Beauty and the Beast
Kaitlyn Maher 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 2x

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

The opening lines of Kaitlyn Maher's "Beauty and the Beast," the theme song of the 1991 Disney musical, describe the classic love story that continues to resonate with audiences of all ages. The song speaks to the timeless message of looking beyond appearances and understanding the true essence of a person, a message that is significant in the context of the film's narrative, which highlights the theme of inner beauty.


The song starts with the lines "Tale as old as time / True as it can be," which signify that the story of "Beauty and the Beast" is a timeless tale that resonates with people across generations. Even though the two characters in the story start off as "barely even friends," they are ultimately drawn to each other because of their willingness to accept each other for who they are. The song encapsulates this transformation by describing how "just a little change / small to say the least" can lead to an unexpected and profound shift in the relationship between two people.


The song's chorus is both catchy and stirring, with its repetition of the phrase "ever just the same," which highlights the theme of constancy in the midst of change. The lyrics suggest that despite the ups and downs of the story, the underlying theme of transformation remains constant. The song also incorporates the central motif of the film, which is the idea that "Beauty and the Beast" is a tale as old as time, with a tune as old as a song.


Line by Line Meaning

Tale as old as time
This story or circumstance of two people falling in love despite their differences has been told countless times.


True as it can be
What will come to pass is inevitable and cannot be stopped.


Barely even friends
They didn't have much of a relationship before things moved further and they became more romantically involved.


Then somebody bends
Unexpectedly, someone changed their views or perspectives to further a more meaningful relationship.


Unexpectedly
This change was a complete surprise and was not predicted.


Just a little change
The adjustment that the characters made may not have seemed like a large alteration, but it had a significant impact on their relationship.


Small to say the least
The change implemented in the dynamic was, for all intents and purposes, rather unnoticeable.


Both a little scared
The newfound emotional attachment and feelings of love were scary to both individuals involved.


Neither one prepared
Neither of them was ready emotionally for what was to come from the shift in their relationship.


Ever just the same
Despite the changes that occurred, the underlying truth is that they were still the same people, with the same thoughts and emotions.


Ever a surprise
Although nothing has changed, sometimes the idea of being content in a committed relationship can be surprising.


Ever as before
Everything that was once considered reliable and constant still exists in the new and improved relationship.


Ever just as sure
The trust in each other remains unchanged and constant.


As the sun will rise 2x
This conviction is as predictable as the rising of the sun each and every day.


Tale as old as time
This story or situation of falling in love regardless of differences has been told many times before.


Tune as old as song
The method and approach of telling such stories has been practiced and honed throughout time.


Bittersweet and strange
It is a mixed feeling of pleasure and sadness, with a twist of awkwardness or oddity.


Finding you can change
Realizing that there are things that can be modified for the betterment of a relationship is a discovery that can make all the difference.


Learning you were wrong
Discovery that some preconceived rubrics or beliefs were incorrect and shifting the mindset is crucial in maintaining a healthy relationship.


Certain as the sun
The premise of unwavering trust and loyalty is as unchangingly present, much like the rising sun.


Rising in the east
The trust that is unshakable as well as predictable, much like how sunrises every morning.


Song as old as rhyme
The concept of such stories being set up to a melody or the sing-song rhythm of the other tales is as ancient and enduring as anything else.


Beauty and the Beast
This is a tale where everyone may find love, regardless of how different they are or their background.




Contributed by Sadie O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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