I Won't Say (I'm in Love)
{{Short description|1997 song used in Disney's Hercules}}
{{Infobox song
| name = I Won't Say (I'm in Love)
| artist = Susan Egan, Cheryl Freeman, Lillias White, Vaneese Thomas, LaChanze and Roz Ryan
| album = Hercules: An Original Walt Disney Records Soundtrack
| released = May 27, 1997
| recorded = 1996–1997
| genre = {{Flatlist|
}}
| length = 2:20
| label = Walt Disney
| composer = Alan Menken
| lyricist = David Zippel
| producer = Menken
}}
"I Won't Say (I'm in Love)" is a song written by composer Alan Menken and lyricist David Zippel for Disney's animated film Hercules (1997). Released on May 27, 1997 as part of the film's soundtrack, the song was recorded by American actress and singer Susan Egan in her role as Meg, Hercules' love interest, while singers Cheryl Freeman, Lillias White, Vaneese Thomas, LaChanze, and Roz Ryan provided background vocals as the Muses. The songwriters wrote "I Won't Say (I'm in Love)" to replace "I Can't Believe My Heart", a slower ballad that had been deemed too lucky for Meg's personality. Menken based "I Won't Say (I'm in Love)" on songs he had written for the stage musical Little Shop of Horrors (1982).
A stylistic departure from Disney ballads of the time period, "I Won't Say (I'm in Love)" is a mid-tempo doo-wop, R&B, and pop song reminiscent of 1960s music that incorporates elements of Motown and gospel, similar to the works of girl groups such as the Ronettes and the Supremes. Its lyrics are about denying having feelings for someone in an effort to avoid romantic clichés. In the Hercules musical sequence, Meg refuses to admit she is falling in love with the title character, while the Muses insist that she embrace her feelings for him instead.
"I Won't Say (I'm in Love)" has been positively reviewed by both film and music critics, many of whom deemed it the film's best song and praised its composition. Despite being ranked among some of Disney's best songs by some media publications, "I Won't Say (I'm in Love)" has also developed a reputation as one of the studio's most underappreciated. Among notable covers, American singer Belinda Carlisle recorded a pop rock version for the film's soundtrack, and American girl group the Cheetah Girls covered the song in 2005.
Writing and recording
File:Alan Menken 2013 (cropped).jpg had originally written for Meg because it did not suit the character's independent personality. ]]
"I Won't Say (I'm in Love)" was written for Disney's animated film Hercules (1997) by composer Alan Menken and lyricist David Zippel.{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HZzDAQAAQBAJ&q=i+won%27t+say+i%27m+in+love+hercules&pg=PT78|title=Disney's Princess Collection - Complete (Songbook)|publisher=Hal Leonard Corporation|year=2002|isbn=9781458449719|location=United States|via=Google Books}}{{Cite web |title=I Won't Say (I'm in Love) – ISWC: T9312959232 – Work ID: 390590682 |url=https://www.ascap.com/repertory#/ace/search/title/I%20Won't%20Say%20(I'm%20in%20Love)?at=true&searchFilter=SVW&page=1 |access-date=April 28, 2021 |website=ASCAP}} Menken originally wrote a "soaring" ballad entitled "I Can't Believe My Heart" for Meg,{{Cite web |last=Hill |first=Jim |date=October 19, 2012 |title=Disney favorite Susan Egan to perform this Sunday afternoon at LBCC's Music Scholarship Gala Concert |url=http://jimhillmedia.com/editor_in_chief1/b/jim_hill/archive/2012/10/19/disney-favorite-susan-egan-to-perform-this-sunday-afternoon-at-lbcc-s-music-scholarship-gala-concert.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240721193111/https://jimhillmedia.com/disney-favorite-susan-egan-to-perform-this-sunday-afternoon-at-lbccs-music-scholarship-gala-concert/ |archive-date=July 21, 2024 |access-date=March 3, 2016 |website=Jim Hill Media}}{{Cite news |last=Wild |first=Stephi |date=March 14, 2020 |title=Video: Susan Egan Sings Cut Song From Hercules at Broadway Princess Party |url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/VIDEO-Susan-Egan-Sings-Cut-Song-From-HERCULES-at-Broadway-Princess-Party-20200314 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210507172100/https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/VIDEO-Susan-Egan-Sings-Cut-Song-From-HERCULES-at-Broadway-Princess-Party-20200314 |archive-date=May 7, 2021 |access-date=February 6, 2025 |work=BroadwayWorld}} Hercules' love interest, which he had intended to show her realizing she is falling in love with the title character.{{Cite web|last=Roulette|first=Matthew|title=The 10 Best Disney Songs You've Never Heard|url=http://thefw.com/best-disney-songs-you-never-heard/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190815103751/https://thefw.com/best-disney-songs-you-never-heard/|archive-date=August 15, 2019|access-date=March 3, 2016|website=The FW|date=11 October 2013 }}{{Cite web|date=May 15, 2013|title=18 Best Disney Songs You've Never Heard|url=http://www.glamour.com/entertainment/blogs/obsessed/2013/05/18-best-disney-songs-youve-nev|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306191128/http://www.glamour.com/entertainment/blogs/obsessed/2013/05/18-best-disney-songs-youve-nev|archive-date=March 6, 2016|access-date=March 3, 2016|website=Glamour}} However, creatives such as Meg's supervising animator, Ken Duncan, felt the character was "too tough" and "hardened by life" to perform such a delicate, emotional ballad.{{Cite news |last=Spiegel |first=Josh |date=September 10, 2019 |title=Time Has Been Kind To Disney's 'Hercules', A Flawed But Fascinating Attempt To Recapture The Magic Of 'Aladdin' |url=https://www.slashfilm.com/568984/hercules-revisited/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241201153339/https://www.slashfilm.com/568984/hercules-revisited/ |archive-date=December 1, 2024 |access-date=February 6, 2025 |work=/Film}} Menken wrote "I Won't Say (I'm in Love)" to replace "I Can't Believe My Heart", and based it on some of the girl group songs he had written for the stage musical Little Shop of Horrors (1982). Although Meg's voice actress, Susan Egan, liked the original song, she agreed that "I Can't Believe My Heart" was "too straightforward and literal" for her character, whereas "I Won't Say (I'm in Love)" expresses a similar sentiment, albeit "the way Meg would—without admitting any of it".{{Cite web |last=Miles |first=Jim |date=September 29, 2008 |title=Jim looks at some overlooked treasures from recent Disney music and DVD releases. |url=http://www.laughingplace.com/News-PID512390-512392.asp |url-status=deviated |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170923104207/http://www.laughingplace.com/w/legacy/News-PID512390-512392.asp/ |archive-date=September 23, 2017 |access-date=March 3, 2016 |website=LaughingPlace.com}} Zippel described the final version as "a love song with a sense of humor" that embodies "the classic love song of ‘I’m not in love’ and we know she really is".{{Cite news |last=Atkins |first=Jamie |date=June 13, 2024 |title=‘Hercules’: The Music Of Disney’s Animated Greek Tale |url=https://www.udiscovermusic.com/stories/hercules-disney-music-animated-film-soundtrack-feature/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240523005540/https://www.udiscovermusic.com/stories/hercules-disney-music-animated-film-soundtrack-feature/ |archive-date=May 23, 2024 |access-date=February 21, 2025 |work=uDiscoverMusic}}
