His best known work includes the Disney animated movies, The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, Pocahontas and The Hunchback of Notre Dame, as well as Little Shop of Horrors, Enchanted, Tangled and most recently, Sister Act the Musical.
Zero to Hero
Alan Menken Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Herc' was on a roll
Person of the week in every Greek opinion poll
What a pro
Herc' could stop a show
Point him at a monster and you're talking SRO
He was a no one
A zero, zero
He's a hero
He was a kid with his act down pat
From zero to hero in no time flat
Zero to hero just like that
When he smiled
The girls went wild with
Ooh's and ah's
And they slapped his face
On every vase
(On every "vahse")
From appearance fees and royalties
Our Herc had cash to burn
Now nouveau riche and famous
He could tell you
What's a Grecian urn?
Say amen
There he goes again
Sweet and undefeated
And an awesome ten for ten
Folks lined up
Just to watch him flex
And this perfect package
Packed a pair of pretty pecs
Hercie, he comes
He sees, he conquers
Honey, the crowds were
Going bonkers
He showed the moxie brains, and spunk
From zero to hero a major hunk
Zero to hero and who'da thunk
Who put the glad in gladiator?
Hercules!
Whose daring deeds are great theater?
Hercules
Isn't he bold?
No one braver
Is he sweet
Our favorite flavor
Hercules, Hercules
Hercules, Hercules
Hercules, Hercules
Bless my soul
Herc' was on a roll
Undefeated
Riding high
And the nicest guy
Not conceited
He was a nothin'
A zero, zero
Now he's a honcho
He's a hero
He hit the heights at breakneck speed
From zero to hero
Herc is a hero
Now he's a hero
Yes indeed!
The song Zero to Hero, composed by Alan Menken, tells the story of Hercules, the demigod from Greek mythology, who goes from being a nobody to a hero in no time. The verses portray Herc's rise to fame, as he goes from being a no one to a person of the week in every Greek opinion poll, thanks to his exceptional abilities to stop monsters and save lives. The song describes him as a pro, someone who could stop a show, and when he smiles, the girls go wild with "oohs and aahs," showcasing his charm and good looks.
The chorus emphasizes how well Hercules has mastered his talents and how he has become a sensation in Greek society. From zero to hero, the song asserts that he possessed the right combination of moxie, brains, and spunk, which aided his success. His fame and fortune allowed him to be nouveau riche and have cash to burn. Suddenly, the people who once deemed him a "zero" were now lined up just to watch him flex, showing how easily opinions can change.
The closing chorus emphasizes Herc's accomplishments further, describing him as sweet, bold, and our favorite flavor, depicting him as the ultimate hero that everyone loves. The song concludes by reaffirming how he went from nothing to becoming a hero, riding high and undefeated, all while remaining the nicest guy, and the most unassuming person in Greek society.
Line by Line Meaning
Bless my soul Herc was on a roll
Wow, Hercules is really succeeding right now!
Person of the week in every Greek opinion poll
Everyone thinks Hercules is amazing and he's gaining fame rapidly.
What a pro Herc could stop a show
Hercules is such a talented performer that he could captivate an audience.
Point him at a monster and you're talking SRO
Hercules is such a good monster fighter, he could pack out a venue (Standing Room Only).
He was a no one
Hercules used to be unknown and insignificant.
A zero, zero
Hercules was not valued or recognized at all.
Now he's a honcho
Now Hercules is a leader and influential person.
He's a hero
Hercules is now known as a heroic figure.
Here was a kid with his act down pat
Hercules was already a skilled performer at a young age.
From zero to hero in no time flat
Hercules gained fame and respect incredibly quickly.
Zero to hero just like that
Hercules's transformation from zero to hero was sudden and surprising.
When he smiled the girls went wild with oohs and aahs
Hercules's attractive appearance excited and charmed many women.
And they slapped his face on every vase (on every vahse)
Hercules's image was printed on many decorative items.
From appearance fees and royalties
Hercules earned money from his public appearances and merchandise sales.
Our Herc had cash to burn
Hercules had so much money he could spend it without worry.
Now nouveau riche and famous
Hercules was recently wealthy and well-known.
He could tell you what's a Grecian earn
Hercules was knowledgeable about the typical salary for people in Greece.
Say amen there he goes again
People would express excitement and admiration when Hercules appeared.
Sweet and undefeated and an awesome ten for ten
Hercules was really great, never lost a fight, and very consistent in his performances.
Folks lined up just to watch him flex
People were so eager to see Hercules's strong muscles that they would wait in line for him to flex.
And this perfect package packed a pair of pretty pecs
Hercules's fit and attractive body was something that many people appreciated.
Hercie, he comes, He sees, he conquers
Hercules was able to defeat anything he encountered.
Honey, the crowds were going bonkers
People in the audience were going crazy with excitement for Hercules.
He showed the moxie brains, and spunk
Hercules demonstrated intelligence, bravery, and courage.
From zero to hero a major hunk
Hercules transformed from an insignificant nobody to a really attractive and desirable person.
Zero to hero and who'da thunk
Who would have guessed that Hercules would become such a successful and well-liked hero?
Who put the glad in gladiator? (Hercules)
Hercules is responsible for making people happy and excited about gladiators.
Whose daring deeds are great theater? (Hercules)
Hercules's courageous actions are very entertaining to watch.
Isn't he bold?
Hercules is very daring and confident.
Nobody braver, isn't he sweet our favorite flavor
Hercules is the bravest person around and everyone loves him.
Hercules, Hercules
People are cheering Hercules's name as a sign of admiration and support.
Bless my soul Herc was on a roll
Again, everyone is marveling at Hercules's success.
Undefeated
Hercules never lost a fight.
Riding high and the nicest guy
Despite his success, Hercules remained a kind and likable person.
Not conceited
Hercules did not become overly proud or arrogant despite his acclaim.
He hit the heights at breakneck speed
Hercules ascended to great success very quickly and decisively.
From zero to hero
Once again, highlighting Hercules's impressive transformation.
Herc is a hero
Hercules is now seen as a brave and exceptional person.
Now he's a hero
Reiterating that he is now admired as a hero.
Yes indeed
A final affirmation of Hercules's status as a hero.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Alan Menken, David Joel Zippel
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Drew 2C
I love how Jodi and Paige are kinda geeking out at the other women as they sing their parts. You can see how they all really love ALL Disney works
dragan0405
Teams are common there
Diana Fetherston
I felt the same as them!
Bomby Tong
Good catch! Exactly what I noticed and felt, too.
IssiRavenfyre
Paige is sooo sweet! I got to meet her at fan expo this year and she hugged me as I sobbed lol
MOVIEFAN2002
Ah Alan Menkan, one of the greatest Broadway and Disney composers of all time.
Joshua Klub
one of the greatest composers of all time period.
Stefan Maria Schneider
Definitely one of the greatest composers of our lifetimes. I'm sure at least 50 % of the world's population have listened to one of his tunes at one point in their life. And probably still hardly anyone would recognize him on the street.
alex aldana
@Joshua Klub preach!!!!
Insane One
Probably the greatest Disney composer of all time.