The Little Mermaid: Under the Sea
Animation Soundtrack Ensemble Lyrics


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The seaweed is always greener
In somebody else's lake
You dream about going up there
But that is a big mistake
Just look at the world around you
Right here on the ocean floor
Such wonderful things surround you
What more is you lookin' for?

Under the sea
Under the sea
Darling it's better
Down where it's wetter
Take it from me
Up on the shore they work all day
Out in the sun they slave away
While we devotin'
Full time to floatin'
Under the sea

Down here all the fish is happy
As off through the waves they roll
The fish on the land ain't happy
They sad 'cause they in their bowl
But fish in the bowl is lucky
They in for a worser fate
One day when the boss get hungry
Guess who's gon' be on the plate

Under the sea
Under the sea
Nobody beat us
Fry us and eat us
In fricassee
We what the land folks loves to cook
Under the sea we off the hook
We got no troubles
Life is the bubbles
Under the sea
Under the sea
Since life is sweet here
We got the beat here
Naturally
Even the sturgeon an' the ray
They get the urge 'n' start to play
We got the spirit
You got to hear it
Under the sea

The newt play the flute
The carp play the harp
The plaice play the bass
And they soundin' sharp
The bass play the brass
The chub play the tub
The fluke is the duke of soul
The ray he can play
The lings on the strings
The trout rockin' out
The blackfish she sings
The smelt and the sprat
They know where it's at
An' oh that blowfish blow

Under the sea
Under the sea
When the sardine
Begin the beguine
It's music to me
What do they got? A lot of sand
We got a hot crustacean band
Each little clam here
Know how to jam here
Under the sea
Each little slug here
Cuttin' a rug here
Under the sea
Each little snail here
Know how to wail here
That's why it's hotter
Under the water
Ya we in luck here




Down in the muck here
Under the sea

Overall Meaning

The song "Under the Sea" is a cheerful and lively tune featured in the soundtrack of Disney’s animated movie, The Little Mermaid. The song is performed by Sebastian the crab, the musical friend of Ariel, the mermaid. The song is about the beauty of the underwater world and the peaceful life that exists there. The lyrics seem to criticize the life above the water where humans are in a constant struggle to achieve satisfaction and success, while underwater, life is "the bubbles". The song provides a contrasting perspective from the world above the water, highlighting the serenity and joy of the underwater world that makes it a better place to stay.


The lyrics begin by describing how the seaweed is greener in another lake, which means that the gras is always greener on the other side. Ariel dreams of the life above the water, but Sebastian warns her that it is not worth it. He tells Ariel to take a look at the things around her and appreciate their beauty. He emphasizes the fact that life under the sea is beautiful, with its fantastic creatures, music, and underwater treasure. The people under the sea have no worries, while people above the sea work all day under the sun, stressing to make ends meet.


Line by Line Meaning

The seaweed is always greener
Other people's possessions often seem more desirable


In somebody else's lake
Another person's circumstances seem ideal


You dream about going up there
You aspire to something beyond your current situation


But that is a big mistake
Pursuing a different situation may lead to disappointment


Just look at the world around you
Take notice of your current environment


Right here on the ocean floor
There are positive aspects to your current circumstances


Such wonderful things surround you
Appreciate the good things in your current situation


What more is you lookin' for?
There is no need to seek something beyond your current situation


Darling it's better
It's preferable


Down where it's wetter
In underwater environments


Take it from me
Trust my advice


Up on the shore they work all day
People who live on land work hard


Out in the sun they slave away
They work tirelessly in outdoor conditions


While we devotin'
While we dedicate


Full time to floatin'
All our time to relaxing


Under the sea
In underwater environments


Nobody beat us
We cannot be defeated


Fry us and eat us
Prepare us as a meal


In fricassee
A type of cooking method


We what the land folks loves to cook
Land dwellers enjoy consuming us as food


Under the sea we off the hook
We are safe from being caught or punished


We got no troubles
We do not have any problems


Life is the bubbles
Life is enjoyable


Since life is sweet here
Because life is pleasurable in underwater environments


We got the beat here
We have a good rhythm here


Naturally
Of course


Even the sturgeon an' the ray
Even the larger fish participate


They get the urge 'n' start to play
They feel the desire to join in and play music


We got the spirit
We have a lively attitude


You got to hear it
You must listen to it


The newt play the flute
The newt is playing the flute


The carp play the harp
The carp is playing the harp


The plaice play the bass
The plaice is playing the bass


And they soundin' sharp
Their music is sounding good


The bass play the brass
The bass is playing the brass instrument


The chub play the tub
The chub is playing the tuba


The fluke is the duke of soul
The fluke is the leader of the music group


The ray he can play
The ray can play an instrument


The lings on the strings
The lings are playing strings


The trout rockin' out
The trout is rocking to the music


The blackfish she sings
The blackfish is singing


The smelt and the sprat
The smelt and the sprat fish


They know where it's at
They understand the music


An' oh that blowfish blow
And the blowfish plays a great instrument solo


When the sardine
As the sardine


Begin the beguine
To start the dance


It's music to me
It sounds good to me


What do they got? A lot of sand
What do people on land have? Just a lot of sand


We got a hot crustacean band
We have a talented group of underwater musicians


Each little clam here
Every small clam in this area


Know how to jam here
Can play music well


Each little slug here
Every small slug in this area


Cuttin' a rug here
Dancing well


Each little snail here
Every small snail in this area


Know how to wail here
Can sing well


That's why it's hotter
That's why it's more lively


Under the water
In underwater environments


Ya we in luck here
We are fortunate to be in this place


Down in the muck here
In the dirty, muddy areas underwater




Contributed by Caden W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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