I Won't Say (I'm in Love)
"I Won't Say (I'm in Love)" | |
---|---|
Song by Susan Egan | |
from the album Hercules: An Original Walt Disney Records Soundtrack | |
Released | May 27, 1997 |
Recorded | 1996–1997 |
Genre | |
Length | 2:20 |
Label | Walt Disney |
Composer(s) | Alan Menken |
Lyricist(s) | David Zippel |
Producer(s) | Menken |
"I Won't Say (I'm in Love)" is a song written by composer
"I Won't Say (I'm in Love)" is a mid-tempo
"I Won't Say (I'm in Love)" has been positively received by both film and music critics, who enjoyed its girl group-inspired arrangement, as well as Egan's sultry delivery and the song's refreshing difference from traditional Disney ballads; some critics even dubbed it the film's best song. While not one of Disney's most popular songs, "I Won't Say (I'm in Love)" has developed a reputation as one of the studio's most underappreciated. American singer Belinda Carlisle recorded a pop rock version of "I Won't Say (I'm in Love)" for the film's soundtrack. American girl group the Cheetah Girls covered the song in 2005.
Background and context
"I Won't Say (I'm in Love)" was written by composer
Audiences learn that Meg has been in love before, only for her boyfriend to leave her for another woman after selling her soul to
Music and lyrics
At a duration of two minutes and twenty seconds,
Lyrically, "I Won't Say (I'm in Love) is a love song about denial,[42][43] specifically one's reluctance to fall in love or succumb to romantic clichés.[19] Meg voices how cliché and insufficient love can feel.[41] "I Won't Say (I'm in Love)" differs from typical Disney love songs by offering "a unique spin" on the singer's situation.[25][44] Rob Burch of The Hollywood News dubbed "I Won't Say (I'm in Love)" an "anti-love song".[45] Described as an "emotional barnstormer",[46] the song begins with Egan singing the lyrics "If there's a prize for rotten judgment I guess I've already won that",[31] which is followed by "Been there, done that".[39] Thought Catalog's Chelsea Fagan believes the first verse "sums up in four lines everything that we’ve ever tried to convey while on our third drink out at the bar with the girls", joking, "I believe this song would come shortly after dancing in a circle with all women, but just before the tearful texting of your ex".[41] Meg also sings the line "My head is screaming ‘get a grip, girl!’ unless you're dying to cry your heart out."[15] Comparing the background vocals to The Blossoms, Musicological Identities: Essays in Honor of Susan McClary author Jacqueline Warwick observed that the backup singers constantly contradict the lead singer in a call and response format, proving crucial to the theme as the lead vocalist is denying exactly what the background singers and listeners believe.[16] The Muses suggest that Meg “Face it like a grown-up/When you gonna own up that you got got got it bad”,[47] which Gantz described "admonishing".[21] The song's last line is: "At least out loud, I won’t say I’m in love."[22]
Kate Knibbs of The Ringer summarized the track as "a love song from someone who doesn’t want to be in love, who knows enough to assume things aren’t going to work out."[48] Fagan believes the song expresses "the hesitancy savvy women everywhere feel when trying to stop themselves from falling head over heels".[41] Calling the song a "self-aware ballad", The Oxford Companion to the American Musical: Theatre, Film, and Television author Thomas S. Hischak observed that its lyrics are "filled with sly anachronisms".[49] Meanwhile, in his book The Disney Song Encyclopedia, Hischak referred to "I Won't Say (I'm in Love)" as a "contradictory love song ... in which Meg denies her true feelings yet admits that she is quite taken with the brawny and naive hero Hercules".[50] According to D23, "I Won't Say (I'm in Love)" is a love song "For those who don’t want to admit their hearts’ desires,"[51] as the protagonist refuses to admit her true feelings for her love interest until the very last lyric.[25]
Reception
"I Won't Say (I'm in Love)" has been acclaimed by both
"I Won't Say (I'm in Love)" has garnered a reputation as one of Disney's most underrated songs.
Personnel
- Lead vocals by Susan Egan as Megara
- Background vocals by Cheryl Freeman, Lillias White, Vaneese Thomas, LaChanze and Roz Ryan as the Muses
- Instrumentation by the Disney Orchestra
Live performances and cover versions
Egan has performed "I Won't Say (I'm in Love)" live on several occasions. At the 2017
To promote the film, American singer
In April 2020, singer
Certifications
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
United Kingdom (BPI)[86] | Silver | 200,000‡ |
United States (RIAA)[87] | Platinum | 1,000,000‡ |
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. |
References
- ISBN 9781458449719– via Google Books.
