Let It Go

The Daily Telegraph explained that instead of the villain originally envisioned by the producers, the songwriters saw Elsa as "a scared girl struggling to control and come to terms with her gift."{{cite news|last=Everett |first=Lucinda |title=Frozen: inside Disney's billion-dollar social media hit |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/10668942/Frozen-inside-Disneys-billion-dollar-social-media-hit.html |access-date=April 1, 2014 |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=March 31, 2014 |location=London |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140401002351/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/10668942/Frozen-inside-Disneys-billion-dollar-social-media-hit.html |archive-date=April 1, 2014}} When interviewed in January 2014 by John August and Aline Brosh McKenna, Frozen director Jennifer Lee gave her recollection of the song's conception: "Bobby and Kristen said they were walking in Prospect Park, and they just started talking about what would it feel like [to be Elsa]. Forget villain. Just what it would feel like. And this concept of letting out who she is[,] that she's kept to herself for so long[,] and she's alone and free, but then the sadness of the fact [sic] that the last moment is she's alone. It's not a perfect thing, but it's powerful."{{cite web|last=August |first=John |title=Episode 128: Frozen with Jennifer Lee – Transcript |url=http://johnaugust.com/2014/scriptnotes-ep-128-frozen-with-jennifer-lee-transcript |work=Scriptnotes |publisher=johnaugust.com |access-date=March 27, 2014 |author2=Aline Brosh McKenna |date=February 1, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140326042740/http://johnaugust.com/2014/scriptnotes-ep-128-frozen-with-jennifer-lee-transcript |archive-date=March 26, 2014}}

"Let It Go" was the first song written by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez for the film that made it in, since songs composed earlier were eventually cut.{{cite news|last=Dziemianowicz |first=Joe |title=Disney's 'Frozen' scores a show-stopping song with Idina Menzel's 'Let It Go' |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/music-arts/grabbing-year-hot-show-tume-article-1.1538652 |access-date=March 31, 2014 |newspaper=Daily News |location=New York |date=December 6, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140114042532/http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/music-arts/grabbing-year-hot-show-tume-article-1.1538652 |archive-date=January 14, 2014}} The story outline they were given had a place reserved for "Elsa's Badass Song", which was what they were trying to write.{{cite news|last=Keegan |first=Rebecca |title=Husband-wife songwriting team's emotions flow in 'Frozen' |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/moviesnow/la-et-mn-ca-sneaks-frozen-disney-20131103-story.html |access-date=March 31, 2014 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=November 1, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140310030409/http://articles.latimes.com/2013/nov/01/entertainment/la-et-mn-ca-sneaks-frozen-disney-20131103 |archive-date=March 10, 2014}} The duo took inspiration from the songs of the Disney Renaissance such as The Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast and various artists including Adele, Aimee Mann, Avril Lavigne (whose 2002 debut album incidentally is titled Let Go), Lady Gaga, and Carole King.{{cite news|last=Willman |first=Chris |title=How the 'Frozen' Soundtrack Snowballed to No. 1 |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/how-frozen-soundtrack-snowballed-no-670649 |access-date=January 20, 2014 |newspaper=The Hollywood Reporter |date=January 15, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140119065144/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/how-frozen-soundtrack-snowballed-no-670649 |archive-date=January 19, 2014}} The song finally began to gel one day as the couple walked together from their home in Park Slope to nearby Prospect Park while they were "thinking from an emo kind of place."Melena Ryzik, [https://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/20/movies/awardsseason/oscar-nominated-songs-with-familiar-composers.html "The Nominees Are Blockbusters: Oscar-Nominated Songs With Familiar Composers"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309221402/http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/20/movies/awardsseason/oscar-nominated-songs-with-familiar-composers.html |date=March 9, 2016 }}, The New York Times, February 20, 2014, C1. Anderson-Lopez explained what happened next: "We went for a walk in Prospect Park and threw phrases at each other. What does it feel like to be the perfect exalted person, but only because you've held back this secret? Bobby came up with 'kingdom of isolation,' and it worked."{{cite news |last=Toppman |first=Lawrence |title=Former Charlottean is front-runner for Oscar for 'Let It Go |url=http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2014/02/27/4728380/former-charlottean-is-front-runner.html |access-date=March 24, 2014 |newspaper=The Charlotte Observer |date=February 28, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140301064001/http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2014/02/27/4728380/former-charlottean-is-front-runner.html |archive-date=March 1, 2014 }} Lopez was able to improvise the song's first four lines on the spot.{{cite web|last=Hetrick |first=Adam |title=The Cold Never Bothered Them Anyway": Songwriters Robert and Kristen Anderson-Lopez Revamp the Fairytale with "Frozen |url=http://playbill.com/features/article/188225-The-Cold-Never-Bothered-Them-Anyway-Songwriters-Robert-and-Kristen-Anderson-Lopez-Revamp-the-Fairytale-with-Frozen/ |work=Playbill |publisher=Playbill, Inc. |access-date=April 20, 2014 |date=February 27, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140421114545/http://www.playbill.com/features/article/188225-The-Cold-Never-Bothered-Them-Anyway-Songwriters-Robert-and-Kristen-Anderson-Lopez-Revamp-the-Fairytale-with-Frozen |archive-date=April 21, 2014}} Back at their home studio, they composed the rest of the song by alternating between improvising melodies on a piano and brainstorming lyrics on a whiteboard, and finished it within a single day.

