Kiss the Girl

Last updated
"Kiss the Girl"
Song by Samuel E. Wright
from the album Disney's The Little Mermaid: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Released1989
Recorded1988–1989
Genre Calypso, pop
Length2:43
Label Walt Disney Records
Composer(s) Alan Menken
Lyricist(s) Howard Ashman
Producer(s)
  • Menken
  • Ashman
  • Robert Kraft

"Kiss the Girl" is a song written by lyricist Howard Ashman and composer Alan Menken for Walt Disney Pictures' animated film The Little Mermaid (1989). Originally recorded by American actor Samuel Wright in his film role as Sebastian, "Kiss the Girl" is a romantic calypso love song; the song's lyrics encourages Prince Eric to kiss Ariel before it's too late.

Contents

"Kiss the Girl" had a mostly positive reception. The song was nominated for both an Academy and Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song, but lost both to "Under the Sea", another song from The Little Mermaid soundtrack.

Background and composition

The song takes place during Ariel's second day as human. Ariel and Eric are in a boat and Sebastian tries to set a romantic mood in order to inspire Eric to kiss Ariel.

Lyrics

The lyrics of the song are written in 6 stanzas of 7 verses each, each stanza closing with the refrain sung as a slight variation of expressing the expectation of what happens when "You kiss the girl". The variations of the single verse refrain start with "You wanna kiss the girl", going through slight variations in each stanza until the closing stanza which sings the refrain as "You gotta kiss the girl". The song closes with an outro which repeats each version of the refrain one after the other. [1] The song's lyrics express the expectations of a boyfriend about to bestow a first kiss to his romantic interest. [2] For the 2023 live-action film, some of the lyrics were updated in response to viewers who have gotten "sensitive about the idea that [Prince Eric] would, in any way, force himself on [Ariel]." [3]

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI) [4] Silver200,000
United States (RIAA) [5] 2× Platinum2,000,000

Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Cover versions

Soul II Soul

In 1991, Soul II Soul released a version for the compilation Simply Mad About the Mouse: A Musical Celebration of Imagination . Their version also appeared in part one of the Family Matters episode "We're Going to Disney World" during the montage with Stefan Urquelle (played by Jaleel White) and Laura Winslow (played by Kellie Shanygne Williams) in Disney World.

Little Texas

Country music band Little Texas recorded a version on the 1996 album The Best of Country Sing the Best of Disney . This rendition peaked at number 52 on the Hot Country Songs charts.

Stellar Kart

Christian Punk band Stellar Kart covered "Kiss the Girl" on their 2012 complimentary A Whole New World EP .

Peter André

  1. "Kiss the Girl" lyrics. Lyrics on demand. Retrieved 2.22.2022.
  2. "Kiss the Girl" lyrics. Lyrics on demand. Retrieved 2.22.2022.
  3. "How Alan Menken, Disney's Most Prolific Composer, Inspired a Generation of Songwriters". Vanity Fair . 31 March 2023.
  4. "British single certifications – Samuel E Wright – Kiss the Girl". British Phonographic Industry.
  5. "American single certifications – Samuel E. Wright – Kiss the Girl". Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved October 10, 2023.
  6. "The Little Mermaid: Alan Menken, J.A.C. Redford, Ashley Tisdale, Daughters of Triton, Jessica Simpson, Jodi Benson, Jonas Brothers, Pat Carroll, Raven-Symoné, Rene Auberjonois, Samuel Wright, Ship's Chorus: Music". Amazon. Retrieved 2011-11-02.
  7. "Disneymania 5: B5, Everlife, Go-Go's, Keke Palmer, Drew Seeley: Music". Amazon. Retrieved 2011-11-02.
  8. "Kiss the Girl on Tooth". Archived from the original on 2009-02-20.
  9. "The Little Mermaid (Two-Disc Platinum Edition): Rene Auberjonois, Christopher Daniel Barnes, Jodi Benson, Pat Carroll, Paddi Edwards, Buddy Hackett, Jason Marin, Kenneth Mars, Edie McClurg, Will Ryan, Ben Wright, Samuel E. Wright, Hamilton Camp, Kimmy Robertson, Mickie McGowan, Jim Cummings, Tim Curry, Jennifer Darling, Gerrit Graham, Malachi Pearson: Movies & TV". Amazon. 3 October 2006. Retrieved 2011-11-02.
  10. 1 2 3 Ashley Tisdale's Billboard Charts
"Kiss the Girl"
Kissthegirlpeter.jpg
Single by Peter Andre
ReleasedJuly 13, 1998
Recorded1997
Genre Pop, calypso
Length2:52
Label Mushroom Records
Composer(s) Alan Menken
Lyricist(s) Howard Ashman
Producer(s) Peter Andre
Peter Andre singles chronology
"All Night, All Right"
(1998)
"Kiss the Girl"
(1998)
"Mysterious Girl (2004)"
(2004)
Licensed audio
"Kiss the Girl" on YouTube