Beauty and the Beast
Céline Dion Peabo Bryson Lyrics


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Tale as old as time
True as it can be
Barely even friends
Then somebody bends
Unexpectedly
Just a little change
Small, to say the least
Both a little scared
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.

Overall Meaning

These lyrics to "Beauty and the Beast" are a reflection on the classic fairy tale of the same name. The opening line "tale as old as time" sets up the idea that the story is one that has been told and retold countless times throughout history, but it is still as true and relevant today as it ever was. The next two lines, "True as it can be/Barely even friends" introduce the central characters of the story, Belle and the Beast. They start off as acquaintances at best, and it seems unlikely that they could ever become more than that.


Then the lyrics take an unexpected turn with the line "Then somebody bends/Unexpectedly." This line doesn't specify who is doing the bending or how it's happening, but it's clear that something is changing between Belle and the Beast. The following lines reference the fear and uncertainty that both characters are feeling as they start to realize that their relationship is evolving. The repeated refrain of "Beauty and the Beast" emphasizes the contrast between the two characters and reinforces the idea that they are unlikely partners.


The final lines "Certain as the sun/Rising in the east/Tale as old as time/Song as old as rhyme/Beauty and the beast" bring the song full circle, returning to the idea that the story of Beauty and the Beast is timeless and universal. The bittersweet and poignant feeling of the song speaks to the idea that love can be unexpected and challenging, but ultimately transformative.


Line by Line Meaning

Tale as old as time
The story being told is one that has been passed down through generations.


True as it can be
The story is based on something that is absolutely, undeniably true.


Barely even friends
The two characters in the story are not close or intimate friends, but rather casual acquaintances.


Then somebody bends
But suddenly, something changes in one of the characters and they begin to behave in a different way.


Unexpectedly
This change is sudden and unforeseen.


Just a little change
The change that occurs is not a large one, but rather something subtle or small.


Small, to say the least
In fact, this change is so insignificant that it could almost be dismissed as unimportant.


Both a little scared
Despite the smallness of the change, both characters are somewhat frightened by it.


Neither one prepared
Neither character was expecting this change or was ready to deal with its consequences.


Beauty and the Beast
The two main characters in the story are traditionally known as 'Beauty' and 'the Beast.'


Ever just the same
Despite the changes that occur in their relationship, some things about the characters stay the same.


Ever a surprise
There are still elements of surprise in their relationship, despite its familiarity.


Ever as before
The characters' relationship remains constant and unchanging.


Ever just as sure
Despite the surprises that come along, the characters are confident in their feelings and relationship.


As the sun will rise
This steadfastness is as certain and reliable as the rising of the sun.


Tune as old as song
The music accompanying the story is just as timeless and classic as the story itself.


Bittersweet and strange
There are both happy and sad elements to the story, and some of the changes that occur are unusual or unexpected.


Finding you can change
Through their relationship, the characters discover that they themselves are capable of significant change.


Learning you were wrong
Some of the changes that occur involve the characters realizing that they were mistaken or incorrect about certain things.


Certain as the sun
Despite the changes and surprises that come along, some aspects of the story are completely certain and reliable.


Rising in the east
This certainty is as consistent and unchanging as the sun rising every morning in the eastern sky.


Song as old as rhyme
The song and story are so classic and timeless that they are almost synonymous with one another.


Beauty and the beast
Once again, the characters are traditionally referred to as Beauty and the Beast.




Contributed by Charlotte Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@littlegirl-lc8lh

Lyrics
Tale as old as time
True as it can be
Barely even friends
Then somebody bends

Unexpectedly
Just a little change
Small to say the least
Both a little scared
Neither one prepared
Beauty and the beast

Ever just the same
Ever a surprise
Ever as before and ever just as sure as the sun will rise
(Oh, oh, oh, oh)

Ever just the same
Ever a surprise
Ever as before
Ever just as sure
As the sun will rise
(Oh, oh, oh)

Tale as old as time (ooh, ooh, ooh)
Tune as old as song
Bittersweet and strange
Finding you can change
Learning you were wrong

Certain as the sun
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
(Oh, oh, oh-oh)

(Ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh, ooh)

Beauty and the beast



All comments from YouTube:

@dononeal3313

This is by far the best rendition of this song, I could listen over and over

@jaquayvius

☺️ Same. I Hear Almost All the time on SiriusXM Radio. It takes Me strait Back to the 90s. What a Time!

@jerrliesdek427

True but here's version is good as well

@megubinungcal1587

@@jerrliesdek427そふふめ

@Dylan-nr2ff

@@jaquayvius hi

@Dylan-nr2ff

@@jerrliesdek427 hi

9 More Replies...

@NM-ce2if

To those who prefer this version, give celine a thumbs up and show her.

@lynnrise9590

N M love it

@evieaddy9580

true fans would

@queenbusheera795

Always ❤

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