"Let It Go" is a power ballad and musical number in the key of A-flat major overall, but begins in the relative minor (F minor) with a chord progression of A{{flat}} E{{flat}} Fm7 and D{{flat}}9 . The song is in quadruple meter, and has a fast tempo of around 137 beats per minute (allegro). The song's vocal range spans from F₃ to E{{flat}}₅.{{cite web|url=http://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtdFPE.asp?ppn=MN0127731 |title='Let It Go' sheet music |date=December 3, 2013 |publisher=MusicNotes.com |access-date=February 18, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150512061502/http://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtdFPE.asp?ppn=MN0127731 |archive-date=May 12, 2015}} Anderson-Lopez and Lopez specifically wrote the song for Idina Menzel, referring to her as "one of the most glorious voices of Broadway and an icon in musical theater." Menzel's vocal range was taken under consideration during the music's composition, as she was well able to span three octaves.{{cite news|last=Chai |first=Barbara |title=Listen to Songs From Disney's 'Frozen' and Hear How They Were Written |url=https://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2013/11/27/listen-to-songs-from-disneys-frozen-and-hear-how-they-were-written/ |access-date=December 2, 2013 |newspaper=The Wall Street Journal |date=November 27, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131204131653/https://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2013/11/27/listen-to-songs-from-disneys-frozen-and-hear-how-they-were-written/ |archive-date=December 4, 2013}}{{cite web |url=https://www.npr.org/2014/02/24/282081061/let-it-go-a-global-hit-in-any-language|title='Let It Go': A Global Hit In Any Language|date=February 24, 2014|access-date=October 28, 2020|work=NPR}} The song was originally written a half-step lower, in the key of G. During recording, Menzel felt it sounded "womanly" and "sultry" and suggested raising the key to make it more "innocent" and "juvenile", which also made it more challenging to perform.{{cite AV media |date=November 15, 2019 |title=Frozen 2 {{!}} Album Launch Q&A Event with Idina Menzel, Josh Gad and Jonathan Groff |language=en |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4URCW9GpWXo&t=1569 |time=26:09 |publisher=Disney UK}}{{cite AV media |date=November 22, 2019 |title=Cast of Frozen 2 |medium=Radio broadcast |language=en |url=https://siriusxm.us/Frozen2 |time=20:56 |publisher=SiriusXM}}{{cite AV media |date=March 8, 2017 |title=Chris Buck Interview |language=en |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z44RPpBkd2w?t=1528 | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211117/z44RPpBkd2w| archive-date=November 17, 2021 | url-status=live|time=25:28 |publisher=Actors for Autism}}{{cbignore}}

