Jodi Benson Recording Part Of Your World (Long Version)

Jodi Benson in the studio with Howard Ashman recording "Part Of Your World" from "The Little Mermaid." From the bonus features of the film "Waking Sleeping Beauty".

[@caelkins2458]

“Ok so Make sure to hit this impossible note” Jodi Benson: “Ok”

[@diyanahazman2981]

Cameron E. when was that?

[@haydencooper_]

@@diyanahazman2981 i think he was making a little joke. 😆

[@Marco_Fabian37]

Hayden Cooper not a good joke because this is literally in speech comfort pitch.

[@RoyFlush716]

Jodi: "Hold my beer"

[@SMSmediaservices]

Cameron E. This comment just gave me the best laugh that I truly needed at a very rough time in my life. Thank you, my friend!

[@fam6883]

If i have her voice, i'll sing all day

[@WizardOfHumor1989]

F Am She would make a great talk therapist for autistic people cope with their struggles

[@chrisparra7459]

Billy Ray alright then?? Lol the fuck

[@MrParkerman6]

*had her voice.

[@unicorn3206]

Only the witch had her voice

[@amyperez8770]

I made you're comment 1k likes

[@donkissbaby993]

Jodi Benson and Lea Salonga is both a Disney Legend Princesses!

[@balbalbulbul4971]

No, lea is only singing voice

[@muhammadadamsanibinmohdsof8189]

@@balbalbulbul4971 hey shes still Jasmine

[@WizardOfHumor1989]

Aly Bernales Ilene Woods (Cinderella) was probably some motivation for her intimate singing

[@Alluponit31]

Aly Bernales LEGENDS

[@teabag3211]

Balbal Bulbul and

[@eddieyyy3]

I mean he was even directing the BREATHS she took between words and how important they were to the intensity he was trying to keep subtle and immense at the same time. Phenomenal director.

[@darth_kal-el]

That would be Howard Ashman. He isn’t really the director. He wrote the lyrics to all the great Disney songs Little Mermaid Aladdin Beauty and the Beast. Sadly he died from complications from AIDS in 1991. Beauty and the Beast is dedicated in his Memory with the dedication reading “He gave a mermaid her voice and a beast his soul.”

[@ThisReckless]

Yeah absolutely, the breaths and emotion put in was vital. Without a good relationship the person would probably get really frustrated and stressed out lol. The hardest part is getting what you have in your head out into the audio, and usually it’s done through someone else.

[@jpdelete]

pretty common for vocal work... even for signers not in movies. but yes, cool nonetheless

[@faith4disney]

I guess you never took a choir class before lol

[@upordown7960]

That is not unusual.

[@mitsuayushi2088]

Gosh her voice is so good

[@manuelorozco7760]

The first time I heard her sing was in Thumbelina

[@Kenlac92]

Gawrsh *hiccup*

[@jorgecabezas1966]

Nobody in this universe or in any other can replace jodie benson's work in the movie

[@-i_own_you_-]

Was*

[@chenxiaoxi8822]

@@-i_own_you_- that comment is like 4 years ago ☠️?

[@haydencooper_]

That little laugh at 1:41 really encapsulates Ariel.

[@eSKAone-]

☺️

[@AR-ed8jp]

Yep! And unfortunately Halle won’t have those small inflections.

[@tinas8211]

A R girl...stop being a racist

[@bribear0030]

Archie Lamont can you like not lol

[@AR-ed8jp]

Bri truth hurts! She won’t pull it off 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@NR-fg2qc]

Oh wow, you can really see Ashman try to pull Jodi towards the version we end up seeing in the final animation. Without his instruction we might have ended up with a really different feel to that scene.

[@patrickmanway290]

The crazy thing is, the Disney excecs wanted to cut this song from the movie originally.

[@clarebrennan3417]

@@patrickmanway290 what😭

[@joefriedman9843]

@@jonc3214 Fuck that kid hahah

[@AaronAlert77]

@@jonc3214 unbelievable it’s the best scene in the film

[@MissBetsy131]

Yup RiP Ashman DISNEY LEGEND

[@adil8700]

I’m surprised this wasn’t nominated at the Oscar for best original song

[@manuelorozco7760]

So am I. It’s like Ariel got upstaged by Sebastian

[@iago07]

It wasn’t submitted, but really should have been... Filmmakers can submit 2 songs and the production team chose Under the Sea (won the Oscar) and Kiss the Girl (was also nominated).

[@paoroliaz1207]

Same. Its the one disney song that brings a LOT of people to tears.

[@smaylincaballeros6238]

Same here, I guess there were too much talent in those years that was hard to choose between. But here we are in 2023 and “peaches peaches peaches” is about to be nominated 😂

[@sharkiealami7817]

@@iago07 first they considered cutting out this song from the movie, now I learned they didn’t even submit Part of Your World for Oscar at all? They’re really a bunch of morons running the company

[@bg11211]

You gotta admit theres occasions when Disney can pick em

[@AnIdiotsLantern]

She was a mostly unknown Broadway actress too. WHere they found her, I have no idea, but boy was she a find.

[@rfrolicarts]

@@AnIdiotsLantern Howard Ashman brought her in because he had worked with her while directing the musical "Smile". It was his vision to cast Broadway actors.

