movie version . work tape version . demo version . chely wright version . jessica simpson version
skye sweetnam version . miley cyrus version . broadway demo version . broadway version

Ariel's "I Want" song, and the theme song of the movie. Well, of course, Under the Sea is considered by many to be the theme, but this song, Part of Your World, embodies the very spirit of the movie and is used at the finale sequence, a spot reserved for the movie's main theme. Through this song Ariel expresses her fascination with the world above and idealist views of what she dreams it's really like. When Jodi Benson recorded the song for the film, she asked that the lights be dimmed so to create the atmosphere of being underwater. *Thanks to Joahn for the lyric correction!

Look at this stuff, isn’t it neat?
Wouldn’t you think my collection’s complete?
Wouldn’t you think I’m the girl, the girl who has everything?
Look at this trove, treasures untold
How many wonders can one cavern hold?
Lookin’ around here you’d think, sure, she’s got everything

I’ve got gadgets and gizmos a-plenty
I’ve got oozits and whatzits galore
You want thingamabobs? I’ve got twenty
But who cares, no big deal, I want more

I want to be where the people are
I wanna see, wanna see ‘em dancing
Walkin’ around on those – what do you call them again? Oh, feet
Flippin’ your fins, you don’t get too far
Legs are required for jumping, dancing
Strolling along down a – what’s that word again? Street

Up where they walk
Up where they run
Up where they stay all day in the sun
Wandering free
Wish I could be
Part of that world

What would I give if I could live out of these waters
What would I pay to spend a day warm on the sand
Betcha on land they understand
Bet they don’t reprimand their daughters
Bright young women, sick of swimmin’
Ready to stand

And ready to know what the people know
Ask ‘em my questions and get some answers
What’s a fire and why does it – what’s the word? Burn
When’s it my turn?
Wouldn’t I love
Love to explore that shore up above?
Out of the sea
Wish I could be
Part of that world

An early work tape version of "Part of Your World", with the scratch vocals of Alan Menken, was included in the album The Music Behind the Magic. The work tape here is a highly abridged one, only featuring the opening paragraphs with some significantly different lyrics from those that ended up in the final movie. *Thanks to Mariah for sending these in.

Look at this stuff, isn’t it neat?
Wouldn’t you think my collection’s complete?
Wouln’t you think I’m the girl
The girl who has everything?

Look at this trove, treasures untold
Copper and bronze and fine leather and gold
Paper and china and books
And look, feathers and everything

I should start an aquatic museum
I’ve got gadgets and whatzits galore
All these fish’d pay money to see ‘em
But who cares, no big deal, I want more...

This other early draft of the song is a demo version, also featuring the vocals of Alan Menken. It's a bit more cleaned up from the work tape, and is closer to what the final song will be.

I want to be where the people are
I wanna see, wanna see ‘em dancing
Walkin’ around on those – what do you call ‘em? Oh, feet
Flippin’ your fins, you don’t get too far
Legs are required for jumpin’, dancin’
Strolling along down a – what’s that word again? Street

Up where they walk
Up where they run
Up where they stay all day in the sun
Where they breathe free free
Wish I could be
Part of that world

Country singer Chely Wright performed a version of "Part of Your World" for the end credits of The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea, and was released in a limited edition CD sampler. It features almost entirely the original version's lyrics, and the difference lies in the way certain words are pronounced, along with the busier (but still sweetly gentle) background music.

Look at this stuff, isn’t it neat?
Wouldn’t you think my collection’s complete?
Wouldn’t you think I’m the girl, the girl who has everything?
Look at this trove, treasures untold
How many wonders can one cavern hold?
Looking around here you’d think, sure, she’s got everything

I’ve got gadgets and gizmos a-plenty
I’ve got whoozits and whatzits galore
You want thingamabobs? I’ve got twenty
But who cares, no big deal, I want more

I want to be where the people are
I wanna see, wanna see ‘em dancing
Walking around on those – what do you call them? Oh, feet
Flippin’ your fins, you don’t get too far
Legs are required for jumpin’, dancin’
Strolling along down that – what’s that word again? Street

Up where they walk
Up where they run
Up where they stay all day in the sun
Wandering free
Wish I could be
Part of that world

What would I give if I could live out of these waters
What would I pay to spend a day warm on the sand
Betcha on land they’d understand
Bet they don’t reprimand their daughters
Bright young women, sick of swimmin’
Ready to stand

And ready to know what the people know
Ask ‘em my questions and get some answers
What’s a fire and how does it – what’s the word? Burn
When’s it my turn?
Wouldn’t I love
Love to explore that shore up above?
Wandering free
Wish I could be
Part of your world

When’s it my turn?
Wouldn’t I love
Love to explore that shore up above?
Wandering free
Wish I could be
Part of your world

Jessica Simpson provided her own rendition of "Part of Your World" for the first Disney Mania album. This version features typical pop princess vocals, mixing in sassy and sexy into the lyrics, with a melody that isn't far off from the original. There's only very small changes from the original lyrics.