For each song they created, including "Let It Go", Anderson-Lopez and Lopez recorded a demo in their studio, then emailed it to the Disney Animation production team in Burbank for discussion at their next videoconference.{{cite news|last=Kit |first=Zorianna |title=Awards Spotlight: Robert Lopez & Kristen Anderson-Lopez Make Beautiful Music Together for Disney's 'Frozen' |url=http://www.studiosystemnews.com/awards-spotlight-robert-lopez-kristen-anderson-lopez-make-beautiful-music-together-for-disneys-frozen/ |access-date=April 5, 2014 |newspaper=Studio System News |date=November 27, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140129120217/http://www.studiosystemnews.com/awards-spotlight-robert-lopez-kristen-anderson-lopez-make-beautiful-music-together-for-disneys-frozen/ |archive-date=January 29, 2014}} After the film's release, Anderson-Lopez was shown an "explicitly honest" fan version of the song with very colorful lyrics, and in response, she noted that in the videoconferences she herself had used similarly candid language to describe Elsa's mindset at that point in the plot: "After a while, Chris Montan, the head of music at Disney, would be like, 'Whoa, language!'"{{cite web|last1=Watkins |first1=Gwynne |title=Frozen Composers Assess 6 Fan-Created Homages to Their Songs |url=https://www.vulture.com/2014/01/frozen-bobby-lopez-kristen-anderson-lopez-rate-fan-song-versions.html |work=Vulture.com |access-date=July 14, 2014 |date=January 15, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140704053452/http://www.vulture.com/2014/01/frozen-bobby-lopez-kristen-anderson-lopez-rate-fan-song-versions.html |archive-date=July 4, 2014}} She also disclosed that Disney Animation's Chief Creative Officer John Lasseter (who served as executive producer for Frozen) was so taken with "Let It Go" that he played her original demo of the song in his car for months.{{cite news|last=Nepales |first=Ruben |title=Fil-Am composer wins Oscars' best song for Frozen's 'Let It Go' |url=http://entertainment.inquirer.net/136404/fil-am-composer-wins-best-song |access-date=April 5, 2014 |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |date=March 3, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140309052014/http://entertainment.inquirer.net/136404/fil-am-composer-wins-best-song |archive-date=March 9, 2014}}

Once approved, the song's piano-vocal score, along with the rest of their work for Frozen, was eventually forwarded to arranger David Metzger at his home studio in Salem, Oregon, who orchestrated their work into a lush sound suitable for recording by a full orchestra{{cite news|last=Stabler |first=David |title=Disney's 'Frozen': A behind-the-scenes look at the movie's music that gets its magic from an Oregon man |url=http://www.oregonlive.com/movies/index.ssf/2013/11/disneys_frozen_gets_its_musica.html |access-date=March 26, 2014 |newspaper=The Oregonian |date=November 27, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140327221124/http://www.oregonlive.com/movies/index.ssf/2013/11/disneys_frozen_gets_its_musica.html |archive-date=March 27, 2014}} at the Eastwood Scoring Stage on the Warner Bros. studio lot in Burbank at the end of July 2013.{{cite web |last=Lambert |first=Mel |title=CAS Launches 'Gravity' into Oscar's Orbit |url=https://www.editorsguild.com/FromtheGuild.cfm?FromTheGuildid=449 |work=From the Guild |publisher=The Editors Guild |access-date=May 3, 2014 |date=March 3, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140503190859/https://www.editorsguild.com/FromtheGuild.cfm?FromTheGuildid=449 |archive-date=May 3, 2014 }}{{cite web|last=Tingen |first=Paul |title=Inside Track: Disney's Frozen |url=http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/apr14/articles/inside-track-0414.htm |work=Sound on Sound |publisher=SOS Publications Group |access-date=May 3, 2014 |date=April 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140503184540/http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/apr14/articles/inside-track-0414.htm |archive-date=May 3, 2014}} The song's vocal track was recorded separately prior to orchestration at Sunset Sound in Hollywood, with the piano track from the demo playing into Menzel's headphones. That piano track, played by Lopez himself, was not re-recorded by a session musician at the orchestral recording session; it is the same piano track heard in the final mix of the song.

Although unintentional, the song's composition was pivotal in the film's characterization of Elsa.{{cite news |last=Lowman |first=Rob |title=Unfreezing 'Frozen:' The making of the newest fairy tale in 3D by Disney |url=http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/arts-and-entertainment/20131119/unfreezing-frozen-the-making-of-the-newest-fairy-tale-in-3d-by-disney |access-date=November 21, 2013 |newspaper=Los Angeles Daily News |date=November 19, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203031058/http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/arts-and-entertainment/20131119/unfreezing-frozen-the-making-of-the-newest-fairy-tale-in-3d-by-disney |archive-date=December 3, 2013 }} Although Elsa was originally written as a villain, co-directors Chris Buck and Lee gradually rewrote Elsa into one of the film's protagonists after "Let It Go" was composed.{{cite news|last=Busis |first=Hillary |title=Disney's 'Frozen': Composers talk unexpected influences (Gaga!) and accidentally aping 'Arrested Development' |url=http://family-room.ew.com/2013/11/27/frozen-composers-bobby-lopez-kristen-anderson-lopez/ |access-date=December 2, 2013 |newspaper=Entertainment Weekly |date=November 27, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131201015119/http://family-room.ew.com/2013/11/27/frozen-composers-bobby-lopez-kristen-anderson-lopez/ |archive-date=December 1, 2013}} About that, Lee later explained, "the minute we heard the song the first time, I knew that I had to rewrite the whole movie." Buck further clarified: "Jen had to go back and rewrite some pages in the first act to build up to that scene..... You have to set it up well enough in advance so that when the song comes, the audience is ready for it and there's an emotional payoff."{{cite web|last=Kit |first=Zorianna |title=Awards Spotlight: 'Frozen' Director Chris Buck on Crafting Well-Rounded Female Characters |url=http://www.studiosystemnews.com/spotlight-frozen-director-chris-buck-on-crafting-well-rounded-female-characters/ |work=Studio System News |access-date=March 23, 2014 |date=November 26, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140324001614/http://www.studiosystemnews.com/spotlight-frozen-director-chris-buck-on-crafting-well-rounded-female-characters/ |archive-date=March 24, 2014}}

