Hey there. I have perhaps the least controversial statement ever to make.
'Show Yourself', NOT 'Into the Unknown', is the true spiritual successor to 'Let It Go'.
I think this is well established by just about everyone at this point, except the Disney merchandising department.
Why am I analyzing a film released more than a year ago? Because - that's why.
I will explore themes, lyrics, imagery, and impact of all three songs to support my thesis.
Welcome to my TEDtalk.
In the beginning
Imagine it is early 2013, you're watching TV or some new DVD when an ad for an upcoming film plays:
Perhaps you think you are looking at an ad for a romantic comedy, maybe you think you're seeing a wacky road trip movie - I - I don't know this trailer is just so unbelievably off. I tried analyzing multiple Disney trailers to see where we went wrong (the early 2000s were a weird time). As I watched trailer after trailer it struck me that the heart-warming was being played down and the comedy was being played up. I realized what these trailers were reminding me of...
I've discovered an entirely different rabbit hole to climb down... if I want to finish this we're gonna have to move on.
There are two things you cannot tell from the trailer: first - that Elsa is a secondary protagonist and not an antagonist, and second - that this is going to be a musical, specifically a Broadway style musical with characters singing to move the plot forward. This means that advertising was oddly devoid of three little words that would instantly trigger bouts of song across the globe:
Let It Go.
The impact of this song could only be described by the word phenomenal. Love it or hate it - you know at least part of it and for the 2013 holidays (and most of 2014) you heard it ev-er-y-where.
The Singers
It's funny how some distance makes everything seem small it apparent that the best part of Frozen was the music. But with a playlist of bops, how did one song rise so definitively to the top? I think the answer lies in many elements, but the one that undeniably rocketed it from great musical number in a kids' film to absolute show stopping earworm can be traced to this lady right here:
Insert mispronunciation of 'Idena Menzel' joke here.
I don't think it is any coincidence that the most popular three songs from the two soundtracks are the Idena Menzel numbers. She is an amazing singer with a strong set of pipes. She has a belting style that just begs to be sung along to - fellas, I don't know if this is true for you - but when I'm with ladies the numbers we sing along with are invariably the numbers we can really let 'er rip on.
In fact, I know that the belting is part of the appeal because, although Demi Lovato's pop version is decent in it's own right and has a fair number of sales - it just isn't the version that people are out there singing along with, is it?
The official cover for Frozen II is 'Into the Unknown' by Panic! At The Disco. This cover seems to be more popular than the Lovato cover in the previous film (all I can find are the little popularity bars on iTunes, no numbers). It also is similar in popularity to the second Elsa solo in the film, 'Show Yourself', a song which has no official cover on the soundtrack. I think part of the reason for the popularity is that Brendon Urie has an amazing range, four octaves, compared to Menzel's two (or two and a half) octaves. Meaning he can throw out those high notes with a force that I would call belting though there is some debate as to whether men can actually belt.
Each of these stanza's illustrates Elsa's place in the world. Each is at the beginning of the song which is important for development sake. In 'Let It Go' she feels alone, not just alone - but separated. There is an entire kingdom that is only her and she is not hoping to find anyone. By the end of the song she exclaims that she will remain isolated, it gives her freedom she had been craving. In 'Show Yourself', she wonders who this presence is that makes her feel safe. She has grown and now seeks out a place to be happy - not simply free.
"It's funny how some distance makes everything seem small
And the fears that once controlled me can't get to me at all
It's time to see what I can do
To test the limits and break through
No right, no wrong, no rules for me
I'm free"
-Let It Go
"I've never felt so certain
All my life, I've been torn
But I'm here for a reason
Could it be the reason I was born?
I have always been so different
Normal rules did not apply
Is this the day?
Are you the way
I finally find out why?"
-Show Yourself
Completely ignoring the fact that these are sung in a very similar tone. I can't help but draw so many parallels in this verse. She acknowledges forces in her life "fears that once controlled me"/"all my life, I've been torn". She accepts that these forces have been holding her back "it's time to see what I can do"/ " I'm here for a reason". Then she places her powers within the framework of society "no rules for me"/"normal rules did not apply". She shows growth - these lyrics go from a very self-centered viewpoint, to viewpoint that evaluates herself based on her impacts on others.
Visuals
Enjoy some screen caps. Some of these moments are much better in movement, if you have the inclination to watch the songs back to back!
Note that the Frozen II image is out of sync with the rest of it's captures - but it is so similar I thought it'd better be here!
This is 100% not coincidental. In the making-of documentary for Frozen II, the artists even discuss the imagery style as being 'ice palace'. They made the decision to use similar shots and framing for this song. Can we also take a moment to be astonished that what seemed like the pinnacle of ice animation in 'Let It Go' was, in fact, bested by the effects team for "Show Yourself'? The particle effects in all of Frozen II have me going like...
What can I say? I'm a sucker for particle effects.
Titles
Even the titles show us how similar Let It Go and Show Yourself are.
Into the Unknown is not a complete sentence, it is a prepositional phrase - a modifier if you will. This song is the catalyst, it modifies Elsa's standpoint of life in Arendelle. It causes her to ask questions and seek the answers.
