Part of Your World Lyrics
Part of Your World
[ARIEL, spoken:](If only I could make my father understand. I just don't see how a world that makes such wonderful things could be so bad.)
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?
Looking 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 them dancin'
Walking around on those - what do you call 'em? Oh - feet!
Flippin' your fins, you don't get too far
Legs are required for jumping, dancing
Strolling along down a - what's that word again? Street
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
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
That they don't reprimand their daughters
Bright young women, sick of swimmin'
Ready to stand
And 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 world up above?
Out of the sea wish I could be part of that world
Song Overview
Song Credits
- Featured: Sierra Boggess
- Producers: Howard Ashman & Alan Menken
- Writers: Howard Ashman & Alan Menken
- Release Date: 2008-02-26
- Genre: Broadway, Musical, Soundtrack
- Track Number: 6
- Album: The Little Mermaid (Original Broadway Cast Recording)
- Label: Walt Disney Records
- Language: English
History of Creation
“Part of Your World” emerged from the creative partnership between lyricist Howard Ashman and composer Alan Menken, who were instrumental in shaping Disney's musical renaissance. Written in 1986, it was the first song they developed for The Little Mermaid, marking a significant evolution in Disney's approach to character-driven storytelling.?Ashman envisioned the song as Ariel's "I Want" number—a musical soliloquy revealing her deep yearning to be part of the human world. This concept was inspired by Broadway traditions, where protagonists express their desires early in the narrative to engage the audience emotionally. Initially, directors Ron Clements and John Musker had considered a song focusing on Ariel's affection for Prince Eric. However, Ashman persuaded them to center the song on Ariel's fascination with humanity, believing it would provide a more profound insight into her character.?
The song's development was not without challenges. During early test screenings, some executives, including Jeffrey Katzenberg, felt that "Part of Your World" slowed the film's pace and considered removing it. Ashman, along with the directors and animator Glen Keane, strongly advocated for its inclusion, emphasizing its importance to Ariel's character arc. Their persistence paid off, and the song remained, becoming one of the film's most iconic numbers.?
Jodi Benson, who voiced Ariel, brought the song to life with a performance that blended innocence and determination. Guided by Ashman's direction, she delivered the song with a sense of wonder and longing that resonated with audiences. Benson's portrayal contributed significantly to the song's enduring appeal, making it a defining moment in Disney's musical history.?
In the 2008 Broadway adaptation of The Little Mermaid, Sierra Boggess took on the role of Ariel, delivering "Part of Your World" with a fresh theatricality that honored the original while adding new dimensions. Her performance was praised for capturing Ariel's spirit and further cemented the song's status as a beloved classic.
Song Meaning and Annotations
Part of Your World is a wistful monologue transformed into a musical dream, brought to life by Sierra Boggess’ crystalline soprano as Ariel, the mermaid with a head full of questions and a heart full of longing. Written by Howard Ashman and Alan Menken, this Broadway rendition enriches the already iconic Disney classic with theatrical flair, layering even more pathos into a character whose curiosity pierces like a sunbeam underwater.
Themes of Yearning and Identity
From the moment Ariel sings,
“Wouldn’t you think I’m the girl, the girl who has everything?”there’s an ironic bite tucked under the glimmer. Her cave of human artifacts is more than a museum — it's a sanctuary for a soul aching to break the surface. Despite the glitter of “gizmos a-plenty,” the song is built on the aching gap between having and being.
Language and Metaphor
Notice how the song drips with misnomers —
“thing-a-mabobs,” “what’s-its,” “who’s-its”— a clever nod to Ariel’s half-formed understanding of the human world. These nonsensical placeholders act as linguistic placeholders for knowledge she craves. Her mislabeling mirrors the emotional gap between her world and ours. Her desire? Poignant in its simplicity:
“I want more.”
Musical Framing
Alan Menken’s composition swells like an ocean tide, with gentle piano lines mimicking water currents, building to crescendos that echo Ariel’s rising desperation. By the time she belts,
“When’s it my turn?”the audience is no longer passive — we are complicit, hoping she breaks free.
Songs to Compare
- “Reflection” – Lea Salonga (from Mulan)
Much like Ariel, Mulan's “Reflection” dives into the struggle between internal identity and external expectation. Both characters stare at symbolic surfaces — mirrors or oceans — trying to reconcile who they are versus who they’re expected to be. The music similarly leans on expressive crescendos and fragile beginnings. - “I Dreamed a Dream” – Patti LuPone (from Les Misérables)
Different genre, same ache. Fantine’s song is the grown-up cousin of Ariel’s dream, stripped of magic but just as raw. Both express longing for another life, and both rise in intensity, letting the vocal delivery mirror emotional collapse. - “Colors of the Wind” – Judy Kuhn (from Pocahontas)
A broader take on curiosity and connection, this song, too, is sung by a woman at a cultural and emotional crossroads. Pocahontas yearns for understanding between worlds — and like Ariel, she’s teaching while dreaming.
Questions and Answers
- What is the main theme of “Part of Your World”?
- The central theme is yearning — specifically, Ariel’s longing to belong to a world beyond her own. It’s about identity, freedom, and the desire for transformation.
- Why are Ariel’s object names like “whatzits” and “thingamabobs” important?
- They reflect her outsider status. Her use of vague, invented words highlights the gap between her fantasy and reality, emphasizing her curiosity and innocence.
- How does the song function in The Little Mermaid’s story?
- It’s Ariel’s “I Want” song, a Broadway tradition where the main character expresses their deepest desire early in the story. It defines her motivation and builds audience empathy.
- Why is Sierra Boggess’ performance significant?
- Her portrayal in the Broadway version adds theatrical depth, blending vocal clarity with emotional vulnerability. It honors Jodi Benson’s original while expanding Ariel’s expressiveness.
- What musical techniques enhance the emotion of the song?
- Alan Menken’s use of soft piano lines and building orchestral swells mirrors ocean currents and Ariel’s growing desperation. It crescendos in sync with her plea for freedom.