Beauty and the Beast is a timeless tale of love and sacrifice that has captured the hearts of generations. The 1991 Disney animated film adaptation of the classic fairy tale features one of the most iconic songs in the Disney canon, “Belle.”
The Lyrics
The song “Belle” is the opening number of the film and introduces the character of Belle, a young woman living in a small French village. The lyrics paint a picture of Belle as a dreamer and a bookworm, yearning for adventure and something more than the provincial life she leads.
The opening verse goes:
Little town, it’s a quiet village
Every day like the one before
Little town, full of little people
Waking up to say…
The song then transitions into the chorus, where the villagers sing about Belle:
Bonjour! Bonjour! Bonjour, bonjour, bonjour!
There goes the baker with his tray like always
The same old bread and rolls to sell
Every morning just the same
Since the morning that we came
To this poor provincial town
The chorus repeats a few times, with Belle’s father Maurice briefly interrupting the song to sing about his latest invention. The song then continues with Belle singing about her love of books:
Look, there she goes, that girl is so peculiar
I wonder if she’s feeling well
With a dreamy, far-off look
And her nose stuck in a book
What a puzzle to the rest of us is Belle
The song concludes with Belle singing about her desire for something more:
I want adventure in the great wide somewhere
I want it more than I can tell
And for once it might be grand
To have someone understand
I want so much more than they’ve got planned
The Meaning
The lyrics of “Belle” set the stage for the rest of the film, establishing Belle as a strong-willed and independent character who longs for something more than the life she has been given. The song also introduces the theme of appearances versus reality, as the villagers see Belle as odd and peculiar while she longs for a deeper connection with someone who understands her.
Ultimately, “Belle” is a song about the power of dreams and the desire for something more. It is a fitting opening number for a film that celebrates the transformative power of love and the importance of looking beyond appearances.
Conclusion
Beauty and the Beast’s “Belle” is a classic Disney song that has stood the test of time. Its lyrics capture the spirit of the film’s protagonist, setting the stage for a story about the transformative power of love and the importance of looking beyond appearances. Whether you’re a longtime fan of the film or discovering it for the first time, “Belle” is a song that is sure to inspire and enchant.