Let It Go and Show Yourself are technically complete sentences, specifically they are imperative sentences. This means they are commands. "But who is she commanding?" I hear you ask. In a classic musical the characters aren't typically aware they are singing, the song represents extreme emotion. Then we can assume the songs represent Elsa's inner thoughts. 'Let It Go' and 'Show Yourself' are both commands to herself (though she doesn't realize it until the climax of the latter).
Themes
The themes and lessons from both songs seem similar on a surface level. However, we once again see a story of growth. And while the argument could easily be made that Anna is the main character in the Frozen franchise, in my opinion the best character arc certainly belongs to Elsa.
'Let It Go' is a power anthem wherein Elsa finds herself freed from the constraints placed upon her throughout her childhood. She is able to let it go herself use her powers for the first time since she was a very young child. As the song progresses she builds a palace around herself, a full display of her power. Recall however that this song is steeped in isolation, the palace is for no one but herself. She has not given herself a single moment of joy in many years - now the first thing she consciously does with her powers is gift herself a home where she can do whatever she wants. She discusses the outside world but only in that she is separating herself from it, "no rules for me, I'm free" and 'let the storm rage on" are both examples. However, it is the iconic dress change and power walk that perfectly embody the theme of the song. "Here I stand, in the light of day." She is prepared to let herself be herself - she is accepting herself.
Just in case you don't know what I'm referring to when I say the power walk.
It is easy to think that is the perfect end for Elsa's arc. But Frozen II managed to go one step beyond. The theming in this one is, I believe, more subtle. Right from the beginning of the song you can sense Elsa's relief, and the fact that she is not isolated, "I can sense you there, like a friend I've always known". She is tearing down the walls of isolation erected during 'Let It Go' when she told herself to "turn away and slam the door"; now however she advises herself, "you don't have to hide, show yourself".
It is of course the climax of the song where Elsa realizes the mysterious voice was her mother - but the one she was looking for was herself. Iduna says, "Come, my darling, homeward bound" to which Elsa replies not that she has found her mother, or the voice, but rather "I am found" as scenes of her mother and father show around her. Her mother then tells her, "you are the one you've been waiting for" and Elsa agrees, "all of my life". This is, of course, accompanied by other dress change (change being emblematic of growth and becoming a new person). But my favorite touch? Remember in 'Let It Go' when she declared, "you'll never see me cry"? Well, check out her expression at the end of 'Show Yourself':
Perfection.
Elsa has ceased hiding herself away. She has gone from accepting who she is, but keeping that person distant from the world to embracing herself. She knows herself, she understands she is different, and she desires to be a force for good.
Impact
Well, to everyone that had (and still has) 'Let It Go' stuck in their head, it is clear that there is still residual impact from that ballad. Part of the reason this song strikes people so hard is that it came out of no where (remember that original trailer?). Even if you knew this was a musical did you really expect and big Disney power ballad from the minds behind Avenue Q and Winnie the Pooh (2011)? Maybe someone did - but part of me wonders if Disney even did because of that original marketing. I'm also well aware, that it could have been their little secret...
When it came to Frozen II there wasn't really any point in concealing the actual tone of the film. If anything they way undersold the comedy (anyone else wish Olaf had a touch less speaking time?) but still let the movie speak for itself without resorting to a big voice in the sky.
Two phrases that came up a lot in marketing were 'Answer the Call' and you guessed it 'Into the Unknown'. Why? Why wouldn't they put forward the song even they believed to be the crux of the film? Well...
"That's the big showstopping number. And it still isn't quite there yet, still needs the extra work." - Peter Del Vecho (Producer)
"We are about 22% animated. But this is the most precarious place to me, because a lot of songs have come in since December, which is incredible, but we're still struggling with "Show Yourself." - Jennifer Lee (Director)
"So "Show Yourself" is in flux. We've spent the last 24 hours trying to the get the front right by bringing it to a softer place." - Kristen Anderson-Lopez (Songwriter)
“Show Yourself" feels like the patient is on the operating table but we’ve got one last shot at bringing it back.” - Marc Smith (Director of Story)
Yikes. These comments were all made with less than a year until release date! Disney marketing couldn't trust the marketing campaign to a song that was still under threat of being cut eight months before the film was set to release. So the obvious choice for marketing and creating an award campaign around fell to Elsa's other big song. 'Into the Unknown' is bombastic, occurs in a similar place in the film as 'Let It Go', and is musically similar enough (with Idena bringing her belting abilities and the same high note finish) that they were confident enough to bring in P!atD for the cover, and present it for the Oscar. Simply put, part of the reason 'Show Yourself' was never afforded the true recognition it deserved came down to it getting stuck in development - interestingly a problem that also plagued 'Let It Go' and forced a retooling of the original film.
Concluding Thoughts
Elsa's arc is one that we need more of, 'Let It Go' was fine for the time, an insanely catchy tune, but, without it's quieter, sweeter conclusion, the story is only half-told, the message only half-baked. We should absolutely accept ourselves, but not at the cost of isolation. When we truly embrace ourselves and give ourselves back to the world, that's the goal of our story. Therefore 'Show Yourself' is the real second verse to 'Let It Go'. 'Into the Unknown' is great - but it is a catalyst of growth - not a measure of it.
Down the Rabbit Hole...
I went down so many rabbit holes while writing this. I thought I'd share my favorites!
This article highlights the Particle Effects in the film Frozen II.
I watched this entire making of series on Disney+.
I discovered a Chilean singer that sued Disney over supposed similarities.
