This soundtrack review probably seems incredibly random, and to everyone who thinks that: you're probably right. However, the CD associated with this soundtrack has a lot of importance to me for a huge range of reasons:
1. It was the first soundtrack that I ever owned, and I always feel like if it wasn't for this CD, I would probably never have loved soundtracks as much as I do today.
2. It was the first CD that I ever owned.
3. Beauty and the Beast has always been my Number One favorite Disney film, which is absolutely crazy considering that I don't even own the film on DVD!!
Released in late 1991, the music for the soundtrack was composed by Disney stalwart Alan Menken, whilst the lyrics were written by Howard Ashman. Beauty and the Beast was actually one of Ashman's final pieces of work, and certainly one of the last that he managed to complete. As a huge fan of the music, I have to say that I'm glad that he had chance to finish it, because it is definitely one of my favorite Disney soundtracks of all time too.
My family will no doubt vouch for the fact that I spent a lot of time dancing and singing (probably a bit too loudly, in the immature belief that no one could possibly hear me), around my living room pretending to be Belle when I was a kid.
I love the humor of songs like "Belle" and "Be Our Guest", whilst the sweetness of all versions of "Beauty and the Beast" is just incredible, and certainly played on that childhood longing for romance that I think any Disney-raised little girl will know what I'm talking about.
It's really weird to think this film and it's soundtrack are now over twenty years old, but I'm glad that it was able to be a part of my childhood. This is a CD and a soundtrack that will remain in my collection even after CDs have completely disappeared from the market, as one of my most treasured possessions.
Entertainment Magazine