When it came to animating Elsa's scenes for the song, Lopez and Anderson-Lopez insisted on the particular detail that Elsa should slam the palace doors on the audience at the song's end, which they acknowledged was similar to the ending of the Broadway musical Sweeney Todd. Lopez explained that they wanted that feeling of how "this character doesn't need us anymore," because he had always loved that feeling "when a character just kind of malevolently looks at you and slams a door in your face," although in the final version, Elsa's facial expression ended up as more of a "sly smile".{{cite web|last=Gross |first=Terry |title=Transcript of "Songwriters Behind 'Frozen' Let Go of the Princess Mythology" |url=https://www.npr.org/templates/transcript/transcript.php?storyId=301420227 |publisher=NPR |access-date=April 11, 2014 |date=April 10, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140519123546/http://www.npr.org/templates/transcript/transcript.php?storyId=301420227 |archive-date=May 19, 2014}} According to Lopez, it was the last line at the end, "the cold never bothered me anyway," that was "our little Avril Lavigne line".{{cite news|last=Watkins |first=Gwynne |title=Frozen Composers Assess 6 Fan-Created Homages to Their Songs |url=https://www.vulture.com/2014/01/frozen-bobby-lopez-kristen-anderson-lopez-rate-fan-song-versions.html |access-date=July 15, 2014 |work=Vulture |publisher=New York Media LLC. |date=January 15, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140704053452/http://www.vulture.com/2014/01/frozen-bobby-lopez-kristen-anderson-lopez-rate-fan-song-versions.html |archive-date=July 4, 2014}}

On December 6, 2013, Walt Disney Animation Studios released a video of the entire "Let It Go" sequence as seen in the movie, which has over 870 million views {{as of|2023|November|lc=y}} on YouTube.{{YouTube|moSFlvxnbgk|Disney's Frozen "Let It Go" Sequence Performed by Idina Menzel}} On January 30, 2014, a sing-along version of the sequence was released and has received more than 3.2 billion views on YouTube {{as of|2023|November|lc=y}},{{YouTube|L0MK7qz13bU|Frozen - Let It Go Sing-along}} and is one of the platform's 40 most-viewed videos.{{Citation|title=Top 1000 Most Viewed YouTube Videos of All Time|url=https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL11E57E1166929B60|access-date=April 18, 2020}}

File:Serena Autieri 1 - crop.jpg actress and singer Serena Autieri and the Italian cast of Frozen were awarded the best foreign dubbing worldwide]]

