The song is also featured on Disney's On the Record along with "Part of Your World", "Under the Sea" and "Kiss the Girl" of songs from The Little Mermaid.
A portion of the song is performed twice in the Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom Halloween-themed fireworks show HalloWishes during Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party.
Although the song mostly stays true to the lyrics of the original, certain lines have been changed to prevent any reference to magic. For instance, the line "They weren't kidding when they called me, well, a witch" was changed to "They weren't kidding when they called me kinda strange". Also, the second verse and ending have been omitted. Instead, the song ends with a reprise of the chorus following the first verse.
Poor Unfortunate Souls
Jonas Brothers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They weren't kidding when they called me kinda strange
But you'll find that nowadays
I've mended all my ways
Repented, seen the light, and made a change
And I fortunately know a little secret
It's a talent that I always have possessed
And dear lady, please don't laugh
Of the miserable, the lonely, and depressed (pathetic)
Poor unfortunate souls
In pain, in need
This one longing to be thinner
This one wants to get the girl
And do I help them? Yes, indeed
Those poor unfortunate souls
So sad, so true
They come flocking to me crying
"Will you help us, pretty please?"
And I help them, yes, I do
The men up there don't like a lot of blabber
They think a girl who gossips is a bore
Yes, on land it's much preferred for ladies not to say a word
And after all dear, what is idle prattle for?
They're not all that impressed with conversation
True gentlemen avoid it when they can
But they dote and swoon and fawn
On ladies who withdrawn
It's she who holds her tongue who gets a man
Poor unfortunate souls
Go ahead, make your choice
I'm a very busy person and I haven't got all day
It won't cost much, just your voice
Those poor unfortunate souls
So sad, so true
If you wanna cross the bridge, my sweet
You've got the pay the toll
Take a gulp, take a breath
Go ahead, sign the scroll
Nick and Kevin, now I've got her, boys
The boss is on a roll
You poor unfortunate souls
In pain, in need
This one longing to be thinner
This one wants to get the girl
And do I help them? Yes, indeed
Those poor unfortunate souls
So sad, so true
They come flocking to me crying
"Will you help us, pretty please?"
And I help them, yes, I do
Those poor unfortunate souls
The Jonas Brothersβ version of βPoor Unfortunate Soulsβ is a cover of the iconic original song from Disneyβs βThe Little Mermaidβ. In the original film, the song is sung by the villainous sea witch Ursula, as she attempts to trap Ariel in a deal that costs her voice. The Jonas Brothersβ version gives a new, rock-inspired take on the classic tune, featuring Nick Jonas as Ursula and his brothers, Kevin and Joe, as her backup singers.
The lyrics of the song highlight Ursulaβs powers of persuasion, as she convinces Ariel to give up her voice for a chance at human love. When Nick sings, βI fortunately know a little secret / It's a talent that I always have possessed,β heβs referencing Ursulaβs ability to manipulate the desires and emotions of her victims. He goes on to list the various sad and hopeless characters who come to her for help, offering to grant their wishes in exchange for a steep price.
The song also touches on societal expectations for women, as Kevin sings, βThey think a girl who gossips is a bore / Yes, on land it's much preferred / For ladies not to say a word.β Ursulaβs advice to Ariel to give up her voice in order to land a man is a clear message about the pressure on women to conform to traditional gender roles. The song serves as a warning against giving into these expectations and sacrificing oneβs own voice and agency for the sake of pleasing others.
Overall, the Jonas Brothersβ version of βPoor Unfortunate Soulsβ is a fresh and edgy take on an iconic Disney villain song, exploring themes of power, manipulation, and gender roles.
Line by Line Meaning
I admit that in the past I've been a nasty
I acknowledge that I haven't always been nice.
They weren't kidding when they called me kinda strange
People weren't joking when they called me weird.
But you'll find that nowadays I've mended all my ways
I have changed and improved my behavior.
Repented, seen the light and made a change
I feel remorseful for my past actions and have turned my life around.
And I fortunately know a little secret
I have a skill that can be useful.
It's a talent that I always have possessed
I have always had this special ability.
And here lately, please don't laugh
I have started using this talent recently.
I use it on behalf of the miserable, lonely and depressed
I am helping those who are unhappy, alone, and sad.
Poor unfortunate souls
These people are in a difficult situation.
In pain, in need
They are suffering and require help.
This one longing to be thinner
Someone wants to lose weight.
This one wants to get the girl
Someone wants to win someone's love.
And do I help them? Yes, indeed
I am happy to assist them.
Those poor unfortunate souls
These individuals are in a bad situation.
So sad, so true
Their situation is depressing and genuinely exists.
They come flocking to me crying
They are seeking my help and are very upset.
"Will you help us will you please?"
They are begging for my aid.
And I help them? Yes, I do
I provide them with assistance.
The men up there don't like a lot of blabber
The men up there don't like it when people talk excessively.
They think a girl who gossips is a bore
They find girls who gossip to be uninteresting.
Yes, on land it's much preferred
It is more socially acceptable on land.
For ladies not to say a word
Women are expected not to speak too much.
And after all, dear, what is idle prattle for?
What is the point of talking for the sake of talking?
They're not all that impressed with conversation
They are not highly impressed by talking.
True gentlemen avoid it when they can
Gentlemen usually avoid talking.
But they dote and swoon and fawn
However, they are extremely charming and affectionate.
On a lady who's withdrawn
They are attracted to women who are reserved and dignified.
It's she who holds her tongue who gets her man
The woman who speaks less is more likely to attract a man.
Go ahead! Make your choice!
Choose what you want.
I'm a very busy person
I have a lot of things to do.
And I haven't got all day
I don't have too much time to spare.
It won't cost much: just your voice!
The price of getting what they want is to sacrifice their voice.
If you want to cross a bridge, my sweet
If you want to reach your goal.
You've got to pay the toll
You must pay the price.
Take a gulp, take a breath and go ahead, sign the scroll
Be brave and sign the contract.
(Nick and Kevin, now I've got her, boys)
Nick and Kevin helped me successfully complete the contract.
The boss is on a roll
I am very successful in doing this business.
You poor unfortunate souls
You are in a very bad situation.
Lyrics Β© O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Alan Menken, Howard Elliott Ashman
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Portraits By Douglas
only REAL ones know this classic.
Ivanouchka
... or those who love Disney's 'The little mermaid'.
gia dina
I used to watch this everyday when i was like 6 lol on my brotherβs computer, good old days
Precious Fox
YES!!
AJ S
Portraits By Douglas real ones... haha
sunnie94
@Makena Tozzer idk i was just listening it's about time album and then i thought about this jewerly
Tyiesha
I never should have grown upππlife was so simple when my biggest problem was deciding which Jonas Brother I was going to marry
Kevin Leroy
An your the only one who thinks that way of shouldn't not have grown-up too an I was probably 11 or 12 when this came out
Kevin Leroy
Because they got taken an your an obsessed fan girl
Kevin Leroy
Which wasn't none of them right