Savages (Pocahontas song) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids "Savages" |
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|---|---|
| Song by David Ogden Stiers, Jim Cummings and Judy Kuhn | |
| from the album Pocahontas: An Original Disney Records Soundtrack | |
| Released | May 30, 1995 |
| Genre | Film score |
| Length | 1:43 (Part 1) 2:15 (Part 2) |
| Label | Walt Disney Records |
| Composer(s) | Alan Menken |
| Lyricist(s) | Stephen Schwartz |
| Producer(s) | Alan Menken |
"Savages" is a song from the 1995 Disney animated film Pocahontas. It addresses themes of othering, xenophobia, and genocide. The song has been met with negative reviews from critics, with some deeming it to be racist, stating that it encourages the listener to dehumanize Native Americans.
Synopsis
The song sees the colonists and the Native Americans sing about how the other group are savages, and how they will go to war to wipe out the other race. The "Powhatans and the colonists break into the same song as they prepare for the upcoming battle".
Composition
Pocahontas sings counterpoint melodies during the song which are variations on "Colors of the Wind" and "Steady As The Beating Drum". She sings of peace and love to juxtapose their words.
The song has two parts.
This is a "war call that brings back fond memories of the ensemble layers of "Mob Song" in the 1991 film Beauty and the Beast and the ominous tone of "Hellfire" in the 1996 film The Hunchback of Notre Dame".
Themes
The song condemns the mixing of races, which some critiques have pointed out is a social construct. The colonist side is critical of those who do not believe in a Christian God. That side also claims "Native Americans are not civilized, normal, and educated people". The Native Americans also demonize the Whites, describing them as "demon and paleface", and wondering if they bleed. It is "heavily emphasized that the difference between the two peoples are the real cause of the war".