Look at this stuff, isn’t it neat?
Wouldn’t you think my collection’s complete?
Wouldn’t you think I’m the girl, the girl who has everything?
Look at this trove, treasures untold
How many wonders can one cavern hold?
Lookin’ around here you’d think, sure, she’s got everything

I’ve got gadgets and gizmos a-plenty
I’ve got oozits and whatzits galore
You want thingamabobs? I’ve got twenty
But who cares, no big deal, I want more

I wanna be where the people are
I wanna see, wanna see ‘em dancing
Walkin’ around on those – what do you call ‘em? Oh, feet
Flippin’ your fins, you don’t get too far
Legs are required for jumpin’, dancin’
Strollin’ along down the – what’s that word again? Street

Oh, up where they walk
Up where they run
Up where they stay all day in the sun
Wandering free
Wish I could be
Part of that world

What would I give if I could live out of these waters
What would I pay to spend a day warm on the sand
Betcha on land they understand
Bet they don’t reprimand their daughters
Bright young women, sick of swimmin’
Ready to stand

And I’m ready to know what the people know
Ask ‘em my questions and get some answers
What’s a fire and why does it – what’s the word? Burn
When’s it my turn?
Wouldn’t I love
Love to explore that shore up above?
Out of the sea
Wish I could be
Part of that world
Out of the sea
Wish I could be
Part of your world

Whoa, Ariel's song gets a rock version in this Disney Mania cover by girl rocker Skye Sweetnam. It starts out innocent enough, sounding not that far off from the original movie version and then whammo! Electric guitar.

Look at this stuff, isn’t it neat?
Wouldn’t you think my collection’s complete?
Wouldn’t you think I’m the girl, the girl who has everything?
Look at this trove, treasures untold
How many wonders can one cavern hold?
Looking around here you’d think, sure, she’s got everything

I’ve got gadgets and gizmos a-plenty
I’ve got whooozits and whatzits galore
You want thingamabobs? I got twenty
But who cares, no big deal, I want more

I wanna be where the people are
I wanna see, wanna see ‘em dancin’
Walkin’ around on those – what do you call ‘em? Oh, feet
Flippin’ your fins, you don’t get too far
Legs are required for jumpin’, dancin’
Strollin’ along down the – what’s that word again? Street

Up where they walk
Up where they run
Up where they stay all day in the sun
Wandering free
Wish I could be
Part of your world

What would I give if I could live out of these waters (oh)
What would I pay to spend a day warm on the sand (oh)
Betcha on land they understand
Bet they don’t reprimand their daughters
Bright young women, sick of swimmin’ (oh)
Ready to stand

And I’m ready to know what the people know
Ask ‘em my questions and get some answers
What’s a fire and why does it – what’s the word? Burn
When’s it my turn?
Wouldn’t I love
Love to explore that shore up above?
Out of the sea
Wish I could be
Part of that world

Part of that world
Part of that world

Ariel, you stop that right this minute!

Part of your world
Part of your world

Your father's going to be very angry with you now!

I wanna be where the people are
I wanna see, wanna see ‘em dancin’
Walkin’ around on those – what do you call ‘em? Oh, feet
Flippin’ your fins, you don’t get too far
Legs are required for jumpin’, dancin’
Strollin’ along down the – what’s that word again? Street

Up where they walk
Up where they run
Up where they stay all day in the sun
Wanderin’ free
Wish I could be
Part of your world

Miley "Hannah Montana" Cyrus does her own cover of "Part of Your World" for the Disney Mania albums, instilling the kind of girl pop rock that she's comfortable with.

