Honestly, the internet almost imploded when Disney announced they were messing with the 1989 soundtrack. You know the feeling. It's that protective instinct we have over our childhoods. When the 2023 live-action version finally dropped, everyone went straight for the music. We all wanted to know if The Little Mermaid movie songs would still have that Alan Menken magic or if they’d feel like a hollow corporate update. It's a tricky balance to strike. You have to honor Howard Ashman’s lyrical genius while somehow making 30-year-old songs feel fresh for a theater full of Gen Z kids and nostalgic Millennials.
Some people hated the changes. Some loved them. But if you actually sit down and listen to the orchestrations, there is a lot more going on than just a simple "copy and paste" job.
The Impossible Task of Outdoing Howard Ashman
Let's be real for a second. You can't beat "Part of Your World." You just can't. It is arguably the most perfect "I Want" song in the history of musical theater. Howard Ashman, who was dying while writing the original film, put so much longing and desperation into those lyrics. When Halle Bailey stepped into the recording booth, she had the weight of that legacy on her shoulders.
What’s interesting is how the 2023 version handles the arrangement. They didn't just re-record the track. They shifted the key and allowed Halle to lean into her R&B roots. That final riff she hits? It’s not in the original. It’s a choice. A bold one. It signals that this Ariel isn't just a curious girl; she's a powerhouse. Lin-Manuel Miranda came on board to work alongside Alan Menken, and that’s where the real friction—and the real innovation—happened. Miranda didn't try to rewrite the classics. He tried to fill the gaps.
Why "Under the Sea" Felt Different This Time
The 2023 "Under the Sea" is a technical marvel, but it feels fundamentally different from the 1989 version. In the original, Sebastian is conducting a literal orchestra of fish. It’s a Broadway production number under the water. In the new movie, the visuals had to be "photo-real." You can't have a tuna playing the harp if you're trying to make it look like a National Geographic documentary.
Because of this, the song lost some of its slapstick comedy but gained a massive, percussive energy. Daveed Diggs brings a different vocal texture than Samuel E. Wright. It’s faster. It’s tighter. Some fans argued it felt cluttered, while others appreciated the Caribbean authenticity Diggs brought to the patter. It’s a classic example of the "Uncanny Valley" problem in Disney remakes—the music is great, but the visuals of a realistic crab singing about crustaceans being served on a platter is, well, kinda dark if you think about it too long.
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The New Additions: "Wild Uncharted Waters" and "The Scuttlebutt"
We have to talk about the new stuff. This is where The Little Mermaid movie songs list gets controversial.
Prince Eric finally got a song. In the original, he’s basically just a handsome guy with a flute and a dog. In the 2023 version, Jonah Hauer-King belts out "Wild Uncharted Waters." It’s a massive, sweeping power ballad that feels very much like a "modern Broadway" moment. It gives Eric an actual personality. He’s not just looking for a girl; he’s looking for a purpose. It’s a solid addition, even if it feels a bit like a song from Les Misérables wandered into a mermaid movie.
Then there’s "The Scuttlebutt."
People lost their minds over this one. It is peak Lin-Manuel Miranda. It’s a rap-infused, high-speed chaotic mess performed by Awkwafina and Daveed Diggs. If you hate Hamilton, you probably hated this. If you like fast-paced wordplay, it was probably the highlight of the movie for you. It serves a specific purpose: it fills the time while Ariel is on land and can't speak. It provides the exposition that the original handled through dialogue. Is it a timeless classic? Probably not. Is it a fun earworm that kids love? Absolutely.
What Happened to "Daughters of Triton" and "Les Poissons"?
They’re gone. Cut. Deleted.
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The decision to cut "Daughters of Triton" was purely about pacing. The filmmakers wanted to get to Ariel faster. They wanted to show the sisters as protectors of different seas rather than a synchronized swimming troupe. It makes sense for the "realistic" world-building, but it’s a bummer for people who liked the campy fun of the original opening.
"Les Poissons" was cut for a different reason. In 1989, a chef trying to murder a crab was hilarious. In 2023, watching a realistic man try to dismember and cook a realistic sentient crab felt a little too much like a horror movie. Director Rob Marshall mentioned in several interviews that it just didn't fit the tone of the live-action remake. It would have been tonal whiplash. One minute we're having a romantic "Kiss the Girl" moment, the next we're watching a culinary execution. Probably a smart move, honestly.
The Subtle Lyric Changes You Might Have Missed
Disney got a bit of flak for updating the lyrics to "Kiss the Girl" and "Poor Unfortunate Souls." In "Kiss the Girl," the lines were tweaked to emphasize consent.
- Old Lyric: "It don’t take a word, not a single word / Go on and kiss the girl."
- New Lyric: "Use your words, boy, and ask her / And if the time is right and the time is tonight / Go on and kiss the girl."
Some critics called it "woke-washing," but Menken and Miranda argued that culture has changed since 1989. They wanted to make sure Eric wasn't just forcing himself on a girl who couldn't say no. Similarly, in "Poor Unfortunate Souls," a few lines about "pretty faces" and "men who don't like a girl who gossips" were snipped. Melissa McCarthy’s Ursula is still iconic, but the song is a little less about gender roles and more about her being a straight-up manipulator.
The Technical Brilliance of the 2023 Soundtrack
If you listen to the score on a good pair of headphones, the production value is insane. The 2023 soundtrack used a massive live orchestra. The layering of the vocals is pristine. Alan Menken, even in his 70s, hasn't lost his ability to write a melody that stays in your brain for three weeks.
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The most impressive part of the new The Little Mermaid movie songs is how they handled Ariel’s internal monologue. Since she doesn't have a voice for a huge chunk of the movie, the song "For the First Time" acts as her internal thoughts. It’s a clever narrative device. It allows Halle Bailey to keep singing even when the character is mute. It bridges the gap between the animated "silent" Ariel and a modern protagonist who needs more agency.
Why the Music Still Hits Decades Later
At the end of the day, the reason we care so much is that these songs are the blueprint for the Disney Renaissance. Without the success of The Little Mermaid, we don't get Beauty and the Beast or The Lion King. The 2023 soundtrack is a love letter to that era, even if it takes a few risks.
Whether you prefer the 1989 vinyl or the 2023 digital stream, the core of the story remains in the notes. It’s about the desire to belong somewhere else. It’s about the sacrifice of your voice to find your place. That’s universal.
Actionable Insights for Your Next Listen
If you want to truly appreciate the musical evolution of these films, don't just watch them—analyze the shifts in the arrangements.
- Compare the "Part of Your World" Reprise: Listen to the 1989 version and the 2023 version back-to-back. Notice how the 2023 version uses a more aggressive orchestral swell to represent the crashing waves.
- Identify the Miranda Influence: Listen for the "syncopated patter" in "The Scuttlebutt." It’s a signature style that contrasts heavily with Menken’s more traditional melodic lines.
- Check the Credits: Look at the percussionists listed for "Under the Sea" (2023). The use of authentic steel drums and woodblocks is much higher than in the synthesized 80s version.
- Explore the Outtakes: Search for the deleted "Daughters of Triton" demo. It provides a fascinating look at how they originally planned to introduce the sisters before deciding on a more serious tone.
By paying attention to these small details, you can see how movie music isn't just about the melody—it’s about how that melody fits the cultural moment it’s released into.