[@neveroddoreven6597]

AnIdiotsLantern They usually do pick good actors and singers nowadays. Idina Menzel was perfect for Elsa, and actually, everyone was good in Frozen, Tangled, and Wreck-It-Ralph. They all fit the characters movements, inflections, and overs character.

[@manuelorozco7760]

@@neveroddoreven6597 I wore my Wicked T shirt to see Frozen in Idina’s honor at the El Capitan Theater. I was excited when I heard she was going to do the movie alongside Kirsten Bell.

[@Wxtst.3]

@@rfrolicarts I wish they still did that. Casting Broadway actors.

[@daisylee7406]

Fun fact: The lights were dimmed in the recording studio so that the atmosphere would be right for Jodi. They wanted every single thing to be perfect ☺️

[@sssraven9842]

Source? Otherwise you're just pulling facts out of your ass.

[@nut4ku]

damn you're right

[@TheSebastian5978]

All the light fixtures back in 1989 were like that. Incandescent lights were cool, none of that energy saving (planet saving) LED nonsense like today.

[@Bensvids7]

It worked!

[@mcs7625]

They literally said that in the video.

[@VictoriaWhitlock]

Idk why but her voice makes me cry

[@alexamiller5325]

same

[@adrianaavila8853]

Me too

[@blakedanielle2000]

nostalgia 😭

[@princessrose1671]

It’s the nostalgia... we all have seen this movie as young children and we loved it so much!! 😭😭❤️❤️

[@SASSY20]

Wow. Yup- I just teared up! It was watching this song sung live by the actual singer and definitely the memories of the past and also seeing her passion for it.

[@nicksurfs1]

The fact that she understood and took impossible directions is what made this so epic. Art is easier done than communicated, so it’s awesome that they were able to vibe together to make this so epic.

[@devintheguru]

The directions were very understandable, but you gotta understand music and acting which is what he was conveying to her. She's a musical theater performer, so she's used to projecting her voice to 1,500 people, lol. Meanwhile he keeps reminding her, remember... intimate. Soft voice. Everything you do is BIG. He was taking a very powerful singer and fine tuning her. You can tell when she performs this live that she still has that full on singing tendency, which is fine for a live performance. But for the purpose of the film, he wanted a more sing songy intimate style of musical expression.

[@thenewavenger6650]

Holy fuck yes…you are so correct

[@Jl2damax]

They were vibing, she was feeding off his energy and him hers. Pushing her towards what he envisioned. Amazing.

[@Briansongman]

“Inner intensity”. YES!! It’s absolute magic when she lets go of the idea that she’s singing and comes from her heart. Such a cliche I know. But you hear it.

[@ste-phy]

​@@Jl2damaxMagic ❤

[@rokuwhitefox7764]

Howard Ashman, you left the world too soon. He deeply loved and cared about his work and made lyrics that will be timeless. He was one of the greatest.

[@Adamguy2003]

As the tribute to him at the end of 'Beauty and the Beast' put it, "He gave a mermaid her voice, and a beast his soul."

[@manuelorozco7760]

He would have lived to be the Oscar Hammerstein II of Disney Animation

[@patrickmanway290]

He's the man most responsible for the Renaissance era, in my view.

[@miap6844]

Bless him. I hope he Rests In Peace.

[@liprincessprincess]

So much was lost when he passed all too soon. May he RIP.

[@DayDreamer1171]

Even when she talks normally you can hear the Ariel voice

[@Mike-hy8cs]

Well yeah cause she didn't really change it for the voice acting.

[@lozebel]

She's also Barbie in the Toy Story movies.

[@GrowingwithAnastasia]

@@lozebel REALLY?!?!

[@pyrokatarina]

@@lozebel really???

[@alphden408]

I mean.. thats her voice

[@samusarmada]

"intensity is better than enormous" is such an interesting point by Ashman, and one that modern artists would do well to remember

[@sarahtherunner]

Yes! This is exactly why I've liked the live action remakes but haven't loved them like I did the original animated ones. They're going big in the new ones and not just letting the emotion of the songs and the stories shine through. Bigger isn't better sometimes.

[@TheSaltyLibrarian]

Not only is Howard's direction so meticulous, but I'm also so touched by his professionalism in these clips. He's throwing a lot of seemingly contradictory asks at her very quickly and you can see her getting anxious, but he's very gentle and supportive. He uses positive reinforcement throughout and puts her comfort level first. He knows that his job isn't to drain her to exhaustion trying to find what he wants but help her get to an area where she can understand that vision and act on it. Just really cool seeing respect and kindness in a world where a lot of people believe that actors should be treated like brutalized animals.

[@ASH12B]

I mean, if actors are payed millions of dollars to just either memorize, act or sing, of course the person paying all that money wants perfection

[@keirajenner8310]

This is one of the hardest song of all the Disney princess movies to sing live. I got the role to play her in a musical theatre once and it was really hard to sing live. Bow down to her though, she made it sound so effortlessly beautiful i haven't sound as good as her singing this song.

[@veronicalalalala]

well obviously the song was catered around her voice! she is the original obviously no one can hit her notes and sound as good.

[@keirajenner8310]

oki cools yeah it makes sense when you put it like that

[@itsisaiahwatson9080]

oki cools oh sis

[@zohoney9288]

Damnn Part of your world is hard song ;----;

[@musicislyfe1672]

Keira jenner hardest to sing period

[@ctluvr-lq9ws]

If I had her voice I would never shut up

[@rfrolicarts]

It is fascinating to watch Howard Ashman. He must be what folks like to call "an actor's director" - his vision was so specific and singular. Disney owes an enormous debt to his all-too-missed talents.

