Under the Sea — Samuel E. Wright Lyrics
Soundtrack: Classic Disney
Under the Sea Song Lyrics
The seaweed is always greener
In somebody else's lake
You dream about going up there
But that is a big mistake
Just look at the world around you
Right here on the ocean floor
Such wonderful things surround you
What more is you lookin' for?
Under the sea
Under the sea
Darling it's better
Down where it's wetter
Take it from me
Up on the shore they work all day
Out in the sun they slave away
While we devotin'
Full time to floatin'
Under the sea
Down here all the fish is happy
As off through the waves they roll
The fish on the land ain't happy
They sad 'cause they in their bowl
But fish in the bowl is lucky
They in for a worser fate
One day when the boss get hungry
Guess who's gon' be on the plate
Under the sea
Under the sea
Nobody beat us
Fry us and eat us
In fricassee
We what the land folks loves to cook
Under the sea we off the hook
We got no troubles
Life is the bubbles
Under the sea
Under the sea
Since life is sweet here
We got the beat here
Naturally
Even the sturgeon an' the ray
They get the urge 'n' start to play
We got the spirit
You got to hear it
Under the sea
The newt play the flute
The carp play the harp
The plaice play the bass
And they soundin' sharp
The bass play the brass
The chub play the tub
The fluke is the duke of soul
(Yeah)
The ray he can play
The lings on the strings
The trout rockin' out
The blackfish she sings
The smelt and the sprat
They know where it's at
An' oh that blowfish blow
Under the sea
Under the sea
When the sardine
Begin the beguine
It's music to me
What do they got? A lot of sand
We got a hot crustacean band
Each little clam here
know how to jam here
Under the sea
Each little slug here
Cuttin' a rug here
Under the sea
Each little snail here
Know how to wail here
That's why it's hotter
Under the water
Ya we in luck here
Down in the muck here
Under the sea
Track Listing
Brad Kane and Lea Salonga
Elton John
Angela Lansbury
Samuel E. Wright
Elton John
Samuel E. Wright
Elton John
The Little Mermaid
Julie Andrews
Dick Van Dyke
Julie Andrews
Hayley Mills
The Beach Boys & Annette Funicello
Burl Ives
Paul Frees
J. Pat O'Malley
Kirk Douglas
Jud Conlon Chorus
Jimmy MacDonald
Ilene Woods
James Baskett
Tchaikovsky
Donald Novis
Adriana Caselotti
Mickey Mouse
Jerry Orbach and Angela Lansbury
Elton John
Jodi Benson
Brad Kane
Richard White
Paige O'Hara and Robby Benson
Julie Andrews
Al Kasha
Baroque Hoedown
Angela Lansbury
Phil Harris and Bruce Reitherman
Julie Andrews
Pearl Bailey
David Tomlinson
The Mellomen
The Mellomen
Mickey Mouse
Burl Ives
The Mellomen
James Baskett and Nick Stewart
Verna Felton
Ilene Woods
Cliff Edwards
The Seven Dwarfs
Pinto Colvig
Judy Kuhn
Randy Newman
Jeremy Irons
Tony Jay and Tom Hulce
Jeff Bennett
René Auberjonois
David Ogden Stiers
Danny Elfman
Paul Terry
The Mellomen
Richard White
Angela Lansbury
Julie Andrews
Louis Prima and Phil Harris
Roger Miller
John Davidson, Lesley Ann Warren
Mary Costa and Bill Shirley
George Givot
John Darling
Sterling Holloway
Bill Hayes
Paul Frees
The Sportsmen
Disney Studio Chorus
Otis Harlan, Billy Gilbert, Pinto Colvig, Roy Atwell, and Scotty Mattraw
Danny DeVito
Charles Kimbrough
Bill Farmer
Judy Kuhn
Susan Egan
Disneyland
Ken Page
Randy Newman
Angela Lansbury
Cliff "Ukelele Ike" Edwards
Nancy Adams
Phil Harris
J. Pat O'Malley
The Disney Chorus
Deborah Walley
Buddy Ebsen and Lesley Ann Warren
Peggy Lee
Maurice Chevalier
Paul Frees
Cliff Edwards
Eleanor Audley
Mary Costa
Larry Morey
Betty Noyes
Adriana Caselotti
Song Details and Overview

- Producers: Howard Ashman, Chris Phillips, Alan Menken, Robert Kraft
- Release Date: October 19, 1989
- Label: Walt Disney Records
- Musical Genre: Calypso, Pop, Reggae, Children's Music, Soundtrack
- Album: *Sebastian From The Little Mermaid*
- Language(s): English
- Mood: Uplifting, Playful
Exploring the meaning of "Under the Sea"

"Under the Sea" is a jubilant calypso anthem sung by Sebastian the crab in Disney’s *The Little Mermaid*. In the film, Sebastian tries to dissuade Ariel from leaving the ocean for the human world, extolling the virtues of undersea life with lively instrumentation and vivid imagery.
