Proud of Your Boy facts for kids

"Proud of Your Boy" is a song written by Howard Ashman (who wrote the words) and Alan Menken (who wrote the music). It was first planned for Disney's animated movie Aladdin (1992). But the song was not used because the character of Aladdin's mother was removed from the story.

After being left out, the song was mostly unknown until Disney released a demo version in 1994. A demo is an early recording of a song. This helped the song slowly become more popular. Later, "Proud of Your Boy" was added to the Aladdin stage musical in 2011. Adam Jacobs, an American actor, was the first to perform and record it for the musical. The song is about a young man who promises his mother he will change his mischievous ways and make her proud.

"Proud of Your Boy" was one of the first songs Ashman and Menken wrote for Aladdin. Ashman especially liked this song. Some people who worked with Ashman thought he might have based the song on his own relationship with his mother. Ashman passed away while the movie was being made. After his death, Aladdin's mother became less important in the story. Eventually, Disney executive Jeffrey Katzenberg decided to remove both the mother and the song. This made many of the movie's crew members sad.

Actors Scott Weinger and Brad Kane used this song when they auditioned for the movie. Weinger became Aladdin's speaking voice, and Kane became his singing voice. When the Aladdin stage musical was planned, Menken and playwright Chad Beguelin quickly decided to include "Proud of Your Boy". In the musical, Aladdin sings it to remember his late mother.

"Proud of Your Boy" was first performed in the Aladdin musical. Most critics liked it, and some even called it the best new addition to the show. It has become one of the musical's most famous songs. While many fans discovered the song through the musical, it was already a favorite among musical theater fans after its demo was released. It became a popular song for auditions.

Creating the Song

"Proud of Your Boy" was written by Howard Ashman (lyrics) and Alan Menken (music). Menken also helped with some of the lyrics. It was one of the first songs written for Aladdin (1992), after "Arabian Nights" and "Friend Like Me".

In early versions of the Aladdin movie script, Aladdin's mother was alive and important to the story. She was disappointed with her son's behavior. "Proud of Your Boy" showed their relationship. Aladdin would have a heartfelt moment with his mother and promise to improve. Ashman really liked Aladdin's mother as a character and felt strongly about the song.

Some people believe Ashman wrote "Proud of Your Boy" about his own parents. Actress Jodi Benson, who worked with Ashman, said he often wanted to please his parents. Director Ron Clements agreed that the song "meant a lot to Ashman because of his own relationship with his mother." However, producer Don Hahn said Ashman did not openly write it about his parents, but that artists often create works that reflect their lives.

"Proud of Your Boy" was written for Aladdin to sing to his mother (as shown in this early drawing). When her character was removed, the song was also cut.

"Proud of Your Boy" was meant to be sung after "One Jump Ahead". It was one of several solo songs for Aladdin that were not used in the final movie. Early drawings for the scene showed Jafar disguised, suggesting Aladdin's first meeting with him was planned differently.

After Ashman passed away in 1991, the story was changed. Aladdin's mother and the song were removed from the movie. The mother's role became less important. Disney executive Jeffrey Katzenberg decided to remove her completely after a test screening. Since Aladdin's mother was no longer alive, "Proud of Your Boy" was not needed. The song was also thought to be too sad compared to the other songs in Aladdin. Because Ashman had died, no one could write a new song or convince Katzenberg to keep "Proud of Your Boy".

Many people who worked on the film loved "Proud of Your Boy" and were sad it was cut. Story artist Ed Gombert said few filmmakers agreed with Katzenberg's decision. Director John Musker felt the movie lost "one of Ashman and Menken's finest songs." Menken found it very hard to accept the song's removal, especially because Ashman had died. Menken tried to replace it with a song for Aladdin to sing to Abu called "You Can Count On Me," but that was also rejected.

The removal of "Proud of Your Boy" led to the creation of the movie's main love song, "A Whole New World". This new song was needed to replace the ballad that "Proud of Your Boy" was supposed to be. After "Proud of Your Boy" was cut, Aladdin's mother is never mentioned in the movie.

Recording and Release

When actor Scott Weinger was chosen as Aladdin's speaking voice, he pretended he could sing. He auditioned for the singing role by performing "Proud of Your Boy." Disney gave Weinger the sheet music and a demo recording on an audio cassette. He practiced with a vocal coach. But Menken was not impressed and told Weinger he would not sing in the movie. The filmmakers decided to hire a professional singer for Aladdin's singing voice. Weinger still jokes that he is a bit upset about not getting to sing in the film.

