Honestly, following in the footsteps of Celine Dion and Peabo Bryson is a nightmare scenario for any singer. You’re basically asking to be compared to vocal gods. When Disney announced the Ariana Grande and John Legend Beauty and the Beast collaboration for the 2017 live-action remake, the internet did exactly what you’d expect: it had a mini-meltdown. Some fans were hyped to see two modern heavyweights tackle the "tale as old as time," while others were ready to gatekeep the 1991 original like their lives depended on it.
But looking back now, the track was more than just a promotional tool. It was a very specific, high-stakes attempt to bridge the gap between 90s nostalgia and the streaming era.
The Mission to Modernize a Classic
The 2017 version wasn't just a random cover. Disney’s President of Music and Soundtracks, Mitchell Leib, tapped veteran producer Ron Fair to helm the project. Fair is a guy who knows how to handle "plutonium" singers—his words, not mine. He’d already worked with Christina Aguilera and Keyshia Cole, so he understood how to manage big voices without letting the production drown them out.
The goal was "new school-old school."
They wanted to respect the Alan Menken melody while adding enough soul to make it feel fresh. You've probably noticed that the 2017 version leans much harder into a contemporary R&B rhythm than the sweeping, orchestral 1991 pop version. It’s got a bit more of a "snap" to it. John Legend brought that smooth, grounded piano-man energy, while Ariana provided the light, airy riffs she was becoming known for during her Dangerous Woman era.
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Interestingly, Ariana Grande actually teased the whole thing with a simple, grainy selfie in the recording studio. She didn't even say much—just a wilted rose emoji. That was enough to set off the sirens.
What Went Down in the Music Video
If you haven't watched the music video directed by Dave Meyers recently, it’s a trip. It’s basically a high-fashion fever dream set inside the Beast’s castle.
Ariana is wearing this massive, blood-red tulle dress that looks like it weighs about fifty pounds. She’s surrounded by dancers who are literally choreographed to look like the petals of a falling rose. It’s very avant-garde. Meanwhile, John Legend is just chilling at the piano in a blue brocade jacket that's a direct nod to the Beast’s ballroom outfit.
There’s a weirdly charming moment where the "real" Belle (Emma Watson) and the Beast (Dan Stevens) are dancing in the background while the singers perform. It’s a meta-layer that some people found a bit distracting, but it served the purpose: reminding everyone that this was the definitive "commercial" face of the film.
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Breaking Down the Vocal Dynamics
A lot of critics at the time felt the cover was a bit "safe."
- The Harmonies: They’re technically perfect. Legend’s baritone acts as a solid floor for Ariana’s soprano to dance on.
- The Riffs: Ari didn't hold back on the melisma toward the end.
- The Arrangement: It stays very close to the 1991 structure, which was a point of contention for some who wanted a radical reimagining.
Honestly, the track performed exactly how Disney hoped it would. It didn't replace the original in the hearts of Millennials, but it introduced the song to a Gen Z audience that might have found the 1991 version a bit "dated" (even if that sounds like sacrilege to some of us).
Why the Ariana Grande and John Legend Beauty and the Beast Collab Still Matters
It’s easy to dismiss these soundtrack covers as corporate fluff, but they’re actually quite difficult to pull off. You have to honor the source material while satisfying the ego of a modern pop fan base.
The soundtrack itself was a massive success, debuting at number three on the Billboard 200. While the film version of the song was sung by Emma Thompson (as Mrs. Potts), the Legend/Grande duet was the one that lived on the radio and the end credits. It helped the album sell over 300,000 copies in the US within just a few months of release.
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It also served as a pivot point for Ariana. It showed she could play the "Disney Princess" role perfectly—a precursor to her eventually landing the role of Glinda in Wicked. For Legend, it solidified his status as the go-to guy for classy, cross-generational prestige projects.
Surprising Details Most People Missed
- The Producer’s History: Ron Fair and Mitchell Leib actually worked together on the Pretty Woman soundtrack decades prior. This was a "getting the band back together" moment for the industry execs.
- The Recording Process: Much of the pre-production for the film’s music happened in a hotel in New York because songwriter Howard Ashman had been in failing health during the original 1991 production. The 2017 team felt a lot of pressure to honor that legacy.
- The "Hidden" Version: While the duet got the glory, the film also featured a new Celine Dion track, "How Does a Moment Last Forever," which felt like a passing of the torch.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Collectors
If you're a fan of this specific era of Disney music, there are a few things you should actually do to appreciate the craft behind it.
Check out the Deluxe Edition soundtrack. Most people only stream the main duet, but the deluxe version includes the original demos by Alan Menken. Hearing the creator hum the melody of "Beauty and the Beast" gives you a completely different perspective on how Grande and Legend eventually interpreted it.
Watch the "Behind the Magic" featurettes. There is specific footage of the recording sessions where you can see the vocal layering. It’s a masterclass in how modern pop vocals are stacked to create that "wall of sound" effect you hear in the final chorus.
Compare the 1991 and 2017 stems. If you’re a music nerd, listen to the percussion. The 2017 version uses a much sharper, synthetic snare that defines the "new school" sound Ron Fair was aiming for. It’s a subtle shift that changes the entire mood of the ballroom sequence.
The Ariana Grande and John Legend Beauty and the Beast cover wasn't trying to be the "new" version for everyone. It was a snapshot of 2017 pop royalty paying respects to a 1991 masterpiece. Whether you prefer the original or the remake usually depends on how much you like tulle dresses and R&B riffs—but you can't deny the vocal talent involved was top-tier.