to the film's title song. The song was similarly featured in the Broadway musical based on the film, originally performed by American actress and singer Susan Egan. Actors Emma Watson and Luke Evans performed the song in the 2017 live-action remake of the film.
Background and writing[edit]
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 Howard Ashman and 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 quite naturally due to the fact that Beauty and the Beast had been written in the style of a traditional Broadway musical.[9] Actress and singer Paige O'Hara,[10] who voices Belle, said Ashman and Menken 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, which originally lacked songs, be transformed into "a full-fledged operetta".[14] "Belle" was the first song they wrote for the film,[15] which Menken described as a far more ambitious song than Disney had asked them for.[16] Hoping to craft a song that would successfully 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]
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 in length,[22] the songwriters doubted the filmmakers would appreciate their very theatrical approach to an animated film.[23] 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 in particular was very nervous about the song,[24] postponing submitting it to Disney for two days.[22][6] Menken claims Ashman's AIDS diagnosis contributed to his emotional vulnerability during this time.[25] Much to their surprise, "Belle" was ultimately very well-liked by the creative team,[26] becoming one of the film's few songs to remain largely unchanged during production.[23] They described it as "exactly what the filmmakers were looking for".[27] Ashman determined where characters would speak or sing during the song, similar to a choreographer choreographing a dance routine.[28] Story supervisor Roger Allers requested that there be 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.[28] Menken played an electric piano while Ashman created dialog.[28] O'Hara called the song one of her favorites from the film because it establishes who Belle is as a character.[29] Their demo recording of "Belle" was included on the compilation album The Legacy Collection: Beauty and the Beast (2018).[30][31]
Context and composition[edit]
"Belle" is the first song in Beauty and the Beast.[32][33] Described by the film's producer Don Hahn as a "Gilbert & Sullivan operetta style" song, "Belle" reveals a lot of information within a short period of time.[23] 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".[34] Taking place shortly after the prologue, "Belle" helps move the film to the present-day.[35] 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,[36][37] "Belle" is a "pivotal moment...in the narrative",[38] playing a significant role by introducing both the film's heroine and villain, Belle and Gaston,[32] as well as where both characters are in their lives.[39] Belle has grown frustrated with her predictable village life and longs for an adventure similar to the ones she reads about in her books,[40] while Gaston is a narcissistic hunter determined to marry her. 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".[41] Ironically, Belle is unaware of the adventure she is about to embark on.[42] 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]".[43] While the villagers praise Belle for her beauty, they view her as "odd" because of her love of books.[44] However, they idolize Gaston's looks and masculinity.[45] Commonly referred to as the film's "I Want" song,[46][47][48] "Belle" offers its protagonist an opportunity to convey her yearnings,[10] specifically wanting more than the provincial life she has been living.[48] Belle reprises the song in a more defiant manner later in the film after rejecting Gaston's marriage proposal,[41] which according to Dirk Libbey of CinemaBlend "captures all of Belle's dreams" in a manner the original version does not.[39] 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".[49] Tom Smyth of Vulture compared the scene to The Sound of Music (1965),[6] which O'Hara confirmed they borrowed inspiration from.[49]
According to the song's official sheet music from Walt Disney Music Publishing, "Belle" is a Broadway and musical theatre-inspired song, performed at a moderate "pastorally" tempo of 80 beats per minute in the key of D major.[50] Vocally, the arrangement includes several high notes.[51] Combined, O'Hara's and White's vocal ranges span approximately two octaves, from the low note of A3 to G5.[50] Additionally, actors Alec Murphy, Mary Kay Bergman and Kath Soucie's vocals are also featured on the track.[50] In total, "Belle" lasts five minutes and nine seconds in duration.[52][53] According to Irving Tan of Sputnikmusic, "Belle" is an "idyllic, orchestra-driven" operetta.[54][55] Menken described it as "19th-century operetta style".[13]