Although Egan had fun recording "I Won't Say (I'm in Love)", she joked that she felt much "whiter" than usual recording with the five Black singers cast as the Muses (Cheryl Freeman, Lillias White, Vaneese Y. Thomas, LaChanze, and Roz Ryan), who provided the song's backup vocals. Already familiar with their work on Broadway, Egan felt intimidated by their powerful voices and riffing abilities.{{Cite web|date=August 1, 2012|title=Susan Egan: Belle, Meg, Glamour and Goop - Part 2|url=http://www.themousecastle.com/2012/08/susan-egan-belle-meg-glamour-and-goop.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190820102823/http://www.themousecastle.com/2012/08/susan-egan-belle-meg-glamour-and-goop.html|archive-date=August 20, 2019|access-date=March 3, 2016|website=The Mouse Castle}}{{cite episode |title=Susan Egan on “Disney Princess – The Concert” |url=https://www.disneyfanatic.com/a-dream-come-true-susan-egan-discusses-her-hercules-characters-legacy-sc1/ |series=D23 Inside Disney |last=Henry |first=Sheri |last2=Blake |first2=Nzinga |network=Apple Podcasts |date=February 3, 2022 |number=125 |via=Disney Fanatics |access-date=February 7, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240522135643/https://www.disneyfanatic.com/a-dream-come-true-susan-egan-discusses-her-hercules-characters-legacy-sc1/ |archive-date=May 22, 2024}} She recalled that while they were very comfortable improvising and ad-libbing per Menken's instruction, Egan would need to ask Menken to demonstrate her riffs on the piano note-by-note in order to replicate them, much to his disbelief. While it took Egan half an hour to solidify as few as one of her riffs, the other singers recorded multiple takes of their own within the same amount of time. Egan was greatly humbled by the experience, having never riffed in her previous singing roles.{{Cite web |last=Rudetsky |first=Seth |author-link=Seth Rudetsky |date=September 30, 2020 |title=When Susan Egan Auditioned for Hercules, Cynthia Nixon Was a Faker on To Tell the Truth, and Michael Cerveris Stayed in Character for Fame |url=https://www.playbill.com/article/when-susan-egan-auditioned-for-hercules-cynthia-nixon-was-a-faker-on-to-tell-the-truth-and-michael-cerveris-stayed-in-character-for-fame |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230901105539/https://www.playbill.com/article/when-susan-egan-auditioned-for-hercules-cynthia-nixon-was-a-faker-on-to-tell-the-truth-and-michael-cerveris-stayed-in-character-for-fame |archive-date=September 1, 2023 |access-date=May 7, 2021 |website=Playbill}} However, she said White in particular remained encouraging, reassuring her that "everybody has soul somewhere; we just need to find yours".
Menken also produced the track.{{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/Alan-Menken-David-Zippel-Disneys-Hercules-An-Original-Walt-Disney-Records-Soundtrack/release/2369985|title=Alan Menken, David Zippel – Disney's Hercules (An Original Walt Disney Records Soundtrack)|date=1997|website=Discogs|access-date=March 4, 2016}} Danny Troob arranged the song while Michael Kosarin conducted the orchestration.{{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/Alan-Menken-David-Zippel-Disneys-Hercules-An-Original-Walt-Disney-Records-Soundtrack/release/3765414|title=Alan Menken, David Zippel – Disney's Hercules (An Original Walt Disney Records Soundtrack)|website=Discogs|date=27 May 1997 |access-date=June 18, 2016}} The song was released on May 27, 1997 as part of the film's soundtrack.{{Cite news |title=I Won't Say (I'm in Love) |url=https://music.apple.com/ua/song/i-wont-say-im-in-love/1412859038 |access-date=February 26, 2025 |work=Apple Music}}
Use in ''Hercules''
In Hercules, Meg is a double agent who works for Hades despite beginning to fall in love with his adversary, Hercules, against her better judgement.{{Cite news |last=Schroeder |first=Zahraa |date=August 28, 2023 |title=15 Of The Greatest Disney Movie Songs Of All Time |url=https://smilefm.co.za/the-greatest-disney-movie-songs-of-all-time/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250225052228/https://smilefm.co.za/the-greatest-disney-movie-songs-of-all-time/ |archive-date=February 25, 2025 |access-date=February 24, 2025 |work=Smile 90.4FM}} Audiences learn that Meg has been in love before, only for her boyfriend at the time to leave her to pursue another woman after she had sold her soul to Hades to save his life.{{Cite web |last=Tisdale |first=Jerrica |date=May 17, 2020 |title=Disney's Hercules: Every Song From The Animated Movie, Ranked |url=https://www.cinemablend.com/news/2496200/disneys-hercules-every-song-from-the-animated-movie-ranked |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250105010126/https://www.cinemablend.com/news/2496200/disneys-hercules-every-song-from-the-animated-movie-ranked |archive-date=January 5, 2025 |access-date=April 27, 2021 |website=CinemaBlend}}{{Cite news |last=Locke |first=Alexandra |date=March 3, 2023 |title=10 Best Disney Love Songs, Ranked |url=https://www.cbr.com/disney-best-love-songs/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240926153235/https://www.cbr.com/disney-best-love-songs/ |archive-date=September 26, 2024 |access-date=February 26, 2025 |work=Comic Book Resources}} Because falling in love quickly had been a negative experience for Meg, she is hesitant and in denial about her own feelings. Like most Disney heroines, she sings about falling in love with her film's hero,{{Cite web |last=Hicken |first=Jackie |date=April 6, 2014 |title=15 Disney songs that were cut before they ever made it onto the big screen |url=https://www.deseretnews.com/top/2407/10/I-Cant-Believe-My-Heart-Hercules-15-Disney-songs-that-were-cut-before-they-ever-made-it-onto.html |url-status=deviated |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140410130555/http://www.deseretnews.com/top/2407/10/I-Cant-Believe-My-Heart-Hercules-15-Disney-songs-that-were-cut-before-they-ever-made-it-onto.html |archive-date=April 10, 2014 |access-date=September 22, 2017 |website=Deseret News}} a revelation she is too proud to admit.{{Cite web |last=C |first=Sandy |date=2017 |title=The 30 best Disney songs |url=https://hiddenremote.com/2017/10/16/the-30-best-disney-songs/13/ |url-status=deviated |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181216074232/https://hiddenremote.com/2017/10/16/the-30-best-disney-songs/13/ |archive-date=December 16, 2018 |access-date=December 15, 2018 |website=Hidden Remote}} Therefore, she tries to convince herself that she is not in love, although her attempts remain unconvincing.{{Cite news |last=Ryan |first=Patrick |date=July 16, 2019 |title=Ranked: The 25 best classic Disney songs, from 'Mary Poppins' to 'The Lion King' |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2019/07/16/ranked-25-best-classic-disney-songs-mary-poppins-lion-king-aladdin-toy-story-little-mermaid-mulan/1702103001/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230316082141/https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2019/07/16/ranked-25-best-classic-disney-songs-mary-poppins-lion-king-aladdin-toy-story-little-mermaid-mulan/1702103001/ |archive-date=March 16, 2023 |access-date=February 24, 2025 |work=USA Today}}
