Music Video
Lyrics of Poor Unfortunate Souls — The Little Mermaid
Soundtrack: Classic Disney
Lyrics
Poor Unfortunate Souls Song Lyrics
URSULA
The only way to get what you want is to become a human yourself.
ARIEL
Can you do that?
URSULA
My dear, sweet child. That's what I do. It's what I live for.
To help unfortunate merfolk like yourself.
Poor souls with no one else to turn to.
I admit that in the past I've been a nasty
They weren't kidding when they called me, well, a witch
But you'll find that nowadays
I've mended all my ways
Repented, seen the light, and made a switch
True? Yes
And I fortunately know a little magic
It's a talent that I always have possessed
And here lately, please don't laugh
I use it on behalf
Of the miserable, lonely, and depressed pathetic
Poor unfortunate souls
In pain, in need
This one longing to be thinner
That one wants to get the girl
And do I help them?
Yes, indeed
Those poor unfortunate souls
So sad, so true
They come flocking to my cauldron
Crying, "Spells, Ursula, please!"
And I help them!
Yes I do
Now it's happened once or twice
Someone couldn't pay the price
And I'm afraid I had to rake 'em 'cross the coals
Yes I've had the odd complaint
But on the whole I've been a saint
To those poor unfortunate souls
Have we got a deal?
ARIEL
If I become human, I'll never be with my father or sisters again.
URSULA
But you'll have your man, heh heh. Life's full of tough choices, isn't it? Heh heh.
Oh, and there is one more thing.
We haven't discussed the subject of payment.
ARIEL
But I don't have-
URSULA
I'm not asking much, just a token really, a trifle!
What I want from you is - your voice.
ARIEL
But without my voice, how can I-
URSULA
You'll have your looks, your pretty face.
And don't underestimate the importance of body language, ha!
The men up there don't like a lot of blabber
They think a girl who gossips is a bore!
Yes on land it's much preferred for ladies not to say a word
And after all dear, what is idle prattle for?
Come on, they're not all that impressed with conversation
True gentlemen avoid it when they can
But they dote and swoon and fawn
On a lady who's withdrawn
It's she who holds her tongue who get's a man
Come on you poor unfortunate soul
Go ahead!
Make your choice !
I'm a very busy woman and I haven't got all day
It won't cost much
Just your voice!
You poor unfortunate soul
It's sad but true
If you want to cross the bridge, my sweet
You've got the pay the toll
Take a gulp and take a breath
And go ahead and sign the scroll
Flotsam, Jetsam, now I've got her, boys
The boss is on a roll
This poor unfortunate soul
Beluga sevruga
Come winds of the Caspian Sea
Larengix glaucitis
Et max laryngitis
La voce to me
Now, sing!
ARIEL
Aah...
Keep singing!
Classic Disney
Soundtrack Lyrics for Cartoon, 2003
Track Listing
›A Whole New World
Brad Kane and Lea Salonga
›Circle Of Life
Elton John
›Beauty And The Beast
Angela Lansbury
›Under the Sea
Samuel E. Wright
›Hakuna Matata
Elton John
›Kiss The Girl
Samuel E. Wright
›I Just Cant Wait To Be King
Elton John
›Poor Unfortunate Souls
The Little Mermaid
›Chim Chim Cher-ee
Julie Andrews
›Jolly Holiday
Dick Van Dyke
›A Spoonful Of Sugar
Julie Andrews
›Let's Get Together
Hayley Mills
›The Monkeys Uncle
The Beach Boys & Annette Funicello
›The Ugly Bug Ball
Burl Ives
›The Spectrum Song
Paul Frees
›Colonel Hathis March
J. Pat O'Malley
›A Whale Of A Tale
Kirk Douglas
›You Can Fly You Can Fly You Can Fly
Jud Conlon Chorus
›The Work Song
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›A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes
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›Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah
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›Dance Of The Reed Flutes (Instrumental)
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›Love Is A Song
Donald Novis
›Some Day My Prince Will Come
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›Minnies Yoo Hoo
Mickey Mouse
›Be Our Guest
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›Can You Feel The Love Tonight
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›Part Of Your World
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›One Jump Ahead
Brad Kane
›Gaston
Richard White
›Something There
Paige O'Hara and Robby Benson
›Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious
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›Candle On The Water
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›Main Street Elecrical Parade
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›Feed The Birds (Tuppence A Bag)
Julie Andrews
›Best Of Friends
Pearl Bailey
›Let's Go Fly A Kite
David Tomlinson
›It's A Small World ( After All )
The Mellomen
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The Mellomen
›Mickey Mouse Club March
Mickey Mouse
›On The Front Porch
Burl Ives
›The Second Star To The Right
The Mellomen
›Evrybody Has A Laughing Place
James Baskett and Nick Stewart
›Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo
Verna Felton
›So This Is Love
Ilene Woods
›When You Wish Upon A Star
Cliff Edwards
›Heigh-Ho
The Seven Dwarfs
›Who's Afriad Of The Big Bad Wolf?
