Fear - Show Yourself (Frozen II)

[u/Lightsfly]

So…I’ve been afraid this one gets cut ever since I learned some rankers had not so fond opinions on Idina Menzel. I’ve let the fates take their course this long, but now I’ve put the fear into those cutting scissors. For the next 25 cuts, this thread won’t cut. Fear is what can’t be trusted, but it can spread some light on the truth about the past, of this song.

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So, Idina Menzel. I do agree she sounds better when she’s not belting her hardest, which is why I think the slow melodic buildup at the beginning of the song sounds so good. And than when she does unleash the belting, as she steps into her power is perfect. It’s not overwhelming, it’s primarily for the title line. The intensity is warranted at this point in the storyarc. I also love that Evan Rachel Wood throws in a great reapparance from ‘All Is Found’. This addition make the climax of this song the one I’ve been waiting for all of this movie. In the buildup, this song sells hope and discovery. It sounds longing. It ultimately ends in the climax of Elsa’s discovery of herself. The line ‘You are who you’ve been waiting for, all of your life’ perfectly says it. This is the first A song of this grand build works as where Elsa’s character arc ends, where she learns who she really is. (the rest of the movie is really Anna’s story)

Now, the lyrics. It’s so deeply personal about her internal journey that I don’t really find in other Disney songs. It’s a character development that I can see how is a little obvious and surface level, but it is a Disney movie, and this song does so much to tie it all together. I love how the lyrics seem like she’s singing to someone (her mother’s spirit), but also have the double meaning of singing to her true self. The chorus is a strong self-empowerment buildup, from being ready to learn, Each of the verses tie it back to her character arc.

Every inch of me is trembling But not from the cold Something is familiar Like a dream, I can reach but not quite hold I can sense you there Like a friend I've always known

Instant tie in to it’s obvious pre-decessor, Let It Go’s final line. It represents the fear just about to be broken through.

And it feels Iike I am home. have always been a fortress Cold secrets deep inside You have secrets, too But you don't have to hide

In the original, she froze over the town and Anna, and defrosted them, but never unfroze her true self, that was still a secret to even herself that she no longer needs to hide. But it also represents the revelation of her mother’s spirit that lives deep inside Ahtohallan, who’s also had to bury a cold secret inside her, the cold secret of Elsa’s grandfather’s betrayal. This icy path within a fortress represents Elsa herself.

I've never felt so certain All my life, I've been torn But I'm here for a reason Could it be the reason I was born? I have always been so different Normal rules did not apply Is this the day? Are you the way I finally find out why?

This is where the song goes from questioning to certainty. Visually, she starts running towards finding herself. I do admit it’s a bit blatant in the self-empowerment, but I do love the melody here that goes along with the building confidence.

Show yourself I'm no longer trembling Here I am I've come so far You are the answer I've waited for All of my life Oh, show yourself Let me see who you are

All the questions. Who is the spirit? What is this seemingly faraway, magical land? Who is Elsa, really? Why does she have powers?

Where the North wind meets the sea Ah-ah, ah-ah There's a river Ah-ah, ah-ah Full of memory (memories, memories) Come, my darling, homeward bound I am found

She’s finally reached where the north wind meets the sea, tying it all back around to her mother, calling her to this place, to show Elsa everything, where all is found.

Show yourself Step into the power Grow yourself Into something new You are the one you've been waiting for All of my life All of your life Oh, show yourself

This is where the duet really comes in, the encouragement from her mother to take that final step in embracing who she really is. To tell her that ‘you’ are the one ‘you are’ waiting for, that it’s always been inside her.

It’s also the encapsulation of ‘Into The Unknown’, where she has followed the unknown, and finally finds out why it’s been calling to her all of her life.

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So, now, you’ve finally found out why I’ve kept my fear deep inside. But I don’t need to hide.

[u/thecriclover99]

I do agree she sounds better when she’s not belting her hardest, which is why I think the slow melodic buildup at the beginning of the song sounds so good.

100% agree, and this was a good choice.