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Stephen Lawrence Schwartz is an American musical theatre lyricist and composer. In a career spanning over five decades, Schwartz has written such hit musicals as Godspell (1971), Pippin (1972), and Wicked (2003). He has contributed lyrics to a number of successful films, including Pocahontas (1995), The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996), The Prince of Egypt, and Enchanted (2007).
Alan Irwin Menken is an American composer, pianist, music director, and record producer, best known for his scores and songs for films produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios and Skydance Animation. Menken's music for The Little Mermaid (1989), Beauty and the Beast (1991), Aladdin (1992), and Pocahontas (1995) has each won him two Academy Awards. He also composed the scores and songs for Little Shop of Horrors (1986), Newsies (1992), The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996), Hercules (1997), Home on the Range (2004), Enchanted (2007), Tangled (2010), and Disenchanted (2022), among others. His accolades include winning eight Academy Awards — becoming the second most prolific Oscar winner in the music categories after Alfred Newman, a Tony Award, eleven Grammy Awards, seven Golden Globe Awards, and a Daytime Emmy Award. Menken is one of nineteen people to have won an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar and a Tony.
"Colors of the Wind" is a song written by composer Alan Menken and lyricist Stephen Schwartz for Walt Disney Pictures' 33rd animated feature film, Pocahontas (1995). The film's theme song, "Colors of the Wind" was originally recorded by American singer and actress Judy Kuhn in her role as the singing voice of Pocahontas. A pop ballad, the song's lyrics are about animism and respecting nature, finding its roots in indigenous Native American culture, perspectives which have later been adopted in both transcendentalist literature and New Age spirituality.
"If I Never Knew You" is a song by American singers Jon Secada and Shanice, from Disney's 1995 animated feature film, Pocahontas. The song was written by composer Alan Menken and lyricist Stephen Schwartz, and originally recorded by American singer Judy Kuhn in her film role as the singing voice of Pocahontas, and American actor Mel Gibson in his role as Captain John Smith. Shanice and Secada's version is heard during film's end credits, and was released on September 12, 1995, as the second single from the film's soundtrack by Walt Disney Records, after Vanessa Williams' pop and R&B rendition of the Academy Award-winning "Colors of the Wind".
Enchanted is a 2007 American live-action/animated musical fantasy romantic comedy film directed by Kevin Lima and written by Bill Kelly. Co-produced by Walt Disney Pictures, Josephson Entertainment, and Right Coast Productions, the film stars Amy Adams, Patrick Dempsey, James Marsden, Timothy Spall, Idina Menzel and Susan Sarandon, with Julie Andrews as the narrator. It focuses on an archetypal Disney princess-to-be named Giselle exiled from her animated world into the live-action world of New York City.
"Be Our Guest" is a song written by lyricist Howard Ashman and composer Alan Menken for Walt Disney Pictures' animated film Beauty and the Beast (1991). Recorded by American actor Jerry Orbach and English actress Angela Lansbury as Lumière and Mrs. Potts, respectively, "Be Our Guest" is a large-scale Broadway-inspired musical number that takes place during the first half of Beauty and the Beast, performed by the castle's staff of enchanted objects in an elaborate attempt to welcome Belle. Menken initially intended for the melody of "Be Our Guest" to be temporary but was ultimately unable to compose a satisfying one with which to replace it. The song had originally been intended for Belle's father Maurice. However, "Be Our Guest" had to be entirely re-written as the story evolved in order to return its focus to Belle.
The Little Mermaid: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack is the soundtrack to the 1989 Disney animated feature film, The Little Mermaid. It contains the songs from the film written by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman, as well as the film's score composed by Alan Menken. The score was orchestrated by Thomas Pasatieri. The album has achieved multi-platinum sales and won the Grammy Award for Best Recording for Children. The album includes recordings of the music that won the Grammy for Best Instrumental Composition Written for a Motion Picture or for Television, the Academy Awards for Best Original Score and Best Original Song and the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Score.
