Evermore (song)
Originally recorded for the film by English actor Dan Stevens, who performs the song in his starring role as the eponymous Beast, "Evermore" was first released as a single by American singer Josh Groban on March 3, 2017.
[1] Original Beauty and the Beast composer Menken reunited with Rice, with whom he had previously collaborated on Disney's animated film Aladdin (1992),[2] to write three new songs for the remake.
[1][7] However, Menken considered it imperative that the character sing a solo in both the stage and live-action adaptations because he believes the Beast is actually the story's protagonist "whose life has changed in the most dramatic way.
[15] The last of the three original songs written for the remake, "Evermore" was completed considerably late into production after the filmmakers finally agreed that the Beast should perform his own.
[16] Written in Spring 2015 in London, England, Menken quickly composed its melody before Rice contributed lyrics revolving around the Beast releasing Belle.
[27] One of at least nine significant ways the remake deviates from its source material,[28] "Evermore" is among the film's songs that emphasize the sadness and loneliness of both the Beast and Belle's situations.
[35] Finally admitting that Belle is no longer his prisoner,[36] the character sings "Evermore" shortly after he releases the heroine from the castle,[37] insisting that she return to her village and protect Maurice from Gaston (Luke Evans).
[26] Believing that Belle has been lost to him forever,[38] the Beast is heartbroken by the character's departure and laments his misfortune by performing "Evermore",[4] accepting that releasing his former prisoner makes breaking the enchantress' spell more difficult, even impossible.
[28] Serving as a culmination of both the Beast's personal and emotional journeys,[39] Tracy Goldman of The Cornell Daily Sun observed that the song "adds more depth to the character" by "highlighting the changes he goes through throughout the movie.
[41] The song occurs at a pivotal moment in the film during which the Beast bemoans his decision to release Belle,[42] uncovering both his inner pain and character growth as he voices "a sad sense of longing".
[44] In the musical sequence, the Beast continues to climb higher up the turrets of his castle to watch Belle as she rides away on her horse and gradually disappears into the distance.
[8] For the Beast, the song represents "an ode to his love for Belle and his unending, longing devotion as she rides away from him, possibly forever",[48] serving as "a profound meditation on his own isolation and heartache".
[52] Screen Rant contributor Kacey Spivey observed that Belle's departure and the scene represents a reversal of the traditional fairy tale trope in which a princess is trapped in a tower.
[20][54][55][56] Delivered as an emotional power ballad,[57][58] its instrumentation begins with the Beast's "eerie" "Rose" theme, before transitioning into a musical solo based on the track's melody and bridge.
[63] Writing for Elle, Alyssa Bailey deemed the song Broadway's version of a breakup ballad,[64] which features the lyrics "I let her steal into my melancholy heart/It's more than I can bear".
[75] Belting comfortably,[76] Stevens' voice has been compared to that of Terrence Mann, the actor who originated the role of the Beast in the Broadway adaptation and recorded "If I Can't Love Her".
[47] Cameron Meier of Orlando Weekly lauded "Evermore" as the film's dramatic highlight, which he nearly rewarded with a standing ovation,[41] while Metro's Sarah Deen dubbed it "an instant classic".
[87] The Yakima Herald-Republic's Danielle Niemann, Jason Fraley of WTOP, and Varsity contributor Robert Crawford agreed that the actor's voice was chill-inducing,[3][63][88] while The Salt Lake Tribune's Sean P. Means said the ballad "gives Stevens a nice moment to pour out the tragic hero's broken heart".
[4] According to the Toronto Star's Peter Howell, "Evermore" establishes Stevens as one of the cast's best singers,[89] while La Presse's Sonia Sarfati found the actor's performance moving.
"[23] Calling the track inferior to "If I Can't Love Her", ReelViews film critic James Berardinelli found "Evermore" "solid" but unmemorable.
[71] Angie Han of Mashable said the song fares marginally better than "How Does a Moment Last Forever" and "Days in the Sun", but ultimately accused it of slowing down the film.
[54] Maria Sciullo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette found the ballad to be lacking power and criticized Stevens' use of Auto-Tune,[62] while Zimbio contributor Lani Conway called his voice "confusing".
[93] The Rolla Daily News critic Dana Barbuto found the song "less soaring than intended",[94] while Katie Walsh, writing for The Sun Chronicle, relegated "Evermore" to "the perfect bathroom break"; a "snooze-worthy tune does nothing for the already dragging story".
[95][96] Paul Sheehan of Golderby theorized that the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences would most likely favor "Evermore" over "How Does a Moment Last Forever" and "Days in the Sun".
Yiánnis Palamídas, Greek voice actor of the Beast, had already dubbed this character in the original animated version: he reprised his role in the live-action 24 years later.
[16] After eliminating "Days in the Sun" and confirming that Canadian singer Celine Dion would not be available to promote her cover of "How Does a Moment Last Forever", the studio ultimately decided to release "Evermore".
[121][117] Written in the key of A major at moderately slow tempo of 96 beats per minute,[122] Groban's three-minutes-and-nine-seconds rendition[123] evokes a "sweeping, operatic quality",[116] featuring lyrics revolving about pining for true love.
[124] At the same time, the single resembles contemporary Disney ballads such as Sarah McLachlan's "When She Loved Me" and Phil Collins' "You'll Be In My Heart" from the animated films Toy Story 2 and Tarzan, both of which were released in 1999, respectively.
