part of your world
Tuesday, April 15, 2008Nothing compares to the geniusness brought by the Ashman-Menken tandem. The brilliance that is Howard Ashman does not compare to Tim Rice and Stephen Schwartz.
About a decade ago, Disney released a CD box-set called "Music Behind the Magic" which featured songs from The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast and Aladdin in their work tape version. Since they are work tape versions, some of the songs included in this compilation were scrapped out when the Animated Films went into production - one of which is "Human Again" which they eventually added to the 10th Anniversary edition of Beauty and the Beast.
Anyhoo, I was probably in High School when I first got hold of it. I remember listening to the reprise of Part of Your World performed by Howard Ashman (again, these are just work in progress versions so some songs were sung by either Ashman or Menken themselves). I knew that I already love the Little Mermaid compared to the other Disney films but listening to Ashman singing these words gave me goosebumps and made me love it even more.
What would I give to live where you are?
What would I pay to stay here beside you?
What would I do to see you smiling at me?
Now there’s a dream
Now there’s a goal
Now there’s a need I’ll never control
I won’t get free
Till I can be Part of your world
What would I give if I could live out of these waters?
What would I pay to spend a day holding your hand?
[Instrumental]
I’d give my life
I’d sell my soul
‘Cause I can feel I’ll never be whole
But I can see
I’ll never be
Part of your world
Honestly, I like this version better compared to the one that made the cut. The lyrics have more soul to it and it totally sets up the Faustian angle of the story. However, I think Disney execs did not favor it because, let’s face it, it’s too depressing for children to watch. :p
More than 10 years later, my CDs are gone is currently out-of-print. Even the copies that I made were destroyed. But even until now,as I stare into open space, I can still hear Howard Ashman’s voice in my head making me want to be free and dream of being part of someone’s world. 
That’s the magic behind every Disney music.
Meticulous to the bone paying attention to the nitty-gritty details of anything (or anyone) that piques his interest. He's terribly O.C. when he feels like it and other times he just leaves the mess as it is.
thanks for dropping by.