Pinto Colvig
›Colors Of The Wind
Judy Kuhn
›You've Got A Friend In Me
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›Be Prepared
Jeremy Irons
›Out There
Tony Jay and Tom Hulce
›Family
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›Les Poissons
René Auberjonois
›Mine Mine Mine
David Ogden Stiers
›Jack's Lament
Danny Elfman
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Paul Terry
›Heffalumps And Woozles
The Mellomen
›The Mob Song
Richard White
›Portobello Road
Angela Lansbury
›Stay Awake
Julie Andrews
›I Wanna Be Like You
Louis Prima and Phil Harris
›Oo-De-Lally
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John Davidson, Lesley Ann Warren
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George Givot
›Following The Leader
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›Trust In Me
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›The Ballad Of Davy Crockett
Bill Hayes
›I'm Professor Ludwig Von Drake
Paul Frees
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The Sportsmen
›Little April Shower
Disney Studio Chorus
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Otis Harlan, Billy Gilbert, Pinto Colvig, Roy Atwell, and Scotty Mattraw
›One Last Hope
Danny DeVito
›A Guy Like You
Charles Kimbrough
›On The Open Road
Bill Farmer
›Just Around The Riverbend
Judy Kuhn
›Home
Susan Egan
›Fantasmic (Instrumental)
Disneyland
›Oogie Boogie's Song
Ken Page
›I Will Go Sailing No More
Randy Newman
›Substitutiary Locomotion
Angela Lansbury
›Stop, Look and Listen! / I'm No Fool!
Cliff "Ukelele Ike" Edwards
›Love
Nancy Adams
›Thomas Omalley Cat
Phil Harris
›Thats What Friends Are For
J. Pat O'Malley
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The Disney Chorus
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Deborah Walley
›Ten Feet Off The Ground
Buddy Ebsen and Lesley Ann Warren
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Peggy Lee
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Maurice Chevalier
›Although I Dropped $100,000 (I Found A Million Dollars In Your Smile)
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›Give A Little Whistle
Cliff Edwards
›Oh Sing Sweet Nightingale
Eleanor Audley
›I Wonder
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Adriana Caselotti
February, 24th 2024
"Poor Unfortunate Souls" from Disney's The Little Mermaid is a song that has fascinated audiences simce its release in 1989, performed by Pat Carroll, the voice of Ursula. This song is notable for its Broadway and Burlesque style, marking a significant point in Ursula's attempt to seduce Ariel into trading her voice for a chance to become human.
The song was initially conceptualized differently, with Alan Menken and Howard Ashman first penning a song titled "Silence Is Golden" for Ursula. After reassessment, they revised it into "Poor Unfortunate Souls," a decision tthat gave the song its memorable and menacing charm. Pat Carroll described the recording process as intense, stating that she drew much of Ursula's character from Ashman's own interpretation of the song during the pitch.
Over the years, "Poor Unfortunate Souls" has become more than just a villain's theme; it's a cultural icon. Ursula, despite being the antagonist, is celebrated for her confidence and command, traits that have inspired many. This complexity has led to Ursula being seen in a more positive light, not just as a villain but as an embodiment of empowerment for some fans.
The live-action adaptation of The Little Mermaid made changes to the lyrics of "Poor Unfortunate Souls," sparking debate among fans and critics. These changes were intended to modernize the song's message and avoid potentially misogynistic interpretations, focusing more on Ariel's desire to explore the world above rather than just obtaining a man. Alan Menken, the song's composer, mentioned that the revisions were made to ensure the song did not discourage young girls from speaking out, acknowledging Ursula's manipulation in the process.
While some argue that these changes might diminish Ursula's villainy, others see them as a necessary adaptation to fit contemporary sensibilities. Ursula's role as a beloved character complicates her portrayal, blending narrative villainy with cultural admiration.
The evolution of "Poor Unfortunate Souls" from its original composition to its live-action adaptation reflects changing attitudes towards gender representation and the complexity of interpreting a character like Ursula, whose villainy is as nuanced as it is overt.
The song was initially conceptualized differently, with Alan Menken and Howard Ashman first penning a song titled "Silence Is Golden" for Ursula. After reassessment, they revised it into "Poor Unfortunate Souls," a decision tthat gave the song its memorable and menacing charm. Pat Carroll described the recording process as intense, stating that she drew much of Ursula's character from Ashman's own interpretation of the song during the pitch.
Over the years, "Poor Unfortunate Souls" has become more than just a villain's theme; it's a cultural icon. Ursula, despite being the antagonist, is celebrated for her confidence and command, traits that have inspired many. This complexity has led to Ursula being seen in a more positive light, not just as a villain but as an embodiment of empowerment for some fans.
The live-action adaptation of The Little Mermaid made changes to the lyrics of "Poor Unfortunate Souls," sparking debate among fans and critics. These changes were intended to modernize the song's message and avoid potentially misogynistic interpretations, focusing more on Ariel's desire to explore the world above rather than just obtaining a man. Alan Menken, the song's composer, mentioned that the revisions were made to ensure the song did not discourage young girls from speaking out, acknowledging Ursula's manipulation in the process.
While some argue that these changes might diminish Ursula's villainy, others see them as a necessary adaptation to fit contemporary sensibilities. Ursula's role as a beloved character complicates her portrayal, blending narrative villainy with cultural admiration.
The evolution of "Poor Unfortunate Souls" from its original composition to its live-action adaptation reflects changing attitudes towards gender representation and the complexity of interpreting a character like Ursula, whose villainy is as nuanced as it is overt.
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