The song begins slowly with Belle's solo describing a typical morning in her village before several townspeople join her to sing "bonjour".[56] Afterwards, "Belle" adopts a faster pace, becoming a "rhythmically driven tune" several patrons perform at various moments throughout the song.[56] Eventually, the song introduces a counter melody performed by Belle, who lovingly recounts a book she is reading about a beautiful young woman and a handsome prince, followed by Gaston performing the faster melody with the Bimbettes, who fawn over him.[56] As the song crescendos, Belle belts her desire for higher ambitions "There must be more than this provincial life",[42][57] countered with Gaston's "Just watch, I’m going to make Belle my wife", which highlights their opposing dreams and goals.[35] Finally, in a Broadway-style climax, the song concludes with virtually every villager singing together.[56] Lyrically, verses are interspersed with dialogue from various characters,[44] which was unusual for an animated film at the time.[33] The protagonist discusses how she feels left out and unseen among her peers.[58] Billboard found the vocal and lyrical layering to be reminiscent of songs from Les Misérables.[59] Filmtracks.com described the song as "snare-tapping song".[60] Katrine Ames of Newsweek likened its "sly and quick-cutting dialogue" to the work of composer Stephen Sondheim.[61] Jonathan Romney of Sight and Sound found it reminiscent of "How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria" from The Sound of Music.[62]
Critical response[edit]
"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.[63] |
"Belle" has received positive reviews from both film and music critics. Filmtracks.com hailed the song as "among the most satisfying and clever cast pieces in history," calling it worthy of its nomination for the Academy Award for Best Original Song.[60] Filmtracks.com also praised the reprise, drawing similarities to the title song from The Sound of Music (1965).[60] Bob Hoose of Plugged In called the song "masterful".[64] 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".[65] 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.[66]
Jennie Punter of The Globe and Mail hailed "Belle" as "one of the most delightful openings of any movie musical".[67] The New York Times' Janet Maslin was very complementary, praising the way it advances the plot, while describing "Belle" as "a spectacular opening number that captures the essence of this film's appeal".[63] Additionally, Maslin drew similarities to songs from the musical film West Side Story (1961).[63] Beliefnet called the song a "joyous introductory".[68] Highlighting the song as one of the film's most notable, Sandie Angulo Chen described "Belle" as an "infectious" song "that reveals how different Belle is from the other Disney heroines".[69] While describing the song as a "teeming ... opener", TV Guide positively compared "Belle" to some of the songs featured in the musicals Fiddler on the Roof and She Loves Me.[70] Writing for Sight and Sound, Jonathan Romney praised the animation and direction during the sequence, which he likened to the work of comic actor Buster Keaton.[62]
Ranking Beauty and the Beast Disney's third greatest animated film while hailing it as "the best Disney movie musical," Gregory Ellwood of HitFix wrote, "you can't argue the cinematic joy in numbers such as the opening 'Belle'."[71] Ranking Beauty and the Beast the "Best Disney Soundtrack ... of the Past 25 Years", Moviefone's Sandie Angulo Chen highlighted "Belle", commenting, "There's an infectious quality to all of the Alan Menken and Howard Ashman songs, like the opening number of 'Belle' (that reveals how different Belle is from the other Disney heroines)."[72]
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.[73][74] "Belle" ultimately lost to the film's title and theme song.[75] According to producer Don Hahn, Disney was actually hoping that the award would go to "Beauty and the Beast" and promoted the song heavily, spending significantly less money and attention on "Belle".[76]
Live performances and cover versions[edit]
O'Hara first performed "Belle" live at the 64th Academy Awards ceremony in 1992,[77] at which it was nominated for Best Original Song.[78] In spite of the fact that the producers of the telecast wanted well-known "pop stars" to perform the song at the ceremony, Disney executives Michael Eisner and Jeffrey Katzenberg were adamant that "Belle" be performed by the original artist by whom it was recorded.[79] The producers also gave O'Hara the option to lip-synch the song. However, she opted to sing live instead.[80] O'Hara was also forced to wear a rendition of Belle's blue and white costume from the film, of which she was harshly critical because she felt that it was "much too frilly", and Belle is supposed to dress "much simpler." She likened the costume to something that the fairy tale character Little Bo Peep would wear. O'Hara admitted that she was very nervous before her performance. However, actress Angela Lansbury, who provided the voice of the character Mrs. Potts in the film and was to perform "Beauty and the Beast" at the ceremony, comforted her by telling her, "Paige, if I sang like you I wouldn't be nervous."[81] In August 2011, O'Hara performed an abridged version of "Belle" live during the Disney Legends awards ceremony, at which O'Hara was also a recipient.[82] The performance was a Beauty and the Beast medley, during which O'Hara musically combined "Belle" with "Beauty and the Beast" and "Be Our Guest".[83] In January 2020, O'Hara sang a few lines of "Belle" at the premiere of a Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along at Epcot.[84]
