I See the Light facts for kids

"I See the Light" is a famous song from Walt Disney Animation Studios' movie Tangled (2010). Alan Menken wrote the music, and Glenn Slater wrote the words. It's a duet sung by Mandy Moore as Rapunzel and Zachary Levi as Flynn Rider.

This song is a folk-inspired pop ballad. It acts as both a love song and the main theme for the movie. The lyrics describe how Rapunzel and Flynn's romantic relationship grows. You can find "I See the Light" as the seventh song on the film's soundtrack album.

Tangled was first thought of by Disney animator Glen Keane. Alan Menken and Glenn Slater were hired to write the songs. They first made an "anthem"-like version of "I See the Light." But they changed it to be softer, simpler, and more like folk music. Menken later said that "I See the Light" is the song he is most proud of from Tangled.

The song "I See the Light" got mixed reviews from critics. Some weren't sure how original it was. However, the "lantern scene" where Rapunzel and Flynn sing the song was highly praised. People loved its visuals and how it used 3-D effects. Many compared the song and scene to romantic moments from other Disney films. These include "Kiss the Girl" from The Little Mermaid (1989) and "A Whole New World" from Aladdin (1992). Alan Menken also wrote these other love songs.

Even with mixed reviews, "I See the Light" has won many awards. It was nominated for an Academy Award and a Golden Globe Award in 2011. It lost the Academy Award to "We Belong Together" from Toy Story 3 (2010). It lost the Golden Globe to "You Haven't Seen the Last of Me" from Burlesque (2010). Later, "I See the Light" won the Las Vegas Film Critics Society Award for Best Song. It also won the Grammy Award for Best Song Written for Visual Media. Many artists have covered the song. These include David Harris, Lucy Durack, and Jackie Evancho.

How the Song Was Created

The idea for an animated movie based on the "Rapunzel" fairy tale started in 1996. Disney animator Glen Keane came up with it. In 2008, Walt Disney Animation Studios asked composer Alan Menken to write music for their new film, Tangled. Menken had just finished working on Disney's Enchanted (2007).

Menken agreed and invited Glenn Slater to write the lyrics with him. They had worked together before on Home on the Range (2004). They also worked on the Broadway musical version of The Little Mermaid (1989).

Menken knew Tangled would not be a traditional musical. It would not be like Beauty and the Beast. He called it a "hybrid" film. He wanted a new sound for Tangled. This sound would be different from his past Broadway-style movie songs. He was inspired by Rapunzel's long hair and her wish for freedom. Menken decided to use the style of 1960s folk rock. He mentioned singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell as a big inspiration.

Writing and Recording the Song

Mandy Moore (Rapunzel) and Zachary Levi (Flynn Rider) recorded "I See the Light."

When writing songs for the movie, Menken and Slater looked for good moments for the main characters to sing. Menken explained that "I See the Light" came from Rapunzel finally seeing the lanterns. He called it more of a montage song.

Menken and Slater first wanted "I See the Light" to sound like an "anthem". But they changed their minds. They rewrote it to be a softer, more folk-style song. Menken said they tried many melodies until one felt right. He also said he is most proud of "I See the Light" out of all the songs in Tangled. He likes its beauty and simplicity.

Co-director Byron Howard also loved the song right away. He called it his favorite. Howard said that when he and co-director Nathan Greno heard Alan Menken's demo, they knew it would be a classic.

"I See the Light" is a romantic duet. It is sung by the two main characters, Rapunzel and Flynn Rider. Mandy Moore recorded Rapunzel's voice, and Zachary Levi recorded Flynn Rider's voice. Moore and Levi only met twice while making Tangled. One of those times was to record the vocals for "I See the Light." Levi said they first practiced the song live with an 80-piece orchestra. Then, they recorded their parts separately in isolation booths.

The Scene in the Movie

"I See the Light" happens near the end of Tangled. Rapunzel and Flynn Rider have finished their long journey to Corona. They arrive just in time for the annual lantern-lighting ceremony. Rapunzel has watched this ceremony from her tower for 18 years.

The couple takes a boat ride to watch the ceremony. The night sky lights up with many lanterns. This scene is called the film's "emotional peak" by critics. Rapunzel's dream of seeing the lanterns comes true. The song highlights the lanterns and shows Rapunzel and Flynn falling in love.

Rapunzel and Flynn Rider during the "I See the Light" lantern scene in Tangled.

Marianne Paluso of the Catholic News Agency said that Rapunzel finally sees the lanterns she always wanted to see. The audience also sees how love grows between the two characters. Critics often call this one of Tangleds "show-stopping moments." Rapunzel and Flynn sing the romantic duet as they fall in love.

Because of the scene's setting and the song's lyrics, many compare it to other Disney romantic scenes. The most common comparisons are to "Kiss the Girl" from The Little Mermaid (1989) and "A Whole New World" from Aladdin (1992). Alan Menken also composed these songs. Steven D. Greydanus compared the scene to the "Nutcracker Suite" part of Disney's Fantasia (1940). He called it a "moment of visual transcendence."

The co-directors, Byron Howard and Nathan Greno, loved this scene. They told the production team it would be the most amazing animated scene ever. Greno said that using 45,000 floating lanterns was inspired by Indonesian ceremonies. In these ceremonies, people send rice paper lanterns into the sky.

