Honestly, if you haven’t had the chorus of "How Far I’ll Go" stuck in your head at least once since 2016, are you even living on this planet? It’s everywhere. It is the definitive "I Want" song of the modern Disney era. It’s that soaring, heart-tugging power ballad that turned Auli’i Cravalho into a household name and cemented Lin-Manuel Miranda as the guy who can basically do no wrong when it comes to a hook.
But there’s a lot more to it than just a catchy melody about a girl and the ocean.
Most people think of it as just another "Let It Go" clone—a song about breaking free. It isn’t. While Elsa was literally running away from her problems to build a lonely ice palace, Moana is actually struggling with the fact that she loves her home. That’s the nuance that makes the track so sticky. She isn't a rebel because she hates her parents; she’s a rebel because the horizon is literally calling her name like a long-lost relative.
Why How Far I'll Go Still Matters in 2026
We’re sitting here in 2026, and the song still pulls incredible numbers on streaming platforms. Why? Because it’s not just a song for kids. It’s a song for anyone who has ever felt "the gulf."
Lin-Manuel Miranda actually wrote this thing while locked in his childhood bedroom at his parents' house in New York. He wanted to find that specific, angsty 16-year-old version of himself. He was looking for that feeling of being on 200th Street and knowing exactly what he wanted to do with his life, but feeling like the distance between his current reality and his dreams was an impossible ocean.
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That’s the "method writing" that gave the song its teeth.
The Auli’i Cravalho Magic
You can't talk about this song without mentioning Auli’i. She was 14 when she got the part. Think about that for a second. Most 14-year-olds are worried about algebra, and she was in a recording booth delivering a vocal performance that would eventually win a Grammy for Best Song Written for Visual Media.
Her voice has this specific "crack" of vulnerability in the verses that shifts into a powerhouse belt in the chorus. It’s the sound of a girl convincing herself that she’s ready. Interestingly, the song was nominated for an Oscar and a Golden Globe, but it was the Grammy where it finally took home the gold.
The Secret Music Theory in the Lyrics
If you listen closely to the bridge—the part where she’s singing about the "light as it shines on the sea"—the music actually starts to "overshoot" the expected melody.
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Music theorists often point out how the melody follows Moana’s internal journey. When she’s questioning herself ("What is wrong with me?"), the chords are a bit more hesitant, hitting those minor notes. But as she decides to go, the key signature pushes higher. It’s literally pushing the boundaries of the scale, just like she’s pushing the boundaries of the reef.
- The Pop Version: Disney also released a version by Alessia Cara. It’s good, sure, but it lacks the narrative weight of the film version.
- The Global Impact: The song was translated into 44 languages. In the Māori version, titled "Tukuna Au," the lyrics take on an even deeper ancestral meaning.
- The Reprise: Don't sleep on the reprise. It’s shorter, but it’s the moment she actually stops dreaming and starts doing.
Moana 2 and the "Beyond" Comparison
Now that Moana 2 is out, everyone is comparing the original to the new "I Want" song, "Beyond." Written by Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear (the duo behind the Unofficial Bridgerton Musical), "Beyond" is a spiritual successor.
Is it better? That’s a toss-up. "Beyond" is definitely darker. It’s a "must-go" song rather than a "want-to-go" song. In the sequel, Moana is older. She’s a leader. She has a little sister, Simea, to worry about. The stakes aren’t just about her own identity anymore; they’re about the survival of her entire culture.
A lot of fans on Reddit and TikTok have been debating whether any song can top the 2016 original. The consensus? "How Far I'll Go" is the anthem of discovery, while "Beyond" is the anthem of responsibility. They’re two sides of the same coin.
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How to Actually "Use" This Song
If you’re a singer or just a karaoke enthusiast, there are a few things you should know about tackling this track. It’s deceptive. It starts low and breathy, which makes you think it’s easy. It’s not.
- Watch the breath support: Those long "go-o-o" notes at the end of the chorus will drain your lungs if you aren't careful.
- Embrace the acting: Don't just sing the notes. You have to sound like you’re actually looking at a horizon and feeling slightly terrified by it.
- Listen to the Hawaiian version: If you want to really understand the soul of the character, listen to Auli’i sing it in Hawaiian (Ka Loa Nō). The phrasing is different, and it feels much more grounded in the film’s actual setting.
The enduring legacy of these Moana songs is that they aren't just "Disney Princess" tracks. They’re wayfinding songs. They’re about the messy, scary, beautiful process of figuring out who you are when nobody is watching.
To get the most out of your Moana deep-dive, try listening to the "Deluxe Edition" soundtrack. It features Lin-Manuel Miranda’s original demos, which are kind of hilarious and fascinating. You can hear him beatboxing the rhythm and singing in his "Hamilton" voice, which gives you a whole new perspective on how the song evolved from a guy in a bedroom to a worldwide phenomenon.