She expanded her repertoire to Broadway and television in the 1950s and was particularly successful in Broadway productions of 'Mame', (1966) 'Gypsy' (1973), and 'Sweeney Todd' (1979). Lansbury is perhaps best known for her role as writer Jessica Fletcher on the U.S. television series "Murder, She Wrote", in which she starred from 1984 to 1996. Her recent roles include Lady Adelaide Stitch in the 2005 film Nanny McPhee, Leona Mullen in the 2007 Broadway play Deuce, Madame Arcati in the 2009 Broadway revival of the play Blithe Spirit (2009) and Madame Armfeldt in the 2010 Broadway revival of the musical 'A Little Night Music'.
Respected for her versatility, Lansbury has won five Tony Awards, six Golden Globes, and has been nominated for numerous other industry awards, including the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress on three occasions, and eighteen Emmy Awards.
Beauty and the Beast
Angela Lansbury Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
True as it can be
Barely even friends
Then somebody bends
Unexpectedly.
Just a little change
Small to say the least
Neither one prepared
Beauty and the Beast
Ever just the same
Ever a surprise
Ever as before
Ever just as sure
As the sun will rise
Tale as old as time
Tune as old as song
Bittersweet and strange
Finding you can change
Learning you were wrong
Certain as the sun
Rising in the east
Tale as old as time
Song as old as rhyme
Beauty and the Beast
Tale as old as time
Song as old as rhyme
Beauty and the Beast
These lyrics from Angela Lansbury’s song Beauty and the Beast depict a classic romantic tale of two individuals from different worlds who find that true beauty lies within. The song begins by stating that the story is as old as time, and true as it can be, implying that this is a commonly experienced journey that many can relate to. The mention of being “barely even friends” and then “somebody bends unexpectedly” suggests that the two characters did not expect to fall in love or even be friends, but something has shifted in their relationship.
The next verse describes their journey further, symbolizing their transformation and personal growth. The change is portrayed as “small to say the least,” but the characters are “scared” and “not prepared” for it. This change in their relationship is “ever just the same” and “ever a surprise” but “ever just as sure as the sun will rise.” These lyrics suggest that even though they may not have anticipated this change, it was inevitable and meant to be.
The chorus repeats the idea that their story is a tale as old as time and a song as old as rhyme. It expresses the bittersweet and strange feeling of realizing that you can change and that sometimes you were wrong about a situation or person. The song concludes by repeating the title, “Beauty and the Beast,” reminding us that true beauty can come from unexpected places.
Line by Line Meaning
Tale as old as time
The story being told is one that has been passed down for generations.
True as it can be
Every detail of the story is accurate and truthful.
Barely even friends
The two characters in the story hardly know each other and have not spent much time together.
Then somebody bends
One of the characters suddenly changes their outlook or behavior towards the other.
Unexpectedly.
This change was not anticipated or foreseen.
Just a little change
The transformation in the character's thinking or actions was small in scale.
Small to say the least
The alteration was very minor, to say the least.
Both a little scared
Both characters were fearful of the change that was happening.
Neither one prepared
Neither character was ready or expecting this shift in their dynamic.
Beauty and the Beast
This is the story of two characters, one of whom is a beast and the other is known for her beauty and kindness.
Ever just the same
Although there are some slight nuances and changes, the story remains familiar and unchanging over time.
Ever a surprise
Despite the predictability of the story, there are always some unexpected twists and turns that keep it from becoming boring or monotonous.
Ever as before
Despite the aforementioned unexpected moments, the overall outcome of the story remains the same as it has always been.
Ever just as sure
The ending of the story is as certain and guaranteed as the rise of the sun every morning.
As the sun will rise
The outcome of the story is just as inevitable as the rising of the sun each day.
Tune as old as song
The music and melody of the tale have been constant and unchanged for many years, just like the story itself.
Bittersweet and strange
The story is both happy and sad, and it contains some odd or peculiar elements.
Finding you can change
One of the characters discovers that they have the ability to change themselves or their situation.
Learning you were wrong
One of the characters realizes they were mistaken in their previous beliefs or actions.
Certain as the sun
Just as the sun is an absolute certainty, so too is the truth of the story being told.
Rising in the east
The sun's daily path of rising in the east is a dependable fact and a symbol of something that is always consistent.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Howard Elliott Ashman, Alan Menken
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@horrorstitches
Rest in Peace Angela Lansbury. Such an amazing performer on both stage and screen. Always a class act.
@rhyancoleman6462
Jerry Orbach David Odgen Stiers and now Angela Lansbury. All gone.
@WayneKoltchigin
2022 taking the legends
@shanyamclaughlin8083
We love you Mrs. Potts.
@CAP198462
I’ll miss you Ms. Price. 🧙♀️
@bambamky8573
awwwwww 😪😪😪😪 love this woman grew up with murder she wrote !! What a legend !! RIP mrs Potts 😢
@Freelancer4tehwin
She understands this song so well. it isn't about hitting notes perfectly. It's about the melancholy reflection of aged wisdom on the love of youth. It's about reminiscence. About humanity and the timelessness of our better angels.
@Black.Rabbit_
Freelancer4tehwin ur right she really is the true ms pots
@MIKEK3NT
Timeless.
@blakegriplingph
There's this grandmotherly charm that made the song special with Angela Lansbury singing it.