Belle (Is the Only Word) Lyrics – Notre Dame de Paris

Song Overview

I still remember the first time Belle (Is The Only Word) rattled the stained-glass windows of the Dominion Theatre. Three men—Quasimodo, Frollo, and Phoebus—step forward and, in under five minutes, confess every unfiltered impulse Esmeralda ignites in them. The result? A torch-song tornado that whirls from tender awe to raw obsession and back again. Originally a French mega-hit in 1998, this English rendition landed on the 2000 London cast album and proved the tune could trade its Parisian vowels for Shakespeare’s consonants without losing an ounce of fire.

Song Credits

• Featured: Steve Balsamo (Phoebus), Daniel Lavoie (Frollo), Garou (Quasimodo)
• Producer: Original London Cast of Notre Dame de Paris
• Composer: Riccardo Cocciante
• Lyricist (English adaptation): Will Jennings (from Luc Plamondon’s French text)
• Release Date: February 21 2000
• Album: Notre Dame de Paris – London Cast Recording
• Genre: Pop-rock musical ballad
• Label: Sony Classical
• Mood: Feverish reverence
• Track #: 2 • Length: ?4 min 50 sec
• Language: English (original French version 1998)
• Copyright © 2000 Sony Music Entertainment / Notre Dame Ltd.

Song Meaning and Annotations

The arrangement opens with cathedral bells morphing into a power-ballad guitar strum—sacred meets stadium. Each man takes a verse, locking horns over one shared muse. The song text is a chiaroscuro of poetry and mania: Quasimodo marvels at Esmeralda’s freedom, Frollo frames her as demonic temptation, and Phoebus sees a last fling before matrimonial duty. Their lines echo the book’s central triad—innocence, sin, and hedonism—compressed into lyrics that swing between worship and possession.

Musically, Cocciante layers modal riffing over a relentless 12/8 pulse, so the melody lurches like a heartbeat chasing desire. By the trio’s final overlap—“She dances naked in my soul and sleep won’t come”—their harmonies fuse into one desperate voice. You can practically feel the gargoyles lean in to eavesdrop.

Verse 1 – Quasimodo

Belle is the only word I know that suits her well…

His diction is simple, even childlike. Yet the image of Esmeralda “dancing naked in my soul” hints that purity and longing can coexist in the same fever-dream.

Verse 2 – Frollo

Belle, there’s a demon inside her who came from hell…

Frollo weaponizes theology, blaming Eve while secretly savoring the apple. His plea to Notre Dame flips prayer into bargaining chip.

Verse 3 – Phoebus

Belle, even though her eyes seem to lead us to hell…

Phoebus owns his duplicity, begging one night of transgression before sanctified vows. It’s chivalry fraying at the edges.

Symbol watch: Lucifer and Notre Dame operate as opposite poles—devil vs. deity—but each man ultimately kneels before Esmeralda, proving that mortal desire trumps celestial allegiance in 15th-century Paris and modern rock theatre.

Similar Songs

1. “Heaven’s Light / Hellfire” – Disney’s Hunchback of Notre Dame
   Both pair angelic longing with infernal lust inside the same score. Disney splits the feelings into two songs; Cocciante/Plamondon make three men sing them simultaneously—extra dramatic tension.
2. “Maria” – West Side Story
   Tony’s one-word psalm mirrors Quasimodo’s opening line. Each anthem elevates a woman’s name to cosmic significance, though Belle quickly plunges into darker moral territory.
3. “Defying Gravity” – Wicked
   Different plot, same electricity: a soaring melody that crystallizes a female character’s magnetism, sung with rock-opera heft that leaves audiences levitating out of their seats.

Questions and Answers

Why did the English version add “Is The Only Word” to the title?

To avoid confusing Anglophone audiences who might assume Belle names a person; it signals the lyric’s opening hook.

Are the three vocalists the same as the 1998 Paris cast?

Yes—Garou and Daniel Lavoie crossed the Channel, and Steve Balsamo replaced Patrick Fiori. Their on-stage chemistry carried over effortlessly.

What vocal ranges do the roles sit in?

Quasimodo hovers around a gritty baritone, Frollo climbs to high baritone/low tenor, and Phoebus soars full tenor—creating a natural harmonic pyramid.

Has the track charted in the UK?

The English single didn’t chart, but the original French version spent 18 weeks at #1 in France and remains one of the country’s best-selling singles.

Is there an official music video for the London version?

No standalone video—only live stage recordings like the YouTube clip linked above.

Awards and Chart Positions

• The original French single “Belle” topped France’s SNEP chart for 18 consecutive weeks (1998) and won Song of the Year at the NRJ Music Awards.
• The London production earned an Olivier nomination for Outstanding Achievement in Music (2001), with this number cited for its powerhouse trio.

Fan and Media Reactions

“Three voices, one obsession—best love triangle anthem ever.” @GypsyTambourine, YouTube

“Garou still sounds like gravel dipped in honey—instant chills.” Emma Ko, WestEndWorld forum

“I saw the show at sixteen and thought ‘Belle’ was dangerously sexy. At thirty-six it still is.” @TimeTravelTenor, X

“The translation keeps the poetry but cranks up the rock guitars—chef’s kiss.” Mark Fielding, theatre critic

“When they hit the final ‘Esmeralda,’ every chandelier in the house vibrated.” @FrontRowFever, TikTok