Song's Style and Sound

"I See the Light" is a "dreamy" love song with a "classic romantic feel." It is "peppy and cheerful." The song is a romantic pop ballad with a "soaring" melody. It is three minutes and forty-four seconds long. It mixes classical and contemporary music with folk influences. The lyrics are about Rapunzel and Flynn's growing love. They begin to see life in a new way as they fall in love.

The song's official sheet music says it is a mid-tempo pop ballad. It is written in the key of C major (then changes to E♭ major). It has a moderate tempo of 104 beats per minute. Moore and Levi's vocal ranges cover over 2 octaves. Levi sings a low B♭₂, and Moore sings a high E♭₅. The song also uses harp, acoustic guitar, and a full orchestra.

Song Reviews

Critics had mixed feelings about "I See the Light." Many felt the film's songs were not very exciting.

Catherine Jones of the Liverpool Echo liked "I See the Light." She called it a "rousing love ballad." Jessica Dawson of Common Sense Media described it as a "sweet duet." Sandie Angulo Chen from Common Sense Media called it a "great" love song. Lindsey Ward of Canoe.ca praised Moore and Levi's singing. She said their performance would "melt some hearts."

However, some critics did not like "I See the Light" as much. Scott Chitwood of ComingSoon.net said it was "pretty good," but nothing more. Tim McCall of The Star-Ledger disliked it, calling it "predictable." He also criticized Slater's lyrics, saying they were "dull" and full of clichés. Richard Corliss of Time called it a "generically tuneful love ballad." He also said it was not Menken's most creative melody. Cindy White of IGN found the song "unmemorable." Filmtracks.com gave a mixed review. They said Levi's singing was "appropriate" but criticized Moore for "lacking in depth."

Lantern Scene Reviews

The picture goes from strength to strength, with ... some amazing animation set pieces, culminating in a love ballad set against a backdrop of floating lanterns that's among the most dazzling pieces of moving artwork executed in any animated movie, Disney or otherwise, ever.

In contrast, the "lantern sequence" where "I See the Light" is sung received much praise. Critics loved this part of the movie. Keith Uhlich of Time Out called the scene "especially wonderful." Simon Reynolds of Digital Spy said it was one of the film's most "striking moments." Georgie Hobbs of Little White Lies said the lyrics were "nothing special." But she praised the scene as a "treat" for romantics and 3-D fans.

Alan Jones of Radio Times called the sequence one of the film's "most beautifully uplifting moments." Christian Blauvelt of Slant Magazine said it was one of Tangleds "few moments of otherworldly beauty." A. O. Scott of The New York Times wrote that the scene with paper lanterns was "breathtaking." He noted how it used 3-D to create a soft, dream-like feeling.

Lou Lumenick of the New York Post said "I See the Light" was "the year's best use of 3-D." Dan Kois of Westword agreed, saying the lights moving over the audience were very pleasing. Sukanya Verma of Rediff.com praised both the scene and the song. She said the glowing images and Menken's music created a "spectacular celluloid moment." Tasha Robinson of The A. V. Club felt the falling-in-love scene was "overwhelmingly magical." Colin Covert of the Star Tribune called the romantic boat ride "one of the more breathtaking episodes of gratuitous beauty." Glenn Kenny of MSN Movies said the scene was "the most dazzling pieces of moving artwork executed in any animated movie, Disney or otherwise, ever."

Awards and Nominations

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences changed its rules for the Academy Award for Best Original Song. This happened after Menken's Enchanted got three nominations in 2008. The new rule limited nominations to two songs per film. Menken decided to submit only "I See the Light" from Tangled. He wanted to avoid the songs competing against each other. Menken felt "I See the Light" was "the heart-and-center of the film." He also thought it was the one that could win. Many critics, including Richard Corliss, expected it to win Best Original Song.

"I See the Light" was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 2011. This was Menken's nineteenth Academy Award nomination. He said he did not take it for granted. However, the song lost to Randy Newman's "We Belong Together" from Toy Story 3 (2010).

Before that, "I See the Light" was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Original Song in 2011. It lost to "You Haven't Seen the Last of Me" from Burlesque (2010). This song was written by Diane Warren and sung by Cher. "I See the Light" was also nominated for Best Song at the 16th Broadcast Film Critics Association Awards in 2011. It lost to "If I Rise" from 127 Hours (2010).

However, "I See the Light" did win some awards. It won the Las Vegas Film Critics Society Award for Best Song in 2010. It also won the Best Song Written for Visual Media Award at the 54th Grammy Awards in 2012.

Babble.com listed "I See the Light" as one of the "Greatest ... Disney Movie Moments."

Live Performances and Cover Songs

To celebrate the song's Academy Award nomination, Mandy Moore and Zachary Levi performed "I See the Light" live. This happened at the 83rd Academy Awards in February 2011. Alan Menken played the piano for them. Moore asked for a "show-stopping" dress that did not look like a Disney costume. Fashion designer Monique Lhuillier created a cobalt blue gown for her. Moore said she felt confident until just before the show. She also said it was the most intimidating audience she had ever performed for. She tried not to look at anyone because she was so nervous.

Australian actor and singer David Harris included his version of "I See the Light" on his album At This Stage (2011). He sang it as a duet with Australian actress Lucy Durack. Simon Parris of Theatre People said Harris's version would make listeners want to watch their Tangled Blu-ray again. American classical singer Jackie Evancho recorded "I See the Light" for her album Songs from the Silver Screen (2012). She sang it as a duet with her older brother, Jacob Evancho. Amazon.com called Evancho's version a "very special duet."

• Full lyrics of this song at MetroLyrics

See also

In Spanish: I See the Light para niños