I See the Light
"I See the Light" is a song written by composer Alan Menken and lyricist Glenn Slater for Walt Disney Animation Studios' animated film Tangled (2010). A duet originally recorded by American recording artist and actress Mandy Moore and American actor Zachary Levi in their respective film roles as main characters Rapunzel and Flynn Rider, the folk-inspired pop ballad serves as both the film's love and theme song. Lyrically, "I See the Light" describes the developing romantic relationship between Rapunzel and Flynn, and is featured as the seventh track on the film's soundtrack album.
"I See the Light"
November 16, 2010
2010
3:44
Tangled was originally conceived by Disney animator Glen Keane. Subsequently, Walt Disney Animation Studios hired veteran Disney composer Alan Menken and lyricist Glenn Slater to write the film's songs. Initially, Menken and Slater had written a more anthemic version of "I See the Light" before finally re-working it into a gentler, simpler and more folk-oriented song. Menken would later reveal that, out of Tangled's 5 songs and musical numbers,[1] he is most proud of "I See the Light".[2]
"I See the Light" received polarized reviews from film and music critics, who were largely ambivalent towards the song's content, questioning its originality. However, the "lantern sequence", during which "I See the Light" is performed by Rapunzel and Flynn, received high critical acclaim, with journalists and commentators praising its visuals and use of 3-D. Critically, both the song and the scene have been compared to similar romantic musical sequences from preceding Disney animated films, including "Kiss the Girl" from The Little Mermaid (1989) and "A Whole New World" from Aladdin (1992), both of which are love songs also composed by Menken.
In spite of its polarized reviews, "I See the Light" has garnered numerous awards and accolades. The song was nominated for the Academy and Golden Globe awards for Best Original Song in 2011. Subsequently, "I See the Light" won both the Las Vegas Film Critics Society Award for Best Song and the Grammy Award for Best Song Written for Visual Media. Since its release, the song has been recorded and covered by various musical artists, including musical theatre performers David Harris and Lucy Durack, and classical singer Jackie Evancho.
Background[edit]
The concept of an animated film based on the Brothers Grimm fairy tale "Rapunzel" originated from Disney animator Glen Keane in 1996.[3] Veteran Disney composer Alan Menken had just recently completed scoring Walt Disney Pictures' Enchanted (2007) when he received a telephone call from Walt Disney Animation Studios in 2008, who invited him to compose the music for the studio's then-upcoming animated film Tangled.[4] Upon accepting, Menken invited frequent collaborator Glenn Slater, with whom he had previously worked on Disney's Home on the Range (2004) and the Broadway musical adaptation of The Little Mermaid (1989), to serve alongside him as his co-writing lyricist once again.[5]
Aware that Tangled would not be "a [traditional] musical like Beauty and the Beast or [The Hunchback of Notre Dame]", on both of which Menken worked as a composer, Menken described the film as a "hybrid"[6] because it is "far from [a] classic break into song musical."[7] For Tangled, Menken challenged himself to come up with a different, unique sound that would differ significantly from the musical styles of his previous Broadway musical-influenced film projects and compositions.[8] Inspired by the ongoing motif of Rapunzel's "long hair and the freedom she wanted",[4] Menken decided to draw particular influence from the musical genre of 1960s folk rock, citing the musicianship and artistry of Canadian singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell as a major source of musical inspiration.[4][9]
Composition[edit]
A "dreamy"[23] love song[36] that embodies a "classic romantic feel",[37] "I See the Light" is a "peppy and cheerful"[38] romantic[39] pop ballad[18] accompanied by a "soaring"[40] melody that spans a length of three minutes and forty-four seconds.[41][42] Stylistically combining both classical and contemporary music[43] with folk influences,[2] the lyrics of the "endearing"[44] romantic duet center around main characters Rapunzel and Flynn while describing their developing romantic relationship, which is finally beginning to allow the couple to "[see] life in a whole new way"[45] as they "begin to connect romantically,"[16] ultimately falling in love.[17]
According to the song's official sheet music, published by Walt Disney Music Publishing. "I See the Light" is a mid-tempo pop ballad, written in the key of C major (later changing to E♭ major) at a tempo of 104 beats per minute. Combined, Moore and Levi's vocal ranges span over 2 octaves, with Levi singing the low note of B♭2 and Moore singing the high note of E♭5. In addition to vocals, the song's instrumentation also encompasses harp, acoustic guitar and orchestra.[46]
Performances and cover versions[edit]
In celebration of the song's Best Original Song nomination, Moore and Levi performed "I See the Light" live at the 83rd Academy Awards in February 2011, accompanied by Menken himself on piano.[81][82] For the performance, Moore asked that she be provided with a "show-stopping" dress, specifically requesting that it not resemble a Disney costume. To comply, fashion designer Monique Lhuillier "incorporated elements of 3 dresses Moore loved" into the final dress, resulting in a full-skirted cobalt blue gown. Moore revealed that she was feeling confident about the performance "until about 2 minutes before the show".[81] Moore also said of the performance, "It was the most intimidating audience I performed for ... I made a point not to look at anyone … because I was nervous."[83]
Australian actor and singer David Harris included his rendition of "I See the Light" on his second studio album[84] At This Stage (2011),[85] recording the song as a duet with Australian actress Lucy Durack. Theatre People's Simon Parris wrote of Harris' version, "the gorgeous duet .. will have listeners rushing out to watch their Tangled blu-ray again."[86] American classical singer Jackie Evancho recorded "I See the Light" for her fourth studio album Songs from the Silver Screen (2012)[87] as a duet with American singer Jacob Evancho, her elder brother.[88] Amazon.com described Evancho's rendition as a "very special duet."[89]