[@meeksanimationstudios]

Specific...?

[@rfrolicarts]

@@meeksanimationstudios He doesn't just say "Ariel is sad here, be sadder," he gives really specific directions about intonation of certain lines and what vocal quality he wants Ariel to have. On Broadway you're projecting larger-than-life volume and emotion to reach an audience in a larger space. Howard wanted more intimacy in this setting of voice acting for the screen. He was able to coax it out of her because he knew exactly what he wanted. Listen to his demo of this song on KZbin. The way the lines are delivered all sound very similar.

[@valentinefontaine275]

Rebecca Froehlich excuse me I am French and I love cinema and animation. I would love to do this job. What is the name in English please ? Because I am looking for my university and ect. And it is very difficult to search a job like this in 🇫🇷. I study music 🎶 and I have a little diplom ( 6years )

[@internetual7350]

@@valentinefontaine275 I'm literally 3 years late so you've probably graduated 💀but I think what you're looking for is "music director"

[@valentinefontaine275]

@@internetual7350 Thanks anyway ! it s crazy i do not remember writing this comment. I am currently a film student. I have just remembered that I used to have a big interest in movies score (which I still have but I dont want to pursue in this field) 😀

[@ishmaelwolfsbane117]

As a 33 year old grown man, this song completely breaks me down every time. What an incredible performance, and such a treat to watch the original recording session as it happened 30+ years ago. Thanks for posting!

[@jacksrightarm]

Same and I am 37:)

[@adrianaavila8853]

Same I’m so grateful to witness this. I adore the song and the emotion throughout especially all her little gasps.

[@bryttafitzgibbons6901]

@@jacksrightarm Same and I am also 37.

[@thickerconstrictor9037]

I'm 33. And same. Ashman was a genius. Absolutely brilliant. Tragic what happened and what could have been.

[@ChristinaMagma]

29 here and still gives me goosebumps!

[@meltedmarshdaddy]

This is Broadway lead - level talent. Shes got the voice, shes got the looks, and shes got the skills. Incredible.

[@David-yk8ze]

@@lutzaby1997 Professional singers can sound amazing, but there's artistic flair and personality here, a polish that goes above and beyond. To a trained ear the difference is obvious, and that is undoubtedly why she got the part over other pro singers and voice talents.

[@lekoman]

I mean - they gave her a lead role in a huge Disney movie for a reason... :)

[@nicoletrudell2065]

She has also literally starred on Broadway.

[@user-mb7vd3ky3i]

She was on Broadway before

[@davnalones6265]

She looks old. Even back then if they would have made a live version of the movie she would still have been the voice behind the character. Voice yes, looks ? Nah 👎🏾

[@user-rv6pj1jx7s]

I loved the intense version of Ariel, especially that vibrato on the “burn” word, yiiish gives me chills

[@skip031890]

I keep rewinding that part. It gives me chills too.

[@CeeBee781]

The whole song is so emotive but that line and the “bright young woman” line are my favorite moments. That look when she says “ right young women” is just iconic and the pure feeling when she sings that word “burn”. So beautiful

[@kayjeffs3741]

Yes! My favorite part of the song!

[@luizag123]

@@CeeBee781its absolutely perfect how she starts completely defeated and merely day dreaming, but by the end she has more resolve and I think the dream feels a little more possible to her 😢

[@alexanderpytko5394]

Howard having Jodi in a small room, with not much light because he knew it would get her into character as Ariel is supposed to sing this song in an enclosed cavern with only a little light shining in. Howard really knew how to get actors into their character. Brilliant man.

[@manuelorozco7760]

I would have liked to see how he worked with Robin Williams doing Friend Like Me

[@alexanderpytko5394]

​@@manuelorozco7760 He didn't. By the time they had casted the voice actors for Aladdin, Howard had already passed away. He started working on Aladdin right after The Little Mermaid and got part way through he had written some of the story and 3 of the songs but then Disney wanted him to be in charge of Beauty and the Beast so Aladdin was put on hold. And as we know, Howard died before Beauty and the Beast was fully completed.

[@manuelorozco7760]

@@alexanderpytko5394 Oh bummer

[@zgrad1]

You’re watching Ashman create the aesthetic that defined Disney for the next 30 years. Amazing. RIP King.

[@mariahguerrero3752]

Her voice is so beautiful. It gives me chills..

[@cocoabeanie1747]

It really is

[@alexanderpytko5394]

They're preparing the scene where Ariel sings, "Part of Your World," in the cavern in the movie, "The Little Mermaid." It's hard to believe that that scene almost got cut from the film! Some members on the production team thought it should be cut because they felt that it would slow the movie down but Howard insisted that it stay in because it's necessary, it shows that Ariel has other reasons to want to be in the human world besides just being in love with Eric. Roy Disney also backed Howard up 100% on this. Roy also insisted that the scene should stay in the movie because it was an important scene. Roy said that sometimes a movie has to be slowed down and added that if his Uncle Walt was here, he'd also be siding with Howard. So it was agreed that the scene should stay and it turned to be a good thing, too.

[@Scripture-Man]

It had to be in the movie because it's an amazing song which gives us the heart and soul of the central character and elevates the movie to classic status! Cutting this song would be like removing "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" from the Wizard of Oz!