"I Won't Say (I'm in Love)" expresses Meg's conflicting feelings about Hercules, who she insists she does not love, only for her claims to constantly be refuted by the Muses.{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_zMrDwAAQBAJ&q=i+won%27t+say+%28i%27m+in+love%29+megara&pg=PA74|title=Musicological Identities: Essays in Honor of Susan McClary|last=Warwick|first=Jacqueline|publisher=Routledge|year=2017|isbn=9781351556750|location=United Kingdom|pages=74|via=Google Books}} Considered to be Meg's signature song,{{Cite web|url=http://www.moviefreak.com/artman/publish/bluray_hercules_1997.shtml |title=Hercules (1997) - Special Edition (Blu-ray) |last=Fetters |first=Sarah Michelle |date=August 12, 2014 |website=MovieFreak.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308071233/http://www.moviefreak.com/artman/publish/bluray_hercules_1997.shtml |archive-date=March 8, 2016 |access-date=March 6, 2016 |url-status=dead }} it explores the "misunderstood nature" of the character.{{Cite web |last=Maccani |first=Chelsea |date=Jun 5, 2017 |title=Underrated Disney Songs You Totally Forgot About |url=https://www.sweetyhigh.com/read/underrated-disney-songs-060517 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241208194030/https://www.sweetyhigh.com/read/underrated-disney-songs-060517 |archive-date=December 8, 2024 |access-date=September 13, 2018 |website=Sweety High}} Upon realizing she has in fact begun to develop feelings for Hercules, much to her chagrin, the song allows Meg to work through her denial,{{Cite web |last=Weber |first=Lindsey |date=July 25, 2014 |title=Disney's Hercules Is an Underrated Masterpiece |url=http://www.vulture.com/2014/07/disneys-hercules-is-an-underrated-masterpiece.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190817071257/http://www.vulture.com/2014/07/disneys-hercules-is-an-underrated-masterpiece.html |archive-date=August 17, 2019 |access-date=March 3, 2016 |website=Vulture}} by "alternating between fantasizing about how delightful it would be to be loved by Herc, and stomping her foot in anger at the very thought".{{Cite web |last=Devotta |first=Sam |date=November 16, 2016 |title=(Un)Covered: I Won't Say (I'm in Love) |url=http://idobi.com/editorial/uncovered-i-wont-say-im-in-love/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250127150149/https://idobi.com/editorials/uncovered-i-wont-say-im-in-love/ |archive-date=January 27, 2025 |access-date=July 22, 2017 |website=idobi Radio}} Resembling an "admonishing" exchange between Meg and the Muses,{{Cite web|url=http://www.bostonphoenix.com/archives/1997/documents/00442999.htm|title=Disney's Hercules is a heroic effort|last=Gantz|first=Jeffrey|date=June 26, 1997|website=Boston Phoenix|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151009130648/http://www.bostonphoenix.com/archives/1997/documents/00442999.htm|archive-date=October 9, 2015|access-date=March 2, 2016}} "I Won't Say (I'm in Love)" is Meg's attempt to avoid the clichéd storylines of her predecessors as she berates herself for poor decision-making.{{Cite magazine|last=Weatherby|first=Taylor|date=March 15, 2017|title=Every Song From the Disney Renaissance (1989-'99), Ranked: Critics' Take|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/movies/7727697/disney-renaissance-songs-ranking-beauty-and-the-beast|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180620055708/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/movies/7727697/disney-renaissance-songs-ranking-beauty-and-the-beast|archive-date=June 20, 2018|access-date=March 28, 2017|magazine=Billboard}} The song takes place after Meg's date with Hercules in which she initially attempted to discover his weakness at the insistence of Hades,{{Cite news |last=Vitale |first=Micaela Pérez |date=August 6, 2022 |title=Hercules: Every Song in the Disney Animated Movie, Ranked |url=https://movieweb.com/hercules-disney-movie-songs/ |access-date=February 26, 2025 |work=MovieWeb}} and is described by Alexandra Locke of Comic Book Resources as "an ode to her desire to protect herself against vulnerable feelings". After strolling through a Greek courtyard while performing the song with the Muses, the character's resistance finally proves futile and she ultimately relents, the Muses having "taunt[ed] her into honesty".{{Cite web|last1=Shoemaker|first1=Allison|last2=Suzanne-Meyer|first2=Dominick|date=March 15, 2017|title=Ranking: Every Disney Song From Worst to Best|url=https://consequenceofsound.net/2017/03/ranking-every-disney-song-from-worst-to-best/full-post/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180914022712/https://consequenceofsound.net/2017/03/ranking-every-disney-song-from-worst-to-best/full-post/|archive-date=September 14, 2018|access-date=September 13, 2018|website=Consequence of Sound}} "I Won't Say (I'm in Love)" is also the only song in which the Muses duet with one of the film's main characters. During one scene, the Muses transform themselves into stone busts, which Amory Rose of Business Insider believes is a possible reference to The Haunted Mansion attraction at Disneyland.{{Cite news |last=Rose |first=Amory |date=September 20, 2020 |title=27 hidden references and clever jokes in 'Hercules' you probably missed as a kid |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/hercules-clever-interesting-details-that-went-over-your-head#the-muses-recreate-a-scene-from-disneys-popular-haunted-mansion-ride-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240430050543/https://www.businessinsider.com/hercules-clever-interesting-details-that-went-over-your-head#the-muses-recreate-a-scene-from-disneys-popular-haunted-mansion-ride-25 |archive-date=April 30, 2024 |access-date=February 7, 2025 |work=Business Insider}} Excerpts from "I Won't Say (I'm in Love)" are also used in some of the film's score, one of the few songs to do this.{{Cite web |date=May 26, 1997 |title=Filmtracks: Hercules (Alan Menken) |url=https://www.filmtracks.com/titles/hercules.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230827110018/https://www.filmtracks.com/titles/hercules.html |archive-date=August 27, 2023 |access-date=May 3, 2021 |website=Filmtracks.com}}
