Part of Your World

## Single by Halle

"**Part of Your World**" is a song performed by American singer and actress Halle Bailey for the 2023 film *The Little Mermaid*. It is a rendition of the 1989 song originally performed by Jodi Benson, as well as her solo debut. It was released as the lead single and second track by Walt Disney Records from the film's soundtrack, *The Little Mermaid (2023 Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)*, on April 26, 2023.

The ballad song describes Ariel's fascination with and yearning to belong in the human world. It will also become a template for the original song "For the First Time," where Ariel experiences elements of what she desires to see and do on land.

## Background

Upon director Rob Marshall seeing Chloe x Halle perform "Where Is the Love" at the Grammy Awards, he felt that Halle was perfect for the role of Ariel, though didn't know if she could act. He asked her to audition with "Part of Your World," and recalled to *Variety*, "When she finished, I was in tears because she's so soulful. You could tell right away that she was able to harness Ariel's passion, her fire, her soul, her joy and her heart."

Halle's version was first briefly heard in the film's teaser trailer, followed by being used in its official trailer. Bailey performed it live on *American Idol* in May 2023, as a special musical guest for their Disney Night.

In an interview with Zane Lowe of Apple Music 1, Bailey stated, "The song 'Part of Your World' means so so much to me. I mean ever since I was a little girl, this movie in general has meant so much to a lot of us, but this song has really stuck with me since I was small. I mean every time I hear Jodi Benson sing it, the nostalgia that I get is just amazing and it fills me up with so much joy." She added, "I took inspiration from the original, really based off of the amazing base that we had of the original already. I mean, Jodi Benson is an iconic singer and she's just such a lovely person inside and out as well. So when you are redoing a song that's already great, you just have to really try your best to honor the original, as well as not be afraid to make it your own. So that's truly what I tried to do."

## Personnel

* Alan Menken – composer, lyricist, producer
* Andrew Dudman – recording engineer
* Halle Bailey – vocals
* Howard Ashman – composer, lyricist
* Michael Kosarin – recording arranger, vocal arranger
* Mike Higham – producer
* Miles Showell – mastering engineer
* Timothy Marchiafava, Jim Bruening, Jennifer Dunnington – editor
* Thomas Pasatieri – arranger

## Lyrics

**Lyrics**
[Verse 1]

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 everything?

Look at this trove, treasures untold

How many wonders can one cavern hold?

Lookin' around here, you think, "Sure, she's got everything"

I've got gadgets and gizmos a-plenty

I've got whozits and whatzits galore

You want thingamabobs? I've 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—, what do you 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? Ah, street

[Chorus]

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

[Verse 2]

What would I give if I could live out of these waters?

What would I pay to spend a day warm on the sand?

Bet'cha on land they understand

Bet they don't reprimand their daughters

Bright young women sick of 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 up above?

[Outro]

Out of the sea

Wish I could be part of that world

## References

1. ↑ Jackson, Angelique (August 10, 2022). "The New Little Mermaid: How Halle Bailey Found Her Voice and Defied Haters by Creating Her Own Ariel". *Variety*.
2. ↑ "Halle Bailey Sings 'Part of Your World' in New 'Little Mermaid' Teaser From D23: Watch". *Billboard*. September 9, 2022.
3. ↑ Thompson, Avery (May 14, 2023). "Halle Bailey Stuns with Gorgeous 'Little Mermaid' Performance on 'American Idol'". *Hollywood Life*.
4. ↑ "Halle Bailey Debuts Her Rendition of 'Part of Your World' from 'The Little Mermaid'". *Rap-Up*. April 26, 2023.

Template:Halle songs