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{{Featured}}{{Infobox Song
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{{Featured}}
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{{Infobox Song
|name = Belle
 
 
|image = Belle.png
 
|image = Belle.png
  +
|name = Belle
  +
|films = ''[[Beauty and the Beast (1991 film)|Beauty and the Beast]]''<br>[[Beauty and the Beast (2017 film)|''Beauty and the Beast'' (2017)]]
  +
|attractions = ''[[Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage]]''<br>[[Beauty and the Beast (musical)|''Beauty and the Beast'' (musical)]]<br>''[[Mickey's Gift of Dreams]]''
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|games = ''[[Beauty and the Beast: Belle's Quest]]''
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|albums = ''[[Beauty and the Beast (1991 soundtrack)|Beauty and the Beast: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack]]<br>[[Classic Disney: 60 Years of Musical Magic|Classic Disney]] - Volume V<br>[[Now That's What I Call Disney|Now That's What I Call Disney!]]'' (2014 UK re-release)<br>[[Beauty and the Beast (2017 soundtrack)|''Beauty and the Beast'' (2017)]]
 
|composer = [[Alan Menken]]
 
|composer = [[Alan Menken]]
 
|lyrics_by = [[Howard Ashman]]
 
|lyrics_by = [[Howard Ashman]]
|singer = [[Belle]] ([[Paige O'Hara]]/[[Emma Watson]])<br>[[Gaston]] ([[Richard White]]/[[Luke Evans]])<br>[[Villagers (Beauty and the Beast)|People in Town]]
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|singer = [[Belle]] ([[Paige O'Hara]])<br>[[Gaston]] ([[Richard White]])<br>[[Villagers (Beauty and the Beast)|People in Town]]<br>[[Bimbettes]]
  +
|other_singer = [[Susan Egan]]/Burke Moses/[[Bimbettes|Silly Girls]]/Ensemble (Broadway)<br>[[Emma Watson]]/[[Luke Evans]]/[[Bimbettes|Village Lasses]]/Ensemble (2017)
|films = ''[[Beauty and the Beast (1991 film)|Beauty and the Beast]]<br>[[Beauty and the Beast (2017 film)|Beauty and the Beast]]'' (2017 film)
 
|games = ''[[Beauty and the Beast: Belle's Quest]]''
 
|attractions = ''[[Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage]]<br>[[Mickey's Gift of Dreams]]''
 
|albums = ''[[Beauty and the Beast (soundtrack)]]<br>[[Classic Disney: 60 Years of Musical Magic|Classic Disney]] - Volume V<br>[[Now That's What I Call Disney|Now That's What I Call Disney!]] (2014 UK re-release)<br>[[Beauty and the Beast (2017 soundtrack)]]''
 
 
|preceded_by = "[[Prologue]]"
 
|preceded_by = "[[Prologue]]"
|followed_by = "[[Gaston (song)|Gaston]]"<br>"[[No Matter What]]" ([[Beauty and the Beast (musical)|musical]])<br>"[[How Does a Moment Last Forever|How Does a Moment Last Forever (Musicbox)]]" (2017 film)
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|followed_by = "[[Gaston (song)|Gaston]]"
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|video = Beauty and the Beast "Belle" Sing-A-Long Disney}}
|video = Belle's Song "Little Town" - Beauty and the Beast Full HD}}"'''Belle'''" is a song written by lyricist [[Howard Ashman]] and composer [[Alan Menken]] for [[Walt Disney Pictures]]' 30th animated feature film ''[[Beauty and the Beast (1991 film)|Beauty and the Beast]]''. Originally recorded by actress [[Paige O'Hara]] and actor [[Richard White]], "Belle" is a French and classical-inspired song that incorporates musical elements from both the Broadway and musical theater genres. The film's first song, "Belle" is a large-scale operetta-style musical number that introduces the film's book-loving heroine [[Belle]], a non-conforming young woman who has grown weary of the provincial village life that she is being forced to live, and [[Gaston]] who desires her hand in marriage. The reprise mentions how she not only wants to give up her village life, but also ''not'' accept Gaston's hand in marriage.
 
  +
  +
"'''Belle'''" is a song written by lyricist [[Howard Ashman]] and composer [[Alan Menken]] for [[Walt Disney Pictures]]' 30th animated feature film ''[[Beauty and the Beast (1991 film)|Beauty and the Beast]]''. Originally recorded by actress [[Paige O'Hara]] and actor [[Richard White]], "Belle" is a French and classical-inspired song that incorporates musical elements from both the Broadway and musical theater genres.
   
  +
==Summary==
"Belle" was nominated for the {{WikipediaLink|Academy Award for Best Original Song}} at the {{WikipediaLink|64th Academy Awards}} in 1992, ultimately losing to [[Beauty and the Beast (song)|the film's own title song]]. The song was also featured in the [[Beauty and the Beast (musical)|Broadway musical based on the film]], originally performed by actress [[Susan Egan]].
 
  +
The film's first song, "Belle" is a large-scale operetta-style musical number that introduces the film's book-loving heroine [[Belle]], a non-conforming young woman who has grown weary of the provincial village life that she is being forced to live, and [[Gaston]] who desires her hand in marriage. The reprise mentions how she not only wants to give up her village life but also ''not'' accept Gaston's hand in marriage.
   
 
==Lyrics==
 
==Lyrics==
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'''Baker:''' Madame's mistaken.
 
'''Baker:''' Madame's mistaken.
 
'''Townsfolk:''' Well, maybe so!
 
'''Townsfolk:''' Well, maybe so!
  +
'''Belle:''' There must be more than this provincial life! ('''Townsfolk:''' Good morning!)
Good morning!
 
  +
'''Gaston:''' Just watch, I'm going to make Belle my wife! ('''Townsfolk:''' Oh, good morning!)
Oh, good morning!
 
'''Belle:''' There must be more than this provincial life!
 
'''Gaston:''' Just watch, I'm going to make Belle my wife!</poem>
 
   
 
'''Townsfolk:''' Look there she goes
 
'''Townsfolk:''' Look there she goes
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</poem>
 
</poem>
 
</tabber>
 
</tabber>
 
==Other Versions==
 
{| class="wikitable"
 
|-
 
!Performer(s)
 
!Title(s)
 
!Translations(s)
 
!Language
 
|-
 
|Alma Koleci & Agim Duro
 
|
 
|
 
|Albanian
 
|-
 
|داليا فاروق (Dalia Farouq) & رضا الوكيل (Ridah Al-Wakel)
 
|بل
 
|Belle
 
|Arabic
 
|-
 
|Ju Cassou & Maurício Luz
 
|
 
|
 
|Brazilian Portuguese
 
|-
 
|Йорданка Илова (Yordanka Ilova) & Венцислав Динов (Ventsislav Dinov)
 
|Бел
 
|Bel
 
|Bulgarian
 
|-
 
|陳寶珊 (Chan Bo Saan) & 麥志成 (Mak Ji Sing)
 
|
 
|
 
|Cantonese
 
|-
 
|Inés Moraleda & Xavier Ribera
 
|
 
|
 
|Castilian Spanish
 
|-
 
|Renata Sabljak & Đani Stipaničev
 
|Bel
 
|
 
|Croatian
 
|-
 
|Jana Mařasová & Vratislav Kříž
 
|
 
|
 
|Czech
 
|-
 
|Louise Fribo & Per Høyer
 
|
 
|
 
|Danish
 
|-
 
|Joke de Kruijf & Henk Poort
 
|
 
|
 
|Dutch
 
|-
 
|Mervi Hiltunen & Esa Ruuttunen
 
|
 
|
 
|Finnish
 
|-
 
|Bénédicte Lécroart & François Leroux
 
|
 
|
 
|French
 
|-
 
|Jana Werner & Peter Edelmann
 
|
 
|
 
|German
 
|-
 
|Κρίστη Στασινοπούλου (Kristi Stassinopoulou) & Γιάννης Βασιλάκης (Giannis Vasilakis)
 
|
 
|
 
|Greek
 
|-
 
|רינת גבאי (Rinat Gabay) & יואל אקהרט (Yohal Akhart)
 
|
 
|
 
|Hebrew
 
|-
 
|मिमोसा पिंटू (Mimosa Pinto) & ?
 
