Something There facts for kids

"Something There" is a popular song from Walt Disney Pictures' animated movie Beauty and the Beast, released in 1991. The song was written by Howard Ashman, who wrote the words, and Alan Menken, who wrote the music.

In the film, the song is sung by most of the main characters. The main singers are Paige O'Hara as Belle and Robby Benson as the Beast. Other characters like Lumiere (voiced by Jerry Orbach), Mrs. Potts (voiced by Angela Lansbury), and Cogsworth (voiced by David Ogden Stiers) also sing parts. It's the only song the Beast sings in the movie. You hear "Something There" when Belle and the Beast start to realize they have feelings for each other.

This song was added to the movie at the last minute. It was created to replace a longer song called "Human Again". The actors, Paige O'Hara and Robby Benson, recorded their parts with a live orchestra. Critics have really liked "Something There", praising Howard Ashman's skill as a songwriter and storyteller.

How the Song Was Made

"Something There" was created by the talented team of Howard Ashman (lyrics) and Alan Menken (music). Alan Menken explained that they wrote it very quickly. It was meant to replace another song called "Human Again".

The original song, "Human Again", was cut from Beauty and the Beast. It was thought to be "too big" for the movie. It was about eleven minutes long! Producer Don Hahn said they couldn't make it fit without taking away from the main story of Belle and the Beast.

When "Human Again" was removed, Ashman and Menken had to come up with something new. They needed a simpler and shorter song. This led to the creation of "Something There". The creative team realized they needed a quiet moment. This moment would show the Beast giving Belle his library. This scene and song helped the movie's story feel right.

Singers' Ideas

Robby Benson, who voiced the Beast, shared a secret in his book. He said it was Paige O'Hara's idea for him to sing a duet with Belle. Paige O'Hara told Ashman and Menken that Robby Benson had sung in musicals before.

Paige O'Hara had a little trouble recording one line: "a bit alarming." Howard Ashman was sick and had to talk to her from his hospital bed. He simply told her "Streisand." He meant he wanted her to sound like the famous singer Barbra Streisand. Once she tried that, Paige O'Hara recorded the line perfectly.

What the Song Sounds Like

"Something There" is a playful song inspired by Broadway musicals. It's about Belle and the Beast realizing they have a new connection. They sing that "there's something there that wasn't there before."

The song is two minutes and eighteen seconds long. This makes it one of the shorter songs on the movie's soundtrack. It shares some musical ideas with Belle's earlier song, "Belle". One of Belle's parts in "Something There" is like a repeat of a tune from "Belle."

The song features soft, flowing violins in the background. This gentle music helps show the new feelings between Belle and the Beast. The way the notes are played shows their uncertainty about their new relationship.

Song Lyrics and Meaning

In the first part of the song, Belle sings about why she's drawn to the Beast. She sings: "There's something sweet/And almost kind/But he was mean/And he was coarse and unrefined/But now he's dear/And so unsure/I wonder why I didn't see it there before."

The Beast's part shows his surprise at Belle's reaction. He sings: "when we touched she didn't shudder at my paw." Many people were surprised by how deep and rich Robby Benson's singing voice was.

Finally, Belle sings a part that connects everything. She sings: "New and a bit alarming/Who'd have ever thought that this could be?/True, that he's no Prince Charming/But there's something in him that I simply didn't see." By the end of "Something There," the audience understands what Belle and the Beast are feeling. It also shows how new and confusing these emotions are for them.