Honestly, if you’ve seen the 2017 film, you know it. It’s that catchy, high-energy earworm that happens right when the plot feels like it’s about to get bogged down in deep-sea gloom. My Little Pony: The Movie One Small Thing isn't just a musical diversion; it’s the emotional pivot of the entire second act. It’s bubbly. It’s pink. It features Kristin Chenoweth hitting notes that probably only dogs and certain species of Pegasus can hear. But beneath that sugar-coated surface, there is actually a lot of craft going on.
Most people dismiss it as just "the underwater song." That's a mistake.
The movie had a massive task. It had to translate the lightning-in-a-bottle success of the Friendship is Magic television series to the big screen without losing the heart of what made the "Mane Six" work. When the ponies find themselves in Seaquestria, they are desperate. They're looking for the Queen of the Hippo—er, Seaponies—to help them fight the Storm King. Things aren't going well. Princess Skystar is lonely. Pinkie Pie is... well, she's Pinkie Pie.
How One Small Thing Changed the Movie's Stakes
Musically, the song is a masterpiece of Broadway-style storytelling. Written by Daniel Ingram and Michael Vogel, it serves a dual purpose. First, it introduces us to the hyper-kinetic personality of Princess Skystar. Kristin Chenoweth brings this frantic, desperate-for-a-friend energy that makes the Seaponies feel less like a plot device and more like a real culture.
The song starts small. A few bubbles. A simple beat. Then it explodes.
It’s about the power of micro-gestures. In the context of My Little Pony: The Movie One Small Thing teaches us that while the world might be ending (thanks to the Storm King's literal dark clouds), a single moment of joy can shift a person's entire perspective. Skystar hasn't had a friend in years. She's been stuck underwater because of her mother’s fear. When the ponies show her a bit of fun, she isn't just happy; she's transformed.
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The animation during this sequence is arguably some of the best in the film. Unlike the Flash-animated TV show, the movie used Toon Boom Harmony, which allowed for much more fluid movement and detailed lighting. Watching the ponies navigate the 3D-esque underwater environments while spinning through these choreographed dance numbers is a visual feast. It's bright. It's loud. It contrasts perfectly with the muted, grey tones of the Storm King’s world.
The Contrast Between Pinkie Pie and Twilight Sparkle
This is where the song gets a bit complicated for the characters. While Pinkie Pie is leading the charge on "One Small Thing," Twilight Sparkle is in the background being a total buzzkill.
But can you blame her?
Twilight is trying to save an entire kingdom. She sees the song as a distraction. This creates a massive rift. It’s a classic example of "the ends justifying the means" vs. "living in the moment." While the other ponies are building genuine bonds through song and play, Twilight is trying to steal the Pearl of Transformation. The song acts as the "decoy" for Twilight's heist, which makes the eventual fallout even more painful. When the song ends and the alarm goes off, the emotional whiplash is brutal. We go from the highest high of the movie to the lowest low in about thirty seconds.
Why the Song Stays With You
Maybe it’s the "shoop-be-doo" backup vocals. Or the fact that it feels like a spiritual successor to "Under the Sea" but with 40% more caffeine.
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Musicians have pointed out that the tempo is almost relentless. It’s a 12/8 time signature feel that swings hard, giving it that "big band" or musical theater flair that Daniel Ingram loves to play with. If you listen closely to the orchestration, you’ll hear a lot of "bubbly" synth sounds layered over traditional orchestral brass. It’s a hybrid sound that fits the Seapony aesthetic perfectly.
Interestingly, many fans didn't realize that the song was actually a late addition to the script. The writers needed a way to bridge the gap between the ponies arriving at Mount Aris and the climax of the second act. Without it, the transition to the Seaponies feeling comfortable enough to help would have felt unearned. It provides the "social proof" that the ponies are good people—or good equines, anyway.
- Vocal Performance: Kristin Chenoweth (Skystar) and Andrea Libman (Pinkie Pie) have incredible vocal chemistry.
- Narrative Weight: It marks the moment the ponies actually succeed in making an ally, even if Twilight ruins it moments later.
- Visual Fidelity: The "shell-phone" and bubble-based choreography showed off the movie's $65 million budget.
There’s a common misconception that the song is "filler." I’ve heard parents complain that it’s just there to sell toys. Sure, the Seapony toys were a huge deal in 2017, but the song does heavy lifting for Skystar’s character arc. She goes from a shut-in to a rebel because of this three-minute musical number. That's not filler; that's efficient writing.
The Legacy of the Seapony Anthem
Years later, My Little Pony: The Movie One Small Thing remains a staple in the fandom. It’s a go-to track for cosplayers and fan animators. It represents the peak of the "Friendship is Magic" era's musical ambition. Before this, the songs were mostly short ditties for a 22-minute TV slot. Here, they had the space to let a song breathe and build.
It also highlights a core theme of the entire franchise: you can't force friendship. Twilight tries to "solve" the problem with logic and theft. Pinkie Pie solves it with a song. Guess which one actually worked?
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The song serves as a reminder that sometimes, when everything is falling apart, focusing on one small thing—a game, a laugh, a conversation—is the only way to keep your sanity. It’s a message that resonated with kids and, let’s be real, a lot of adults too. The world is often scary. The Storm King is always at the door. But there’s always time for a quick song underwater if it means making someone feel less alone.
If you’re looking to dive deeper into the production, you should definitely check out the "Art of My Little Pony: The Movie" book. It shows the early sketches for the Seaquestria sequence. Originally, the song was going to be much more somber. Can you imagine? A somber Seapony song would have completely changed the energy of the film. Choosing the upbeat, Broadway-style route was the best decision the directors made. It saved the movie from becoming too dark and kept it accessible for the younger audience while giving the theater geeks something to chew on.
To truly appreciate the impact of this moment, watch the scene again but focus entirely on Twilight Sparkle’s face in the background. While everyone else is glowing with the magic of the song, she is physically shrinking away. It’s a brilliant bit of "acting" by the animators. It sets up the big argument on the beach that follows, which is arguably the most emotional scene in the whole series. Without the joy of "One Small Thing" to contrast it, that argument wouldn't have hurt nearly as much.
Next Steps for Fans and Collectors
If you want to experience the track beyond just the film, the official soundtrack is available on most streaming platforms and features a slightly different mix than the theatrical version. For those interested in the technical side of the music, look up Daniel Ingram’s social media archives from around 2017; he frequently shared "behind the scenes" snippets of the recording sessions with Chenoweth. Finally, if you're a collector, the 2017 "Seapony" line of figures is still widely available on the secondary market, many of which were designed specifically to mimic the aesthetic seen during this specific musical sequence.
Check the credits of the film to see the massive list of animators involved in the Seaquestria scenes—it took dozens of artists specifically focusing on the "water effects" to make the song’s visuals pop the way they do. Keep an eye out for the small background details during the "One Small Thing" sequence, like the unique sea creatures that only appear for a few frames but have their own distinct designs.