Filmtracks.com described "I Won't Say (I'm in Love)" as the film's "standard 'female song of longing'." According to Taylor Weatherby of Billboard, the character "finally comes to a conclusion to which many a girl (or guy) can relate". Tracy Dye of Bustle described the scene: "Joined by The Muses, Meg attempts to vehemently deny her amour for Hercules",{{Cite web|last=Dye|first=Tracy|date=July 10, 2015|title=7 Reasons Meg From 'Hercules' Is The Most Underrated Disney Heroine Ever|url=http://www.bustle.com/articles/96508-7-reasons-meg-from-hercules-is-the-most-underrated-disney-heroine-ever|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180914061518/http://www.bustle.com/articles/96508-7-reasons-meg-from-hercules-is-the-most-underrated-disney-heroine-ever|archive-date=September 14, 2018|access-date=March 3, 2016|website=Bustle}} and Zahraa Schroeder of Smile 90.4FM described it as "Meg’s brain fighting her heart". Additionally, the musical number predicts that one of Hercules' most difficult challenges will be trying to change Meg's opinion of him.{{Cite web|url=http://opinionmoviegoer.blogspot.ca/2014/06/hercules-ron-clements-and-john-musker.html|title=Hercules (Ron Clements and John Musker, 1997) Review|date=June 6, 2014|website=Opinionated Movie-Goer|access-date=March 6, 2016}} Writing for The Daily Dot, Aja Romano cited the song as Meg's "I Want" song,{{Cite web |last=Romano |first=Aja |date=December 11, 2015 |title=The definitive ranking of Disney 'Want Songs' |url=http://www.dailydot.com/fandom/ten-best-disney-want-songs/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240618165408/http://www.dailydot.com/fandom/ten-best-disney-want-songs/ |archive-date=June 18, 2024 |access-date=July 6, 2016 |website=The Daily Dot}} whereas USA Today
Music and lyrics
File:The Supremes 1970.jpg arrangement have been compared to the work of American girl group the Supremes. ]]
Lasting two minutes and twenty seconds in duration,{{Cite web|date=1997|title=Hercules - An Original Walt Disney Records Soundtrack – Various Artists|url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/i-wont-say-im-in-love/id191999705?i=192000233|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180914061500/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/hercules-original-motion-picture-soundtrack/1412858854|archive-date=September 14, 2018|access-date=March 4, 2016|website=iTunes}}{{Cite web |last=Batdorf |first=Rodney |date=May 27, 1997 |title=Alan Menken – Hercules [Original Soundtrack] |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/hercules-original-soundtrack-mw0000024222 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250126222757/http://www.allmusic.com/album/hercules-original-soundtrack-mw0000024222 |archive-date=January 26, 2025 |access-date=March 3, 2016 |website=Allmusic}} "I Won't Say (I'm in Love)" is performed "freely" in the key of C major at a tempo of 100 beats per minute.{{Cite web|last1=Menken|first1=Alan|author-link=Alan Menken|last2=Zippel|first2=David|author-link2=David Zippel|date=1997|title=I Won't Say (I'm In Love) – From Walt Disney's Hercules - Digital Sheet Music|url=http://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtd.asp?ppn=MN0057797|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180914094244/http://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtd.asp?ppn=MN0057797|archive-date=September 14, 2018|access-date=March 2, 2016|website=Musicnotes.com|publisher=Walt Disney Music Publishing}} A mellow 1960s girl group song,{{Cite web |last=Tan |first=Irving |date=January 29, 2011 |title=Soundtrack (Disney) – Hercules |url=https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/41516/Soundtrack-Disney-Hercules/ |access-date=March 3, 2016 |website=Sputnikmusic}}{{Cite news |last=Andruskevicius |first=Molly |date=November 9, 2024 |title=The Best Disney Songs: 44 Reasons To Feel The Love |url=https://www.udiscovermusic.com/stories/feel-the-love-the-best-of-disney/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241105100947/https://www.udiscovermusic.com/stories/feel-the-love-the-best-of-disney/ |archive-date=November 5, 2024 |access-date=January 31, 2025 |work=uDiscoverMusic}} Egan delivers the power ballad in a sultry manner.{{Cite news |last=Ness |first=Mari |author-link4=Mari Ness |date=March 17, 2016 |title=I Can Go the Merchandising Route: Disney’s Hercules |url=https://reactormag.com/i-can-go-the-merchandising-route-disneys-hercules/ |access-date=February 6, 2025 |work=Reactor}}{{Cite web |date=August 9, 2019 |title=Get Ready for the 'Hercules' Musical With This Epic YouTube Spiral |url=https://www.todaytix.com/insider/nyc/posts/get-ready-for-the-world-premiere-of-the-hercules-musical-with-this-epic-youtube-spiral |url-status=deviated |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220519092035/https://www.todaytix.com/insider/nyc/posts/get-ready-for-the-world-premiere-of-the-hercules-musical-with-this-epic-youtube-spiral |archive-date=May 19, 2022 |access-date=May 6, 2021 |website=TodayTix}} The mid-tempo pop ballad{{Cite magazine |last=Semigran |first=Aly |date=May 21, 2019 |title=The 12 Most Underrated Disney Songs |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/8512540/disney-songs-underrated |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210508083932/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/8512540/disney-songs-underrated |archive-date=May 8, 2021 |access-date=April 30, 2021 |magazine=Billboard}}{{Cite web|last=Ceron|first=Ella|date=February 24, 2014|title=The 16 Most Awesome Female Characters From Disney Movies|url=http://thoughtcatalog.com/ella-ceron/2014/02/the-16-most-awesome-female-characters-from-disney-movies/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190815103743/http://thoughtcatalog.com/ella-ceron/2014/02/the-16-most-awesome-female-characters-from-disney-movies/|archive-date=August 15, 2019|access-date=March 3, 2016|website=Thought Catalog}} incorporates elements of R&B,{{Cite news |last=Curry |first=Oliver |date=July 17, 2024 |title=Why Disney Fans Still Love This Underrated ‘90s Hit |url=https://www.cbr.com/hercules-underrated-90s-disney-movie/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241229025838/https://www.cbr.com/hercules-underrated-90s-disney-movie/ |archive-date=December 29, 2024 |access-date=January 28, 2025 |work=Comic Book Resources |quote=an R&B inspired song}}{{Cite web|last=Berger|first=Joseph|author-link=Joseph Berger (author)|date=July 13, 1997|title=His Tunes Make Disney's World Go Round|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/07/13/movies/his-tunes-make-disney-s-world-go-round.html|url-access=registration|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190825081648/https://www.nytimes.com/1997/07/13/movies/his-tunes-make-disney-s-world-go-round.html|archive-date=August 25, 2019|access-date=April 29, 2021|website=The New York Times|quote=Mr. Menken's tunes The Gospel Truth and I Won't Say I'm in Love harked back to rhythm-and-blues groups like the Ronettes with a gospel edge.