Beauty and the Beast: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack is the official soundtrack album to the 1991 Disney animated feature film, Beauty and the Beast. Originally released on October 22, 1991, by Walt Disney Records, the album's first half – tracks 2 to 9 – generally contains the film's musical numbers, all of which were written by composer Alan Menken and lyricist Howard Ashman, while its latter half – tracks 10 to 14 – features its musical score, composed solely by Menken. While the majority of the album's content remains within the musical theatre genre, its songs have also been influenced by French, classical, pop and Broadway music. Credited to Various Artists, Beauty and the Beast: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack features performances by the film's main cast – Paige O'Hara, Richard White, Jesse Corti, Jerry Orbach, Angela Lansbury, Robby Benson and David Ogden Stiers – in order of appearance. Additionally, the album features recording artists Celine Dion and Peabo Bryson, who perform a pop rendition of the film's theme song of the same name, which simultaneously serves as the soundtrack's only single.
Pocahontas: An Original Walt Disney Records Soundtrack is the soundtrack album to the 1995 Disney animated film, Pocahontas. It was released by Walt Disney Records on May 30, 1995, on CD and audio cassette. The soundtrack contains songs from the film, including each instrumental song, written by Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz, and conducted by David Friedman. The main songs feature vocals by Judy Kuhn, Mel Gibson, Linda Hunt, Jim Cummings, David Ogden Stiers, and Bobbi Page. The soundtrack features two hit singles; "Colors of the Wind" performed by American singer and actress Vanessa Williams, and the film's love theme song "If I Never Knew You" performed by American singers Jon Secada and Shanice. The film won the Academy Award for Best Original Score and Best Original Song.
Giselle is a fictional character from Disney's romantic comedy fantasy film Enchanted (2007) and its sequel Disenchanted (2022). She is both portrayed and voiced by actress Amy Adams. The character first appears in Enchanted as a cheerful maiden from the animated kingdom of Andalasia, whose plans to marry a prince are threatened when an evil queen banishes her to New York City. While trapped there, she meets and charms a cynical divorce lawyer.
"Happy Working Song" is a song written by composer Alan Menken and lyricist Stephen Schwartz for Walt Disney Pictures' musical film Enchanted (2007). Recorded by American actress Amy Adams in her starring role as Giselle, the uptempo pop song both parodies and pays homage to a variety of songs from several Disney animated feature films, particularly "Whistle While You Work" from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937). Produced by Menken, Schwartz and Danny Troob, the song appears on the film's soundtrack Enchanted: Original Soundtrack.
"So Close" is a song written by composer Alan Menken and lyricist Stephen Schwartz for the musical fantasy film Enchanted (2007), recorded by American singer Jon McLaughlin. In the film, the song is performed by McLaughlin as himself, a band vocalist, musically accompanying main characters Giselle and Robert as they dance together at a costume ball. The song's lyrics describe both their relationship with each other, as well as Giselle's journey and growth as a character.
"Ever Ever After" is a song by American singer Carrie Underwood, written by composer Alan Menken and lyricist Stephen Schwartz for Enchanted (2007). The song, which was the last of several written for the film, appears as the fifth track on its soundtrack album. A mid-tempo country pop ballad that incorporates elements of both pop and rock music, the lyrics of "Ever Ever After" speak of falling in love and discovering one's happily ever after, as well as several other traditional elements that are often associated with fairy tales.
Enchanted is the soundtrack to the 2007 Disney film of the same name. Released on November 20, 2007, by Walt Disney Records, it contains 15 audio tracks, including five original songs used in the film, all of which were written by composer Alan Menken and lyricist Stephen Schwartz. The film's instrumental score, composed by Menken, is also included on the soundtrack. Orchestrated by Kevin Kliesch, Danny Troob, and Blake Neely, the songs and score were conducted by Menken's longtime collaborator Michael Kosarin, and performed by the Hollywood Studio Symphony. Although Menken and Schwartz's "Ever Ever After", performed by country singer-songwriter Carrie Underwood, was not released as a single, a music video of the song was made and is included on the CD.
