It's the Same Old Song --Howard Ashman III

The "I Want" Songs of Howard Ashman III

They're called the "I Want" Songs in musicals--those interludes where the protagonist declares their ambitions and desires...and basically announce what the ending of any self-respecting happy-ending musical is going to be. There's "The Impossible Dream" from "Man of LaMancha," for example. "Wouldn't It Be Loverly" from "My Fair Lady." "Somewhere" from "West Side Story."

This week, I'm offering up the "I Want" Songs of Howard Ashman. Why? During my job search, I'm in an intense "I Want" mode, and Ashman's are the ones that stick in my head. They have a sophistication of language and tone while doing its duty advancing the plot. And they have attitude. Bags of attitude. In fact, Ashman's more-hip tone is one of the charms of his lyrics, though sometimes they can come across as harsh.

This one's from Ashman's run doing (and revitalizing) Disney animated features. It's from "The Little Mermaid" and the heroine, Ariel, is in a cavern, looking at the collected haul from wrecked ships. But among the jewels and baubles the things she treasures most are those things she has no idea what they are--for she can only look from afar at the people on land, their strange customs and all the mysterious things that aren't available under the sea (Ashman has a lot of fun with Ariel being a fish out of water with certain terms of the bi-ped culture). And after a disagreement with her Sea-King father, she is convinced that the sea-grass is greener in that distant shore. For those of who want more than just the lyrics, you can proceed to Stage Right where there are videos Of Marginal Interest (they'll be a part of the Archive edition of this post, as well)

Here's "Part of That World."

[ARIEL]

Look at this stuff

Isn't it neat?

Wouldn't you think

my collection's complete?

Wouldn't you think I'm the girl

The girl who has ev'rything?

Look at this trove

Treasures untold

How many wonders

can one cavern hold?

Lookin' around here you'd think

(Sure) she's got everything

I've got gadgets and gizmos aplenty

I've got whozits and whatzits galore

(You want thingamabobs?I got twenty)

But who cares?

No big deal

I want more

I wanna be where the people are

I wanna see

Wanna see 'em dancin'

Walkin' around on those

(Whad'ya call 'em?) oh - feet

Flippin' your fins you don't get too far

Legs are required for jumpin', dancin'

Strollin' along down a

(What's that word again?) street

Up where they walk

Up where they run

Up where they stay all day in the sun

Wanderin' free

Wish I could be

Part of that world

What would I give

If I could live

Out of these waters?

What would I pay

To spend a day

Warm on the sand?

Betcha on land

They understand

Bet they don't reprimand their daughters

Bright young women

Sick o' swimmin'

Ready to stand

I'm ready to know what the people know

Ask 'em my questions

And get some answers

What's a fire and why does it

(What's the word?) burn?

When's it my turn?

Wouldn't I love

Love to explore that shore above?

Out of the sea

Wish I could be

Part of that world