}} doo-wop,{{Cite news |last=Dalebroux |first=Chantal |title=Our Top 10 Disney Princess Tunes |url=https://umusic.co.nz/moments/our-top-10-disney-princess-tunes/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250115084352/https://umusic.co.nz/moments/our-top-10-disney-princess-tunes/ |archive-date=January 15, 2025 |access-date=February 7, 2025 |work=umusic NZ}}{{Cite web|url=http://blogs.indiewire.com/animationscoop/blu-ray-review-disneys-hercules-and-tarzan-20140810|title=Blu-ray Review: Disney's Hercules and Tarzan|last=Ehrbar|first=Greg|date=August 10, 2014|website=Indiewire|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307104644/http://blogs.indiewire.com/animationscoop/blu-ray-review-disneys-hercules-and-tarzan-20140810|archive-date=March 7, 2016|access-date=March 2, 2016}} and gospel,{{Cite news |last=Windman |first=Matt |date=September 2, 2019 |title=‘Hercules’ review: Free Disney musical goes the distance |url=https://www.amny.com/entertainment/hercules-public-theater-review-1-35791376/ |access-date=February 7, 2025 |work=amNewYork Metro}}{{Cite news |last=Snetiker |first=Marc |date=February 6, 2019 |title=Hercules stage musical is finally happening this summer |url=https://ew.com/theater/2019/02/06/hercules-musical/ |access-date=February 7, 2025 |work=Entertainment Weekly |quote=the gospel-inspired songs from the 1997 film (including “Zero to Hero,” “I Won’t Say (I’m in Love),”}} genres that deviate from the theatrical romantic ballads typically featured in Disney musicals. The song is also slower and more understated than most of the film's soundtrack.{{Cite news |last=M. |first=T. |date=May 25, 2023 |title=The 100 Greatest Disneyverse Songs of All Time |url=https://www.billboard.com/lists/best-disney-songs-movies-tv/into-the-unknown-frozen-ii-2019/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250114151833/https://www.billboard.com/lists/best-disney-songs-movies-tv/into-the-unknown-frozen-ii-2019/ |archive-date=January 14, 2025 |access-date=February 21, 2025 |work=Billboard}} Musically, Irving Tan of Sputnikmusic described the track as "the closest the Herculean villa ever comes to approximating a Broadway show", while Ella Ceron of Thought Catalog called it "a pop song made on Olympus". It features "cooing shooby-doos and sha-la-las" from the Muses, who contribute gospel-influenced backup vocals and riffs. Vulture's Lindsey Weber described it as "a traditional Disney [heroine's] lament" with a "unique Motown edge". Allison Shoemaker of Consequence likened the Muses to a Greek chorus. Combined, the lead and background vocals span two octaves, from G3 to C5. Egan's voice has been described as sarcastic, smoky,{{Cite web|last=Fagan|first=Chelsea|date=May 10, 2011|title=The Five Most Refreshingly Honest Disney Songs|url=http://thoughtcatalog.com/chelsea-fagan/2011/05/the-five-most-refreshingly-honest-disney-songs/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180914061215/http://thoughtcatalog.com/chelsea-fagan/2011/05/the-five-most-refreshingly-honest-disney-songs/|archive-date=September 14, 2018|access-date=June 16, 2016|website=Thought Catalog}} and soulful. Although the Muses are voiced by five singers, the song is only performed in three-part harmony. "I Won't Say (I'm in Love)" has been compared to the works of girl groups The Ronettes, The Supremes, and The Blossoms.{{Cite news |last=Rank |first=Julia |date=August 15, 2024 |title=A guide to the songs from 'Hercules' |url=https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/theatre-news/news/a-preliminary-guide-to-the-songs-from-hercules |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250207143949/https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/theatre-news/news/a-preliminary-guide-to-the-songs-from-hercules |archive-date=February 7, 2025 |access-date=February 7, 2025 |work=London Theatre}}
Kate Knibbs of The Ringer summarized the track as "a love song from someone who doesn’t want to be in love, who knows enough to assume things aren’t going to work out".{{Cite web|last=Knibbs|first=Kate|date=July 17, 2019|title=The 40 Best Disney Songs, Ranked|url=https://www.theringer.com/music/2019/7/17/20696940/forty-best-disney-songs-ranked-lion-king|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190817030046/https://www.theringer.com/music/2019/7/17/20696940/forty-best-disney-songs-ranked-lion-king|archive-date=August 17, 2019|access-date=January 19, 2020|website=The Ringer}} Fagan believes it expresses "the hesitancy savvy women everywhere feel when trying to stop themselves from falling head over heels". Hischak deemed "I Won't Say (I'm in Love)" a "contradictory love song ... in which Meg denies her true feelings yet admits that she is quite taken with the brawny and naive hero Hercules".{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dimhg9t2TrUC&q=i+won%27t+say+i%27m+in+love+hercules&pg=PA91|title=The Disney Song Encyclopedia|last1=Hischak|first1=Thomas|last2=Robinson|first2=Mark A|publisher=Scarecrow Press|year=2009|isbn=9780810869387|location=United States|pages=91|via=Google Books}} According to D23, "I Won't Say (I'm in Love)" is a love song "For those who don’t want to admit their hearts’ desires".{{Cite web |date=February 9, 2012 |title=Top 10 Disney Love Songs |url=https://d23.com/d23s-top-10-disney-love-songs/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190428093550/https://d23.com/d23s-top-10-disney-love-songs/ |archive-date=April 28, 2019 |access-date=March 3, 2016 |website=D23 |publisher=}} Additionally, some critics have observed feminist messages in the song's lyrics.{{Cite news |last=Ari |date=May 16, 2018 |title=Playlist: Feminist Disney Princess Jams |url=https://www.autostraddle.com/feminist-disney-princess-sing-along-playlist-418306/ |access-date=February 24, 2025 |work=Autostraddle}}
Reception
"I Won't Say (I'm in Love)" has received positive reviews from film and music critics.{{Cite news |last=Welsh |first=Daniel |date=June 25, 2024 |title=This 90s Classic Is The Latest Disney Film To Be Adapted For The West End Stage |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/disney-classic-adapted-new-west-end-musical_uk_667ae772e4b017bda37a9336 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240625170716/https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/disney-classic-adapted-new-west-end-musical_uk_667ae772e4b017bda37a9336 |archive-date=June 25, 2024 |access-date=February 21, 2025 |work=HuffPost UK |quote=It was particularly praised for its music, with soundtrack cuts including Zero To Hero, Go The Distance, I Won’t Say (I’m In Love) and The Gospel Truth.}} Rolling Stone Australia
