When Disney’s animated Tarzan hit the screens in 1999, it was an instant hit, thanks to its poignant storytelling, stunning animation, and memorable soundtrack. One of the highlights of the movie was “You’ll Be in My Heart,” a heartfelt ballad that spoke of love, loss, and finding strength within oneself. While the song resonated with the audience at the time of its release, many people still wonder today: Who wrote the song in Tarzan? In this blog post, we will explore the story behind the song and the artist behind it.
The Story of Tarzan
Before we delve into the specifics of the song, let’s take a look at the story of Tarzan. The movie tells the tale of a young boy named Tarzan (voiced by Tony Goldwyn) who is raised by gorillas in the African jungle after his parents are killed by a leopard. Tarzan grows up in the jungle, learning to survive and communicate with animals. He falls in love with Jane Porter (voiced by Minnie Driver), a young woman who explores the jungle with her father, Professor Porter (voiced by Nigel Hawthorne). The story follows Tarzan’s journey of self-discovery as he comes to terms with his place in the world and tries to protect his jungle home.
The Soundtrack
The soundtrack for Tarzan was composed by Mark Mancina, and the songs were written by Phil Collins. Mancina had previously worked on Disney’s The Lion King, and his signature blend of orchestration and world music was perfect for the African jungle setting of Tarzan. Phil Collins, on the other hand, was primarily known for his work as a drummer and vocalist for the rock band Genesis. However, in the 1980s and 1990s, he also enjoyed a successful solo career, producing hit songs like “In the Air Tonight” and “Another Day in Paradise.”
The Creation of “You’ll Be in My Heart”
Collins was initially approached to write just one song for Tarzan, but he was so inspired by the story that he ended up composing six. One of these songs was “You’ll Be in My Heart,” which he wrote with his daughter Lily in mind. The song is sung by Collins himself in the movie, but a version featuring Glenn Close was also released as a single.
In an interview with Rolling Stone, Collins talked about how the song came together: “I was thinking about the gorilla mother taking care of this orphaned child. In a moment of almost total relaxation, I came up with the first two lines of the song: ‘Come stop your crying, it’ll be all right/ Just take my hand, hold it tight.’ And then from there, the lyrics just kind of fell into place.” Collins’s tender lyrics and soulful delivery perfectly captured the emotional depth of the story.
The Success of “You’ll Be in My Heart”
“You’ll Be in My Heart” became an instant hit when it was released in 1999. It won the Academy Award for Best Song, as well as a Grammy Award for Best Song Written for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media. It also reached number 21 on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped the Adult Contemporary chart. The song’s success was due in part to its emotional resonance – it spoke to the universal themes of love, loss, and the unbreakable bond between a parent and child.
Conclusion
In conclusion, “You’ll Be in My Heart” is a beautiful and moving song that perfectly captures the emotional depth of Tarzan’s story. The song’s success is a testament to Phil Collins’s talent as a songwriter and performer, as well as the enduring popularity of Disney’s animated classics. Even after more than two decades, the song continues to touch the hearts of listeners young and old.
FAQ
How many songs did Phil Collins write for Tarzan?
Phil Collins wrote a total of five songs for the Disney movie Tarzan, which was released on Walt Disney Records in 1999. The soundtrack of the movie contains all the songs composed by Phil Collins and additional score by Mark Mancina. The five songs written by Phil Collins include “Two Worlds,” “You’ll Be in My Heart,” “Son of Man,” “Strangers Like Me,” and “Trashin’ the Camp.” The songs became a massive hit, with “You’ll Be in My Heart” winning an Academy Award for Best Original Song. The song also topped the charts in the US and the UK, among other countries. The success of the soundtrack prompted Collins to release an album titled “Tarzan: An Original Walt Disney Records Soundtrack” that also included all the songs he wrote for the movie.
What languages did Phil Collins sing in Tarzan?
Phil Collins is a well-known musician and singer who has made a lasting impact on the music industry. One of his most memorable work was in Disney’s animated film “Tarzan”, where he was the voice behind the film’s soundtrack. Phil Collins’ contribution to the music of Tarzan was unprecedented, and it was a great hit among fans worldwide. The songs in the movie were not only composed by him, but he also wrote and sang the lyrics himself.
Phil Collins made the effort to sing in various languages to make his music more enjoyable to audiences around the world. In the Tarzan soundtrack, he sang the songs in five different languages – English, Italian, German, Spanish, and French. The songs that were translated into these languages were “You’ll Be in My Heart,” “Strangers Like Me,” and “Two Worlds.”
In the English version, “You’ll Be in My Heart,” the song that won the Academy Award for Best Original Song, was performed by Phil Collins himself. However, he also worked with other renowned singers for the versions in different languages. In the Italian version, the song was performed by Manuela Villa and Renato Zero, while the German version was sung by Uwe Kroger and Drew Sarich. Similarly, the Spanish and French versions were performed by Mimi Rabson and Phil Collins himself.
In addition to “You’ll Be in My Heart”, Phil Collins sang “Two Worlds” and “Strangers Like Me” in all five languages. The overall effort he made to sing in the different languages of the movie helped to broaden the reach of the music to different countries, cultures, and languages.
Phil Collins’ music in Disney’s Tarzan was a masterpiece, and the fact that he took the time to learn and sing in five different languages shows the level of dedication and skill he possesses as a musician. The Tarzan soundtrack has gone on to become one of the most iconic movie soundtracks in history, and Phil Collins’s contribution to its success cannot be underestimated.
What popular singer wrote and performed the songs for Disney’s Tarzan?
Phil Collins, the popular English singer-songwriter, wrote and performed the songs for Disney’s Tarzan. Collins’s successful career from his early days as a drummer for the band Genesis to his solo career and international stardom became enriched by his work on the Tarzan soundtrack. He penned songs that added a unique emotional dimension to the movie, including “You’ll Be In My Heart,” which won him an Academy Award for Best Original Song, as well as a Golden Globe and a Grammy award. The song, which was also a chart-topper across multiple countries, served as the movie’s most memorable musical moment and still resonates with audiences today. In addition to “You’ll Be In My Heart,” Collins wrote and performed “Two Worlds,” “Son of Man,” “Strangers Like Me,” and “Trashin the Camp” for the film’s soundtrack. Collins’s distinctive style, characterized by his use of percussion instruments and his soulful, heartfelt lyrics, perfectly captured the wild, adventurous spirit of Tarzan and his jungle home. His work on the Tarzan soundtrack cemented his status as a musical legend and ingrained itself in the childhood memories of an entire generation.
What Disney movies did Phil Collins wrote songs for?
Phil Collins, a well-known singer, songwriter, and actor, created a number of unforgettable songs for Disney movies throughout his career. Most notably, in 1999, he lent his talents to the animated feature film, Tarzan, where he composed and performed songs in English, French, German, Italian, and Spanish. Collins wrote every one of the songs for the soundtrack album, which earned an Academy Award and a Golden Globe. The soundtrack was a massive hit, with “You’ll be in My Heart” becoming one of Collins’ most successful and popular tunes.
Collins’ other Disney contributions include several songs for Brother Bear. The film made use of Collins’ skill for writing inspiring, epic ballads, with “Great Spirits” and “Welcome” being the most prominent. He also created “Look Through My Eyes,” which features in the film itself. Collins continued to be a sought-after talent for many years following his work on Tarzan, with his songs being utilized in various television shows, movies, and commercials.
Phil Collins’ contribution to the Disney canon is an important part of his legacy as a musician. His work on Tarzan provided music that continues to resonate with fans to this day. Collins’ voice and compositions remain some of the most recognizable in the world of animated films.