[@alexanderpytko5394]

@@Scripture-Man Exactly! Very good comparison! Howard would've agreed with you on that. Howard explained that the first, second or sometimes the third song in a musical is sung by the main character and it makes you fall in love with them. "Part of Your World," is that song in The Little Mermaid.

[@_scriblr_1010]

@@alexanderpytko5394 Especially since it's Ariel's "I want" song. It's how the audience connects to her character and without it that connection wouldn't be the same

[@cattycorner8]

Thank you so much for this story, Alexander Pytko wherever you are!

[@argella1300]

Wild to me that they almost cut the main character’s “I Want” song from a musical!

[@sRp517]

I love the fact that Ashman is directing her and telling her exactly what needs to be done. He had a clear vision of what impact this scene/song needed. Also the fact that she's willing to take criticism and work with him shows that she cares just as much. Not like nowadays where they say, "Yeah just sing the song. It'll be fine. No acting necessary". In these live-action remakes, they cast great singers but when there's no actual acting and direction involved, the songs fall incredibly flat. Zero emotion from the singer = Zero impact on the audience.

[@scottishjedi1522]

It’s because in the remakes they’re just imitating the work of the earlier songwriters, whereas here, you see Howard Ashman meticulously directing Benson to give the perfect performance because he- the songwriter- knows exactly how he wants it done. Nowadays they’re just imitating and it shows. The passion of a Howard Ashman to get the most out of every little detail is gone.

[@Ribby00]

That's so incredible. His direction is so good

[@sarahtherunner]

Her voice is the best voice Disney has ever had. Hands down. Her talent and understanding of music and the emotion behind it is unmatched. She inspired my love of singing ❤

[@scottishjedi1522]

It’s been her and Lea Salonga for sure

[@ajwalker2365]

Belle in the first B&B was best

[@trinitybair7516]

Wow she's so young here. I love her voice, and it somehow still has the same quality after all that time.

[@myar3380]

johnny bravo yes it’s from 20-50 is young still

[@random7509]

28 is young lol are you guys high

[@myar3380]

Random! It’s more the Johnny Bravo kid that’s so high something.

[@Tornado1994]

@@random7509 26 when this was recorded.

[@jackspry9736]

RIP Howard Ashman (May 17, 1950 - March 14, 1991), aged 40 You will be remembered as a legend.

[@DaveFisher-cq2dr]

amen!

[@plawson8577]

@@DaveFisher-cq2dr He died of AIDS.

[@tcrijwanachoudhury]

He died so young..

[@DaveFisher-cq2dr]

@@tcrijwanachoudhury indeed he did

[@paoloalfante3801]

Howard Ashman, RIP, doing his best to massage Jodi's beautiful voice down to a more gentle conversational monologue. You can see his frustration in his eyes in trying to be as polite as possible. What this shows is that true visionaries know what they want. That's the difference, they're not winging it.

[@marcoaguilera1171]

Paolo Alfante yesss u can see him roll his eyes at 52 seconds

[@marshmellowlover146]

@@marcoaguilera1171 I dont see it

[@marcoaguilera1171]

♥MarshmellowLover♥ sorry check 1:01 after she says dancing

[@devintheguru]

Well, he's working with a musical theater performer, and she is not used to the whole "less is more" concept in performing. She doesn't have that luxury, so she kept asking for feedback if her intensity has dropped enough. They're both professional and working well despite the constant tweaking and directing. They're both amazing in their collaboration.

[@bob1986]

@smarts It's not an eyeroll. It's more like his eyes go up in a slight wince. Like he's thinking to himself "No that's not quite what I'm looking for."

[@a3lorenzo]

She's so magical, the remake can't come close to the magic of this one. Her emotions just hit you so hard, you feel her joy and sadness at the same time, about wanting something that's impossible to get.

[@CeeBee781]

I can’t WAIT to see the new one. I always thought this would make a beautiful live action. I just hope they change it d ouch to let this be the classic it is and let the new one be something new. I hate when they just copy the animated film almost line for line and just make it live. Lame and disrespectful to the original

[@fratervinny]

@@CeeBee781 What did you think of the remake?

[@minniemin1324]

@@CeeBee781 you thought the new one would be respectful? lol

[@bloodcottoncandy1514]

I think the new one just lacks an emotionally clear directive.

[@Fuzzysea693]

@@minniemin1324what the fuck is that supposed to mean?

[@AddBowIfGirl]

The minor notes she opts for on the words “people know” that make it to final version are pretty iconic to my ears. I wonder if that was an accident.

[@CDX7]

Interesting observation, thank you. Given this video I can only imagine it was deliberate, but curious minds wonder how that came about and why.

