Certain as the sun, the theme song of Disney's 1991 animated musical Beauty and the Beast has left a magical and lasting impression with fans worldwide up until today, with the live-action film being one of the most anticipated theater releases of 2017. Let's take a look back at the tale as old as time and see why 'Beauty and the Beast' is simply the best Disney song with so much legacy.
1. We will forever remember Mrs. Potts singing it as Belle and the Beast dance in the iconic ballroom scene.
In the 1991 animation 'Beauty and the Beast,' the theme song is lovingly sung by Angela Lansbury, in the voice of her motherly teapot character (she reminds Chip of his bedtime after singing–you remember that too, of course). It was heartfelt and so sincere, and so hard to believe that the actress, now 91, was at first hesitant to record her 'aging' voice for the song. Lansbury made people fall in all over again last year when she sang the theme song during a special 25th-anniversary screening of the film (watch here).
2. The duet version of the theme song goes pop with Celine Dion and Peabo Bryson — a Grammy-winning single.
The French singer together with American singer Peabo Bryson sang the end credits of the 1991 animation, and their pop duet version of 'Beauty and the Beast' won a Grammy for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal. Dion, relatively new at that time, then launched her career right afterward — the success of the Disney song earned her a record deal, and has also led her to theme song deals with other films such as Up Close & Personal ('Because You Loved Me') and Titanic ('My Heart Will Go On'). The five-time Grammy-winning artist is returning to the Beauty and The Beast universe this 2017 with an all-new original song 'How Does A Moment Last Forever' for the live-action Beauty and the Beast.
3. Its legacy is of award winning level — from Oscars, Grammys, and even in theater.
The "Beauty and the Beast" theme is undoubtedly very successful, garnering both a Golden Globe and Academy Award for Best Original Song, a Grammy Award for Best Song Written for Visual Media and Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals. The songs were so iconic and powerful that Disney created a stage adaptation–its very first. The musical had productions on Broadway, West End, a touring US production, and has also international productions, performing in over 30 countries.
4. 'Beauty and the Beast' has been covered by many artists of different genres.
Everyone simply loves the song, and want to put their own little twist to it. American Idol star Jordin Sparks recorded an R&B version, while a country cover by Christian country band Diamond Rio performed the song for a compilation album of Disney songs The Best of Country Sing the Best of Disney. There's even a silky smooth jazz version of it by The Jazz Networks — listen to it here.
5. The theme song has successfully crossed Disney into the pop charts.
Before Beauty and the Beast, there wasn't really any Disney-released chart topper since the 1960s. The theme song changed all that, and it has become such a phenomenon that in 2004, the American Film Institute declared it as one of the greatest songs in film history. It currently ranks 62nd on the list.
6. 'Beauty and The Beast' has now brought two of Hollywood's biggest artists together to breathe new life into the well-loved duet.
The classic characters return this year from the tale as old as time, staying true to the original music while updating the score with several new songs. The 2017 live-action adaption of Beauty and the Beast features a duet by Ariana Grande and John Legend, and the recently released music video has got all the Disney fans even more excited to see the film very, very soon.
Fall in love all over again with our beloved tale as old as time, when the live-action adaptation of Disneys animated classic 'Beauty and the Beast' opens in theaters nationwide on Thursday, March 16, 2017. "Beauty and the Beast" is distributed by Walt Disney Studios Philippines. Like on Facebook, WaltDisneyStudiosPH; follow on Twitter @disney_phil and Instagram @disney.ph. #BeOurGuestPH