|
 
|
 
|Hindi
 
|-
 
|Judit Kocsis & Péter Vincze Gábor
 
|
 
|
 
|Hungarian
 
|-
 
|Selma Björnsdóttir & Bragi Þór Valsson
 
|
 
|
 
|Icelandic
 
|-
 
|Ivone Rose & Iwan Dahlan
 
|
 
|
 
|Indonesian
 
|-
 
|Marjorie Biondo & Carlo Lepore
 
|
 
|
 
|Italian
 
|-
 
|伊東恵里 (Eri Itō) & 松本宰二 (Matsumoto Osamuni)
 
|
 
"朝の風景" <br />(Asa no Fūkei) (First version)
 
 
"ベルのひとりごと" (Beru no Hitorigoto) (Reprise version)
 
|
 
"The Scene of a Morning" (First version)
 
 
"Belle's Soliloquy" (Reprise version)
 
|Japanese
 
|-
 
|Гергъокъаланы Халимат (Gerğoqalanı Xalimat) & Мусукаланы Руслан (Musukalanı Ruslan)
 
|
 
|
 
|Karachay-Balkar
 
|-
 
|전수경 (Jeon Su-Gyeong) & 정민화 (Jeong Min-Hwa)
 
|
 
|
 
|Korean
 
|-
 
|Lourdes Ambriz & Armando Gama
 
|
 
|
 
|Latin American Spanish
 
|-
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|Malay
 
|-
 
|劉小芸 (Liu Xiao-Yun) & 李維 (Li Wei)
 
|
 
|
 
|Mandarin
 
|-
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|Marathi
 
|-
 
|Merethe Trøan & Paul Åge Johannessen
 
|
 
|
 
|Norwegian
 
|-
 
|Katarzyna Skrzynecka & Marek Stołowski (1993 version)<br />Katarzyna Pysiak & Jakub Szydłowski (2002 version)
 
|
 
|
 
|Polish
 
|-
 
|Alda Joana & João Rosa
 
|
 
|
 
|Portuguese
 
|-
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|Putonghua
 
|-
 
|Alina Eremia & Rudolf Constantin Cocriș
 
|
 
|
 
|Romanian
 
|-
 
|Сауле Искакова (Saule Iskakova) & Алексей Гурьев (Aleksey Guriev)
 
|
 
|
 
|Russian
 
|-
 
|Alžbeta Bartošová & Martin Kaprálik
 
|
 
|
 
|Slovak
 
|-
 
|Sofia Källgren & Hans Josefsson
 
|
 
|
 
|Swedish
 
|-
 
|นฤมล จิวังกูร (Naruemon Chiwangkun) & สิรคุปต์ เมทะนี (Siracup Methani) (1991 version)<br />จันทร์จิรา นิ่มพิทักษ์พงศ์ (Chanjira Nimpitakpong) & ธานี พูนสุวรรณ (Thani Phusuwan) (2002 version)
 
|
 
|
 
|Thai
 
|-
 
|Figen Sümeli & Suat Arıkan
 
|
 
|
 
|Turkish
 
|-
 
|Анна Сирбу (Anna Sirbu) & ?
 
|
 
|
 
|Ukrainian
 
|}
 
 
==Background==
 
===History===
 
In an attempt to replicate the success that had recently been achieved by ''[[The Little Mermaid]] ''(1989),<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url = http://www.popmatters.com/post/131733-how-beauty-and-the-beast-changed-oscars-best-picture-race-forever/|title = How 'Beauty and the Beast' Changed Oscar's Best Picture Race Forever|date =|website = PopMatters|accessdate = |publisher = PopMatters Media, Inc|last = Gibron|first = Bill}}</ref> [[Walt Disney Feature Animation]] decided to adapt the fairy tale "''Beauty and the Beast''" into an animated feature film.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url = http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/review-beauty-and-the-beast-3d-is-the-same-great-movie-with-some-added-3d-charm|title = Review: 'Beauty and the Beast 3D' Is The Same Great Movie, With Some Added 3D Charm|website = IndieWire|date = |publisher = SnagFilms Co|accessdate = |last = Taylor|first = Drew}}</ref> Although originally conceived as an animated film with "no songs in it whatsoever"<ref name="denofgeeksimonbrew">{{cite web|last=Brew|first=Simon|title=Looking back at Disney’s Beauty And The Beast|url=http://www.denofgeek.com/movies/16589/looking-back-at-disney%E2%80%99s-beauty-and-the-beast|work=Den of Geek|publisher=Dennis Publishing Limited|accessdate=|date=}}</ref> under the direction of Richard Purdum, Disney CEO [[Jeffrey Katzenberg]] was unsatisfied with the dark and somber direction in which the film was headed,<ref name=":2">{{Cite book|title = Animated Films|last = Clarke|first = James|publisher = Virgin Books|isbn = 978-0753512586|url = http://books.google.ca/books?id=B090Ndx1o6cC&pg=PT40&lpg=PT40&dq=linda+woolverton+first+female+disney+screenwriter&source=bl&ots=wkUUpkYKV5&sig=RvyX0r7g48W6hk6oWgAWqua2lro&hl=en&sa=X&ei=g3S_Uej8EI_0qwGQvYCoCQ&ved=0CFYQ6AEwBDgK#v=onepage&q=linda%20woolverton%20first%20female%20disney%20screenwriter&f=false|accessdate = |publication-date = |publication-place = United Kingdom|chapter = Beauty and the Beast (1991)}}</ref> and ultimately ordered that it be re-written as a "Broadway-style musical with a strong heroine" instead, similar in concept to ''The Little Mermaid''.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|url = http://news.moviefone.com/2011/11/15/25-things-you-didnt-know-about-beauty-and-the-beast/|title = 25 Things You Didn't Know About 'Beauty and the Beast'|date = |accessdate = |website = Moviefone|publisher = Aol Inc|last = Susman|first = Gary}}</ref> Disney then hired lyricist [[Howard Ashman]] and composer [[Alan Menken]] to write the film's songs and assist in the "transform[ing of] ''Beauty and the Beast'' into a musical", the pair having just recently collaborated on scoring ''The Little Mermaid''.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|url = http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/1991/11/17/just-the-way-walt-made-em.html|title = Just The Way Walt Made 'Em|website = The Daily Beast|publisher = The Newsweek/Daily Beast Company LLC|last = Ames|first = Katrine|date = |accessdate = }}</ref>
 