[@terrybrannigan1249]

My favorite part. I view it not as going into minor but almost going into jazz singer style microtonal inflection

[@clarissaleung4509]

It's less "rehearsed" and "sing-y". I think it's very evident in the directions she's given here and the distinction between this take and the final version that made it into the movie. The final version is a lot more raw, real, human, full of character and emotion. It's like what Howard Ashman's saying here: "Every little breath you take is enormous [and] registered... It's about emotion and not letting it out..." It's more about the inner intensity instead of the "noise". Had Jodi Benson chose to belt throughout the entire song, the magic and the human quality of the piece will be lost. It will be entirely pointless. Which is why I absolutely love Disney's Renaissance era and Part of Your World; everything was executed with such integrity and respect for the art and was done to the essence of Disney. Part of Your World is one of the best musical character studies I know; it's such a good "I want" song and it tells the audience everything they need to know about Ariel. That burning desire to get to the shore and explore another world which she loves so very much, getting held back by her father and own circumstances and having all that emotions, passion, joy, desperation, anguish built up to that very point. Ariel (Jodi) gasps and takes such exhilarating breaths full of wonder and excitement when she sings about all the gadgets she has collected from the world she so very wants to be a part of; it's all about that human emotion and it's absolutely beautiful. This take in the video sounds beautiful musically and Jodi has a wonderful voice, but it pales in comparison to the take they chose for the movie.

[@barabasbanana9107]

nothing is an accident, every breath is directed, the combination of these artists made it epic

[@avisal3645]

I've played several transposed versions of sheet music, that part just feels weird in almost every transposed version

[@brrrrrrrrino]

Brought tears to my eyes and chills down my legs. The Little Mermaid has always held a special place in my heart. Takes me back to being a kid

[@xs0528]

Hey, you’ve got 100 likes! Nice work!

[@SoloJourneyandPJ]

This right here! 😭💝👏🏾

[@andiflores4638]

Me too🥺

[@aakeeiaariana]

Same I used to watch the little mermaid every single day 😢❤

[@Kkpringz3]

Reminds me of my daughter. I sang this to her everytime she was upset since she was a newborn. Always bought her Ariel dolls, and stuffed toys. We got gifted Disney tickets when she was 15 months old. The girl was so uninterested in every single princess. Cinderella? Boring. Snow White? Boring. Rapunzel? Boring. But when we got to Ariel…her little face 😭 She smiled, talked to her, it made me cry. She knew that was Ariel. Ariel said “we’ll you’re the cutest little guppy I’ve ever seen” Thinking of it brought tears to my eyes. Those pictures are my absolute favorite, and sure to cheer me up in my darkest moments.🥹❤️

[@gbeo778]

This is why people can’t compare the live action and 1989 cartoon. They let hailey hit the high notes and show off her voice, while they cared more about the pure emotion in 1989 because the stage wasn’t set yet.

[@mwahhha226]

cartoons are more about emotion bc it’s not a real face so they have to over compensate

[@pandovicinorbert]

Exactly!

[@kithalie]

@@mwahhha226 Halle didn’t have face. She was far from an amazing actress. Her face barely changed the whole movie

[@MsHoneyPanda]

@@kithaliethat’s what I’m saying!!! She has like two facial expressions 😭

[@AdamWest1290]

​@kithalie she honestly looked like an alien really

[@artnandez]

Back when animated films didn’t need to rely on big name actors to voice their characters, only talented voice actors/singers that actually fit the characters

[@manuelorozco7760]

I actually don’t mind how voice casting works as long as the movie itself is good

[@diannestacie]

YO FACTS

[@TyeArtisik]

Ikr smh

[@CeeBee781]

@I-Will-Destroy-U Ppl like you are so foul. You realize gay and black ppl have always been talented worthy performers? And that black ppl in party were underrepresented in show biz for most of history? And now it’s “Waaahh what about the past? I miss the past boohoooo” please.

[@asianmaddness56]

I noticed that too. Why do we need celebs to come in pj’s and half ass the voice acting? Hire broadway actors/actresses that can sing 100x better and cost 1/100th of the price. From an economic standpoint it makes sense. Just need an original script and good direction.

[@deenakaddoura]

Jodi is such a legend. Her voice is out of this world

[@DaveFisher-cq2dr]

so was Howard Ashman, god rest his soul, gone too soon

[@TheRetroOreo]

My god, Howard Ashman was an absolute genius.

[@blahblahblahaha]

Props to him he was very correct to push for the energy that was captured in the film. No one would care for the song if she did it all broadway and super technical. He wanted something raw and authentic and that’s what we got and adore.

[@joewhitehead3]

Ironically, this ended up becoming a broadway show

[@user-oo7dw4qw4b]

Jodi admitted that she tends to sing it loudly because she is a musical theater person, but she's happy that she achieved what Howard and Alan wanted, intensity without being to loud.

[@traviselrod7803]

Part of your world is the single best vocal performance in the history of Disney Animation.

[@lozebel]

I actually think you're right.

[@mypersonalstuff8456]

Agreed. From a 59-year-old man who’s still enamored at the magic they created 30 years ago.

[@tidela4714]

“Intimate.” This right here is why I love this version more than the new one. It’s sweet and subtle. It’s supposed to be.

[@jaco5187]

The songs from The Little Mermaid are probably among the best songs Disney ever put out. Howard Ashman was such an awesome songwriter. He left us way too soon.

[@DaveFisher-cq2dr]

yes indeed, awesome songwriter, left us too soon

[@Tornado1994]

@@DaveFisher-cq2dr He died of AIDS in 1991 at 40. His first BF had infected him in 1984.

[@receptive_skeptic]

THIS will forever by the Arial that I will cherish and remember...

[@aceventuraify]

At this time Jodie Benson was an unknown actor/singer in her mid twenties and just landed her dream role. Amazing to see her in the studio working on this song when she has no idea how special it will be and that people are still captivated by it and singing along with it 35 years later and it’s ranked by many media outlets as one of the greatest Disney songs of all time.