Singer Brad Kane was eventually chosen as Aladdin's singing voice. He also auditioned using "Proud of Your Boy" for Ashman and Menken. He recorded a version of the song before it was cut. "Proud of Your Boy" was one of the last songs Ashman wrote before he died. He spent his final days listening to audition recordings of the song.

Ashman and Menken's original demo recording was first released on the album The Music Behind the Magic (1994). This album was a collection of unreleased songs and demos from The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, and Aladdin. Menken said the song became popular again after appearing on this album. It became a "secret thing" that people would perform at auditions. Menken even used it as an audition song for the character of Hercules in the movie Hercules (1997).

The demo was later included as a bonus track on a special edition soundtrack for Aladdin. Menken sang the main vocals on this version. It was released to the public on October 11, 2004. The story of the song's creation is shown in a special feature on the Aladdin DVD. Before the stage musical, only "hardcore Aladdin fans" knew about the song. Actor Adam Jacobs recorded the song for the Aladdin: Original Broadway Cast Recording, which came out on March 27, 2014.

Song's Role in the Musical

Why it was brought back

Disney producers and Ashman's colleagues always thought "Proud of Your Boy" was a great song. Menken called it a "lost gem" and wanted to include it in the musical. He felt it was one of his songs that deserved to "find their way back into the spotlight." Paula McKinnon, a producer for Disney Theatrical Productions, said it was one of the first songs the team agreed to bring back for the musical.

Playwright Chad Beguelin wrote the script for the Aladdin musical. He asked that as many of Ashman's unused songs as possible be included. "Proud of Your Boy" was the first one. Beguelin thought the musical needed a song early on to show what Aladdin truly wanted. He decided to have Aladdin sing "Proud of Your Boy" "to the heavens" for his late mother. Beguelin added new lyrics to two shorter versions of the song (called reprises).

Menken and Thomas Schumacher, president of Disney Theatrical Group, felt bringing the song back was a "personal victory." Menken said it was one of his favorite songs to restore because of its important message. He was happy that Ashman's "Proud of Your Boy" "once again has pride of place in the story of a boy who finally became all that a mother could wish for in a son."

Actor Adam Jacobs said "Proud of Your Boy" was his favorite song to perform in the musical. He explained that Aladdin uses the song to promise his mother, "I'm going to be the person you want me to be, and make you proud." Jacobs felt the song helped him understand his character and carried him through the whole show. Actor Telly Leung agreed that the song helps explore Aladdin's character.

How it's used in Aladdin

"Proud of Your Boy" helps us understand Aladdin's feelings about himself. He thinks he makes mistakes but believes he can change and make his mom proud. The song gives new insight into Aladdin's background and family.

"Proud of Your Boy" is one of three Ashman-Menken songs not in the original film that were brought back for the musical. The others are "Babkak, Omar, Aladdin, Kassim" and "High Adventure." In the musical, Aladdin sings "Proud of Your Boy" in memory of his late mother, showing his true desire to make her proud.

The song explores Aladdin's "aspirations and insecurities." In the musical, Aladdin is homeless and steals food to survive. He remembers a promise he made to himself after his mother's death. He seeks her forgiveness and promises to become a street entertainer instead of a "worthless street rat." In the movie, Aladdin doesn't have this motivation. "Proud of Your Boy" acts as Aladdin's "I want" song in the show. It adds depth to his character that we don't see in the cartoon. The song also shows that Aladdin wants to be a prince not just for Jasmine, but also to please his mother. This helps show his natural "goodness."

Director Casey Nicholaw explained that when Aladdin sings "Proud of Your Boy," you learn more about him and how he feels like an underdog. The song becomes a repeating theme for Aladdin throughout the musical. The first part of the musical ends with Aladdin wishing to be a prince and singing "Proud of Your Boy" again.

Beth Deitchman from D23 believes the song "has become a powerful part of" the musical. Beguelin described "Proud of Your Boy" as a song everyone can relate to. He said that at some point, everyone wants to make their parents proud.

Music and Lyrics

"Proud of Your Boy" is a serious power ballad. It is performed "with determination" in the key of D major. Adam Jacobs' singing range in the song goes from E₃ to F♯₄. The song lasts 2 minutes and 20 seconds. Sara Franks-Allen called the song bittersweet, and Dan Goldwasser described it as "tender." The song is sung by a tenor voice, which Elizabeth Marie Himchak called "soulful." It is a simple solo song with orchestral music.

