Under the Sea

"Under the Sea" is a song from Disney's 1989 animated film The Little Mermaid, composed by Alan Menken with lyrics by Howard Ashman.[3] It is influenced by the calypso style of the Caribbean which originated in Trinidad and Tobago, as well as reggae, which originated in Jamaica. The song was performed in the film by Samuel E. Wright. The track won the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1989,[3] the first for a Disney film since "Chim Chim Cher-ee" from Mary Poppins in 1964.[4] Additionally, the song won the Grammy Award for Best Song Written for Visual Media in 1991.[5]

"Under the Sea"
Single by Samuel E. Wright
from the album The Little Mermaid: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
ReleasedDecember 13, 1989
Recorded1988
Genre
Length3:16
LabelWalt Disney
Composer(s)Alan Menken
Lyricist(s)Howard Ashman
Producer(s)
  • Menken
  • Ashman
Licensed audio
"Under the Sea" on YouTube

The song is a plea by the crab Sebastian convincing Ariel to remain sea-bound, and resist her desire to become a human in order to spend her life with Prince Eric, with whom she has fallen in love. Sebastian warns of the struggles of human life, while at the same time expounding the benefits of a care-free life underwater. However, his plea falls on deaf ears, as Ariel leaves before the end of the song.

The song is present throughout all the Walt Disney parks and resorts and the Disney Cruise Line.

The song was later performed by Daveed Diggs in the 2023 remake.

Single release

The song was released as a 12" single in 1990 by Hollywood Records. The record listed the artist as "Sebastian C."

US 12-inch single (ST-ED-66621A-SP)

  1. "Under the Sea (Atlantic Ocean Single Mix)" - 3:36
  2. "Under the Sea (Jellyfish Mix)" - 5:20
  3. "Under the Sea (Mermaid Dub)" - 3:27
  4. "Under the Sea (Pacific Ocean Single Mix)" - 3:10
  5. "Under the Sea (Polka Dot Bikini Mix)" - 5:33
  6. "Under the Sea (Sub Dub)" - 3:46

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[6] Platinum 600,000‡
United States (RIAA)[7] 2× Platinum 2,000,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Live and stage versions
"Under the Sea"
Song by Tituss Burgess
from the album Disney's The Little Mermaid: Original Broadway Cast Recording
ReleasedFebruary 26, 2008
GenrePop, calypso, show tune, reggae
Length4:06
LabelWalt Disney
Composer(s)Alan Menken
Lyricist(s)Howard Ashman
Producer(s)Alan Menken

The song makes an appearance on the Disney Cruise Line shows "Disney Dreams: An Enchanted Classic" on the Disney Magic and Wonder, as well as in "The Golden Mickeys" on the Disney Dream.

In 2007, the Broadway musical version used this as the featured production number, with the role of Sebastian played by Tituss Burgess. For Burgess, a tenor (unlike the baritone Wright), the key of the song was raised from B-flat to D. On the Original Broadway Cast Recording, the placing of the song was also moved to after the scene in which King Triton destroys Ariel's collection of "human stuff". Later in some local productions after the Broadway production closed, the placing of the song is the same as it was in the original film. The key was lowered slightly to the key of C (in which Ashman and Menken recorded their initial demos for The Little Mermaid). A reprise of the song was also featured in the Broadway musical.

References
  1. "A brief guide to Calypso music". Reader's Digest. Retrieved August 1, 2019.
  2. David Mansour (June 2005). From Abba to Zoom: A Pop Culture Encyclopedia of the Late 20th Century. Andrews McMeel Publishing. p. 422. ISBN 978-0-7407-5118-9.
  3. Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 136. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  4. Rizzi, Sofia. "Which Disney songs have won an Oscar?". Classic FM. Retrieved 14 June 2022.
  5. Grammy Award for Best Song Written for Visual Media#1980s
  6. "British single certifications – Samuel E Wright – Under the Sea". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved April 19, 2022.
  7. "American single certifications – Samuel E. Wright – Under the Sea". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved August 29, 2022.
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