“Belle,” the opening song from Disney’s animated classic Beauty and the Beast, perfectly encapsulates the spirit of the film and introduces us to its captivating protagonist. These Beauty And The Beast Song Lyrics are not just words; they are a window into Belle’s character, her dreams, and the quaint, provincial town she longs to escape. Let’s delve into the full lyrics of this iconic song and explore why it remains beloved by generations.
Belle:
Little town, it's a quiet village
Ev'ry day like the one before
Little town, full of little people
Waking up to say:
Lady:
Bon jour!
Man carrying grain sack:
Bon jour!
Egg man:
Bon jour!
Washer woman:
Bon jour!
Baker:
Bon jour!
Belle:
There goes the baker with his tray, like always
The same old bread and rolls to sell
Ev'ry morning, just the same
Since the morning that we came
To this poor provincial town
Baker:
Good morning, Belle!
Belle:
Good morning, Monsieur.
Baker:
Where are you off to today?
Belle:
The bookshop. I just finished the most wonderful story
About a beanstalk and an ogre and a—
Baker:
That's nice. Marie! The baguettes! Hurry up!
Townsfolk:
Look there she goes, that girl is strange, no question
Dazed and distracted, can't you tell?
Woman:
Never part of any crowd
Man:
'Cause her head's up on some cloud
Townsfolk:
No denying she's a funny girl, that Belle
Man I:
Bonjour!
Woman 1:
Good day!
Man 1:
How is your fam'ly?
Woman 2:
Bonjour!
Man 2:
Good day!
Woman 2:
How is your wife?
Woman 3:
I need six eggs!
Woman 4:
That's too expensive!
Belle:
There must be more than this provincial life!
Bookseller:
Ah, Belle!
Belle:
Good morning, sir. I've come to return the book I borrowed.
Bookseller:
Finished already?
Belle:
Oh, I couldn't put it down. Have you got anything new?
Bookseller:
Not since yesterday.
Belle:
That's all right. I'll borrow . . . . . this one!
Bookseller:
That one? But you've read it twice!
Belle:
Well, it's my favorite!
Far-off places, daring swordfights, magic spells, a prince in disguise—
Bookseller:
If you like it all that much, it's yours!
Belle:
But sir!
Bookseller:
I insist.
Belle:
Well, thank you. Thank you very much!
Townsfolk:
Look there she goes, that girl is so peculiar
I wonder if she's feeling well
With a dreamy, far-off look
And her nose stuck in a book
What a puzzle to the rest of us is Belle
Belle:
Oh, isn't this amazing? It's my fav'rite part because—you'll see
Here's where she meets Prince Charming
But she won't discover that it's him 'til chapter three!
Woman:
Now it's no wonder that her name means "Beauty"
Her looks have got no parallel
Shopkeeper:
But behind that fair facade
I'm afraid she's rather odd
Man:
Very diff'rent from the rest of us
Townsfolk:
She's nothing like the rest of us
Yes, diff'rent from the rest of us is Belle!
Lefou:
I got it, Gaston! Wow! You didn't miss a shot, Gaston! You're the greatest hunter in the whole world!
Gaston:
I know.
Lefou:
No beast alive stands a chance against you.
And no girl, for that matter.
Gaston:
It's true, LeFou. And I've got my sights set on that one.
Lefou:
The inventor's daughter?
Gaston:
She's the one – the lucky girl I'm going to marry.
Lefou:
But she's—
Gaston:
The most beautiful girl in town.
Lefou:
I know, but—
Gaston:
That makes her the best. And don't I deserve the best?
Lefou:
Of course, you do!
Gaston:
Right from the moment when I met her, saw her
I said she's gorgeous and I fell
Here in town there's only she
Who is beautiful as me
So I'm making plans to woo and marry Belle
Bimbettes:
Look there he goes
Isn't he dreamy?
Monsieur Gaston
Oh, he's so cute!
Be still my heart
I'm hardly breathing
He's such a tall, dark, strong, and handsome brute!
Woman 1:
Bonjour!
Gaston:
Pardon
Belle:
Good day
Woman 2:
Mais oui!
Woman 3:
You call this bacon?
Woman 4:
What lovely grapes!
Man 1:
Some cheese
Woman 5:
Ten yards!
Man 1:
One pound
Gaston:
'scuse me!
Cheese merchant:
I'll get the knife
Gaston:
Please let me through!
Woman 6:
This bread—
Woman 7:
Those fish—
Woman 6:
It's stale!
Woman 7:
They smell!
Men:
Madame's mistaken.
Women:
Well, maybe so
Townsfolk:
Good morning! Oh, good morning!
Belle:
There must be more than this provincial life!
Gaston:
Just watch, I'm going to make Belle my wife!
Townsfolk:
Look there she goes
The girl is strange but special
A most peculiar mademoiselle!
Women:
It's a pity and a sin
Men:
She doesn't quite fit in
Townsfolk:
'Cause she really is a funny girl
A beauty but a funny girl
She really is a funny girl
That Belle!A Song of Yearning and Small-Town Life
The beauty of these “Belle” song lyrics lies in their ability to paint a vivid picture of both Belle and her surroundings. The song opens with Belle herself describing her “little town” as a “quiet village” where “every day like the one before.” This repetition emphasizes the monotony and predictability of provincial life, which is the very thing Belle yearns to escape.
The townsfolk’s greetings of “Bon jour!” create an immersive soundscape of a bustling French village, yet Belle feels disconnected from it all. She is the “funny girl,” “dazed and distracted,” with her “head’s up on some cloud,” according to the townsfolk. This contrast immediately sets Belle apart as an individual with dreams that extend beyond the confines of her village.
Contrasting Characters: Belle and Gaston
The song cleverly introduces Gaston, the town’s admired hunter, into the narrative. Gaston’s verses present a stark contrast to Belle’s. While Belle dreams of “far-off places,” Gaston’s world revolves around his own ego and the pursuit of Belle purely for her beauty. His lines, “Here in town there’s only she Who is beautiful as me,” highlight his narcissism and shallow motivations.
The Bimbettes’ adoring interlude further exaggerates Gaston’s inflated self-image and the town’s superficial values, which Belle rejects. This juxtaposition is crucial for understanding the central conflict of Beauty and the Beast: Belle’s desire for genuine connection and adventure versus the superficiality and limitations of her current life.
“More Than This Provincial Life” – The Core Desire
The recurring line, “There must be more than this provincial life!” is the emotional core of the song and encapsulates Belle’s deepest longing. It’s a sentiment that resonates with anyone who has felt confined by their circumstances and yearned for something greater. This line, repeated by Belle and then echoed by the townsfolk in a slightly mocking tone, reinforces the central theme of Belle’s yearning for a life beyond the ordinary.
Conclusion: An Enduring Disney Anthem
“Belle” is more than just an opening number; it’s a masterclass in character introduction and exposition through song. These beauty and the beast song lyrics are rich with detail, contrasting personalities, and thematic depth, setting the stage for the enchanting tale that unfolds. The song’s enduring popularity is a testament to its clever writing, memorable melody, and the universal desire to break free from the mundane and discover “more than this provincial life.” Explore more iconic Disney song lyrics on payoffsong.com and rediscover the magic of music in storytelling.