The demo version of the song on the Aladdin special edition soundtrack lasts 2 minutes and 29 seconds. Heather Phares described it as "an earnest ballad in the style of 'A Whole New World'."

"Proud of Your Boy" is about the relationship between a son and his mother. Christian Ziebarth wrote that the song shows "every child's desire to make their mother proud." The lyrics begin, "Proud of your boy, I'll make you proud of your boy." Aladdin apologizes to his mother for being "one rotten kid" and "a louse and a loafer." Amy Ratcliffe believes the lyrics are relatable to anyone who has felt like they are not good enough.

The lyrics include: "I'll do my best, what else can I do? / Since I wasn't born perfect like Dad or you / Mom, I will try to Try hard to make you / Proud of your boy." The song promises that Aladdin will "turn over a new leaf and end his 'screwin’-up times'."

Muthi Achadiat Kautsar said the song shows "a young man's reassurance to his mother that he will be a good man, despite how bad he'd been." Jacobs said the song took on a "new meaning" for him after his own children were born and his grandmother passed away. Menken noted that many men relate deeply to the song because they often go through a phase where they feel they are disappointing their parents. Actor Graeme Isaako, who played Aladdin in other productions, agreed that the song is very relatable. He said it can apply to many situations, like losing parents or starting a new journey.

Live Performances and Covers

Singer Clay Aiken covered "Proud of Your Boy" for the film's 2004 special edition DVD release. He also used it to promote his first concert tour that year.

In 2016, Brad Kane sang "Proud of Your Boy" before a concert called "The Little Mermaid in Concert." Adam Jacobs sang "Proud of Your Boy" at a special event for Disney Theatrical Productions. Alan Menken has performed the song live many times. It was the first song Menken performed for Billboard's "Billboard on Broadway" series in 2017. From 2017 to 2019, Menken often performed "Proud of Your Boy" as an extra song at his "A Whole New World of Alan Menken" concerts.

Menken dedicated the song to Ashman at the D23 Expo in 2017. Courtney Potter from D23 wrote that it "holds a special place in our hearts." Menken's 2019 performance in Chicago happened after his own parents had passed away. He used "Proud of Your Boy" to honor both them and Ashman. In 2019, actor Clinton Greenspan sang "Proud of Your Boy" at a special Aladdin celebration before he took over the main role on Broadway.

Singer Clay Aiken recorded an orchestral version of "Proud of Your Boy" for the Aladdin 2004 DVD release. The music video for his cover includes storyboard drawings and sketches from the movie. The video shows Aiken singing in a recording studio with an orchestra. Scott Chitwood said Aiken's voice was "perfect for the tune." Bill Desowitz wrote that Aiken's version showed "a more intimate vision" of Aladdin's character. Michael Sheridan praised Aiken's performance, saying he has a powerful voice "ideally suited for Broadway."

The DVD also includes a "making-of" video with Aiken and Menken. It has rough storyboard animation with Ashman and Menken's demo of "Proud of Your Boy." Aiken's cover was also on the album Disneymania 3 (2005). Disney helped sponsor Aiken's first concert tour, where all 50 concerts began with a video of his "Proud of Your Boy" cover.

In 2014, actor and singer Darren Criss performed the song for an ABC TV special. He played the guitar while singing. His version was simpler than the Broadway version but still "beautifully plaintive."

Impact of the Song

"Proud of Your Boy" has become one of the Aladdin musical's most famous songs. While its popularity grew when it was included on The Music Behind the Magic album, most people today learned about the song through the musical. It became a "staple" of the show. However, even before the musical, "Proud of Your Boy" was popular among theater fans and people auditioning for shows. Menken called it a "secret thing" that people would perform at auditions.

ShowTickets.com listed the song among "The 10 Best Musical Numbers from Disney's Stage Musicals." They praised it for helping audiences understand Aladdin better. Aaron Kaburick from BroadwayWorld called "Proud of Your Boy" "perfect for any Disney audition." Actor Telly Leung said the song "found new life in the stage production."

There was talk about whether the song would be in the live-action Aladdin movie (2019). Jackson McHenry joked that fans would be upset if it wasn't included. While the full song was not in the movie, parts of its music were used in the film's background score.