 
According to Menken, the "plot-furthering songs"<ref name=":5">{{Cite web|url = http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/film/beauty-and-the-beast-3d-disney-classic-gets-added-pop/article630447/|title = Beauty and the Beast 3D: Disney classic gets added pop|website = The Globe and Mail|publisher = The Globe and Mail Inc|last = Punter|first = Jennie|accessdate =|date = }}</ref> in ''Beauty and the Beast'', including "Belle", developed quite naturally as a result of the fact that the film was written to "almost ... exist as a stage musical", having been "presented in the style of a traditional Broadway musical."<ref name="seattlepi">{{cite web|last=Arnold|first=William|title=Disney brings a 'Beauty' of a film to Imax splendor|url=http://www.seattlepi.com/ae/movies/article/Disney-brings-a-Beauty-of-a-film-to-Imax-1076069.php|work=Seattle Post-Intelligencer|publisher=The Hearst Corporation|accessdate=|date=}}</ref> According to Broadway actress and singer<ref name=":6">{{Cite web|url = http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=19911122&slug=1318824|title = A Classic Feel Already -- Voices, Visuals Fit Superbly In Disney's `Beast'|website = The Seattle Times|publisher = The Seattle Times Company|date = |last = Hartl|first = John|accessdate = }}</ref> [[Paige O'Hara]], who both recorded the song and provided the voice of Belle, Ashman and Menken "wanted to leave the pop music sound of ''Mermaid'' behind and go for something more Jerome Kern/Rodgers & Hammerstein" for ''Beauty and the Beast''.<ref name="startribuneo'hara">{{cite web|last=Moore|first=Roger|title=Voice of Belle had a ball in 'Beauty and the Beast'|url=http://www.startribune.com/entertainment/movies/137294418.html|work=Star Tribune|publisher=StarTribune|accessdate=|date=}}</ref> The film's songs and musical numbers, which were written to both "propel the plot" and offer "character development",<ref name="tvguidebeautty">{{cite web|title=Beauty And The Beast: Review|url=http://movies.tvguide.com/beauty-and-the-beast/review/128275|work=TV Guide|publisher=CBS Interactive Inc|accessdate=|year=2001}}</ref> were heavily influenced by French, classical and traditional Broadway music.<ref name=":7">{{Cite web|url = http://staticmultimedia.com/blu-ray-dvd/interview-with-beauty-and-the-beast-composer-alan-menken|title = Interview with Beauty and the Beast Composer Alan Menken|date = |website = Static Multimedia|publisher = Static Multimedia|accessdate = }}</ref> Additionally, Menken described "Belle" and the other ''Beauty and the Beast'' songs to ''The New York Times'' as "tangents from 18th-century France".<ref name=":8" />
 
 
Written in a style that Menken would later admit is very "distant from contemporary pop", the songwriters were initially skeptical of "Belle", fearful of the song's potential to "end their careers at Disney" if it was not well received.<ref name=":8">{{Cite web|url = http://www.nytimes.com/1992/03/15/movies/film-for-alan-menken-a-partnership-ends-but-the-song-plays-on.html?pagewanted=all&src=pm|title = FILM; For Alan Menken, A Partnership Ends But the Song Plays On|last = Holden|first = Stephen|website = The New York Times|date = |accessdate = |publisher = The New York Times Company}}</ref> Described by the film's producer [[Don Hahn]] as a "Gilbert & Sullivan operetta style" song, "Belle" reveals a lot of information "in a very short time". Ashman and Menken initially doubted that the filmmakers would appreciate their very theatrical approach to animation.<ref name="dengeekhahn">{{cite web|last=Brew|first=Simon|title=Don Hahn interview: Beauty And The Beast, Howard Ashman, The Lion King, South Park and Frankenweenie|url=http://www.denofgeek.com/movies/16583/don-hahn-interview-beauty-and-the-beast-howard-ashman-the-lion-king-south-park-and-frankenweenie|work=Den of Geek|publisher=Dennis Publishing Limited|accessdate=|date=}}</ref> Much to their surprise, "Belle" was ultimately very well-liked and "adored by the [creative] team",<ref name="empireemma">{{cite web|last=Cochrane|first=Emma|title=Beauty And The Beast – Disney at its finest|url=http://www.empireonline.com/reviews/reviewcomplete.asp?DVDID=118543|work=Empire|publisher=Bauer Consumer Media|accessdate=}}</ref> becoming one of the film's few songs to remain unmodified during production.<ref name="dengeekhahn" />
 
 
===Context and composition ===
 
{| class="toccolours" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-left: 2em; font-size: 85%; background:; color:black; width:30em; max-width: 40%;" cellspacing="5"
 
|-
 
| style="text-align: left;" |"[T]hrough the ... song "Belle" ... we learn that [Belle is] smart as well as beautiful, and longs to do something spectacular with her life rather than simply marry some local simpleton. The local simpleton, the brawny, square-jawed Gaston ... decides to marry her anyway and enlists the help of his pipsqueak sidekick Le Fou."
 
|-
 
| style="text-align: left;" |— Film critic Jeffrey M. Anderson of ''Combustible Celluloid'' summarizing the scene in which the song appears.<ref name="celluloid">{{cite web|last=Anderson|first=Jeffrey M.|title=Beauty and the Beast (1991)|url=http://www.combustiblecelluloid.com/classic/beautybea.shtml|work=Combustible Celluloid|publisher=Jeffrey M. Anderson|accessdate=|date=}}</ref>
 
|}
 
 
Hoping to write a song that would successfully "portray [Belle] in a world that is so protected and safe", Ashman and Menken drew inspiration from a story-telling style that is often reserved for traditional operettas.<ref name=":9">{{Cite web|url = http://www.comicmix.com/news/2010/10/02/alan-menken-revisits-beauty-and-the-beast/|title = Alan Menken Revisits ‘beauty & The Beast’|website = Comic Mix|publisher = Comic Mix|last = Greenberger|first = Robert|date = |accessdate = }}</ref> As ''Beauty and the Beast''<nowiki/>'s opening number,<ref name="beautytime">{{cite web|last=Corliss|first=Richard|title=Beauty and the Beast in 3-D: Still an Enchantment|url=http://entertainment.time.com/2012/01/12/beauty-and-the-beast-in-3-d-still-an-enchantment/|work=Time|publisher=Time Inc|accessdate=|date=}}</ref><ref name="rjournal">{{cite web|last=Cling|first=Carol|title=More than 20 years after 'Beauty and the Beast,' Paige O'Hara still remembered as voice of Disney princess|url=http://www.reviewjournal.com/entertainment/arts-culture/more-20-years-after-beauty-and-beast-paige-ohara-still-remembered-voice|work=Las Vegas Review-Journal|publisher=Stephens Media LLC|accessdate=|date=}}</ref> "Belle", a "pivotal moment...in the narrative",<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.mania.com/mania-review-beauty-beast-3d_article_131956.html|title = Mania Review: Beauty and The Beast 3D|date = |accessdate = |website = Mania.com|publisher = Demand Media|last = Vaux|first = Rob}}
 
</ref> plays a significant role in the film by introducing both the film's heroine, [[Belle]],<ref name="beautytime" /> after whom the song is named, and Gaston, the film's villain. While Belle, a book-loving and intelligent nonconformist who has grown frustrated with her predictable village life, longs for an adventure similar to the ones she reads about in her books,<ref name="howardashmansite">{{cite web|last=Ashman Gillespie|first=Sarah|title=Beauty and the Beast|url=http://howardashman.com/beauty.html|work=Part of His World - Celebrating the Work of Howard Ashman|publisher=Shoptalk Ltd|accessdate=}}</ref> Gaston is a narcissistic hunter who seeks her hand in marriage. In roughly five minutes, the song explains both Belle and Gaston's roles in ''Beauty and the Beast'' to the audience. 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]";<ref name="colliderbeauty">{{cite web|last=Goldberg|first=Matt|title=BEAUTY AND THE BEAST 3D Review|url=http://collider.com/beauty-and-the-beast-3d-review/|work=Collider|publisher=Collider.com|accessdate=|year=2012}}</ref> while the villagers award Belle high praise for her doubtless Beauty, they see her as odd because of her love of books and ridicule her for her non-conformity. However, they appraise Gaston for his looks and masculinity.
 