BBC Music Magazine
Screen Rant ranked "I Won't Say (I'm in Love)" Hercules
Live performances and cover versions
Egan has performed "I Won't Say (I'm in Love)" live on several occasions. At the 2017 D23 Expo to conclude the event's "Zero to Hero: The Making of Hercules" panel,{{Cite web|url=http://animatedviews.com/2017/2017-d23-expo-exclusive/|title=2017 D23 Expo Exclusive|last=Short|first=Dan|date=August 4, 2017|website=Animated Views|access-date=August 28, 2018}} the original animated sequence was played in the background while Egan sang, accompanied by backup vocalists.{{Cite web|url=https://www.disneyinyourday.com/2017/09/26/zero-to-hero-the-making-of-hercules-at-the-d23-expo-2017/|title=Zero to Hero: The making of Hercules at the D23 Expo 2017|last=Ginther|first=Becky|date=September 26, 2017|website=Disney in your Day|access-date=August 28, 2018}} The performance was met with a standing ovation from the audience.{{Cite web|date=July 17, 2017|title=Every Magical Moment From D23 Expo 2017|url=https://d23.com/live-from-d23-expo-2017/|access-date=August 28, 2018|website=D23}} Egan has also sang the song during the Broadway Princess Party concert series in 2019 and 2020.{{Cite web|last=Lee|first=Ashley|date=November 22, 2019|title=Inside the 'Broadway Princess Party,' a sweet soiree of Disney songs|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/story/2019-11-22/broadway-princess-party-disney-songs-laura-osnes|access-date=May 5, 2021|website=Los Angeles Times}}{{Cite web|last=Schilz|first=Libby|date=January 20, 2019|title=Review: "The Broadway Princess Party" a dream come true for young fans|url=http://www.dailynebraskan.com/culture/review-the-broadway-princess-party-a-dream-come-true-for-young-fans/article_91f0ea18-1cff-11e9-a02d-53820ccaa5a6.html|access-date=May 6, 2021|website=The Daily Nebraskan}} During an October 2019 performance, Egan performed a duet arrangement with actress Krysta Rodriguez,{{Cite web|last=Vianna|first=Katiúscia|date=October 20, 2019|title=Hércules: Meg performers in animation and theater come together in a duet of "I Won't Say (I'm in Love)"|url=https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=pt&u=http://www.adorocinema.com/noticias/filmes/noticia-151310/&prev=search&pto=aue|access-date=May 6, 2021|website=AdoroCinema|language=Portuguese}} who originated the role of Meg in a stage adaptation of Hercules (2019) and sang the song in the show.{{Cite web|date=October 12, 2019|title=Video: Susan Egan and Krysta Rodriguez Perform 'I Won't Say I'm in Love' From Hercules|url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/VIDEO-Susan-Egan-and-Krysta-Rodriguez-Perform-I-Wont-Say-Im-in-Love-From-HERCULES-20191012|access-date=May 6, 2021|website=BroadwayWorld}}{{Cite web|last=Scheps|first=Leigh|date=August 31, 2019|title=Krysta Rodriguez Inherits the Torch From Susan Egan as Meg in Hercules|url=https://broadwaydirect.com/krysta-rodriguez-inherits-the-torch-from-susan-egan-as-meg-in-hercules/|access-date=May 6, 2021|website=Broadway Direct}} In April 2020, Egan performed "I Won't Say (I'm in Love)" as part of Disney's #DisneySingAlong social media campaign.{{Cite web|last=Barton|first=Rebekah|date=April 28, 2020|title=Susan Egan, Meg from "Hercules" and Broadway's Original Belle, Sings From Home!|url=https://insidethemagic.net/2020/04/susan-egan-singing-i-wont-say-im-in-love-rwb1/|access-date=May 4, 2021|website=Inside the Magic}} The video was recorded in her own home due to quarantining measures as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic,{{Cite web|date=Apr 27, 2020|title=Susan Egan Performs "I Won't Say" from Disney's "Hercules" In Her Home|url=https://www.laughingplace.com/w/news/2020/04/27/susan-egan-performs-i-wont-say-from-disneys-hercules-in-her-home/|access-date=May 4, 2021|website=Laughing Place}} while Broadway actors Courtney Reed, Laura Osnes, Adam J. Levy and Benjamin Rauhala provided background vocals as The Muses.{{Cite web|date=April 27, 2020|title=Video: Watch Susan Egan Sing 'I Won't Say (I'm In Love)' from Home!|url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/VIDEO-Watch-Susan-Egan-Sing-I-Wont-Say-Im-In-Love-from-Home-20200427|access-date=May 4, 2021|website=Broadway World}}
To promote the film, American singer Belinda Carlisle recorded a pop rock cover of "I Won't Say (I'm in Love)" in 1997,{{Cite web|title=Belinda Carlisle – I Won't Say (I'm In Love)|url=https://www.discogs.com/Belinda-Carlisle-I-Wont-Say-Im-In-Love/master/372850|access-date=May 25, 2016|website=Discogs|date=1997 }} which was included on the film's soundtrack. Produced by Gary Wallis and Toby Chapman,{{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/Belinda-Carlisle-I-Wont-Say-Im-In-Love/release/1797509|title=Belinda Carlisle – I Won't Say (I'm In Love)|website=Discogs|date=1997 |access-date=May 25, 2016}}{{Cite web|title=Belinda Carlisle - I Won't Say (I'm in Love)|url=https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=nl&u=https://dutchcharts.nl/showitem.asp%3Fkey%3D154667%26cat%3Ds&prev=search&pto=aue|access-date=May 6, 2021|website=Dutch Charts}} Carlisle's version was released as a single exclusively in France and Germany,{{Cite web|title=Belinda Carlisle|url=http://www.radioswissclassic.ch/en/music-database/musician/49899c8cba3c74051cdb348ec2a1f6035b4d2/biography|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170330083452/http://www.radioswissclassic.ch/en/music-database/musician/49899c8cba3c74051cdb348ec2a1f6035b4d2/biography|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 30, 2017|access-date=March 29, 2017|website=Radio Swiss Classic}} on May 26, 1997.{{Cite web|title=I Won't Say (I'm In Love) – Belinda Carlisle|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/I-Wont-Say-Im-Love/dp/B001WJABOS|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170330083243/https://www.amazon.co.uk/I-Wont-Say-Im-Love/dp/B001WJABOS|archive-date=March 30, 2017|access-date=March 29, 2017|website=Amazon.com}} The single garnered critical acclaim.{{Cite web|url=http://www.music-news.com/news/UK/90593/Read|title=Belinda Carlisle releasing singles collection|date=July 6, 2015|website=Music-News.com|access-date=March 29, 2017|quote=Critically lauded nuggets such as I Won’t Say I’m In Love (from Disney’s Hercules)...}} American girl group The Cheetah Girls covered the song for the 2005 compilation album Disneymania 3 marking the group's first song as a trio.