There's Only One Ariel
Disney Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Alana:
Has anyone seen Ariel? She hasn't picked out the sea flower she's going to wear tonight.

Attina:
We daughters of Triton must look our best at the mermaid's ball.

Ariel's sisters:
What can't she be like the rest of us?

We play games like other girls
We love to dress up in shells and pearls
But she's up in her own little world
There's only one Ariel (Ariel)

She's got the prettiest voice in the sea
But she's never here when she ought to be (Where is she?)
She's the missing note in our harmony

Ariel:
Harmony
Oops! Sorry!

Ariel's sisters:
You're late again, Ariel

(La la la) She's a dreamer, there's a faraway look in her eyes
(La la la) Have you seen her swimming far too high
Where the ocean meets the sky

Ariel:
C'mon, Aquata, come swimming with me. The water's so blue today!

Aquata:
Ariel, we've got to get ready for the ball.

Ariel:
Adella, I found a treasure chest the other day. Do you want to come and see?

Adella:
No! Now hold still while I fasten your necklace.

Ariel's sisters:
She brings stuff home from everywhere (everywhere)
Her room's a mess, she doesn't care (doesn't care)
There's hardly room for her in there
Clean it up, Ariel

(La la la) She's a dreamer, there's a faraway look in her eyes
(La la la) Have you seen her swimming far too high
Where the ocean meets the sky

Ariel:
Come on Attina, let's go up to the surface and watch the sun set.

Attina:
Ariel, we're not supposed to do that!

Ariel's sisters:
So if you're swimming in the sea one day (sea one day)
And a pretty little mermaid wants to play (play with me)
We bet you'll know her right away (lalala)
There's only one Ariel
Ariel...




There's only one Ariel
Ariel...

Overall Meaning

This song from the classic Disney animated film The Little Mermaid is sung by Ariel's sisters as they prepare for a mermaid's ball. They are frustrated with Ariel's absence and her lack of interest in the event. The sisters comment that Ariel is never present when she is needed, both physically and mentally. Unlike her sisters, Ariel is a dreamer and likes to explore different parts of the ocean. She is always up for an adventure and often brings back trinkets and treasures from her escapades. Her sisters find her irritating and wish she could be like them, enjoying games and dressing up for the ball. However, they realize that there's only one Ariel, a unique individual whom they love because of who she is.


The song is an ode to individuality, encouraging viewers to embrace their uniqueness and not be afraid to stand out from the crowd. It also highlights the tension between conformity and individuality, with Ariel's sisters representing the former and Ariel representing the latter. The sisters' frustration with Ariel's behavior may be a reflection of how society views individuals who do not conform to accepted norms. Ariel's character challenges the status quo, taking risks and following her heart, traits that can be admirable and inspiring to viewers of all ages.


Line by Line Meaning

Has anyone seen Ariel? She hasn't picked out the sea flower she's going to wear tonight.
Alana is concerned that Ariel isn't ready for the mermaid's ball.


We daughters of Triton must look our best at the mermaid's ball.
Attina reminds her sisters that they must look their best at the mermaid's ball as daughters of Triton.


What can't she be like the rest of us?
Ariel's sisters are frustrated that Ariel isn't interested in the same things that they are.


We play games like other girls We love to dress up in shells and pearls But she's up in her own little world There's only one Ariel (Ariel)
Ariel's sisters enjoy playing games and dressing up, but Ariel is always in her own world, making her unique and special.


She's got the prettiest voice in the sea But she's never here when she ought to be (Where is she?) She's the missing note in our harmony
Ariel's sisters acknowledge that she has a beautiful voice, but she is often absent and leaves a gap in their group's harmony.


Harmony Oops! Sorry!
Ariel apologizes for interrupting her sisters' harmony.


You're late again, Ariel
Ariel's sisters reprimand her for being late yet again.


(La la la) She's a dreamer, there's a faraway look in her eyes (La la la) Have you seen her swimming far too high Where the ocean meets the sky
Ariel is a dreamer who often swims too high and gazes into the distance where the ocean meets the sky.


Ariel, we've got to get ready for the ball.
Aquata reminds Ariel that they need to prepare for the mermaid's ball.


No! Now hold still while I fasten your necklace.
Adella tells Ariel to hold still so she can fasten her necklace.


She brings stuff home from everywhere (everywhere) Her room's a mess, she doesn't care (doesn't care) There's hardly room for her in there Clean it up, Ariel
Ariel collects things from all over and her room is always messy, which annoys her sisters and they tell her to clean it up.


Come on Attina, let's go up to the surface and watch the sun set.
Ariel invites Attina to watch the sun set on the surface, which is against their rules.


So if you're swimming in the sea one day (sea one day) And a pretty little mermaid wants to play (play with me) We bet you'll know her right away (lalala) There's only one Ariel Ariel... There's only one Ariel Ariel...
Ariel's sisters tell the audience that if they ever meet a pretty little mermaid who wants to play, they'll recognize her as the unique and special Ariel.




Contributed by Christopher M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

Chandler Branch Railfan Productions

Sounds like the Fireman Sam 1987-1994 Theme Song

Max Tull

Yes! There is only one Ariel and that's the Jodi Benson version, the Halle Bailey version does not exist!

Natalie Gudmunson

my mom got the cd for me but i lost it so i am happy to have found it i love this song

BlueJay_03

one of the sisters, can't remember which one, sounds like Lil from the rugrats

sd.WhoIAmMakesADifference

Why hasn't this CD been turned into a movie?

Trey

would we really want another Ariel

mandalfthegrey

I was SO obsessed with this tape when I was little! I listened to it every day! Thank you for posting these! :D

LDSims93

Thanks for the upload

BlueJay_03

wow thats cool i didnt realize it back then when i first listened to this

Kaylee Williams

brings back memories:D

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