Aladdin
You must feel trapped inside these walls
We'll run away, just you and me
Why not escape as evening falls?
Theres a whole world you've yet to see
Jasmine
(Spoken) If I go with you, will it be safe?
Aladdin
(Spoken) Sure...Do you trust me? I
Jasmine
(Spoken) What did you just say?
Aladdin
(Spoken) Do you trust me?
Jasmine
(Spoken) I'm not sure why, but...yes]
Aladdin
I can show you the world
Shining, shimmering, splendid
Tell me, princess, now when did
You last let your heart decide?
I can open your eyes
Take you wonder by wonder
Over, sideways and under
On a magic carpet ride
A whole new world
A new fantastic point of view
No one to tell us no or where to go
Or say we're only dreaming
Jasmine
A whole new world
A dazzling place I never knew
But when I'm way up here, it's crystal clear
That now I'm in a whole new world with you
Aladdin
Now I'm in a whole new world with you
Jasmine
Unbelievable sights
Indescribable feeling
Soaring, tumbling, freewheeling
Through an endless diamond sky
Jasmine
A whole new world
Aladdin
Don't you dare close your eyes
Jasmine
A hundred thousand things to see
Aladdin
Hold your breath, it gets better
Jasmine
I'm like a shooting star
I've come so far
I can't go back
To where I used to be
Aladdin
A whole new world
Princess Jasmine
Every turn a surprise
Aladdin
With new horizons to pursue
Jasmine
Every moment gets better
Both
I'll chase them anywhere
There's time to spare
Let me share this whole new world with you
~Instrumental Break~
Jasmine
A whole new world
Aladdin
Don't you dare close your eyes
Jasmine
A hundred thousand things to see
Aladdin
Hold your breath, it gets better
Jasmine
I'm like a shooting star
I've come so far
I can't go back
To where I used to be
Aladdin
A whole new world
Princess Jasmine
Every turn a surprise
Aladdin
With new horizons to pursue
Jasmine
Every moment gets better
Both
I'll chase them anywhere
There's time to spare
Let me share this whole new world with you
Aladdin
A whole new world
Jasmine
A whole new world
Aladdin
That's where we'll be
Jasmine
That's where we'll be
Aladdin
A thrilling chase...
Jasmine
A wondrous place...
Both
For you and me
Song Overview
Original Broadway Cast of Aladdin is singing the 'A Whole New World' lyrics in the music video.
Song Credits
Featuring: Courtney Reed & Adam Jacobs
Producers: Chris Montan & Alan Menken
Writers: Alan Menken & Tim Rice
Orchestration: Michael Rubin & Danny Troob
Arranger: Glen Kelly
Release Date: 2014-05-27
Genre: Broadway, Pop, Soundtrack, Musicals, Disney
Album: Aladdin (Original Broadway Cast Recording)
Language: English
Music Style: Theatrical, Romantic, Fantasy
Lyrics Analysis and Meaning
Performance of 'A Whole New World' by Original Broadway Cast of Aladdin in the music video.
Escaping the Palace Walls
There’s a restless heartbeat under the velvet dream of "A Whole New World". The song text opens with
"You must feel trapped inside these walls / We'll run away, just you and me"
, striking a nerve for anyone who's ever stared out of a window aching for more. The duet, led by Courtney Reed and Adam Jacobs, weaves the sensation of liberation with the silken thrill of first love. It’s as if the notes themselves are a magic carpet lifting off the ground.
A Shimmering Ride Through Trust
Trust hangs delicately in the verses — a gossamer thread:
"Do you trust me?"
Aladdin asks, an echo from their earlier conversations and a phrase that becomes almost a spell. The orchestration, thick with strings and soft woodwinds, paces like a heart racing on the edge of a kiss. When Jasmine finally says yes, the world opens — not just geographically, but emotionally.
Symbolism and Metaphors
The metaphors sparkle almost as much as the "endless diamond sky". Flying is freedom. Stars are dreams just within reach. Horizons represent possibility rather than borders.
"I'm like a shooting star, I've come so far"
— Jasmine sings, illustrating her metamorphosis from caged princess to self-determined adventurer. Every turn and surprise mirrors life itself: unknown, yet inviting.
Instrumentation and Atmosphere
Alan Menken’s composition is a rich tapestry of classical Broadway sounds with cinematic sweeps — the musical equivalent of wind brushing your cheeks mid-flight. The production's depth makes every glide, tumble, and turn feel tactile. You almost smell the midnight air, taste the thrill.
Similar Songs
A screenshot from the 'A Whole New World' music video.
"Can You Feel the Love Tonight" – Elton John Like "A Whole New World," this ballad dances between romantic devotion and wide-eyed wonder. Both songs paint emotional landscapes where love transforms ordinary settings into enchanted realms. The soaring melodies and lush orchestration feel like sonic cousins.
"Defying Gravity" – Idina Menzel (from Wicked) This Broadway classic shares the themes of liberation and transformation. Both songs give the listener an aerial view — "A Whole New World" by literal flight, "Defying Gravity" by magical empowerment. In both, protagonists shed old skins and chase shimmering futures.
"Somewhere Over the Rainbow" – Judy Garland Dreams of another world ripple through this timeless piece. Like Jasmine and Aladdin’s journey, Dorothy’s yearning taps into a universal thirst for more: more color, more life, more meaning. The fragile hope tied to flight binds these two songs across decades.
Questions and Answers
Visual effects scene from 'A Whole New World'.
What is the main message of "A Whole New World"?
The song captures the exhilaration of freedom, discovery, and love blooming in an uncharted world beyond familiar constraints.
How does the Broadway version differ from the animated original?
While the core remains intact, the Broadway rendition is more theatrical, emphasizing vocal interplay and live orchestration's immediate magic.
Why is "Do you trust me?" repeated?
The phrase acts as a keystone, anchoring the moment when Jasmine decides to leap into the unknown with Aladdin — both literally and metaphorically.
What musical techniques make the song feel 'magical'?
Sweeping modulations, fluttering arpeggios, and airy string sections create a sensation of weightlessness, amplifying the feeling of flying.
Is there a deeper meaning behind "A Whole New World" beyond romance?
Yes — it’s about personal growth, daring to believe in possibilities, and recognizing one's own agency in shaping the future.
Fan and Media Reactions
"Courtney and Adam’s chemistry is unreal — you can feel the love and trust through every note!"
— YouTube Commenter
"The Broadway version somehow feels even more magical, like you’re watching real life become a fairy tale."
— Fan Review
"A Whole New World gave me literal goosebumps — that harmony at the end? Chills."
— Audience Member
"Seeing them sing this live made me believe in love again for a second."
— Twitter Fan
"Alan Menken’s magic strikes again. There's something about this song that transports you — even decades later."
Musical: Aladdin. Song: A Whole New World.
Broadway musical soundtrack lyrics. Song lyrics from theatre show/film are property & copyright of their owners, provided for educational purposes