Production
Matthew Wilder &David Zippel had written the song originally for Hanson,but the deal eventually fell through. They were subsequently asked to alter the song to give it a "Stevie Wonder feel". [1] The writers previously had the opportunity to work with famous performers like dubbing artist Marni Nixon,though were "excited and astonished" to work with Wonder. [1] Wilder recalled:"While sitting in the studio waiting for Wonder's arrival,some guy walks in and sets up a keyboard and then walks out with saying a word. After several hours passed,Wonder finally arrived. I peaked my head out into the hallway in time to see him floating down this long hallway in this floor-length dashiki. He looked like an African god." [1] Wilder and Zippel didn't have a clear collaboration in mind when calling Wonder into the studio. Initially they had asked him to play harmonica on the track. Wonder said that he liked the song,describing it as "a song I would've written back in the '70s and I’m into it" and offered to sing on it. [1]
Meanwhile,98 Degrees had recently released their debut album with just one single "Invisible Man" and the album failed to chart. The band's next creative step following this was to explore the international markets of Asia and Europe and record "True to Your Heart" with Stevie Wonder for Disney's Mulan soundtrack which led them to wider recognition. [2]
Critical reception
MTV described it as a "celebratory tune that captures the mood of the film's conclusion" a la "Circle of Life". [3] Soundtrack.net felt the song "seems very out of place on this soundtrack". [9] NPO3FM deemed the song the "big breakthrough" of 98 Degrees. [10] DVDDizzy deemed it "catchy but out-of-left-field" and a "soundtrack anomaly",though added that the music video does a "good job at inspiring laughter". [7] CinemaBlend felt the singers were "crooning" in the song. [11] Billboard deemed it the 22nd best Disney Renaissance song,deeming it a "pretty promising combination" of artists,who "lived up to the hype with this playful,harmonica-flavored boy band jam". [12]
Animated Views deemed Raven-Symone's version "over-emoted". [13]
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