Actress Michelle Nicastro covered "Belle" for her movie cover album Toonful (1993).[85] The song appears in the stage musical adaptation of the film, which premiered on Broadway in 1994.[86] David Richards of The New York Times called it "reminiscent of Lerner and Loewe".[86] 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.[87] In the 2017 live-action adaptation, the song is performed by Emma Watson, Luke Evans, and the ensemble. In 2023, this version of the song was certified Gold.[88]
Legacy[edit]
CinemaBlend ranked "Belle" and its reprise the third and fifth best songs from the film, respectively.[39] The same publication named it the seventh best Disney Princess song.[58] Consequence ranked "Belle" the 12th best Disney song, describing it as "One of the great opening numbers in all of musical theatre".[89] The Ringer ranked Belle 23rd, with writer Charlotte Goddu calling it "a shame, though, that the entire rest of the movie ignores her actual most impressive quality: the ability to simultaneously read and walk".[90] Billboard ranked it the 42nd best song in the Disney universe, calling it "tough to beat" among opening musical songs.[35] The same publication ranked it the 13th best song from the Disney Renaissance.[59] "Belle" has been ranked among Disney's best "I Want" songs.[44][91] Vulture ranked the reprise Disney's third-best "I Want" song.[6]
"Belle" is heavily parodied in the animated musical film South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut (1999) through its opening number, "Mountain Town".[92][93] Filmtracks.com described the parody as "a delightful introductory piece".[94] 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".[95]
Certifications[edit]
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
United States (RIAA)[96] | Gold | 500,000‡ |
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. |
References[edit]
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Clarke, James (2012). "Beauty and the Beast (1991)". Animated Films - Virgin Film. United Kingdom: Random House. ISBN 978-0753512586. Retrieved September 22, 2013.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Belle – ISWC: T9000008151 Work ID: 320375902". ASCAP. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Korkis, Jim (July 10, 2015). "Animation Anecdotes #220". Cartoon Research. Archived from the original on November 27, 2022. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
- ^ a b Lipworth, Elaine (October 1, 2010). "An Interview with Alan Menken regarding 'Beauty and the Beast: Diamond Edition Blu-ray'". Soundtrack.Net. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Aquilina, Tyler (August 6, 2020). "How Disney's Howard Ashman documentary honors The Little Mermaid songwriter's 'heroic' story". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
- ^ Cochrane, Emma. "Beauty And The Beast – Disney at its finest". Empire. Archived from the original on 12 October 2013. Retrieved 22 September 2013.
- ^ "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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Gibson, Kelsie (March 16, 2016). "Beauty and the Beast: Emma Watson Has the Original Belle's Seal of Approval!". PopSugar. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ "Belle (Demo) [Remastered 2018]". Apple Music. 2018. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ "The Legacy Collection: Beauty and the Beast". Soundtrack.Net. February 9, 2018. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Covel, Casey (January 12, 2015). "Review: Beauty and the Beast Official Soundtrack". Geeks Under Grace. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
- ^ a b c Chan, Anna (March 25, 2023). "The 100 Greatest Disneyverse Songs of All Time". Billboard. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
- ^ Corliss, Richard (January 12, 2012). "Beauty and the Beast in 3-D: Still an Enchantment". Time. Retrieved 24 September 2013.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b c Libbey, Dirk (March 13, 2017). "Original Disney Beauty And The Beast Songs, Ranked". CinemaBlend. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Goldberg, Matt (January 12, 2012). "Beauty and the Beast 3D Review". Collider. Archived from the original on May 6, 2021. Retrieved September 24, 2013.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Wise, Kirk (director); Trousdale, Gary (director) (November 22, 1991). Beauty and the Beast (Motion picture). United States: Buena Vista Pictures.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Blauvelt, Christian (November 16, 2010). "Tangled". Slant Magazine. Archived from the original on July 1, 2015. Retrieved December 8, 2013.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ a b c Menken, Alan; Ashman, Howard (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.
- ^ Strassberg, Rebecca (August 25, 2023). "8 Disney Audition Songs for Female Singers". Backstage. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ Hobart, Tavia (November 1, 1991). "Disney / Alan Menken Beauty and the Beast". AllMusic. Retrieved September 24, 2013.
- ^ "Beauty and the Beast (Soundtrack from the Motion Picture) – Alan Menken". iTunes. January 1, 1991. Retrieved September 24, 2013.