- ASCAP. Retrieved April 28, 2021.
- ^ a b c d Hill, Jim (October 19, 2012). "Disney favorite Susan Egan to perform this Sunday afternoon at LBCC's Music Scholarship Gala Concert". Jim Hill Media. Retrieved March 3, 2016.
- ^ The FW. Archivedfrom the original on August 15, 2019. Retrieved March 3, 2016.
- ^ "18 Best Disney Songs You've Never Heard". Glamour. May 15, 2013. Archived from the original on March 6, 2016. Retrieved March 3, 2016.
- ^ Dickens, Donna (May 13, 2013). "18 Best Disney Songs You've Never Heard". BuzzFeed. Retrieved March 3, 2016.
- ^ Miles, Jim (September 29, 2008). "Jim looks at some overlooked treasures from recent Disney music and DVD releases". LaughingPlace.com. Retrieved March 3, 2016.
- ^ a b c d "Susan Egan: Belle, Meg, Glamour and Goop - Part 2". The Mouse Castle. August 1, 2012. Archived from the original on August 20, 2019. Retrieved March 3, 2016.
- ^ Rudetsky, Seth (September 30, 2020). "When Susan Egan Auditioned for Hercules, Cynthia Nixon Was a Faker on To Tell the Truth, and Michael Cerveris Stayed in Character for Fame". Playbill. Retrieved May 7, 2021.
- ^ Batdorf, Rodney (May 27, 1997). "Alan Menken – Hercules [Original Soundtrack]". Allmusic. All Media Network, LLC. Retrieved March 3, 2016.
- ^ "Alan Menken, David Zippel – Disney's Hercules (An Original Walt Disney Records Soundtrack)". Discogs. Discogs. 1997. Retrieved March 4, 2016.
- ^ "Alan Menken, David Zippel – Disney's Hercules (An Original Walt Disney Records Soundtrack)". Discogs. Discogs. Retrieved June 18, 2016.
- ^ CinemaBlend. Retrieved April 27, 2021.
- ^ Hicken, Jackie (April 6, 2014). "15 Disney songs that were cut before they ever made it onto the big screen". Deseret News. Retrieved September 22, 2017.
- ^ a b c C, Sandy (2017). "The 30 best Disney songs". Hidden Remote. Archived from the original on December 16, 2018. Retrieved December 15, 2018.
- ^ ISBN 9781351556750 – via Google Books.
- ^ Fetters, Sarah Michelle (August 12, 2014). "Hercules (1997) - Special Edition (Blu-ray)". MovieFreak.com. MovieFreak.com. Archived from the original on March 8, 2016. Retrieved March 6, 2016.
- ^ Maccani, Chelsea (Jun 5, 2017). "Underrated Disney Songs You Totally Forgot About". Sweety High. Retrieved September 13, 2018.
- ^ Vulture.com. Archivedfrom the original on August 17, 2019. Retrieved March 3, 2016.
- ^ idobi. Retrieved July 22, 2017.
- ^ Boston Phoenix. Archived from the originalon October 9, 2015. Retrieved March 2, 2016.
- ^ a b c d e f Weatherby, Taylor (March 15, 2017). "Every Song From the Disney Renaissance (1989-'99), Ranked: Critics' Take". Billboard. Archived from the original on June 20, 2018. Retrieved March 28, 2017.
- ^ Consequence of Sound. Archivedfrom the original on September 14, 2018. Retrieved September 13, 2018.
- ^ Filmtracks.com. May 26, 1997. Retrieved May 3, 2021.
- ^ a b c d Dye, Tracy (July 10, 2015). "7 Reasons Meg From 'Hercules' Is The Most Underrated Disney Heroine Ever". Bustle. Archived from the original on September 14, 2018. Retrieved March 3, 2016.
- ^ Snider, Eric D (27 June 1997). "Hercules". www.ericdsnider.com. Retrieved March 2, 2016.
- ^ "Hercules (Ron Clements and John Musker, 1997) Review". Opinionated Movie-Goer. June 6, 2014. Retrieved March 6, 2016.
- ^ a b Romano, Aja (December 11, 2015). "The definitive ranking of Disney 'Want Songs'". The Daily Dot. Retrieved July 6, 2016.
- ^ a b Wilkinson, Matt (March 5, 2021). "Disney+: Every Song In Hercules, Ranked Worst To Best". Screen Rant. Retrieved April 27, 2021.
