How Does a Moment Last Forever

"How Does a Moment Last Forever" is a song written by lyricist Tim Rice and composer Alan Menken for the Disney live action film Beauty and the Beast (2017), a remake of the animated musical of the same name.

"How Does a Moment Last Forever" was also recorded by Canadian pop singer Celine Dion, whose version was also included on the film's soundtrack, released on March 10, 2017.

Although she was unable to promote her version, which prompted Disney to release "Evermore" as a single instead, the song has made an impact in certain countries due to the film's success at the box office.

Director Bill Condon originally intended to include songs from the Broadway musical adaptation of Beauty and the Beast in the remake.

However, Disney decided to recruit composer Alan Menken and lyricist Tim Rice to write entirely new songs for the film instead.

[4] The live action film marks the first collaboration between Menken and Rice in over two decades; the last time they worked together had been in the Beauty and the Beast musical.

After he realizes his daughter is watching him, he quickly finishes the music box, which is modelled after him and his wife and avoids to answer any of Belle's questions about her mother.

[12] Rolling Stone gave the song a mixed review, saying that although "How Does a Moment Last Forever" never reaches the "cinematic peaks" of "My Heart Will Go On", it sees Dion poignantly perform with bombast while having an understated conclusion.

[13] In a more negative light, Metro compared the song unfavourably to "Beauty and the Beast",[14] while Mashable felt the "wistful" tune "fails to make much of an impression" even after its three versions.

[15] Celine Dion had previously recorded the pop version of "Beauty and the Beast" with R&B artist Peabo Bryson; this song helped to establish her career as a music star in the Anglosphere.

Menken asked her to be a part of the live action project as well by recording her own rendition of "How Does a Moment Last Forever", which would play over the end credits.

[17] Dion initially had doubts about whether or not to record the song due to the recent death of her husband and manager René Angélil, who had previously helped her secure the 1991 pop duet.

On November 17, 2017, "How Does a Moment Last Forever" won a Hollywood Music in Media Award in category Original Song — Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Horror Film.