Besides the original English version, Disney Character Voices International arranged for Frozen to be dubbed into another 41 languages and dialects worldwide, to which 3 more versions were added in the following years, raising the number of official versions to 44.{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/moviesnow/la-et-mn-frozen-how-disney-makes-a-musical-in-41-languages-20140124,0,6457210.story |title=Finding a diva in 41 languages |author=Keegan, Rebecca |work=Los Angeles Times |date=January 24, 2014 |access-date=February 18, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140206013544/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/moviesnow/la-et-mn-frozen-how-disney-makes-a-musical-in-41-languages-20140124%2C0%2C6457210.story |archive-date=February 6, 2014}}{{cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/2014/02/24/282081061/let-it-go-a-global-hit-in-any-language |title='Let It Go': A Global Hit in Any Language |publisher=NPR |date=February 24, 2014 |access-date=March 1, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140409141130/http://www.npr.org/2014/02/24/282081061/let-it-go-a-global-hit-in-any-language |archive-date=April 9, 2014}}{{cite news|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/frozen-composer-robert-lopez-perils-683171 |title='Frozen' Composer Robert Lopez on the Perils of Translating 'Let It Go' |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=February 25, 2014 |access-date=March 1, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140318193052/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/frozen-composer-robert-lopez-perils-683171 |archive-date=March 18, 2014}} A major challenge was to find sopranos capable of matching Menzel's warm vocal tone and vocal range in their native languages. Rick Dempsey, senior executive at Disney Character Voices International regarded the process as "exceptionally challenging", explaining, "It's a difficult juggling act to get the right intent of the lyrics and also have it match rhythmically to the music. And then you have to go back and adjust for lip sync! [It]... requires a lot of patience and precision".{{cite web|last=Doty |first=Meriah |title=How These Singers Around the Globe Pushed 'Frozen' Over the Top |url=https://movies.yahoo.com/blogs/movie-news/how-these-singers-around-the-globe-pushed--frozen--over-the-top-063739448.html |work=Yahoo Movies |publisher=Yahoo! |access-date=April 3, 2014 |date=March 31, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407103745/https://movies.yahoo.com/blogs/movie-news/how-these-singers-around-the-globe-pushed--frozen--over-the-top-063739448.html |archive-date=April 7, 2014}}

On January 22, 2014, Disney released a multi-language version of the "Let It Go" musical sequence, which featured vocal performances of 25 different voice actresses who portrayed Elsa in their respective dubbing versions of the film.{{cite web|title=Disney's Frozen - "Let It Go" Multi-Language Full Sequence |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OC83NA5tAGE |publisher=YouTube |access-date=April 8, 2014 |author=Walt Disney Animation Studios| date=January 22, 2014 |author-link=Walt Disney Animation Studios |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407211901/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OC83NA5tAGE |archive-date=April 7, 2014}}{{cite news|last=Doty |first=Meriah |title=Quick! Listen to 'Frozen' Song 'Let It Go' in 25 Languages |url=https://movies.yahoo.com/blogs/movie-news/quick--listen-to--frozen--song--let-it-go--in-25-languages-232905038.html |access-date=April 8, 2014 |newspaper=Yahoo! Movies |date=January 22, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140520215931/https://movies.yahoo.com/blogs/movie-news/quick--listen-to--frozen--song--let-it-go--in-25-languages-232905038.html |archive-date=May 20, 2014}}{{cite news|last=Wright |first=Gary |title=[Video] Watch Elsa "Let It Go" In 25 Languages |url=http://www.rotoscopers.com/2014/01/23/video-watch-elsa-let-it-go-in-25-languages/ |access-date=April 8, 2014 |newspaper=Rotoscopers |date=January 23, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140408223840/http://www.rotoscopers.com/2014/01/23/video-watch-elsa-let-it-go-in-25-languages/ |archive-date=April 8, 2014}} At the annual meeting of the shareholders of the Walt Disney Company on March 18, 2014, in Portland, Oregon, chairman and chief executive officer Bob Iger praised the team who did "an incredible job casting fantastic international talent so that Frozen truly belongs to the world," then showed the entire multi-language video clip of "Let It Go" to the assembled shareholders.{{cite web|title=Transcript of 2014 Annual Meeting of Shareholders |url=http://cdn.media.ir.thewaltdisneycompany.com/2014/annual/2014-asm-transcript.pdf |publisher=The Walt Disney Company |access-date=April 17, 2014 |page=2 |date=March 18, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140704121305/http://cdn.media.ir.thewaltdisneycompany.com/2014/annual/2014-asm-transcript.pdf |archive-date=July 4, 2014}} On March 31, 2014, an in-studio multi-language video of the song was released, showing singers of 25 different languages recording their versions of "Let It Go".{{cite web|title=Let It Go - Multi-language "Behind The Mic" version (from "Frozen") |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BS0T8Cd4UhA |publisher=YouTube |access-date=April 8, 2014 |author=DisneyMusicVEVO | date=April 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407231230/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BS0T8Cd4UhA |archive-date=April 7, 2014}}

