Simplify the following text for a Grade 8 native English-speaking person.
Original: The first song heard in the movie , `` Once Upon a Time in New York City '' , was co-written by lyricist Howard Ashman , who , with Alan Menken , would write the songs for the next three Disney films .
Simplified: The first song heard in the movie , `` Once Upon a Time in New York City '' , was written by lyricist Howard Ashman .