[@astridvvv9662]

The best, likely.

[@june3329]

2023 still getting goosebumps

[@alyssanicoleparreno8235]

wait 'til the little mermaid live will come out in theaters and this video will have more views

[@TheeeDanielR]

Alyssa Nicole Parreño YES

[@StellaOrdonez669]

@D B Precisely

[@kcdemetro987]

bet

[@PrinceJes]

Fact

[@scottiejerwinabejuela4973]

Exactly.

[@salmasky744]

2024 and still speechless. I’ll keep coming back. 😍🙌🏽🎉

[@bryancash9051]

Everyone talking about Jodi but Howard’s direction is just important

[@sarahcampbell1115]

Howard was the GOAT. Such a loss.

[@damaracarpenter8316]

@@sarahcampbell1115 i know i cry watching these old videos of him.. think of all the beautiful things we've missed out on because of his passing 😭

[@joewhitehead3]

& to think, he was I’ll by this time, but was still working hard

[@plawson8577]

@@sarahcampbell1115 Little Shop of Horrors.

[@smurf902]

Howard WAS the characters. That's why they are so special. They came from someplace within him.

[@scraggledy]

Howard had such passion for the beautiful lyrics he wrote.

[@itiswhatitaintanditaintwha1427]

This was the song that made me fall in love with her voice! Literally got goosebumps.

[@manuelorozco7760]

I first heard her sing as Thumbelina

[@nururaicham8421]

When she sang "up where thet walk up where they run up where they stay all the day in the sun" had me in tears

[@blessingmichael3204]

Jodi is still the best of all time

[@patalb4374]

Howard was a genius.

[@oklu_]

I miss you, Howard. You made the overall feel and identity of this song and it keeps going in 2023

[@reesee9388]

The giggle after she said 'feet' Idk why i loved it so much 🥹

[@solarheartz]

jodi benson is 18 here. eighteen!!! what an immense talent.

[@joewhitehead3]

She seems older

[@johnappleton5586]

She’s 28. Born in 1961 and the film came out in 1989

[@billvinsmoke3498]

This song is partly a conversation type , feels like you're talking to someone while singing it.

[@maimunaali3072]

ikr always felt that way!!

[@Elvenboadicea]

Her vibrato and control is pure perfection ❤️

[@04Saleen256]

Benson’s voice and Ashman’s directing... what a combination. The final version had such a building emotional intensity. It’s amazing to see how painstaking of a process it was to get it to that point, because the finished product comes across so effortless.

[@tomyamartino]

Howard was a genius. One of the greatest lyricists ever. My inspiration.

[@DaveFisher-cq2dr]

he sure was, he left us too soon

[@plawson8577]

@@DaveFisher-cq2dr His previous BF infected him with AIDS around 1984. His Partner Bill Lauch reveals.

[@levendil14]

As a 37 year old man, I didn't connect with the little mermaid as a child, but seeing the singer and her support staff work through this is more touching than what I experienced as a child. They were artists and trying to communicate something deeply human.

[@manuelorozco7760]

I’ll be 30 next week and I didn’t connect with it as a kid either. I’ve seen better from Disney

[@ianmurphy9955]

Howard Ashman is a legend, even 34 years later Jodi Benson holds up this standard

[@securitygal]

This will always be my favorite little mermaid

[@qtcarmen7d896]

Good for you lol

[@jensenjorshina9945]

Our BEST AND ONLY Ariel!!! ❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@diyosangmaria]

Still the best version

[@master_tiger1]

When I was 9 years old, I fell in love. I'm 38years old now. I love her.still..

[@redrobin3667]

Her singing voice is so beautiful... but... can we talk about her talking voice... is so sweet! That was a perfect cast. Perfect Ariel

[@navileblond9981]

To me its still the most beautiful Disney song ever, always gets me fuzzy. Jodi Benson is the voice of Ariel always and forever. Thank you for gifting us with it all these years. Amazing directors also.

[@MadaxeMunkeee]

The direction is so interesting to watch. Howard Ashman is so locked into Ariel’s character and trying to communicate that quiet desperation for the outside world, and Jodi Benson is young, talented, hard working and trying to translate his direction into concrete singing techniques (more/less sing-y etc). You can tell they really had to work to get to the end product we all know, but the results were worth it. It’s a shame Ashman passed away when he did.

[@zakariashartley]

If you listen to the final version they really did keep a lid on that bright tone she's producing here... It works tho the producer got exactly what he wanted

[@lauratude5132]

Hearing a Disney princess' voice in the making improved my life in some way. Sounds like magic.

[@matthewgregory9665]

Howard Ashman was fucking amazing.

[@mak3m3u9]

Her voice is amazing. Even when she’s just talking omg

[@benjamincohen9696]

This Time when Disney was wonderfull Dreamaker ever ! Her voice carry us to a wonderland .

[@TheHManShow]

This was when Disney had heart!! And when they had Howard

[@sandypeters2257]

Our world had the best of best geniuses. We created things in the 80s and 90s the world will never replicate again

[@FierceGinger]

It's amazing to see this voice I grew up with come to life like this. She was under so much pressure to sing in such a way, but in the end it came out perfectly, so much emotion in it. She did so well!

[@WBrown999]

Ashman was an incredible Director. So sad that he passed away before he could see the completed film.

