Soundtracks: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z #

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Music Video

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

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

Jimmy MacDonald

A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes

Ilene Woods

Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah

James Baskett

Dance Of The Reed Flutes (Instrumental)

Tchaikovsky

Love Is A Song

Donald Novis

Some Day My Prince Will Come

Adriana Caselotti

Minnies Yoo Hoo

Mickey Mouse

Be Our Guest

Jerry Orbach and Angela Lansbury

Can You Feel The Love Tonight

Elton John

Part Of Your World

Jodi Benson

One Jump Ahead

Brad Kane

Gaston

Richard White

Something There

Paige O'Hara and Robby Benson

Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious

Julie Andrews

Candle On The Water

Al Kasha

Main Street Elecrical Parade

Baroque Hoedown

The Age Of Not Believing

Angela Lansbury

The Bare Neccesities

Phil Harris and Bruce Reitherman

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

The Tiki Tiki Tiki Room

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

Randy Newman

Be Prepared

Jeremy Irons

Out There

Tony Jay and Tom Hulce

Family

Jeff Bennett

Les Poissons

René Auberjonois

Mine Mine Mine

David Ogden Stiers

Jack's Lament

Danny Elfman

My Name Is James

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

Roger Miller

Are We Dancing?

John Davidson, Lesley Ann Warren

Once Upon A Dream

Mary Costa and Bill Shirley

Bella Notte

George Givot

Following The Leader

John Darling

Trust In Me

Sterling Holloway

The Ballad Of Davy Crockett

Bill Hayes

I'm Professor Ludwig Von Drake

Paul Frees

Pink Elephants On Parade

The Sportsmen

Little April Shower

Disney Studio Chorus

The Silly Song (Dwarfs Yodel Song)

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

Winnie The Pooh

The Disney Chorus

Femininity

Deborah Walley

Ten Feet Off The Ground

Buddy Ebsen and Lesley Ann Warren

The Siamese Cat Song

Peggy Lee

Enjoy It

Maurice Chevalier

Although I Dropped $100,000 (I Found A Million Dollars In Your Smile)

Paul Frees

Give A Little Whistle

Cliff Edwards

Oh Sing Sweet Nightingale

Eleanor Audley

I Wonder

Mary Costa

Looking For Romance

Larry Morey

Baby Mine

Betty Noyes

I'm Wishing/One Song

Adriana Caselotti


January, 27th 2025

Song Details and Overview



Samuel E. Wright, Under the Sea lyrics
Samuel E. Wright performing 'Under the Sea' in the iconic Disney animation.



  • 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"



Samuel E. Wright performing Under the Sea
Performance of 'Under the Sea' by Samuel E. Wright as Sebastian in *The Little Mermaid*.


"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



Thumbnail from Under the Sea lyric video by Samuel E. Wright
Screenshot from the 'Under the Sea' sequence, capturing its vibrant and lively essence.



  1. "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.


  2. "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."


  3. "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."


  4. "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.


  5. "In Summer" from *Frozen*: Olaf’s playful musings on life in summer capture the lighthearted and optimistic tone of "Under the Sea."


  6. "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.


  7. "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."


  8. "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



Scene from Under the Sea track by Samuel E. Wright
Visual effects from the 'Under the Sea' sequence bringing the ocean to life.


"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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