History and Inspiration
Composed by Alan Menken with lyrics by Howard Ashman, the song was inspired by classic calypso music, blending Caribbean rhythms with playful orchestration to capture the vibrancy of underwater life. It was a standout moment in the 1989 animated classic, earning the duo an Academy Award for Best Original Song.
Verse Analysis
Introduction: The opening establishes the premise, with Sebastian noting the "mess" of the human world compared to the serene and carefree life beneath the waves.
Verse 1: Using phrases like "The seaweed is always greener in somebody else's lake," the song conveys the message of appreciating one’s own circumstances rather than longing for an idealized life.
Chorus: The repeated refrain celebrates underwater life with playful lines like "Darling, it's better down where it's wetter," reinforcing the joy and freedom of ocean living.
Verse 2: The contrast between the happiness of sea creatures and the plight of their land-dwelling counterparts emphasizes the theme of contentment and community.
Bridge: Sebastian leads an imaginative sequence where various sea creatures play instruments, creating an underwater orchestra. This section is filled with whimsical details like "The fluke is the duke of soul" and "The smelt and the sprat, they know where it's at."
Songs similar to Under the Sea

- "Hakuna Matata" from *The Lion King*: Like "Under the Sea," this song offers a carefree philosophy, blending humor with catchy melodies. The celebratory vibe and lessons about appreciating life make it a close counterpart.
- "Be Our Guest" from *Beauty and the Beast*: With its lively tempo and emphasis on charm and hospitality, this song mirrors the cheerful energy and orchestral arrangement of "Under the Sea."
- "Friend Like Me" from *Aladdin*: Sung by the charismatic Genie, this number shares the whimsical, fast-paced style and imaginative use of metaphors seen in "Under the Sea."
- "The Bare Necessities" from *The Jungle Book*: This classic highlights the importance of enjoying the simple things in life, much like Sebastian’s reminder to Ariel to cherish her underwater home.
- "In Summer" from *Frozen*: Olaf’s playful musings on life in summer capture the lighthearted and optimistic tone of "Under the Sea."
- "Colors of the Wind" from *Pocahontas*: While more reflective, this song shares a thematic similarity by celebrating the natural world and promoting a deeper appreciation of life’s wonders.
- "You’re Welcome" from *Moana*: Maui’s song features a rhythmic, upbeat style and showcases a love for island life, resonating with the calypso-inspired vibe of "Under the Sea."
- "Little April Shower" from *Bambi*: Though more serene, this piece evokes the natural world's harmony and wonder, akin to the sense of community and joy under the sea.
Chart Performance and Awards

"Under the Sea" won the Academy Award for Best Original Song at the 62nd Academy Awards in 1990, cementing its place in the pantheon of iconic Disney songs. The song is featured in multiple Disney theme park attractions, including "The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Undersea Adventure."
Fan and Media Reactions
The song remains a fan favorite, with its vibrant energy and message of contentment resonating across generations. Critics have praised its innovative use of calypso rhythms in a children’s musical, and it continues to inspire covers and reinterpretations in various musical genres.