On April 15, 2014, Walt Disney Records released a compilation album titled Let It Go: The Complete Set, with all 42 foreign-language film versions of "Let It Go" and nine end credit versions.{{cite magazine |last1=Purcell |first1=Carey |last2=Gioia |first2=Michael |title=Disney Releases "Let It Go: The Complete Set," Featuring International Recordings of Award-Winning Song |url=https://playbill.com/article/disney-releases-let-it-go-the-complete-set-featuring-international-recordings-of-award-winning-song-com-217298 |access-date=December 15, 2024 |magazine=Playbill |date=April 16, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201204091633/https://playbill.com/article/disney-releases-let-it-go-the-complete-set-featuring-international-recordings-of-award-winning-song-com-217298 |archive-date=December 4, 2020}}

The Italian version, along with the whole Italian adaptation of the movie, was awarded the best foreign dubbing worldwide.{{cite web|url=http://www.dimensionefumetto.it/lorena-brancucci-e-gli-adattamenti-musicali-disney/|title=Lorena Brancucci e gli adattamenti musicali Disney|last=Pasqualini|first=Mario|date=April 3, 2019|website=Dimensione Fumetto|language=it-IT|access-date=December 2, 2019}}

In South Korea, the Korean version of the song by Hyolyn reached number 6 on the Gaon Music Chart, selling over 300,000 digital downloads. It also peaked at number 5 on the Korean Hot 100 chart.{{cite web |url=https://circlechart.kr/page_chart/onoff.circle?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=S1020&targetTime=08&hitYear=2014&termGbn=week&yearTime=3 |title=2014 Week 08 Digital Chart |publisher=Circle Chart |access-date=February 6, 2025}}Cumulative sales for "Let It Go":

• {{cite web|url=http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/online.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=S1020&targetTime=02&hitYear=2014&termGbn=month|title=2014년 02월 Download Chart|website=Gaon Music Chart|access-date=January 17, 2015}}
• {{cite web|url=http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/online.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=S1020&targetTime=03&hitYear=2014&termGbn=month|title=2014년 03월 Download Chart|website=Gaon Music Chart|access-date=January 17, 2015}}

In Japan, the Japanese versions of the song performed by Takako Matsu reached number 2 on the Japan Hot 100 after the film's Japanese release in March 2014{{cite magazine|title=Japan Billboard Hot 100 2014/04/28 |url=http://www.billboard-japan.com/charts/detail?a=hot100&year=2014&month=04&day=28 |magazine=Billboard |language=ja |date=April 23, 2014 |access-date=April 23, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140424172550/http://www.billboard-japan.com/charts/detail?a=hot100&year=2014&month=04&day=28 |archive-date=April 24, 2014}} and was certified a million for digital downloads in Japan in May 2014.{{cite web|script-title=ja:レコード協会調べ 6月度有料音楽配信認定 |trans-title=Record Association Investigation: June Digital Music Download Certifications |url=http://www.riaj.or.jp/data/others/chart/w140718.html |publisher=Recording Industry Association of Japan |language=ja |date=July 18, 2014 |access-date=July 18, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140728032722/http://www.riaj.or.jp/data/others/chart/w140718.html |archive-date=July 28, 2014}}

"Let It Go" received widespread acclaim from film critics, music critics, and audiences, with some comparing it favorably to "Defying Gravity" (also performed by Menzel) from the Broadway musical Wicked.{{cite news|last=Miller |first=Gregory E. |title='Frozen' soundtrack set to join the ranks of Disney greats |url=https://nypost.com/2013/11/23/frozen-soundtrack-set-to-join-the-ranks-of-disney-greats/ |access-date=December 2, 2013 |newspaper=The New York Post |date=November 23, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202084328/http://nypost.com/2013/11/23/frozen-soundtrack-set-to-join-the-ranks-of-disney-greats/ |archive-date=December 2, 2013}} The Rochester City Newspaper called it the best song of the film's soundtrack, writing; "Performed with belty gusto by Idina Menzel, it's got every element needed to be a lasting favorite. ... Menzel should be credited for providing as much power and passion to this performance as she did in her most famous role", alluding to Menzel's portrayal of Elphaba in Wicked.{{cite news|last=DeTruck |first=Matt |title=CD Review: Disney's "Frozen" Soundtrack |url=http://www.rochestercitynewspaper.com/rochester/cd-review-disneys-frozen-soundtrack/Content?oid=2302643 |access-date=December 2, 2013 |newspaper=City Newspaper |date=November 27, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203023510/http://www.rochestercitynewspaper.com/rochester/cd-review-disneys-frozen-soundtrack/Content?oid=2302643 |archive-date=December 3, 2013}} Entertainment Weekly's Marc Snetiker described the song as "an incredible anthem of liberation"{{cite news|last=Sneitker |first=Marc |title=Disney's 'Frozen' soundtrack: Ranking all nine original songs |url=http://popwatch.ew.com/2013/11/30/disney-frozen-soundtrack-ranking/ |access-date=December 2, 2013 |newspaper=Entertainment Weekly |date=November 30, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131209024514/http://popwatch.ew.com/2013/11/30/disney-frozen-soundtrack-ranking/ |archive-date=December 9, 2013}} while Joe Dziemianowicz of New York Daily News called it "a stirring tribute to girl power and the need to 'let go' of fear and shame".{{cite news|last=Dziemianowicz |first=Joe |title=Disney's 'Frozen' scores a show-stopping song with Idina Menzel's 'Let It Go' |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/music-arts/grabbing-year-hot-show-tume-article-1.1538652 |access-date=December 8, 2013 |newspaper=Daily News |location=New York |date=December 6, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131208082820/http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/music-arts/grabbing-year-hot-show-tume-article-1.1538652 |archive-date=December 8, 2013}}