"Mother Knows Best" is a song written by composer Alan Menken and lyricist Glenn Slater for Disney's animated film Tangled (2010). Included on the film's soundtrack album, it was recorded by American actress and singer Donna Murphy as Mother Gothel, the film's main villain, and details the character's efforts to frighten Rapunzel into remaining within the confines of their secluded tower so she can continue exploiting her hair's regenerative properties. A musical theatre-inspired pop ballad lyrically consisting of passive-aggressive insults, the song's upbeat melody belies its dark lyrics about fearmongering, lying, and manipulation. Gothel eventually reprises "Mother Knows Best" in a more vengeful, sinister manner once Rapunzel openly defies her for the first time.
Tangled is the soundtrack album to the 2010 computer-animated film of the same name produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios. The film score and original songs were composed by Alan Menken, which marked his return to composition for an animated feature, as he previously worked on several of Disney's animated features till Home on the Range (2004). The original songs were created by blending 1960s medieval music with folk rock. Glenn Slater wrote lyrics for most of the tracks in the album, except for the closing credits song, "Something That I Want", which was written, composed and performed by Grace Potter from Grace Potter and the Nocturnals.
"True Love's Kiss" is a song from the Disney film Enchanted (2007), written and composed by Stephen Schwartz and Alan Menken, and performed by Amy Adams and James Marsden.
Disenchanted is a 2022 American live-action/animated musical fantasy comedy film directed by Adam Shankman and written by Brigitte Hales, based on a story conceived by Richard LaGravenese and the writing team of J. David Stem and David N. Weiss. Co-produced by Walt Disney Pictures, Josephson Entertainment, and Right Coast Productions, it is the sequel to the 2007 film Enchanted.
Disenchanted (Original Soundtrack) is the soundtrack to the 2022 film of the same name directed by Adam Shankman. The sequel to Enchanted (2007), the film's original music included songs written and produced by composer Alan Menken and lyricist Stephen Schwartz, both of whom wrote the music for the previous installment. Menken also composed the incidental underscore for the film. Menken's longtime collaborator Michael Kosarin conducted the songs and score. Unlike the first film's soundtrack, the sequel was intended to have more songs, and all those tracks were performed by the film's cast members, including Amy Adams, Patrick Dempsey, James Marsden, Idina Menzel, Gabriella Baldacchino, Maya Rudolph, Griffin Newman, James Monroe Iglehart, Ann Harada, and Michael McCorry Rose.
"Love Power" is a song written by composer Alan Menken and lyricist Stephen Schwartz for Disney's musical fantasy film, Disenchanted (2022), the sequel to the 2007 film Enchanted. The song is performed by American actress and singer Idina Menzel, who plays Nancy Tremaine in both films. It is a Broadway-inspired power ballad, with lyrics advocating for the strength that love and memories have to overcome challenges. Menzel also recorded a pop version of the song, entitled "Love Power (End Credit Version)", for the film's closing credits, which Walt Disney Records released as its soundtrack's lead single in November 2022.
References
- ↑ Buckley, Michael (2007-11-18). "STAGE TO SCREENS: Menken & Schwartz Are "Enchanted"; Plus Bosco, Chenoweth, "Hairspray"". Playbill. Archived from the original on 2008-01-08. Retrieved 2008-02-09.
- ↑ "That's How You Know" from Enchanted is certified Gold by RIAA: Dedicate a song with words meant just for you... ✨🎶 "That's How You Know" from Enchanted is now certified GOLD by The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA)! 📀 Congratulations Alan Menken, Stephen Schwartz, and Amy Adams!!
- ↑ "Amy Adams Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 2008-4-12.
- ↑ "Amy Adams Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 4, 2008.
- ↑ "American single certifications – Amy Adams – That's How You Know". Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved March 20, 2023.