- ^ "Hercules - An Original Walt Disney Records Soundtrack – Various Artists". iTunes. 1997. Archived from the original on September 14, 2018. Retrieved March 4, 2016.
- ^ Walt Disney Music Publishing. Archivedfrom the original on September 14, 2018. Retrieved March 2, 2016.
- ^ a b c d e Tan, Irving (January 29, 2011). "Soundtrack (Disney) – Hercules". Sputnikmusic. Retrieved March 3, 2016.
- ^ a b Dequina, Michael (June 26, 1997). "Hercules (G)". The Movie Report. Archived from the original on October 6, 2020. Retrieved March 2, 2016.
- ^ Brayton, Timothy (December 2, 2009). "Disney Animation: A Kid with His Act Down Pat". Antagony & Ecstasy. Archived from the original on March 7, 2016. Retrieved March 2, 2016.
- ^ a b "Get Ready for the 'Hercules' Musical With This Epic YouTube Spiral". TodayTix. August 9, 2019. Retrieved May 6, 2021.
- ^ a b Semigran, Aly (May 21, 2019). "The 12 Most Underrated Disney Songs". Billboard. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
- ^ Berger, Joseph (July 13, 1997). "His Tunes Make Disney's World Go Round". The New York Times. Archived from the original on August 25, 2019. Retrieved April 29, 2021.
Mr. Menken's tunes The Gospel Truth and I Won't Say I'm in Love harked back to rhythm-and-blues groups like the Ronettes with a gospel edge.
- ^ a b Ceron, Ella (February 24, 2014). "The 16 Most Awesome Female Characters From Disney Movies". Thought Catalog. Archived from the original on August 15, 2019. Retrieved March 3, 2016.
- ^ Indiewire. Archived from the originalon March 7, 2016. Retrieved March 2, 2016.
- ISBN 9781538105696 – via Google Books.
- ^ a b c d Fagan, Chelsea (May 10, 2011). "The Five Most Refreshingly Honest Disney Songs". Thought Catalog. Archived from the original on September 14, 2018. Retrieved June 16, 2016.
- Popsugar. Archivedfrom the original on January 28, 2021. Retrieved March 3, 2016.
- ^ Floro, Marty (April 30, 2016). "5 Underrated Disney Songs". One Music PH. Archived from the original on September 14, 2018. Retrieved September 13, 2018.
- ^ "Hercules Review". Wizard Dojo. April 20, 2015. Archived from the original on September 14, 2018. Retrieved March 6, 2016.
- ^ a b Burch, Rob (September 11, 2013). "Disney 53: Hercules". The Hollywood News. Archived from the original on June 12, 2019. Retrieved March 3, 2016.
- ^ a b Hall, Sophie (January 7, 2016). "The best ever Disney songs: Ranked". Beamly. Archived from the original on 2016-05-08. Retrieved April 26, 2016.
- ^ Syfy Wire. Archived from the originalon August 3, 2020. Retrieved January 19, 2020.
- ^ a b Knibbs, Kate (July 17, 2019). "The 40 Best Disney Songs, Ranked". The Ringer. Archived from the original on August 17, 2019. Retrieved January 19, 2020.
- ISBN 9780195335330 – via Google Books.
- ^ ISBN 9780810869387 – via Google Books.
- ^ a b "Top 10 Disney Love Songs". D23. Disney. 9 February 2012. Archived from the original on April 28, 2019. Retrieved March 3, 2016.
- ^ Bryant, Taylor (June 13, 2017). "Why 'Hercules' Has The Best Disney Soundtrack Of All Time". Nylon. Retrieved April 29, 2021.
- ^ Zafar, Aylin (April 21, 2014). "The Definitive Ranking Of The 102 Best Animated Disney Songs". BuzzFeed. Retrieved March 2, 2016.
- ^ Newman, Heather (February 5, 2014). "The Definitive Ranking Of Disney Love Songs". BuzzFeed. Retrieved March 2, 2016.
- ^ Devlin, Caitlin (May 6, 2022). "The 20 best Disney movie musical soundtracks, ranked". Ticketmaster. Retrieved May 10, 2022.
- ^ Travis, Abi (March 22, 2021). "Good News! 'The Disney Family Singalong' Is Officially on Disney Plus". Distractify. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
- ^ Adams (May 22, 2019). "The 12 Most Underrated Disney Songs". US 93.3. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
- ^ McNulty, Ashley (October 31, 2016). "13 Of The Most Underrated Disney Songs". The Odyssey. Retrieved September 13, 2018.