{{Cite web|title=Disneymania 3 Enhanced, Compilation|url=https://www.amazon.ca/Disneymania-3-Disney/dp/B0007CNY7C|access-date=May 25, 2016|website=Amazon.ca}} Their version exchanges harmonizing for handclaps while emphasizing the pop aspects of the song over R&B. The cover was released as a single.{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=X7ZYsnTPIhwC&q=the+cheetah+girls+i++won%27t+say+i%27m+in+love&pg=PA361|title=Encyclopedia of African American Actresses in Film and Television|last=McCann|first=Bob|publisher=McFarland|year=2009|isbn=9780786458042|location=United States|pages=361}} Writing for idobi, Sam Devotta felt The Cheetah Girls' version "lacks the power [and frustration] of the original", preferring Egan's interpretation. An abridged version of "I Won't Say (I'm in Love)" appears on stage in the jukebox musical Disney's on the Record, performed by Andrew Samonsky, with Meredith Inglesby, Andy Karl, Tyler Maynard and Keewa Nurullah providing backup vocals. Singer and music teacher Evynne Hollens released a cover of "I Won't Say (I'm in Love)" as a single in 2017.{{Cite web|date=May 15, 2017|title=I Won't Say (I'm in Love) - Single|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/i-wont-say-im-in-love-single/1237337301|access-date=July 20, 2017|website=iTunes}}
In April 2020, singer Ariana Grande performed a cover of the song on the ABC special Disney Family Singalong.{{Cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/3163433/ariana-grande-disney-singalong-i-wont-say-im-in-love-video/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200419074615/http://www.mtv.com/news/3163433/ariana-grande-disney-singalong-i-wont-say-im-in-love-video/|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 19, 2020|title=ARIANA GRANDE WAS HER OWN BACKING CHOIR FOR HER DISNEY SINGALONG PERFORMANCE|date=April 16, 2020|website=MTV|access-date=April 16, 2020}} Grande's rendition received acclaim from critics and fans. Billboard named Grande's performance as one of the 10 best moments from the special, stating that Grande "got in full make up and costume, paying homage to Meg by wearing all purple, for the tender and vocally stunning video that she completed with a flower as her only prop. But with a voice like hers, what more do you need?" {{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/9360143/disney-family-singalong-10-best-moments|title=The Disney Family Singalong: 10 Best Moments|date=April 16, 2020|magazine=Billboard|access-date=April 16, 2020}} Bill Keveney of USA Today stated that Grande had "the most professional-looking performance".{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/tv/2020/04/16/beyonce-ariana-grande-demi-lovato-perform-disney-family-singalong/5148585002/|title=Beyoncé dedicates 'When You Wish Upon a Star' to health workers in 'Disney Family Singalong'|date=April 16, 2020|magazine=Billboard|access-date=April 16, 2020}} Monica Sisavat of Popsugar praised Grande's rendition calling it a "gorgeous rendition of Hercules's "I Won't Say I'm in Love" from her home."{{Cite web|url=https://www.popsugar.com/entertainment/ariana-grande-disney-family-singalong-performance-video-47392207|title=Ariana Grande Channels Her Inner Meg as She Sings "I Won't Say I'm in Love" From Hercules|date=April 16, 2020|website=Popsugar|access-date=April 16, 2020}}
Impact and legacy
"I Won't Say I'm in Love" has been included on various Disney song rankings by several media publications.{{Cite web |last=Zafar |first=Aylin |date=April 21, 2014 |title=The Definitive Ranking Of The 102 Best Animated Disney Songs |url=https://www.buzzfeed.com/azafar/the-definitive-ranking-of-the-102-best-animated-disney-songs#.wmrR4yVl6 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250210113047/https://www.buzzfeed.com/azafar/the-definitive-ranking-of-the-102-best-animated-disney-songs#.wmrR4yVl6 |archive-date=February 10, 2025 |access-date=March 2, 2016 |website=BuzzFeed}} According to Good Housekeeping, "I Won't Say (I'm in Love)" is the 12th best Disney song of all-time.{{Cite news |last=LaScala |first=Marisa |date=April 16, 2019 |title=The 42 Best Disney Songs of All Time |url=https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/life/entertainment/g26886855/best-disney-songs/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240623024054/https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/life/entertainment/g26886855/best-disney-songs/ |archive-date=June 23, 2024 |access-date=February 24, 2025 |work=Good Housekeeping}} In 2024, Time named "I Won't Say (I'm in Love)" the 18th best Disney song,{{Cite news |last=Levitt |first=Barry |date=November 27, 2024 |title=The 50 Best Disney Songs, Ranked |url=https://time.com/7178930/best-disney-songs/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250213113453/https://time.com/7178930/best-disney-songs/ |archive-date=February 13, 2025 |access-date=February 4, 2025 |work=Time}} and Cosmopolitan ranked it 39th.{{Cite news |last=Truffaut-Wong |first=Olivia |last2=Hanrahan |first2=Laura |date=October 23, 2023 |title=The 50 Best Disney Songs of All Time, From 'The Lion King' to 'Frozen' |url=https://www.cosmopolitan.com/entertainment/music/g32268415/best-disney-songs/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241124181654/https://www.cosmopolitan.com/entertainment/music/g32268415/best-disney-songs/ |archive-date=November 24, 2024 |access-date=February 24, 2025 |work=Cosmopolitan}} Dalin Rowell of /Film called it "one of the greatest songs in Disney history",{{Cite news |last=Rowell |first=Dalin |date=October 13, 2024 |title=The 20 Most Under Appreciated Disney Animated Characters |url=https://www.slashfilm.com/805230/the-20-most-under-appreciated-disney-animated-characters/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240430174437/https://www.slashfilm.com/805230/the-20-most-under-appreciated-disney-animated-characters/ |archive-date=April 30, 2024 |access-date=January 28, 2025 |work=/Film}} and Billboard named it the 45th greatest song from the "Disneyverse", out of 100. Beamly ranked it fifth on the website's list of "Best Ever Disney Songs", with author Sophie Hall nicknaming Meg "The Celine Dion of the cartoon world". BuzzFeed and D23 ranked the song Disney's ninth and 10th greatest love song, respectively,{{Cite web |last=Newman |first=Heather |date=February 5, 2014 |title=The Definitive Ranking Of Disney Love Songs |url=https://www.buzzfeed.com/hnew92/a-definitive-ranking-of-the-greatest-disney-love-s-9qja#.ra16vEyPg |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250126061322/https://www.buzzfeed.com/hnew92/a-definitive-ranking-of-the-greatest-disney-love-s-9qja#.ra16vEyPg |archive-date=January 26, 2025 |access-date=March 2, 2016 |website=BuzzFeed}} while Comic Book Resources ranked it sixth. USA Today ranked it the ninth-best "classic" Disney song, which author Patrick Ryan said "strike[s] just the right balance of side-eye and sweetness". In an article describing the song as "one of the greatest g-rated love songs of the last century", Time Out ranked "I Won't Say (I'm in Love)" the seventh-best Disney song.