 
According to Irving Tan of Sputnikmusic, "Belle" is an "idyllic, orchestra-driven" musical number,<ref name=":10">{{Cite web|url = http://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/42895/Disney-Soundtracks-Beauty-and-the-Beast/|title = Disney Soundtracks – Beauty and the Beast|date = |website = Sputnikmusic|last = Tan|first = Irving|accessdate = |publisher = IndieClick Music Network}}</ref> written in the style of a traditional operetta.<ref name=":11">{{Cite web|url = http://www.newsinfilm.com/2012/02/11/rediscovering-the-beauty-in-disneys-the-beast/|title = Rediscovering the Beauty in Disney’s ‘the Beast’|date = |website = News in Film|accessdate = |publisher = NewsinFilm.com|last = Leins|first = Jeff}}</ref><ref name=":12">{{Cite web|url = http://www.decentfilms.com/reviews/beautyandthebeast1991|title = Beauty and the Beast (1991)|last = Greydanus|first = Steven D.|publisher = Steven D. Greydanus|accessdate = |website = Decent Films Guide}}</ref><ref name=":13">{{Cite web|url = http://articles.courant.com/1991-11-22/features/0000209193_1_fairy-tales-beast-gary-trousdale|title = Disney's `Beast' Is A Work Of Extraordinary Beauty, Brilliance|website = Hartford Courant|date = |last = Johnson|first = Malcom|accessdate = |publisher = Hartford Courant}}</ref> Commonly regarded as the film's "I Want" song,<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.villagevoice.com/2010-11-24/film/tangled-looks-and-feels-great-so-why-is-disney-selling-it-short/|title = Tangled Looks and Feels Great, So Why Is Disney Selling It Short?|website = The Village Voice|accessdate = |last = Kois|first = Dan|date = |publisher = Village Voice, LLC}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.slantmagazine.com/film/review/tangled/5163|title = Tangled|website = Slant Magazine|date = |publisher = Slant Magazine|accessdate = |last = Blauvelt|first = Christian}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.sfweekly.com/2010-11-24/film/tangled-disney-s-latest-makes-rapunzel-funny-and-lively/|title = "Tangled": Disney's latest makes Rapunzel funny and lively|website = SF Weekly|accessdate = |date = |publisher = SF Weekly, LP|last = Kois|first = Dan}}</ref> a term originally coined and popularized by Ashman himself, "Belle" offers its protagonist an opportunity to "expresses her yearnings".<ref name=":6" /> Described by Filmtracks.com as a "snare-tapping song",<ref name=":14">{{Cite web|url = http://www.filmtracks.com/titles/beauty_beast.html|title = Beauty and the Beast (Alan Menken)|website = Filmtracks|accessdate = |publisher = Christian Clemmensen (Filmtracks Publications)}}</ref> "Belle" is, according to sheet music originally published by Walt Disney Music Publishing, a Broadway-inspired and musical theatre-influenced song, performed at a moderate "pastorally" tempo of 80 beats per minute in the key of D major. Combined, O'Hara's soprano<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.nj.com/entertainment/movies/index.ssf/2012/01/back_to_the_beast_disney_tinkers_with_an_old_favorite.html|title = Back to 'The Beast': Disney tinkers with an old favorite|date = |accessdate = |website = The Star-Ledger|publisher = New Jersey On-Line LLC|last = Whitty|first = Stephen}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.masslive.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2012/01/movie_review_beauty_and_the_be.html|title = Movie review: 'Beauty and the Beast' goes 3-D with mixed results|date = |last = Whitty|first = Steven|website = MassLive|publisher = MassLive LLC|accessdate = }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.reviewjournal.com/mike-weatherford/belle-still-tolls-actress-ohara|title = Belle still tolls for actress O'Hara|website = Las Vegas Review-Journal|date =|publisher = Stephens Media LLC|accessdate = |last = Weatherford|first = Mike}}</ref> and White's baritone<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://articles.latimes.com/1992-07-13/entertainment/ca-3686_1_hollywood-bowl-orchestra|title = Concert : A Touch of 'Beauty' at Bowl|date = |last = Shirley|first = Don|website = Los Angeles Times|accessdate = |publisher = Los Angeles Times}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url = http://rogersmovienation.com/2012/12/30/movie-review-beauty-and-the-beast/|title = Movie Review: "Beauty and the Beast"|accessdate = |website = Movie Nation|publisher = |date = |last = Moore|first = Roger}}</ref> vocal ranges span approximately two octaves, from the low note of A3, sung by White, to the high note G5, sung by O'Hara. Additionally, actors Alec Murphy, [[Mary Kay Bergman]] and [[Kath Soucie]]'s vocals are also featured on the track.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtdFPE.asp?ppn=MN0057057|title = Belle – From Beauty and the Beast - Digital Sheet Music|accessdate = |website = Musicnotes.com|publisher = Alfred Publishing}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.popisms.com/Song/49036/Belle-1991-by-Alec-Murphy-Kath-Soucie-Mar.aspx|title = Belle (1991) by Alec Murphy, Kath Soucie, Mary Kay Bergman, Paige O'Hara, and Richard White|accessdate = |website = Popisms.com|publisher = Popisms.com}}</ref> In total, "Belle" runs a length of five minutes and nine seconds.<ref name="allmusic">{{cite web|last=Hobart|first=Tavia|title=Disney / Alan Menken Beauty and the Beast|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/beauty-and-the-beast-mw0000042616|work=AllMusic|publisher=All Media Network, LLC|accessdate=}}</ref><ref name="itunesbeauty">{{cite web|title=Beauty and the Beast (Soundtrack from the Motion Picture) – Alan Menken|url=https://itunes.apple.com/ca/album/beauty-beast-soundtrack-from/id390433307|work=iTunes|publisher=Apple Inc|accessdate=}}</ref>
 
 
==Reception==
 
===Critical response===
 
{| class="toccolours" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 2em; font-size: 85%; background:; color:black; width:30em; max-width: 40%;" cellspacing="5"
 
|-
 
| style="text-align: left;" |"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."
 
|-
 
| style="text-align: left;" |— ''The New York Times'' film critic Janet Maslin's detailed analysis of the song and its corresponding scene.<ref name="maslin" />
 
|}
 
 
Since the November 1991 release of ''Beauty and the Beast'', "Belle" has received universal acclaim from both film and music critics. Filmtracks.com labeled the song "among the most satisfying and clever cast pieces in history", as well as deserving of an Academy Award nomination. Additionally, Filmtracks praised the song's reprise, likening it to "The Sound of Music" from ''The Sound of Music ''(1965) because of their similar instrumentation.<ref name=":14" /> Sputnikmusic.com's Irving Tan described the song as "idyllic".<ref name=":10" />
 
