The Bells of Notre Dame

Listen online

David Ogden Stiers, Disney, Paul Kandel, Tony Jay

About The Bells of Notre Dame

"The Bells of Notre Dame" is a song from the 1996 Disney film, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, composed by Alan Menken, with lyrics by Stephen Schwartz. It is sung at the beginning of the film by the clown-like gypsy, Clopin. It is set mainly in the key of D minor. (However, the movie is edited up a semitone, therefore playing this piece in E-flat minor.) The song bears some similarity to the poem The Bells by Edgar Allan Poe, especially the repetition of the word "bells" during the crescendo. The song is reprised at the end of the film. 


Year:
2001
6:26
2,127 
#7

Lyrics currently unavailable…


Disney

The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS), commonly referred to as Disney, is an American diversified multinational mass media corporation headquartered in Walt Disney Studios, Burbank, California, United States. It is the largest media conglomerate in the world in terms of revenue. Founded on October 16, 1923, by Walt and Roy Disney as the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio, Walt Disney Productions established itself as a leader in the American animation industry before diversifying into live-action film production, television, and travel. Taking on its current name in 1986, The Walt Disney Company expanded its existing operations and also started divisions focused upon theatre, radio, music, publishing, and online media. In addition, it has created new divisions of t… more »

13 fans

11 facts about this song

Songwriters/Composers
"The Bells of Notre Dame" song was composed by American Composer Alan Menken, who is known for his work in many popular Disney movies including Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, The Little Mermaid and more.
Lyrics Writer
Stephen Schwartz, the renowned Broadway lyricist, wrote the lyrics for "The Bells of Notre Dame". Schwartz is also famous for his work on "Godspell" and "Wicked".
Animated Film
The song "The Bells of Notre Dame" was featured in the Disney animated film "The Hunchback of Notre Dame", which was generally released in 1996.
Narrative Song
"The Bells of Notre Dame" acts as the opening and closing number in the film and is a narrative song that tells the backstory of main character and protagonist Quasimodo.
Cast Singers
The song is performed by the characters Clopin (voiced by Paul Kandel), Archdeacon (voiced by David Ogden Stiers), Frollo (voiced by Tony Jay), and a chorus in the movie.
Movie Theme
"The Bells of Notre Dame" sets the dramatic and dark tone that the film portrays, differentiating it from many of Disney's other more light-hearted animated features.
Musical Adaptation
The song is also used in the stage musical adaptation of "The Hunchback of Notre Dame", with certain lyrics rewritten and musical arrangements adjusted.
Song Popularity
"The Bells of Notre Dame" has gained popularity over the years and has been covered by various artists, including artists outside of the United States.
Song Style
The composition incorporates elements of both orchestral and choral music, reflecting the overall musical style of the film which is set in medieval Paris.
Awards
While the song itself did not win any awards, it certainly contributed to Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz's Academy Award nomination for Best Original Musical or Comedy Score for the film.
Famous Landmark
The song refers to the bells of Notre Dame, an iconic symbol of the famous Notre Dame de Paris cathedral, which is a central location in the film's story.

Discuss the The Bells of Notre Dame Lyrics with the community:

0 Comments

    Citation

    Use the citation below to add these lyrics to your bibliography:

    Style:MLAChicagoAPA

    "The Bells of Notre Dame Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 19 Apr. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/26962438/Disney/The+Bells+of+Notre+Dame>.

    Powered by CITE.ME Cite.Me

    Missing lyrics by Disney?

    Know any other songs by Disney? Don't keep it to yourself!

    more tracks from the album

    Disney's Greatest, Vol. 2

    Browse Lyrics.com

    #ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ

    Our awesome collection of

    Promoted Songs

    »

    Quiz

    Are you a music master?

    »
    The following are animals mentioned in the 1944 biggest hit single: "Swinging on a Star" by Bing Crosby, except...
    A A fish
    B A mule
    C A pig
    D A bird

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Chrome

    Get instant explanation for any lyrics that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Firefox

    Get instant explanation for any acronym or abbreviation that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Don't miss Disney's

    Upcoming Events

    »
    Disney tracks

    On Radio Right Now

    Loading...

    Powered by OnRad.io

    Think you know music? Test your MusicIQ here!