On the other hand, Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot of the radio show Sound Opinions criticized the song; DeRogatis labeled it "schlock", and Kot described it as a "clichéd piece of fluff that you would have heard on a Broadway soundtrack from maybe the fifties or the sixties".Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot, Sound Opinions, [http://www.soundopinions.org/show/431 show 431] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140429080153/http://www.soundopinions.org/show/431 |date=April 29, 2014 }}, 38:42–40:35.

By spring 2014, many journalists had observed that after watching Frozen, numerous young children in the United States were becoming unusually obsessed with the film's music, and with "Let It Go" in particular.{{cite news|last=Healy |first=Vikki Ortiz |title=What to do about 'Frozen' fatigue |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2014/04/08/what-to-do-about-frozen-fatigue/ |access-date=May 14, 2014 |newspaper=Chicago Tribune |date=April 8, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140514155342/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2014-04-08/entertainment/chi-what-to-do-about-frozen-fatigue-20140408_1_pop-music-music-professor-elsa |archive-date=May 14, 2014}}{{cite news|last=Cohen |first=Joanna |title=Kids Are Icebound by 'Frozen' Fervor: Disney's Animated Film 'Frozen' Has Some Children Obsessed |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/18/fashion/disneys-animated-film-frozen-has-some-children-obsessed.html |access-date=May 17, 2014 |newspaper=The New York Times |date=May 16, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140517141242/http://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/18/fashion/disneys-animated-film-frozen-has-some-children-obsessed.html |archive-date=May 17, 2014}}{{cite news|last=Stein |first=Joel |title=Ice, Ice, Laszlo: How my son—traumatized by the Frozen soundtrack—learned to let it go |url=https://time.com/100541/joel-stein-ice-ice-laszlo/ |access-date=May 19, 2014 |newspaper=Time |date=May 26, 2014 |page=62 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140519031515/http://time.com/100541/joel-stein-ice-ice-laszlo/ |archive-date=May 19, 2014}}{{cite news|last1=Bourassa |first1=Sarah |title='Let it go' from 'Frozen' has grabbed our brains and still won't let go |url=http://www.today.com/health/let-it-go-frozen-has-grabbed-our-brains-still-wont-2D79783879 |access-date=July 10, 2014 |work=Today Health |publisher=NBCUniversal, Inc. |date=June 10, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140709221429/http://www.today.com/health/let-it-go-frozen-has-grabbed-our-brains-still-wont-2D79783879 |archive-date=July 9, 2014}} Columnist Yvonne Abraham of The Boston Globe called the song "musical crack" which "sends kids into altered states."{{cite news|last=Abraham |first=Yvonne |title=Let Me Go. Please |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2014/05/24/let-please/Y08kKkym5hOdrq11MSompI/story.html |access-date=May 29, 2014 |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=May 25, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140529085608/http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2014/05/24/let-please/Y08kKkym5hOdrq11MSompI/story.html |archive-date=May 29, 2014}} A similar phenomenon was described in the United Kingdom.{{cite news|last=Lynskey |first=Dorian |title=Frozen-mania: how Elsa, Anna and Olaf conquered the world |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/may/13/frozen-mania-elsa-anna-olaf-disney-emo-princess-let-it-go |access-date=May 14, 2014 |newspaper=The Guardian |date=May 13, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140513233529/http://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/may/13/frozen-mania-elsa-anna-olaf-disney-emo-princess-let-it-go |archive-date=May 13, 2014}}{{cite news|last1=Mainwaring |first1=Rachel |title=Will you Let It Go! My kids singing Frozen song gives me chills |url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/lifestyle/lifestyle-opinion/frozen-disney-song-go-childrens-7318645 |access-date=July 10, 2014 |work=WalesOnline |publisher=Media Wales Ltd |date=June 27, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714192845/http://www.walesonline.co.uk/lifestyle/lifestyle-opinion/frozen-disney-song-go-childrens-7318645 |archive-date=July 14, 2014}}