 
Jennie Punter of ''The Globe and Mail'' hailed "Belle" as "one of the most delightful openings of any movie musical".<ref name=":5" /> ''The New York Times''<nowiki/>' Janet Maslin was very enthusiastic about the song, praising the way in which it advances the film's plot, while describing "Belle" as "a spectacular opening number that captures the essence of this film's appeal." Additionally, Maslin drew similarities between "Belle" and some of the songs featured in the musical film ''West Side Story ''(1961)''.''<ref name="maslin">{{Cite web|url = http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9D0CE2DF1330F930A25752C1A967958260&partner=Rotten%20Tomatoes|title = Beauty and the Beast (1991)|accessdate = |date = |website = The New York Times|publisher = The New York Times Company|last = Maslin|first = Janet}}</ref> Beliefnet called the song a "joyous introductory".<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://blog.beliefnet.com/moviemom/2012/01/beauty-and-the-beast.html|title = Beauty and the Beast|website = Beliefnet|accessdate = |publisher = Beliefnet, Inc.|date = }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://blogs.houstonpress.com/artattack/2012/01/beauty_and_the_beast_3d_review.php|title = Reviews For The Easily Distracted: Beauty And The Beast 3D|date = |website = Houston Press|publisher = Houston Press, LP,|accessdate = |last = Vonder Haar|first = Pete}}</ref> 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".<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://news.moviefone.com/2013/11/27/best-disney-soundtracks-of-the-past-25-years/|title = The Best Disney Soundtracks of the Past 25 Years: 'Frozen,' 'Lion King,' and More (VIDEO)|accessdate = |date = |website = Moviefone.com|last = Chen|first = Sandie Angulo|publisher = Aol Inc}}</ref> 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''.<ref name="tvguidebeautty" />
 
 
===Accolades and legacy===
 
Alongside "[[Be Our Guest]]" and "[[Beauty and the Beast (song)|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.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.oscars.org/awards/academyawards/legacy/ceremony/64th-winners.html|title = The 64th Academy Awards (1992) Nominees and Winners|website = The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences|publisher = Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences|accessdate = }}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|title = Aging and Identity: A Humanities Perspective|last = Deats|first = Sara Munson|publisher = Greenwood Publishing Group|isbn = 978-0275964795|location = |pages = 211|first2 = Lagretta Talent|last2 = Lenker|url = http://books.google.ca/books?id=SdjljlluozcC&pg=PA211&lpg=PA211&dq=belle+academy+award+best+song+beauty+and+the+beast&source=bl&ots=06gY1evr2Y&sig=Lrl4TW0HniayvjOrifHScjACvBc&hl=en&sa=X&ei=nIO_UbOqHMvkqQHw0YGwCA&ved=0CHgQ6AEwCTgU#v=onepage&q=belle%20academy%20award%20best%20song%20beauty%20and%20the%20beast&f=false|work = Aging and Identity: A Humanities Perspective|accessdate = |publication-date = |publication-place = Westport, Connecticut, United States}}</ref> "Belle" ultimately lost to the film's title and theme song.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.huffingtonpost.com/pat-gallagher/best-movie-songs_b_2712278.html|title = 20 Of The Best Oscar Songs of All Time -- From The Vault|website = The Huffington Post|date = |publisher = TheHuffingtonPost.com, Inc|accessdate = |last = Gallagher|first = Pat}}</ref> 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".<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://insidemovies.ew.com/2012/02/22/oscars-1992-beauty-and-the-beast/|title = Oscars 1992: Producer Don Hahn on how 'Beauty and the Beast' changed animation|date = |accessdate = |publisher = Entertainment Weekly Inc|website = Entertainment Weekly|last = Young|first = John}}</ref> Oh No They Didn't ranked "Belle" at number twenty in its article "The Top 25 Disney Songs of All Time".<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://ohnotheydidnt.livejournal.com/34304843.html?page=22&cut_expand=1|title = The Top 25 Disney Songs of All Time|website = Oh No They Didn't!|date = |accessdate = |publisher = DemandMedia Humor}}</ref> Similarly, [[Ultimate Disney]] ranked the song 20th on its list of "Top 100 Disney Song", praising its role in the film as a musical number and describing O'Hara's vocal performance as "dazzling".<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.dvdizzy.com/disneysongscountdown/index4.htm|title = TOP 100 DISNEY SONGS|website = Ultimate Disney|publisher = DVDizzy.com|accessdate = }}</ref>
 
 
"Belle" is heavily parodied in the animated musical film ''[[w:c:southpark:South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut|South Park: Bigger, Longer &amp; Uncut]]'' (1999) through its opening number, "[[w:c:southpark:Mountain Town|Mountain Town]]".<ref name="southparkplaybill">{{cite web|last=Ehren|first=Christine|title='South Park' Movie Mocks Bway Musicals, Features Howard McGillin|url=http://www.playbill.com/news/article/46448-South-Park-Movie-Mocks-Bway-Musicals-Features-Howard-McGillin|work=Playbill|publisher=Playbill, Inc|accessdate=|date=}}</ref><ref name="eweeklysouthpark">{{cite web|last=William|first=Chris|title=Music From and Inspired by South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut|url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,64165,00.html|work=Entertainment Weekly|publisher=Entertainment Weekly Inc|accessdate=|date=}}</ref> Filmtracks.com described the parody as "a delightful introductory piece".<ref name="southparkfilmtracks">{{cite web|title=South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut|url=http://www.filmtracks.com/titles/south_park.html|work=Filmtracks|publisher=Filmtracks Publications|accessdate=}}</ref>
 
 
==Live performances and cover versions==
 
O'Hara first performed "Belle" live at the 64th Academy Awards ceremony in 1992,<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.comicmix.com/news/2010/10/03/paige-ohara-the-voice-of-belle-on-being-part-of-beauty-and-the-beast/|title = Paige O’hara, The Voice of Belle, on Being Part of ‘beauty and The Beast’|date = |accessdate = |publisher = Comic Mix|website = Comic Mix|last = Greenbeeger|first = Robert}}</ref> at which the song was nominated for Best Original Song.<ref name="mandco'hara">{{cite web|title=Paige O'Hara Biography|url=http://www.monstersandcritics.com/people/Paige-O-Hara/biography/|work=Monsters and Critics|publisher=Monsters and Critics.com|accessdate=}}</ref> 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.<ref name="dodo'hara">{{cite web|title=An Interview with Paige O’Hara, the voice of Belle|url=http://dadofdivas-reviews.blogspot.ca/2010/10/interview-with-paige-ohara-voice-of.html|work=Dad of Divas|accessdate=|date=}}</ref> The producers also gave O'Hara the option to lip-synch the song. However, she opted to perform it live instead. 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."<ref name="otbo'hara">{{cite web|last=Sands|first=Jez|title=Beauty And The Beast: Paige O’Hara Interview|url=http://blog.onthebox.com/2010/10/25/beauty-and-the-beast-paige-ohara-interview/|work=On the Box|publisher=OntheBox.com|accessdate=|date=}}</ref>
 