- ^ Tan, Irving (April 10, 2011). "Disney Soundtracks – Beauty and the Beast". Sputnikmusic. Retrieved September 20, 2013.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Moore McClatchy, Roger (January 13, 2012). "Forever known as 'Belle'". The Spokesman-Review. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
- ^ a b Ramos, Alexandra (January 8, 2023). "12 Iconic Disney Princess Songs, Ranked". CinemaBlend. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ a b W, T. (March 13, 2017). "Every Song From the Disney Renaissance (1989-'99), Ranked: Critics' Take". Billboard. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Ames, Katrine (November 17, 1991). "Just The Way Walt Made 'Em". Newsweek. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
- ^ a b Romney, Jonathan (1992). "Sight and Sound (1992-10)(BFI)(GB)". Sight and Sound. pp. 46–47. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ a b c Maslin, Janet (November 13, 1991). "Beauty and the Beast (1991)". The New York Times. Retrieved September 21, 2013.
- ^ Hoose, Bob. "Beauty and the Beast (1991)". Plugged In. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ Berardinelli, James. "Beauty and the Beast". ReelViews. Retrieved April 20, 2014.
- ^ Vonder Haar, Pete (January 13, 2012). "Reviews For The Easily Distracted: Beauty And The Beast 3D". Houston Press. Houston Press, LP. Archived from the original on 20 August 2012. Retrieved 21 September 2013.
- ^ Punter, Jennie (January 13, 2012). "Beauty and the Beast 3D: Disney classic gets added pop". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved September 21, 2013.
- ^ "Beauty and the Beast". Beliefnet. January 13, 2012. Archived from the original on 13 October 2013. Retrieved 22 September 2013.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Beauty And The Beast: Review". TV Guide. CBS Interactive Inc. 2001. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved September 23, 2013.
- ^ Ellwood, George (November 25, 2013). "Top 20 Disney Animated Films of All-Time". HitFix. HitFix, Inc. Retrieved April 16, 2014.
- ^ Chen, Sandie Angulo (November 27, 2013). "Best Disney Soundtracks of the Past 25 Years". Moviefone. Aol Inc. Archived from the original on August 6, 2014. Retrieved April 16, 2014.
- ^ "The 64th Academy Awards (1992) Nominees and Winners". The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Retrieved 23 September 2013.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Gallagher, Pat (February 21, 2013). "20 Of The Best Oscar Songs of All Time -- From The Vault". The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, Inc. Retrieved 23 September 2013.
- ^ Young, John (February 22, 2012). "Oscars 1992: Producer Don Hahn on how 'Beauty and the Beast' changed animation". Entertainment Weekly. Entertainment Weekly Inc. Retrieved 23 September 2013.
- ^ Greenbeeger, Robert (October 3, 2010). "Paige O'hara, The Voice of Belle, on Being Part of 'beauty and The Beast'". Comic Mix. Retrieved September 23, 2013.
- ^ "Paige O'Hara Biography". Monsters and Critics. Monsters and Critics.com. Archived from the original on 27 September 2013. Retrieved 24 September 2013.
- ^ "An Interview with Paige O'Hara, the voice of Belle". Dad of Divas. October 2, 2010. Retrieved 24 September 2013.
- ^ "Belle by Cast of Beauty And The Beast". Songfacts. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
- ^ Sands, Jez (October 25, 2010). "Beauty And The Beast: Paige O'Hara Interview". On the Box. OntheBox.com. Retrieved 24 September 2013.
- ^ Brigante, Ricky (August 20, 2011). "Disney Princesses and Muppets sing at 2011 Disney D23 Expo Legends ceremony". Inside the Magic. Distant Creations Group, LLC. Retrieved 4 December 2013.
- ^ Goldhaber, Mark (September 2, 2011). "Disney Legends Class of 2011: Modern princesses, the Muppet master and more". USA Today. USA Today. Retrieved 4 December 2013.
- ^ 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. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ "Toonful – Michelle Nicastro". AllMusic. 1993. Archived from the original on December 9, 2021. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Gold & Platinum". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved May 2, 2023.
- ^ Shoemaker, A. (May 17, 2023). "A Definitive Ranking of Every Disney Song, Ever". Consequence. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
- ^ Goddu, Charlotte (July 17, 2019). "The 40 Best Disney Songs, Ranked". The Ringer. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
- ^ Bell, Crystal (November 21, 2016). "Ranking Disney's 'I Want' Songs From Worst To Best". MTV News. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut". Filmtracks. Filmtracks Publications. Retrieved 11 October 2013.
- ^ Amy Keating Rogers (2014-02-01). "When I wrote the lyrics for..." Twitter. Retrieved 2014-02-01.
- ^ "American single certifications – Richard White – Belle". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved August 29, 2022.
External links[edit]
- Disney Sing-Along on YouTube (on Disney's official channel)