This is My Idea

This is the introductory song of The Swan Princess, a well-spent six plus minutes spanning Odette and Derek's summer meetings from childhood to adulthood. This is a perfect example of how songs can be used to create atmosphere and propel the movie forward at the same time.

Here's a piece of trivia, as submitted by Jessica Balcer: during the line "I see him smiling and my knees start buckling. I see inside him and my doubts are gone", the glass of the window has swans on it, re-enforcing the swan theme of the entire movie.

+ printable version + lyrics only +
+ printable version + lyrics & performers +

DEREK
I can’t believe I’m stuck with her all summer
I’ll bet she doesn’t wrestle, hunt or box

ODETTE
He looks conceited

DEREK
What a total bummer

ODETTE & DEREK
If I get lucky I’ll get chicken pox

DEREK
So happy you could come

ODETTE
So happy to be here

ODETTE & DEREK
How I’d like to run

ODETTE
This is not my idea

DEREK
This isn’t my idea

ODETTE & DEREK
Of fun

QUEEN UBERTA
The children seem to get along quite nicely

KING WILLIAM
We’ll join our lands if this arrangement clicks

QUEEN UBERTA
My dear King William, that’s my point precisely

KING WILLIAM
It’s such good parenting

QUEEN UBERTA
And politics
So happy we agree

KING WILLIAM
I think we’ve got a deal

QUEEN UBERTA
Derek’s quite a catch

KING WILLIAM
This is my idea

QUEEN UBERTA
This is my idea

KING WILLIAM & QUEEN UBERTA
Of a match

KING WILLIAM
Good heavens, child, don’t dawdle
We can’t keep Derek waiting

ODETTE
I haven't packed or washed my hair
And father I get seasick

QUEEN UBERTA
She soon will be arriving
Is that respect you're showing?

DEREK
To make me kiss her hand again
I swear I'm gonna be sick

KING WILLIAM
One day Prince Derek will be her intended

QUEEN UBERTA
Splendid

DEREK
We've tried all summer but we just can't lose her

ODETTE
Hey fellas, wait up!

BROMLEY
Quick, put on some speed

DEREK
When picking teams

BROMLEY
Or friends

DEREK
I never choose her

BROMLEY
You'd think she'd take a hint a learn to read

ODETTE
This really isn't fair

DEREK & BROMLEY
We really couldn't care

ODETTE
Boys, it's all or none
This is not my idea

DEREK & BROMLEY
This isn't my idea

ODETTE, DEREK & BROMLEY
Of fun

CHORUS
Long before they met
Derek and Odette
Were destined to be wedded
However anyone could see
The only point on which they didn't disagree
Was that the very thought of summertime
Was dreaded

DEREK
She tries to talk me into playing dress-up
She's always flirting with the castle guards

BROMLEY
I think you really sorta like her, 'fess up

DEREK
I'd like her better if she'd lose at cards
Four sevens and a ten

ODETTE
I think I've won again

DEREK & BROMLEY
Every time she's won

ODETTE
This is my idea

DEREK
This isn't my idea

ODETTE, DEREK & BROMLEY
Of fun

CHORUS
We need a royal wedding
I'd love to be invited
At least we'd get a holiday to rest our ploughs and axes
Someday these two will marry
Two lands will be united
And with some luck their marriage may result in lower taxes

KING WILLIAM
What if Odette doesn't go for the merger?

QUEEN UBERTA
Urge her!

ODETTE & DEREK
For as long as I remember
We've been told we'd someday wed
Every June until September

DEREK
All their pushing and annoying hints

ODETTE
I've got bruises with their fingerprints

DEREK
I can do much better I am sure

ODETTE
He's so immature
I see him smiling and my knees start buckling
I see inside him and my doubts are gone

DEREK
She started out as such an ugly duckling
And somehow suddenly became a swan

ODETTE
So happy to be here

DEREK
'Til now I never knew

ODETTE & DEREK
It is you I've been dreaming of

DEREK
This is my idea

ODETTE
This is my idea

CHORUS
What a good idea, such a charming and romantic notion
This is my idea (This is my idea)
Such a good idea (Such a good idea)
What a good idea, such a powerful and magic potion
This is exactly my idea
Of love

ODETTE
This is my idea

DEREK
This is my idea

ODETTE & DEREK
This is my idea of

CHORUS
Love