The song “Somewhere Out There” is a classic ballad that was featured in a popular Disney animated film in the 1980s. Written by James Horner, Barry Mann, and Cynthia Weil, this emotional song about feeling connected to a distant loved one has become one of Disney’s most iconic movie songs. But what Disney movie was it actually featured in? Let’s take a closer look at the history and context behind “Somewhere Out There” to find the answer.
Background on “Somewhere Out There”
“Somewhere Out There” was written specifically for the soundtrack of the 1986 animated Disney film An American Tail. The music for the song was composed by James Horner, who also composed the film’s entire soundtrack. The lyrics were written by the acclaimed songwriters Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil.
An American Tail is a family-friendly animated film that tells the story of a family of Russian-Jewish mice immigrants who get separated on their way to the United States in the late 19th century. The protagonist is a young mouse named Fievel, who gets lost at sea during a storm on the voyage and winds up in New York City trying to find his family.
“Somewhere Out There” comes at an emotional turning point in the film when Fievel and his sister Tanya both sing about how they can feel each other out there, despite being separated by a vast distance. The song captures their longing and hope that they’ll find each other again someday.
With its sentimental lyrics about feeling connected to someone you love who is far away, combined with Horner’s sweeping orchestral arrangement, “Somewhere Out There” went on to become one of the most poignant and recognizable songs from an animated Disney film.
Lyrics and Meaning of “Somewhere Out There”
The song opens from Fievel’s perspective as he sings:
Somewhere out there beneath the pale moonlight
Someone’s thinking of me and loving me tonight
He holds on to the belief that even though he doesn’t know where his family is, they are out there somewhere thinking of him too.
The chorus switches to Tanya’s perspective as she sings:
Somewhere out there someone’s saying a prayer
That we’ll find one another in that big somewhere out there
Tanya echoes the same hopeful sentiment that they feel connected and will reunite even across the vast distance.
The song continues switching between both characters’ perspectives, with lines like:
And even though I know how very far apart we are
It helps to think we might be wishing on the same bright star
The longing lyrics tap into the universally relatable feeling of missing someone who is far away but still feeling their love and strength. Although miles apart, the feeling of connection remains in their hearts.
Use of “Somewhere Out There” in An American Tail
“Somewhere Out There” is first heard early in An American Tail during a scene where Fievel’s father plays his violin, making Fievel realize how much he misses his family.
The song returns in one of the film’s most memorable sequences, when Fievel and Tanya each sing alternate verses while looking at the moon and stars and dreaming of being reunited. This sequence underscores the idea that although they are in different places, their families feel deeply connected by their love and longing for each other. Tanya sings from her bedroom window in New York, while Fievel sings from a rooftop window, miles away but under the same night sky.
The song forms the emotional climax of the film when the two siblings finally find each other in New York and perform the song as a duet. It’s a magical reunion underscored by “Somewhere Out There” and its message of the power of the familial bond.
Chart Performance and Awards
The original duet version of “Somewhere Out There” performed by Phillip Glasser (Fievel) and Betsy Cathcart (Tanya) reached #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1987, making it the highest-charting song from an animated film at that time. It also received substantial radio airplay and became one of the biggest crossover pop hits of the year.
At the 59th Academy Awards in 1987, “Somewhere Out There” was nominated for Best Original Song but lost to “Take My Breath Away” from Top Gun. However, it did win Song of the Year at both the Grammy Awards and American Music Awards that same year.
The enduring popularity and acclaim for “Somewhere Out There” affirmed its status as one of Disney’s most iconic and heartfelt movie ballads of the 1980s. It remains beloved by generations who grew up with An American Tail and still appreciate the song’s timeless message of holding on to hope and connection even when loved ones are far away.
Other Notable Versions
– Linda Ronstadt and James Ingram cover – A version of “Somewhere Out There” performed as a duet by pop singers Linda Ronstadt and James Ingram was released as a single in 1987. This rendition reached #2 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart.
– Kate Pierson and The B-52’s – The B-52’s lead vocalist Kate Pierson recorded a synthpop version of the song for her solo album Guitars and Microphones in 2015.
– Brijmak – YouTuber Brijmak sang a version in 2017 which has amassed over 4 million views for its unique Indian classical take on the song.
– TIFFANY – Former K-pop star TIFFANY covered “Somewhere Out There” in concert in Korea in 2016, garnering praise for her emotional delivery.
While the original film version remains the most famous, these covers demonstrate the timeless appeal of “Somewhere Out There” across different genres and generations.
Significance in Disney’s Musical Canon
– One of few early Disney ballads not about romantic love – “Somewhere Out There” stands out for being one of the few sentimental love songs from a Disney animated film not about romantic/courtship love, but familial love. This gives it a unique significance.
– Helped establish musical prominence of animated films – Alongside other 80s hits like “Under the Sea,” “Somewhere Out There” helped cement animated Disney films as major forces in the mainstream music scene.
– Part of Disney Renaissance musical legacy – “Somewhere Out There” was part of the outstanding musical output during the 1980s Disney Renaissance alongside classics like The Little Mermaid songs. Its nomination and awards validated the renaissance’s musical success.
– Ushered in trend of emotionally stirring climactic solos – The way “Somewhere Out There” is used for an emotional climactic solo for Fievel and Tanya influenced future Disney films to do the same with their biggest musical moments (“Let It Go” in Frozen, “How Far I’ll Go” in Moana, etc.)
Overall, while not always grouped with Disney tunes like “A Whole New World” or “Can You Feel the Love Tonight,” “Somewhere Out There” remains a singularly poignant song that left a lasting impact on Disney’s animation musical tradition.
Conclusion
“Somewhere Out There” holds an iconic spot in the Disney animated musical canon as the sweeping ballad from 1986’s An American Tail. Written by prominent songwriters of the era, it encapsulated the heartsick longing and unbreakable familial connection between two separated immigrant mouse siblings, Fievel and Tanya. The song went on to become a major mainstream hit and win multiple major awards, both validating animated Disney films as forces in the music industry and signaling the start of the Disney Renaissance. While there have been many worthy renditions over the decades, the original plaintive duet version remains both timeless and deeply moving. For all these reasons, “Somewhere Out There” is undoubtedly one of Disney’s most cherished and recognizable movie songs of the 1980s.
| Movie | Year | Singers |
|---|---|---|
| An American Tail | 1986 | Phillip Glasser and Betsy Cathcart |