 
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.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.insidethemagic.net/2011/08/disney-princesses-and-muppets-sing-at-2011-disney-d23-expo-legends-ceremony/|title = Disney Princesses and Muppets sing at 2011 Disney D23 Expo Legends ceremony|date = |website = Inside the Magic|publisher = Distant Creations Group, LLC|last = Brigante|first = Ricky|accessdate = }}</ref> 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".<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://travel.usatoday.com/alliance/destinations/mouseplanet/post/2011/09/Disney-Legends-Class-of--2011-Modern-princesses-the-Muppet-master-and-more/545673/1|title = Disney Legends Class of 2011: Modern princesses, the Muppet master and more|website = USA Today|publisher = USA Today|date = |last = Goldhaber|first = Mark|accessdate = }}</ref>
 
   
 
==Gallery==
 
==Gallery==
Line 450: Line 204:
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
 
==Trivia==
 
==Trivia==
  +
*"Belle" was nominated for the {{WikipediaLink|Academy Award for Best Original Song}} at the {{WikipediaLink|64th Academy Awards}} in [[1992]], ultimately losing to [[Beauty and the Beast (song)|the film's own title song]].
*When Belle is talking about her favorite book, there is foreshadowing to later parts of the movie, such as "daring swordfights" (like the battle between Gaston and the Beast, although ironically, blades weren't actually used during the battle until just prior to Gaston's death when he stabbed the Beast in the back), "magic spells" (in the castle and on its inhabitants), "far off places" (as the castle seems far away from the town, although the actual distance is ambiguous), and a "prince in disguise" (the Beast). When the librarian tells her "if you like it so much it's yours", he is telling her to have the book, but also foreshadowing that she would go on to live the tale itself.
 
  +
*When Belle is talking about her favorite book, there is foreshadowing to later parts of the movie, such as "daring swordfights" (like the battle between Gaston and the Beast, although ironically, blades weren't actually used during the battle until just prior to Gaston's death when he stabbed the Beast in the back), "magic spells" (in the castle and on its inhabitants), "far off places" (as the castle seems far away from the town, although the actual distance is ambiguous), and a "prince in disguise" (the Beast). When the librarian tells her "if you like it all that much, it's yours", he is not only telling her to have the book, but also foreshadowing that she would go on to live the tale itself.
 
**In addition, the book that Belle was reading (which the sheep briefly bites a page off) is implied from her description to be ''[[Sleeping Beauty]]'', which was later confirmed in the New Fantasyland attraction version of Belle's Cottage, which shows both the original book Belle's mom read to her as a child (explaining why it was her favorite) and the book that she acquired from the bookkeeper.
 
**In addition, the book that Belle was reading (which the sheep briefly bites a page off) is implied from her description to be ''[[Sleeping Beauty]]'', which was later confirmed in the New Fantasyland attraction version of Belle's Cottage, which shows both the original book Belle's mom read to her as a child (explaining why it was her favorite) and the book that she acquired from the bookkeeper.
 
*In the first speaking portion of the song, when conversing with the Baker, her description of the book implied that the book she had finished and returned was ''Jack and the Beanstalk''. Although ''Jack and the Beanstalk''<nowiki/>'s earliest known publishing date was in 1807, which at first glance would conflict with the setting of the film being late 18th Century France, the story itself preceded that date significantly, with a similar story, ''The Story of Jack Spriggins and the Enchanted Bean'', being included in the 1734 second edition of ''Round About Our Coal-Fire''.
 
*In the first speaking portion of the song, when conversing with the Baker, her description of the book implied that the book she had finished and returned was ''Jack and the Beanstalk''. Although ''Jack and the Beanstalk''<nowiki/>'s earliest known publishing date was in 1807, which at first glance would conflict with the setting of the film being late 18th Century France, the story itself preceded that date significantly, with a similar story, ''The Story of Jack Spriggins and the Enchanted Bean'', being included in the 1734 second edition of ''Round About Our Coal-Fire''.
Line 458: Line 213:
 
*The woman who sings "Bonjour! // How is Your Wife?" originally was supposed to be a mother with her child tagging along, as well as wearing a far more conservative outfit.<ref>[http://fuckyeahdisneyconcept.tumblr.com/post/357560714/beauty-and-the-beast Disney Concepts on Tumblr]</ref>
 
*The woman who sings "Bonjour! // How is Your Wife?" originally was supposed to be a mother with her child tagging along, as well as wearing a far more conservative outfit.<ref>[http://fuckyeahdisneyconcept.tumblr.com/post/357560714/beauty-and-the-beast Disney Concepts on Tumblr]</ref>
 
*During the village chatter scene near the end of the song, there are some anachronisms and errors in the statements: Specifically, a woman and a man requested for 10 yards and a pound of something, respectively. In the setting the film took place in, late 18th century France (implied to be the prelude to the French Revolution by Glen Keane), the actual measurements used during this time were hands and feet, with the Metric system only being established during the events of the French Revolution. In addition, the measurement terms of "yard" and "pound" belonged to the US Customary measurement system, something that isn't used in France even in the present day, let alone during the setting of the film.
 
*During the village chatter scene near the end of the song, there are some anachronisms and errors in the statements: Specifically, a woman and a man requested for 10 yards and a pound of something, respectively. In the setting the film took place in, late 18th century France (implied to be the prelude to the French Revolution by Glen Keane), the actual measurements used during this time were hands and feet, with the Metric system only being established during the events of the French Revolution. In addition, the measurement terms of "yard" and "pound" belonged to the US Customary measurement system, something that isn't used in France even in the present day, let alone during the setting of the film.
  +
*In the animated film, after the three bimbettes sing their lines, they faint. In the live-action film, a horse kicks mud up at them and LeFou tells them "It's never gonna happen, ladies."
*During the wedding scene right before the reprise for the song, most of the wedding guests had minimal movement. This was because of the film's budget of $25 million requiring the animators to avoid animating them extensively.<ref>''Secrets From the World of Disney: From Mickey to the Magic Kingdom'', Page 92</ref>
 
  +
*Archive footage of this song sequence from the original 1991 animated film would later be re-used for the opening sequence of the 1995-1996 children's TV series [[Sing Me a Story with Belle|''Sing Me a Story with Belle'']], albeit heavily re-dubbed with the show's theme song, the animated Belle is replaced by the live-action Belle portrayed by Lynsey McLeod, and only the parts of the original film where Belle walks to the bookshop were used.
   
 
==References==
 
==References==
{{Reflist}}
+
{{Reflist}}{{WP|Belle (Disney song)}}
   
{{WP|Belle (Disney song)}}
 
 
{{Beauty and the Beast}}
 
{{Beauty and the Beast}}
[[Category:Songs]]
 
 
[[Category:Hero/Heroine songs]]
 
[[Category:Hero/Heroine songs]]
 
[[Category:Disney Princess songs]]
 
[[Category:Disney Princess songs]]

Revision as of 09:31, 9 October 2019

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Belle (song) is a featured article, which means it has been identified as one of the best articles produced by the Disney Wiki community. If you see a way this page can be updated or improved without compromising previous work, please feel free to contribute.

"Belle" is a song written by lyricist Howard Ashman and composer Alan Menken for Walt Disney Pictures' 30th animated feature film Beauty and the Beast. Originally recorded by actress Paige O'Hara and actor Richard White, "Belle" is a French and classical-inspired song that incorporates musical elements from both the Broadway and musical theater genres.

