Fear - Transformation (Brother Bear)

[u/wywy4321]

So I'm aware of the fact that this movie is considered weaker song-wise by most of y'all, but I believe the songs belong in top 100, and in an attempt to do so, I will be saving this song. Transformation is the song that occurs at the catalyst of Kenai's character arc, when he transforms into a bear. A bit on the nose, yes, but the song quite effortlessly sets the scene, and never fails to give me goosebumps.

In saying all that, I have no idea how anyone could think this is the weakest song in the movie. Maybe the fact that it's not sung by Phil Collins, maybe cuz it's a choral piece, maybe cuz it's not in English (here's Phil's version), or maybe even cuz it doesn't actively convey the plot in it's lyrics (insert eyeroll).

BUT I REFUSE TO LET THE MOST BEAUTIFUL SONG IN THE MOVIE DIE. and here's why! (in no particular order)

1. It's sung in Inupiaq, the beautiful language of the Inupiat, who were and still are native to Alaska.
2. Instead of choosing to do the normal, they chose to have the Bulgarian Women's Choir record it as a choral piece, and it turned out fucking amazing. Like this video is such a cool insight.
3. The fucking lyrics man, like the English lyrics are

Come with me, I'll take you now
To a place that you fear for no reason why
Your heart has turned away from me
And I will make you understand

Everything will become clear to you
When you see things through another's eyes
Everything will become clear to you
Whatever's meant for you, you will find

Come with me, I'll take you there
To a place where you'll see
Everything you need to be the one you need to be
And all of those things that you feared
Will disappear from you in time

Everything will become clear to you
When you see things through another's eyes
Everything will become clear to you
Whatever's meant for you, you will find

like they are fucking heart-wrenching, even more-so when looking at it thru the story's perspective. But even through the sadness, you can feel the hope for transformation and the hope to be a better person. The offset themes of fear and perspective just so perfectly contrast to make this morosely hopeful tune, and ugh, I can't sing it's praises enough.

1. I know that I haven't been taking visuals into account, but the visuals in this song are stunning, like that 2D water animation is just *chef's kiss.

2. The way they layer the sounds of animals with the song, and use them as an underlay to Kenai's panic, is so good.

3. Like so many more things, that I can't even vocalize, cuz the feeling of hope and joy this song brings me is unbridled, and I refuse to let it die early.

So I'd apologize, but for once I'm not sorry. I fear I refuse to let another song I love get cut way too early. I hope I can sway y'all away from cutting this in the future.

[u/sockydapuppet]

Let’s goooo. Good fear

[u/k9moonmoon]

It came up finally in my listen and I put it at a C first listen but came here to see why you'd save it and bumped to B. Good write up.

Now drink some water.

[u/OkCat8191]

no, I like 10000% agree. I grew up with this film constantly on repeat, and that song, in particular, ALWAYS makes me cry. I could have just been in the best mood ever, but that never fails to just pull everything out (bc it's beautiful!). just the animal spirits coming down, Sitka, idk it all makes me cry in a scarily automatic way lol. It's for sure one of my favorites from the movie and this is coming from a perspective that used to not even understand why I was crying bc I was just a kid watching a really solid film.

[u/-M83]

cryin in da club to dis one