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"Shiny" is a song of the Disney animated feature film, Moana.

Summary[]

It is sung by Tamatoa as he arrogantly flaunts what he believes to be his most beautiful qualities, particularly his shiny shell. Moana kicks off the song as a distraction to buy Maui time to reclaim his fish hook, but Tamatoa eventually discovers this, setting off a battle between the two titans. During the climax of the song, Tamatoa reveals himself to be bioluminescent.

Lyrics[]

Well, Tamatoa hasn't always been this glam
I was a drab little crab once
Now I know I can be happy as a clam
Because I'm beautiful, baby

Did your granny say listen to your heart?
Be who you are on the inside?
I need three words to tear her argument apart
Your granny lied

I'd rather be shiny
Like a treasure from a sunken pirate wreck
Scrub the deck and make it look
Shiny
I will sparkle like a wealthy woman's neck
Just a sec

Don't you know
Fish are dumb, dumb, dumb
They chase anything that glitters
Beginners

Oh, and here they come, come, come
To the brightest thing that glitters
Mmm, fish dinners

I just love free food
And you look like seafood

Well, well, well
Little Maui's having trouble with his look
You little semi-demi-mini-god
Ouch! What a terrible performance
Get the hook! (Get it?)
You don't swing it like you used to, man

Yet I have to give you credit for my start
And your tattoos on the outside
For just like you I made myself a work of art
I'll never hide, I can't, I'm too

Shiny
Watch me dazzle like a diamond in the rough
Strut my stuff, my stuff is so
Shiny
Send your armies but they'll never be enough
My shell's too tough, Maui man

You could try, try, try
But you can't expect a demigod
To beat a decapod (look it up)
You will die, die, die
Now it's time for me to take apart
Your aching heart

Far from the ones who abandoned you
Chasing the love of
These humans who made you feel wanted
You tried to be tough
But your armor's just not hard enough

Maui!
Now it's time to kick your heinie
Ever seen someone so

Shiny
Soak it in, cause it's the last you'll ever see
C'est la vie mon ami, I'm so
Shiny
Now I'll eat you so prepare your final plea
Just for me

You'll never be quite as shiny
You wish you were nice and shiny

Gallery[]

Trivia[]

  • Artist David Bowie served as inspiration for the song, specifically in Jemaine's theatrical performance and vocals.[1]
  • "C'est la vie, mon ami" is French for "That's life, my friend."
  • In the demo version of the song, Tui was the relative that Tamatoa mocked, instead of Gramma Tala.
  • Lin-Manuel Miranda jokingly subtitled the song "Sebastian's Revenge," describing it as "Les Poissons" from The Little Mermaid in reverse as the latter song features a human trying to eat a crab, while the former features a crab trying to eat a human.[2]
  • The song is referenced in Ralph Breaks the Internet as Moana's casual outfit has the words #SHINY and a picture of Tamatoa on it.
  • The song serves as a dark foil for Moana's journey of self-acceptance as it praises outer beauty and even mocks the purpose of Moana's journey.

References[]

v - e - d
Moana Logo 2
Media
Moana (soundtrack/video) • Moana 2Moana (2025)Gone FishingChibi Tiny Tales

Video games: Moana: Island LifeMoana: Rhythm RunDisney Emoji BlitzDisney Heroes: Battle ModeDisney Magic KingdomsDisney Sorcerer's Arena
Books: The Art of MoanaDisney Princess Beginnings

Disney Parks
Art of Disney AnimationCastle of Magical DreamsIt's a Small WorldJourney of Water, Inspired by Moana

Entertainment: Believe! Sea of Dreams"A Whole New World" A Magical Disney SongbookBelieve! Sea of DreamsFantasmic!Follow Your DreamsMickey’s Storybook AdventureMoana: A Homecoming CelebrationRivers of Light: We Are OneThe Tale of Moana
Parades: A Million Splashes of ColourDisney Adventure Friends CavalcadeDisney Harmony in Color! ParadeMagic HappensMain Street Electrical ParadeMickey & Friends Street Celebration
Fireworks: Disney EnchantmentHappily Ever AfterHarmoniousMomentousWonderful World of AnimationWorld of Color: OneIlluminate! A Nighttime CelebrationWondrous Journeys
Spring: Disney Pirate or Princess: Make Your Choice
Summer: Adventure is Out There!Summer Blast

Characters
MoanaMauiGramma TalaChief TuiSinaHeiheiPuaMini MauiTamatoaKakamoraTe Fiti/Te KāOceanEight-Eyed BatsMatai VasaMotunui Villagers

Deleted characters: Moana's Brothers

Locations
MotunuiMaui's IslandLalotaiTamatoa's LairTe Fiti
Songs
Tulou TagaloaAn Innocent WarriorWhere You AreHow Far I'll GoWe Know the WayYou're WelcomeShinyLogo Te PateI Am Moana (Song of the Ancestors)Know Who You Are

Deleted songs: UnstoppableMoreWarrior Face

Objects
Maui's Fish HookHeart of Te FitiMoana's NecklaceMoana's Boat
See Also
As Told by Emoji
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