Summary

The film's first song, "Belle" is a large-scale operetta-style musical number that introduces the film's book-loving heroine Belle, a non-conforming young woman who has grown weary of the provincial village life that she is being forced to live, and Gaston who desires her hand in marriage. The reprise mentions how she not only wants to give up her village life but also not accept Gaston's hand in marriage.

Lyrics

Belle: Little town, it's a quiet village
Every day like the one before
Little town, full of little people
Waking up to say

Man 1: Bonjour!
Man 2: Bonjour!
Woman 1: Bonjour!
Man 3: Bonjour!
Man 4: Bonjour!

Belle: There goes the baker with his tray, like always
The same old bread and rolls to sell
Every morning just the same
Since the morning that we came
To this poor provincial town

Baker: Good morning, Belle!
Belle: Good morning, Monsieur.
Baker: Where are you off to?
Belle: The bookshop! I just finished the most wonderful story, about a beanstalk and an ogre and-
Baker: That's nice. Marie! The baguettes! Hurry up!

Townsfolk: Look there she goes, that girl is strange, no question
Dazed and distracted, can't you tell?
Woman: Never part of any crowd
Barber: Cause her head's up on some cloud
Townsfolk: No denying she's a funny girl that Belle

Man 1: Bonjour!
Woman 1: Good day!
Man 1: How is your fam'ly?
Woman 2: Bonjour!
Man 2: Good day!
Woman 2: How is your wife?
Woman 3: I need six eggs!
Man 3: That's too expensive!
Belle: There must be more than this provincial life!

Bookseller: Ah, Belle.

Belle: Good morning. I've come to return the book I borrowed.

Bookseller: Finished already?

Belle: Oh, I couldn't put it down. Have you got anything new?

Bookseller: Not since yesterday.

Belle: That's all right.
I'll borrow...this one!

Bookseller: That one? But you've read it twice!

Belle: Well, it's my favorite!
Far off places, daring swordfights, magic spells, a prince in disguise!

Bookseller: If you like it all that much, it's yours!

Belle: But sir!

Bookseller: I insist.

Belle: Well, thank you.
Thank you very much!

Townsfolk: Look there she goes, that girl is so peculiar
I wonder if she's feeling well
With a dreamy, far-off look
And her nose stuck in a book
What a puzzle to the rest of us is Belle

Belle: Oh, isn't this amazing?
It's my favorite part because you'll see
Here's where she meets Prince Charming
But she won't discover that it's him 'til chapter three!

Woman: Now it's no wonder that her name means "beauty"
Her looks have got no parallel
Shopkeeper: But behind that fair façade
I'm afraid she's rather odd
Very diff'rent from the rest of us
Townsfolk: She's nothing like the rest of us
Yes, diff'rent from the rest of us is Belle!

LeFou: Wow! You didn't miss a shot, Gaston! You're the greatest hunter in the whole world!
Gaston: I know!
LeFou: Huh. No beast alive stands a chance against you...and no girl for that matter!
Gaston: It's true, Lefou, and I've got my sights set on that one!
LeFou: The inventor's daughter?
Gaston: She's the one! The lucky girl I'm going to marry.
LeFou: But she's-
Gaston: The most beautiful girl in town.
LeFou: I know but-
Gaston: And that makes her the best. And don't I deserve the best?
LeFou: Well of course, I mean you do, but I mean...

Gaston: Right from the moment when I met her, saw her
I said she's gorgeous and I fell
Here in town there's only she
Who is as beautiful as me
So I'm making plans to woo and marry Belle

Bimbettes: Look there he goes
Isn't he dreamy?
Monsieur Gaston
Oh he's so cute!
Be still my heart
I'm hardly breathing
He's such a tall, dark, strong and handsome brute!

Man 1: Bonjour!
Gaston: Pardon!
Man 2: Good day!
Man 3: Mais oui!
Woman 1: You call this bacon?
Woman 2: What lovely grapes!
Man 4: Some cheese
Woman 3: Ten yards!
Man 4: one pound.
Gaston: ‘Scuse me!
Cheese merchant: I'll get the knife.
Gaston: Please let me through!
Woman 4: This bread-
Man 5: Those fish-
Woman 4: it's stale!
Man 5: they smell!
Baker: Madame's mistaken.
Townsfolk: Well, maybe so!
Belle: There must be more than this provincial life! (Townsfolk: Good morning!)
Gaston: Just watch, I'm going to make Belle my wife! (Townsfolk: Oh, good morning!)

Townsfolk: Look there she goes
The girl is strange, but special
A most peculiar mad'moiselle!
It's a pity and a sin
She doesn't quite fit in
'Cause she really is a funny girl
A beauty but a funny girl
She really is a funny girl
That Belle!

Man 1: Bonjour!
Woman 1: Bonjour!
Man 2: Bonjour!
Woman 2: Bonjour!
Man 3: Bonjour!
Man 4: Bonjour!

Belle: Is he gone?
Can you imagine? He asked me to marry him!
Me! The wife of that boorish, brainless...

Madame Gaston!
Can't you just see it?
Madame Gaston!
His little wife

No, sir!
Not me!
I guarantee it
I want much more than this provincial life!

I want adventure in the great wide somewhere
I want it more than I can tell
And for once it might be grand
To have someone understand
I want so much more than they've got planned

Gallery

Wiki
The Disney Wiki has a collection of images and media related to Belle (song).

Videos

Trivia

  • "Belle" was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Song at the 64th Academy Awards in 1992, ultimately losing to the film's own title song.
  • When Belle is talking about her favorite book, there is foreshadowing to later parts of the movie, such as "daring swordfights" (like the battle between Gaston and the Beast, although ironically, blades weren't actually used during the battle until just prior to Gaston's death when he stabbed the Beast in the back), "magic spells" (in the castle and on its inhabitants), "far off places" (as the castle seems far away from the town, although the actual distance is ambiguous), and a "prince in disguise" (the Beast). When the librarian tells her "if you like it all that much, it's yours", he is not only telling her to have the book, but also foreshadowing that she would go on to live the tale itself.
    • In addition, the book that Belle was reading (which the sheep briefly bites a page off) is implied from her description to be Sleeping Beauty, which was later confirmed in the New Fantasyland attraction version of Belle's Cottage, which shows both the original book Belle's mom read to her as a child (explaining why it was her favorite) and the book that she acquired from the bookkeeper.
  • In the first speaking portion of the song, when conversing with the Baker, her description of the book implied that the book she had finished and returned was Jack and the Beanstalk. Although Jack and the Beanstalk's earliest known publishing date was in 1807, which at first glance would conflict with the setting of the film being late 18th Century France, the story itself preceded that date significantly, with a similar story, The Story of Jack Spriggins and the Enchanted Bean, being included in the 1734 second edition of Round About Our Coal-Fire.
  • There is a brief moment of fourth-wall breaking in the ending of the song. Shortly after the final verses of the song (where the crowd is tailing her and singing about how she's odd while exchanging "bonjours"), Belle briefly snaps back a look, and the townspeople proceed to resume to their duties as if nothing happened.
  • Similar to "Under the Sea" in the Official Comic Adaptation for The Little Mermaid, the song was incorporated into dialogue in the Official Comic Adaptation for the film.
    • In addition, in the fifth issue of the Beauty and the Beast comic serial published by Marvel Comics, her flashback to the village referenced the events of the opening song, or rather, the scene immediately after it.
  • The woman who sings "Bonjour! // How is Your Wife?" originally was supposed to be a mother with her child tagging along, as well as wearing a far more conservative outfit.[1]
  • During the village chatter scene near the end of the song, there are some anachronisms and errors in the statements: Specifically, a woman and a man requested for 10 yards and a pound of something, respectively. In the setting the film took place in, late 18th century France (implied to be the prelude to the French Revolution by Glen Keane), the actual measurements used during this time were hands and feet, with the Metric system only being established during the events of the French Revolution. In addition, the measurement terms of "yard" and "pound" belonged to the US Customary measurement system, something that isn't used in France even in the present day, let alone during the setting of the film.
  • In the animated film, after the three bimbettes sing their lines, they faint. In the live-action film, a horse kicks mud up at them and LeFou tells them "It's never gonna happen, ladies."
  • Archive footage of this song sequence from the original 1991 animated film would later be re-used for the opening sequence of the 1995-1996 children's TV series Sing Me a Story with Belle, albeit heavily re-dubbed with the show's theme song, the animated Belle is replaced by the live-action Belle portrayed by Lynsey McLeod, and only the parts of the original film where Belle walks to the bookshop were used.