- ^ Paul, Jeremiah (August 24, 2015). "10 Of the Most Underrated Disney Songs of All Time!". Moviepilot. Archived from the original on March 7, 2016. Retrieved March 2, 2016.
- CinemaBlend. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
- ^ Trammel, Matthew. "The Definitive Disney Songs Of Our Childhood, According To The Social Experiment". The Fader. Retrieved July 20, 2017.
- ^ Short, Dan (August 4, 2017). "2017 D23 Expo Exclusive". Animated Views. Retrieved August 28, 2018.
- ^ Ginther, Becky (September 26, 2017). "Zero to Hero: The making of Hercules at the D23 Expo 2017". Disney in your Day. Retrieved August 28, 2018.
- ^ "Every Magical Moment From D23 Expo 2017". D23. July 17, 2017. Retrieved August 28, 2018.
- ^ Lee, Ashley (November 22, 2019). "Inside the 'Broadway Princess Party,' a sweet soiree of Disney songs". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 5, 2021.
- ^ Schilz, Libby (January 20, 2019). "Review: "The Broadway Princess Party" a dream come true for young fans". The Daily Nebraskan. Retrieved May 6, 2021.
- ^ Vianna, Katiúscia (October 20, 2019). "Hércules: Meg performers in animation and theater come together in a duet of "I Won't Say (I'm in Love)"". AdoroCinema (in Portuguese). Retrieved May 6, 2021.
- ^ "Video: Susan Egan and Krysta Rodriguez Perform 'I Won't Say I'm in Love' From Hercules". BroadwayWorld. October 12, 2019. Retrieved May 6, 2021.
- ^ Scheps, Leigh (August 31, 2019). "Krysta Rodriguez Inherits the Torch From Susan Egan as Meg in Hercules". Broadway Direct. Retrieved May 6, 2021.
- ^ Barton, Rebekah (April 28, 2020). "Susan Egan, Meg from "Hercules" and Broadway's Original Belle, Sings From Home!". Inside the Magic. Retrieved May 4, 2021.
- ^ "Susan Egan Performs "I Won't Say" from Disney's "Hercules" In Her Home". Laughing Place. Apr 27, 2020. Retrieved May 4, 2021.
- Broadway World. April 27, 2020. Retrieved May 4, 2021.
- ^ a b "Belinda Carlisle – I Won't Say (I'm In Love)". Discogs. Discogs. Retrieved May 25, 2016.
- ^ "Belinda Carlisle – I Won't Say (I'm In Love)". Discogs. Discogs. Retrieved May 25, 2016.
- ^ "Belinda Carlisle - I Won't Say (I'm in Love)". Dutch Charts. Retrieved May 6, 2021.
- Radio Swiss Classic. Retrieved March 29, 2017.
- Amazon.com. Archived from the originalon March 30, 2017. Retrieved March 29, 2017.
- ^ "Belinda Carlisle releasing singles collection". Music-News.com. July 6, 2015. Retrieved March 29, 2017.
Critically lauded nuggets such as I Won't Say I'm In Love (from Disney's Hercules)...
- Amazon.ca. Retrieved May 25, 2016.
- ISBN 9780786458042.
- ^ "I Won't Say (I'm in Love) - Single". iTunes. May 15, 2017. Retrieved July 20, 2017.
- ^ "ARIANA GRANDE WAS HER OWN BACKING CHOIR FOR HER DISNEY SINGALONG PERFORMANCE". MTV. April 16, 2020. Retrieved April 16, 2020.
- ^ "The Disney Family Singalong: 10 Best Moments". Billboard. April 16, 2020. Retrieved April 16, 2020.
- ^ "Beyoncé dedicates 'When You Wish Upon a Star' to health workers in 'Disney Family Singalong'". Billboard. April 16, 2020. Retrieved April 16, 2020.
- ^ "Ariana Grande Channels Her Inner Meg as She Sings "I Won't Say I'm in Love" From Hercules". Popsugar. April 16, 2020. Retrieved April 16, 2020.
- ^ "British single certifications – Susan Egan – I Won't Say (I'm In Love)". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved November 6, 2020.
- ^ "American single certifications – Susan Egan – I Won't Say (I'm in Love)". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved August 29, 2022.
External links
- "I Won't Say (I'm In Love)" on YouTube