[@plawson8577]

He died before Beauty and The Beast was completed. Ashman lived to see Little Mermaid.

[@Kristiekins2]

Rest in Peace Howard Ashman, what a legend.

[@joewhitehead3]

To think, he was ill by this time, but he still kept up his work ethic

[@DaveFisher-cq2dr]

@@joewhitehead3 yes, only he knew he was ill, but nobody else knew

[@DaveFisher-cq2dr]

he sure was, a true legend

[@joewhitehead3]

@@DaveFisher-cq2dr They didn’t even suspect, did they?

[@DaveFisher-cq2dr]

@@joewhitehead3 no, only Alan Menken, but it was very close to his last days alive, Alan said so in the making of Beauty and the Beast

[@tumblingdown]

She's making me tear up. 🥹

[@luxuryqueen42]

My eyes started to water up 🥺

[@camiladnl]

luv the way how she looks up, feeling ariel's desire so deeply in her heart

[@user-lk2qh1fl6y]

목소리가 맑다는 게 이런거구나 ... 할리 베일리랑 다니엘이 부른 노래 다 좋았지만 원곡이 제일 좋다... 진짜 그냥 공주 목소리임... 걍 개좋음

[@meibhlannon]

I’m doing this song for my singing grades and I practically can’t breath in it. SHE DOESNT FRIKING LET ME BREATH

[@TheeeDanielR]

Benny the bunny lmao Goodluck

[@normalperson659]

I try to sing this song, but I'm an alto.

[@bryttafitzgibbons6901]

@@normalperson659 Ditto

[@KrystofDreamJourney]

Timeless. Perfect. Never to be matched ! Howard working with Jodi on every single detail, every single breath, word, phrase, sentence - to make it perfect and translate into something meaningful and magical… Talent, perfection and execution merging into one-of-a-time recording. I’m still amazed after all those years and countless performances 😊

[@dennispablo5972]

2020 whos still watching?

[@manuelorozco7760]

I haven’t seen this in nearly a decade

[@Hello_worlddddddddd]

Make it 2021😎

[@hippomonsterboy]

Waayyyyy better than the current one.

[@hippomonsterboy]

@denimso I'm brown

[@frenz_vergz]

​@@hippomonsterboydon't lie😂

[@armandoucles5346]

The joy and precious memories that this woman has given to generations of kids is untouchable. Jodi Benson will forever be a childhood icon.

[@manuelorozco7760]

I’ve been a fan of her since I’ve seen Thumbelina

[@kelliintexas3575]

SHE HAS SANG TO EVERY LITTLE GIRL ON THIS PLANET... Even THIS 44yr old woman. SHE WAS MY FIRST DISNEY PRINCESS ❤

[@tylerc0790]

One can only wonder what Howard Ashman would have gone on to create had he not left us so soon. He is a massive loss and the documentary had me in tears. Hope he is at peace wherever he is.

[@manuelorozco7760]

He and Alan would have become Rogers and Hammerstein of Disney Animation

[@Anon29547]

I’m sorry but this version is 100x better then the new one, I love Haley’s voice but they changed some of the best parts that the composers of the song meticulous guided Jodi into singing it just how they composed it (as seen in this video) the little breaks in her voice, and how she phrases certain parts, where the song builds, this song is amazing and the composers and Jodi has one of the most beautiful voices in my opinion, this is my favorite childhood movie.

[@NatanBryan]

Shut up

[@user-wz4wz2gj4w]

​@@NatanBryanit's true it's not racist is just opinions everybody. Don't have to like Halle's version better then Jodi or Jodi's version better then Hallie's. It's just. The Ariel voice before the movie with Hallie's was ever made so that's why people are mad because the voices are both unique and different in. Their. Own. Ways they both put their little spin into it with their voices. Some people like Jodi's better because it's. Old and it was a long time ago. Basically the original that was made before Hallie's so that's just. How people feel and it's no harm. By feeling that way because everybody has their own feelings about Ariel because the movie with Hallie's has a change in the voice. Plus the whole race. Situation in the movie. I have no problem with her race love Hallie's Ariel just the voice change made me like nah at first but when I actually watched the movie I was like ohh I love this i feel in love with Hallie's version that's all I got to say it's just feelings

[@NatanBryan]

@@user-wz4wz2gj4w The movie is already out, so your opinions dont matter, Mermaids does not exist in real life.

[@user-wz4wz2gj4w]

@@NatanBryan true opinions don't matter but people can still say their opinions if they want if that's how they feel

[@Lola-pq6wm]

I personally think Halle's voice is perfect because she sounds exactly like a 15 year old princess, the original version just sounds like an overly mature voice for a teenager.

[@FoxyWhispers]

*Ariel droppin solid bars*

[@twistednipz7182]

Kelsey Curles I know right lol

[@Island_proper]

TwistedNIPZ 718 eye know right lol 💜

[@mastodonseven]

🤮

[@FoxyWhispers]

@@mastodonseven Shut up

[@mastodonseven]

@@FoxyWhispers init brav

[@matthewtimmers3226]

I heard her speak at a 90s Con and couldn’t believe that the animators didn’t start drawing until AFTER the singing/dialogue. They used HER movements, expressions, emotions to develop the character. The audio wasn’t dubbed over an existing animation. She really had to use her imagination along with the lyricist and musical team to create this character’s every emotion, movement and expressions. Everyone was so talented who worked on this film and all others during this rebirth of Disney animation

[@BahuschBahusch]

To be fair, it's standard in western animation to record the audio after doing the storyboards and before doing the animation. Animating the lips to match the audio is so much more practical than matching audio to already animated lips. Foreign dubs still have to do that but the original language gets to do the voiceover to the storyboards before it's animated.