References

WikipediaListLink Belle (Disney song) on Wikipedia


v - e - d
Beauty and the beast logo
Media
Films: Beauty and the Beast (video/soundtrack/The Legacy Collection) • The Enchanted Christmas (video) • Belle's Magical World (video) • Beauty and the Beast (2017) (video/soundtrack)

Shows: Sing Me a Story with BelleBelle's Tales of FriendshipHouse of MouseA Poem Is...Beauty and the Beast: A 30th Celebration (soundtrack) • Chibi Tiny Tales
Books: The Beast Within: A Tale of Beauty's PrinceThe New Adventures of Beauty and the BeastWinter WonderlandTale as Old as Time: The Art and Making of Beauty and the BeastDisney Princess BeginningsAs Old as Time (A Twisted Tale)Royal Weddings
Marvel Comics: A Chance For RomanceWardrobe's Big SurpriseThe Wishful WalkAlmost Amour!Lyrical Love Part 1 and 2Dove Tales Part 1 and 2
Video Games: Beauty and the BeastBelle's QuestRoar of the BeastA Board Game AdventureDisney InfinityDisney Infinity: 2.0 EditionKingdom HeartsKingdom Hearts IIKingdom Hearts 358/2 DaysKingdom Hearts χKingdom Hearts Unchained χ/Union χDisney Enchanted TalesDisney Emoji BlitzDisney Crossy RoadDisney Magic KingdomsBeauty and the Beast: Perfect MatchDisney Heroes: Battle ModeDisney Speedstorm
Stage: Musical (cast album)

Disney Parks
Animated Film: Beauty and the Beast Sing-AlongCastle of Magical DreamsDisney Animation BuildingDisney Friends of the MonthEnchanted Tale of Beauty and the BeastFairy Tale ForestLe Pays des Contes de FéesMickey's PhilharMagicPrincess PavilionSorcerer's WorkshopVoyage to the Crystal Grotto

Live-Action Film: Disney Movie MagicDisney Illuminations
Entertainment: A Table is WaitingBeauty and the Beast Live on StageCinderella's Surprise CelebrationCinderellabration: Lights of RomanceDisney's BelieveDisney Dreams: An Enchanted ClassicEnchanted Tales with BelleFantasmic!Feel the MagicMickey and the MagicianMickey and the Wondrous BookMickey's Magical CelebrationMickey's Magical Music WorldOnce Upon a MouseThe PavilionRoyal Princess Music CelebrationRoyal TheatreThe Golden MickeysThe Starlit Princess Waltz
Restaurants: Be Our Guest RestaurantGaston's TavernRed Rose TaverneMaurice's Treats
Shops: Bonjour! Village Gifts
Parades: Celebrate A Dream Come True ParadeDisney's Dreams On Parade: Moving OnDisney's FantillusionDisney's Magical Moments ParadeDisney's Party ExpressDisney Carnivale ParadeDisney Stars on ParadeDreaming Up!Festival of Fantasy ParadeFlights of Fantasy ParadeHappiness is Here ParadeJubilation!Mickey's Rainy Day ExpressMove It! Shake It! MousekeDance It! Street PartyMickey's Soundsational ParadePaint the Night ParadeThe Wonderful World of Disney ParadeTokyo Disneyland Electrical Parade: DreamLightsVillains Cursed CaravanWalt Disney's Parade of DreamsNightfall Glow
Fireworks: Celebrate! Tokyo DisneylandDisney Dreams!Disney EnchantmentDisney in the StarsHarmoniousIlluminate! A Nighttime CelebrationMagic, Music and MayhemThe Magic, the Memories and YouMagical: Disney's New Nighttime Spectacular of Magical CelebrationsMomentousOnce Upon a TimeWishes: A Magical Gathering of Disney DreamsWonderful World of AnimationWorld of ColorWondrous Journeys
Spring: Disney Color-Fest: A Street Party!Disney Pirate or Princess: Make Your Choice
Summer: Mickey's WaterWorks
Halloween: Frightfully Fun ParadeIt's Good to be Bad with the Disney VillainsLet's Get WickedMaze of Madness: The Nightmare Experiment ContinuesThe Disney Villains Halloween Showtime
Christmas: A Christmas Fantasy ParadeDisney Christmas StoriesDisney Holidays in HollywoodDisney Winter Magic CavalcadeRoyal Christmas Wishes

Characters
Original: BelleBeastLumiereCogsworthMrs. PottsThe Potts Children (Chip Potts) • Chef BoucheVillagersMauricePhilippeGastonLeFouBimbettesSultanWardrobeFifiEnchantressMonsieur D'ArqueWolvesMusic BoxCoat RackGaston's BuddiesThe BooksellerPalanquin

Enchanted Christmas: AngeliqueWall HangerForteFifeWine GlassesOrnamentsAxe
Belle's Magical World: WebsterCraneLe PlumeWitherspoonChandeleriaTubalooTresChaudePunch BowlFrappeEgg BeaterConcertinaSongbird
Deleted Characters: ClariceCharleyMargueriteBelle's SistersBelle's SuitorsBelle's Mother
Sing Me a Story with Belle: HarmonyBig BookLewis and Carol the Bookworms
Book Characters: Countess de la PerleThunderLoveDeath
Remake: CadenzaJean PottsMonsieur ToiletteThe KingThe Queen

Songs
Original: PrologueBelleGastonBe Our GuestSomething ThereHuman AgainBeauty and the BeastThe Mob Song

Broadway: No Matter WhatMeHomeHow Long Must This Go On?If I Can't Love HerMaison Des LunesA Change in MeEnd Duet
Enchanted Christmas: StoriesAs Long As There's ChristmasDon't Fall in LoveA Cut Above the Rest
Belle's Magical World: A Little ThoughtListen With Our Hearts
Remake: AriaHow Does a Moment Last ForeverDays in the SunEvermore

Locations
Beast's Castle (Library/Ballroom/The West Wing/Belle's Room) • Belle's CottageVillageThe Black ForestTavern
Objects
The Enchanted RoseEnchanted MirrorMaurice's Machine
See Also
Beauty and the Beast Jr.Disney RenaissanceOriginal Screenplay