"Under the Sea" is a catchy up-tempo song from Disney's "The Little Mermaid," 1989. The song, being sung by Sebastian the Crab, is quite a persuasive attempt to inform Ariel, the Mermaid Princess, about the joys and great things that come with being underwater. That contrasts very much with Ariel's longing to live on the land, for sure, as she illustrates in "Part of Your World." "Under the Sea" had been so hyped since the calypso rhythm brought forth a bouncy Caribbean fashion in the film's score and showcased the affluence and flair to be found in the life of the sea.
The song's primary message is an appreciation for one's home and the beauty of the environment in which one lives. "Under the Sea" is quick-paced and upbeat, given its light-hearted lyrics that outline the delightful beauty of the underwater world, explicitly stating the argument that life is better underneath rather than on top of the water. These two characteristics that define Ariel as more human compared to the other mermaids. It will compare the presentiment Ariel has toward the human world—that the people of the world are contented with what they have and enjoy living for the moment.
"Under the Sea" uses a variety of sea creatures and their activities as metaphors for a carefree and joyful existence. Sebastian also sings of the fish who can play, of seaweed that's always greener in somebody else's lake, and of the wonders one can find in a place where one won't have to put up with human troubles. The song tells of wonders in the sea with beauty, personifying it like a bustling town. It suggests that happiness can be found in appreciating what one has, rather than longing for something out of reach.
It sets the upbeat, energetic tone of the song because of the theme: the party under the water, where the fish come together and have fun.
With a calypso beat and a singer who sounds like he can't be having anything but the time of his life, it's exactly the kind of song you would expect to get the message across: under the sea, everything's alive and it's swell to be there. This catchy-tuned atmosphere of the song gives a different perspective and contrast to Ariel's yearning, which will be a melancholic parting look to be happy for the human world in a totally different place.
"Under the Sea" rapidly turned into one of Disney's most recognizable and preferred songs that won the Academy Award for Best Original Song. The cultural significance that it gave birth to was the mix of being entertaining and at the same time sending a message that one is supposed to love Mother Nature. With infectious rhythm and attractive words, this song has become the favorite of every generation; sometimes, even the song reminds one of the contentment and joy of living in harmony with the environment.
On the whole, "Under the Sea" is not just a song telling about the smashing attractiveness of the underwater world; it is more likely an ode to life, diversity, and happiness in and around. It has since become a timeless piece within the Disney music repertoire, inspiring its audience to find happiness and beauty in the world through a vibrant melody, colorful imagery, and a positive message. "Under the Sea," from "The Little Mermaid" by Disney, is a brash, bouncy number actually celebrating life under the water and, at the same time, commenting on human aspirations for what is, in fact, out of reach outside of one's current predicament. The buoyant lyrics, flitting across infectious, syncopated Caribbean-inflected rhythms, contrast the drudgery of life on terra firms with the buoyant notes and syncopated rhythms of the music that reflect the experience of joy and freedom at
Here is ingeniously applied in a metaphor the undersea world for content and how good it is to be content with what is around.
The first sentence of the song says, "The seaweed is always greener / In somebody else's lake." This is that kind which lies down on the table easily and elaborately describes the grass-is-always-greener syndrome and envy, the theme of the song.
This, with the feeling of commonness, where one would believe that other people have it better, is of which the song expounds on the beauty and plenty of the sea, suggesting that happiness comes in appreciation of what one has rather than longingly looking at what one doesn't have. The lines "Under the sea / Darling it's better / Down where it's wetter / Take it from me" outline how life below water is better than life above by humans on land.
He compares this by the use of humor and lively images that the ocean is just a place for recreation and endless fun. The sea creatures are also not involved in those things that weigh humans down on earth, such as work and being a slave of the sun. It becomes associated with perspective, where lines such as "The fish on the land ain't happy / They sad 'cause they in their bowl" basically point out how a person becomes a product of their environment with happiness and fulfillment. It further warns against wishing for a different life, represented by the destiny of fish on a plate, humorously advising one to be satisfied with their current lot. The music itself, "Under the Sea," is filled with vivid imagery of the underwater world, where they have every kind of fish and sea creature playing a different kind of musical instrument—not just for charm but to show the world how unity and coordination are done by its populace. In that line, the group of musicians fish as one would metaphorically have to reflect that each has its individual, peculiar service and place in life, meaning a place that can only be made by a particular individual.
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