[@patatacarrillo9724]

I've never heard this song without holding back my tears. It's just so powerful. The breathy verses, the ascending energy, the yearning in her voice. I know she's acting, she's an actress, that's what she does, but it's so perfectly executed that it can make anyone crumble

[@GetToDaChoppa-k5r]

God her voice is pure heaven. She was a great Ariel.

[@KYRSZ-gd1qt]

Now imagine if this man was still alive. The magic would be back in the live action remake.

[@exar8355]

It's all about direction and restraint. Obviously both Jodi and Halle are incredible singers but this version exudes emotion, story and intimacy (she's singing to herself in her own living room). Halle's version is 100% about Halle's voice, which misses the point. She does have emotion in her face but the voice overwhelms all sense of emotion. The writers of "I Wanna Dance" said that they loved Whitney's performance so much because it's restrained in the right moments and yet oozes enthusiasm and passion, which is exactly what the song is about. This Disney song is a very personal song about wanting a different life. It doesn't need to be belted out.

[@SodaPop3092]

This is so beautiful to see young Jodi Benson singing Part Of Your World for the very first time

[@kenjyosanzo]

You'd feel (not only hear) the quality of voice.

[@nut4ku]

Mad respect to Ashman! Disney always had "I want" songs since Snow White but it's only after The Little Mermaid and "Part of Your World" that that's been the formula ever since, thanks to Howard Ashman. The little mermaid, beauty and the beast and aladdin's songs is written by Howard Ashman. It's a shame that just few of disney fans talked about Howard. He is literally the reason why disney is still exist now. Howard Ashman is a legendary lyricist who made Disney rise from its downfall and started the renaissance era of Disney, who recently returned from his huge career in musical broadway theater world that time. You can know that Howard Ashman was a great lyricist that he can even tell a story from a song. He also made the song dynamically switching from singing to talking and vice versa but the transition between them is still unnoticeable. He is the one who directing Jodi Benson to sing Part of Your World. We all know that the original Part of Your World will always be the best "I Want" song, not just because the nostalgia vibe but also Jodi Benson is really well and carefully directed by Howard Ashman, that even her breaths, stress and pause on each syllable are really well and gently cared for. Disney renaissance is mostly known by their songs. Before the little mermaid project, Howard gathered the whole disney crew for a meeting. He tell about broadway history to all the crew and they all were impressed at him. Fun fact: Howard did much more than write the songs on this movie, he also brought on board Jodi Benson, directed her during this song, changed an English butler crab named Clarence to be a Jamaican crab named Sebastien, wrote the dialog in the scene where Triton gives Ariel her legs, and also produced the movie with John Musker. After The Little Mermaid released and became a biggest success in box office, Howard Ashman and Alan Menken was going to make movie called Aladdin. They've come up with several of ideas and musical numbers but Jeffrey Katzenberg then dragging them to a new project, Beauty and The Beast. Unfortunately, Ashman passed away 6 month before beauty and the beast was released and that movie was dedicated to him that even in the credit scene you can see that they gaved him credit to honor him because of how important he was. After beauty and the beast released, Jeffrey then took away all of Ashman's idea and script, almost 99% of them. But sadly some of the songs were removed in the final film He is the one who bring the new element broadway musical to the movie. This is the bright spot where everyone started to wacthing to animated movies again, previously no one was at all interested in animated movies. That's why every single disney movie now has a song in it. Disney keep using this formula until now (but not as effective as in the renaissance) because it's Howard's legacy. You can tell how they respect Ashman that even in Beauty and The Beast credit scene, there's a statement to honor him "To our friend, Howard, who gave a mermaid her voice and a beast his soul, we will be forever grateful." Howard Ashman 1950-1991 No wonder why The Little Mermaid be the first disney animated classic who get an oscar nomination. Also Beauty and the Beast is Disney's 30th animated motion picture, a dedication to Howard Ashman before he had passed away and the only classic movie to be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature and Best Picture. He was the one who brought “I Want” song to another level! I Want song is literally every disney movies now. "In almost every musical ever written... the leading lady usually sits down on something... and sings about what she wants in life, and the audience falls in love with her and roots for her to get for the rest of the night." - Howard Ashman. He and his partner, Alan Menken, is the greatest duo that anyone have ever recognized in animated movie history. Also gain respect to Alan Menken, The little mermaid is actually his first score yet he can bring the magic with that scores. You can said that Part of Your World orchestra in the opening scene is the best choir you have ever seen and heard. Have you ever heard about the quote "There are three kinds of pianists: Jewish pianists, homosexual pianists, and bad pianists." -Vladimir Horowitz That quote actually referring to Ashman because he was Jewish and gay but still doesnt changed the fact that he really putted his care and love the the movies

[@Kamo766]

Still the best part of my childhood even now.

[@IsysReaction]

They’re coming out with a new little mermaid and it’s Halle Bailey

[@gunungmerapiapi1933]

Everytime Jodi sings this song, she said she feels like doing it with Howard and looking up Urgh I just cried and cried after finding out about this great man.