{{Cite news |last=Levine |first=Nick |last2=Bavera |first2=Camille |date=April 10, 2024 |title=The 33 best Disney songs |url=https://www.timeout.com/music/best-disney-songs |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250116084808/https://www.timeout.com/music/best-disney-songs |archive-date=January 16, 2025 |access-date=February 4, 2025 |work=Time Out}} Billboard named it the 21st best song of the Disney Renaissance. Consequence ranked it the 61st best Disney song of all-time, and UDiscoverMusic ranked it 34th. While ranking it Disney's 36th best song, The Ringer welcomed "I Won't Say (I'm in Love)" as "a refreshing change of pace for Disney" that in turn makes Meg "a relatable queen". Meanwhile, umusic NZ ranked it the eighth-best Disney Princess song. MovieWeb ranked it Menken's 10th best original composition, describing the song as a "cultural reset".{{Cite news |last=Gawaran |first=Alyssa |date=December 6, 2022 |title=Disney: Best Original Songs Composed by Alan Menken |url=https://movieweb.com/disney-songs-alan-menken/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230727193742/https://movieweb.com/disney-songs-alan-menken/ |archive-date=July 27, 2023 |access-date=February 21, 2025 |work=MovieWeb}} In 2022, The Scotsman reported that "I Won't Say (I'm in Love)" was the 22nd most streamed Disney song on Spotify, having amassed nearly 207 million streams.{{Cite news |last=Jack |first=Lauren |date=June 29, 2023 |title=Disney: The most popular Disney songs in the world, according to Spotify streams |url=https://www.scotsman.com/arts-and-culture/film-and-tv/here-are-the-30-most-popular-disney-songs-in-the-world-3572585 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240416203056/https://www.scotsman.com/arts-and-culture/film-and-tv/here-are-the-30-most-popular-disney-songs-in-the-world-3572585 |archive-date=April 16, 2024 |access-date=February 24, 2025 |work=The Scotsman}}
Contrarily, "I Won't Say (I'm in Love)" has earned a reputation as one of Disney's most underrated songs.{{Cite web |last=Travis |first=Abi |date=March 22, 2021 |title=Good News! 'The Disney Family Singalong' Is Officially on Disney Plus |url=https://www.distractify.com/p/will-the-disney-singalong-be-on-disney-plus |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250126130750/https://www.distractify.com/p/will-the-disney-singalong-be-on-disney-plus |archive-date=January 26, 2025 |access-date=April 30, 2021 |website=Distractify}}{{Cite web |last=Adams |date=May 22, 2019 |title=The 12 Most Underrated Disney Songs |url=https://us933fm.com/news/the-12-most-underrated-disney-songs/ |url-status=deviated |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210430140517/https://us933fm.com/news/the-12-most-underrated-disney-songs/ |archive-date=April 30, 2021 |access-date=April 30, 2021 |website=US 93.3}}{{Cite news |last=Ciriaco |first=Andrea |date=April 24, 2023 |title=10 Classic Disney Animated Soundtracks, Ranked |url=https://collider.com/classic-disney-soundtracks-ranked/ |access-date=February 26, 2025 |work=Collider}} While ranking the track the 16th best song of the Disney Renaissance, Syfy Wire's Caitlin Busch called Meg "an underrated heroine with an underrated love song", which she described as "funny, poignant, and a perfect transition". Moviepilot included the song in a similar listicle, with author Jeremiah Paul describing it as a "hidden gem" and praising Egan's performance.{{Cite web |last=Paul |first=Jeremiah |date=August 24, 2015 |title=10 Of the Most Underrated Disney Songs of All Time! |url=http://moviepilot.com/posts/3486824 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160520230229/http://moviepilot.com/posts/3486824 |archive-date=May 20, 2016 |access-date=March 2, 2016 |website=Moviepilot}} Jerrica Tisdale of CinemaBlend described the song's underappreciation as "nearly criminal".{{Cite web |last=Tisdale |first=Jessica |date=April 17, 2020 |title=Big Hero 6 And 11 Other Underrated Movies To Watch On Disney+ |url=https://www.cinemablend.com/news/2494329/big-hero-6-and-other-underrated-movies-to-watch-on-disney |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240808034751/https://www.cinemablend.com/news/2494329/big-hero-6-and-other-underrated-movies-to-watch-on-disney |archive-date=August 8, 2024 |access-date=April 30, 2021 |website=CinemaBlend}} Calling it one of Disney's 12 most underrated classic songs, Billboard
In an interview with music magazine The Fader, members of American rapper Chance the Rapper's band The Social Experiment identified "I Won't Say (I'm in Love)" one of the favorite Disney songs from their childhood.{{Cite web |last=Trammel |first=Matthew |date=February 4, 2015 |title=The Definitive Disney Songs Of Our Childhood, According To The Social Experiment |url=http://www.thefader.com/2015/02/04/the-social-experiment-pick-their-favorite-disney-songs |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250220154355/http://www.thefader.com/2015/02/04/the-social-experiment-pick-their-favorite-disney-songs |archive-date=February 20, 2025 |access-date=July 20, 2017 |website=The Fader}} TodayTix named the song "everyone’s favorite Disney feminist anthem".
Credits and personnel
Credits adapted from Apple Music:
- Susan Egan – lead vocals
- Cheryl Freeman, Lillias White, Vaneese Thomas, LaChanze, and Roz Ryan – background vocals
- Michael Kosarin – vocal conductor, vocal arranger
- John Miller, Bobbi Page, Fonzi Thonrton – performer
- Alan Menken – composer
- David Zippel – lyrics
- Danny Troob – orchestrator, arranger
- Brian Besterman, Michael Starobin – orchestrator
Certifications
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=single|award=Silver|artist=Susan Egan|title=I Won't Say (I'm In Love)|relyear=1997|certyear=2020|access-date=November 6, 2020|id=16832-5434-1}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|award=Platinum|number=1|type=single|title=I Won't Say (I'm in Love)|artist=Susan Egan|relyear=1997|certyear=2022|accessdate=August 29, 2022|refname=RIAA}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true|nosales=true|noshipments=true}}
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
{{Good article}}
External links
- {{YouTube|ufOvYHaVIxQ|"I Won't Say (I'm In Love)"}}
{{Disney's Hercules}}
{{Disney Renaissance}}
{{Belinda Carlisle}}
{{The Cheetah Girls}}
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:I Won't Say (I'm In Love)}}
Category:Disney Renaissance songs
Category:Belinda Carlisle songs
Category:The Cheetah Girls songs
Category:Rhythm and blues ballads
Category:Songs with lyrics by David Zippel
Category:Songs with music by Alan Menken