Look at this stuff, isn’t it neat?
Wouldn’t you think my collection’s complete?
Wouldn’t you think I’m the girl, the girl who has everything?
Look at this trove, treasures untold
How many wonders can one cavern hold?
Looking around here you’d think, sure, she’s got everything

I’ve got gadgets and gizmos a-plenty
I’ve got whoozits and whatzits galore
You want thingamabobs? I’ve got twenty
But who cares, no big deal, I want more

I wanna be where the people are
I wanna see, wanna see ‘em dancing
Walkin’ around on those – what do you call ‘em? Feet
Flippin’ your fins, you don’t get too far
Legs are required for jumpin’, dancin’
Strollin’ along down the – what’s that word again? Street

Up where they walk (walk)
Up where they run (run)
Up where they stay all day in the sun
Wandering free
Wish I could be
Part of that world

What would I give if I could live out of these waters
What would I pay to spend a day warm on the sand
Betcha on land they understand
Bet they don’t reprimand their daughters
Bright young women, sick of swimmin’
Ready to stand (ready to stand)

I’m ready to know what the people know
Ask ‘em my questions and get some answers
What’s a fire and why does it – what’s the word? Burn

When’s it my turn? (my turn)
When’s it my turn (my turn)
To be

Up where they walk
Up where they run
Up where they stay all day in the sun
Wandering free
Wish I could be
Part of that world

Up where they walk (walk)
Up where they run (run)
Up where they stay all day in the sun
Wandering free
Wish I could be
Part of that world

Kerry Butler recorded a demo version of Part of Your World for the Broadway workshop. The lyrics are near identical to the movie version, but the background music has been changed somewhat from the intimacy of the movie version to something a bit more bold, perhaps showing that they intend this piece to be a show-stopper.

Look at this stuff, isn’t it neat?
Wouldn’t you think my collection’s complete?
Wouldn’t you think I’m the girl, the girl who has everything?
Look at this trove, treasures untold
How many wonders can one cavern hold?
Lookin’ around here you’d think, sure, she’s got everything

I’ve got gadgets and gizmos a-plenty
I’ve got oozits and whatzits galore
You want thingamabobs? I’ve got twenty
But who cares, no big deal, I want more

I want to be where the people are
I wanna see, wanna see ‘em dancing
Walkin’ around on those – what do you call them? Oh, feet
Flippin’ your fins, you don’t get too far
Legs are required for jumping, dancing
Strolling along down the – what’s that word again? Street

Up where they walk
Up where they run
Up where they stay all day in the sun
Wandering free
Wish I could be
Part of that world

What would I give if I could live out of these waters
What would I pay to spend a day warm on the sand
Betcha on land they understand
Bet they don’t reprimand their daughters
Bright young women, sick of swimmin’
Ready to stand

And ready to know what the people know
Ask ‘em my questions and get some answers
What’s a fire and why does it – what’s the word? Burn
When’s it my turn?
Wouldn’t I love
Love to explore that shore up above?
Out of the sea
Wish I could be
Part of your world

Sierra Boggess sings as Ariel in the original Broadway cast of the stage show. The lyrics and music are near identical to the movie version, recreating the sweetness that Jodi Benson gave us in the movie. The only difference, I feel, is that Sierra's accent is more distinct as she pronounces the words, and near the end the song builds into a bigger crescendo that is expected of a ballad show-stopper.

If only I could make my father understand. I just don't see how a world that makes such wonderful things could be so bad.

Look at this stuff, isn’t it neat?
Wouldn’t you think my collection’s complete?
Wouldn’t you think I’m the girl, the girl who has everything?
Look at this trove, treasures untold
How many wonders can one cavern hold?
Lookin’ around here you’d think, sure, she’s got everything

I’ve got gadgets and gizmos a-plenty
I’ve got oozits and whatzits galore
You want thingamabobs? I’ve got twenty
But who cares, no big deal, I want more

I want to be where the people are
I wanna see, wanna see ‘em dancin’
Walkin’ around on those – what do you call them? Oh, feet
Flippin’ your fins, you don’t get too far
Legs are required for jumpin’, dancin’
Strolling along down the – what’s that word again? Street

Up where they walk
Up where they run
Up where they stay all day in the sun
Wanderin’ free
Wish I could be
Part of that world

What would I give if I could live out of these waters
What would I pay to spend a day warm on the sand
Betcha on land they understand
Bet they don’t reprimand their daughters
Bright young women, sick of swimmin’
Ready to stand

And ready to know what the people know
Ask ‘em my questions and get some answers
What’s a fire and why does it – what’s the word? Burn
When’s it my turn?
Wouldn’t I love
Love to explore that shore up above?
Out of the sea
Wish I could be
Part of that world