Some viewers outside the film industry, including one evangelical pastor{{cite news|last=Pulver |first=Andrew |title=Frozen lambasted as pro-gay propaganda by Christian pastor |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/mar/12/frozen-gay-propaganda-christian-pastor-colorado |access-date=July 5, 2014 |newspaper=The Guardian |date=March 12, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140606050024/http://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/mar/12/frozen-gay-propaganda-christian-pastor-colorado |archive-date=June 6, 2014}}{{cite news|last=Dockterman |first=Eliana |title=Pastor Claims Frozen Will Turn Your Children Gay |url=https://time.com/21516/pastor-claims-frozen-will-turn-your-children-gay/ |access-date=July 5, 2014 |newspaper=Time |date=March 12, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140520224100/http://time.com/21516/pastor-claims-frozen-will-turn-your-children-gay/ |archive-date=May 20, 2014}}{{cite news|last=Denham |first=Jess |title=Disney's Frozen is 'very evil' gay propaganda, says Christian pastor |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/disneys-frozen-is-very-evil-gay-propaganda-says-christian-pastor-9189043.html |access-date=July 5, 2014 |newspaper=The Independent |date=March 13, 2014 |location=London |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140320133534/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/disneys-frozen-is-very-evil-gay-propaganda-says-christian-pastor-9189043.html |archive-date=March 20, 2014}} and commentators,{{cite news|last=Wong |first=Curtis M. |title=Disney's 'Frozen' Slammed By Mormon Grandmother For 'Gay Agenda To Normalize Homosexuality' |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/02/18/disney-frozen-mormon-gay-_n_4810851.html |access-date=July 5, 2014 |newspaper=The Huffington Post |date=February 18, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140718001603/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/02/18/disney-frozen-mormon-gay-_n_4810851.html |archive-date=July 18, 2014}} believe that the film is a promotion for the normalization of homosexuality, while others have argued that the character of Elsa is a representation of positive LGBTQ youth and the song is a metaphor for coming out.{{cite news|last=Petersen |first=Kierran |title=Disney's Frozen and the 'gay agenda' |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-echochambers-26759342 |access-date=July 5, 2014 |publisher=BBC News |date=March 27, 2014 |location=Washington DC Bureau |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140328044825/http://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-echochambers-26759342 |archive-date=March 28, 2014}}{{cite news|last=Gettell |first=Oliver |title=Conservative radio hosts: 'Frozen' promotes gay agenda, bestiality |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/moviesnow/la-et-mn-christian-radio-frozen-gay-agenda-20140312-story.html |access-date=May 5, 2014 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=March 12, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140421045857/http://articles.latimes.com/2014/mar/12/entertainment/la-et-mn-christian-radio-frozen-gay-agenda-20140312 |archive-date=April 21, 2014}}{{cite news |last=MacKenzie |first=Steven |title=Frozen: Disney's icebreaker |url=http://www.bigissue.com/features/3593/frozen-disney-s-icebreaker |access-date=July 5, 2014 |newspaper=The Big Issue |date=March 5, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140312140944/http://www.bigissue.com/features/3593/frozen-disney-s-icebreaker |archive-date=March 12, 2014 }} The LGBTQ community, however, had a mixed reaction to these claims. When Frozen co-director Jennifer Lee was asked about the purported gay undertones, she stated that the film's meaning was open to interpretation: "I feel like once we hand the film over, it belongs to the world, so I don't like to say anything, and let the fans talk. I think it's up to them." Lee added that the film's meaning was also inevitably going to be interpreted within the cultural context of being made in the year 2013.{{cite web |url=http://www.bigissue.com/features/3593/frozen-disney-s-icebreaker |title=Frozen: Disney's icebreaker |access-date=September 9, 2015 |work=The Big Issue |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140312140944/http://www.bigissue.com/features/3593/frozen-disney-s-icebreaker |archive-date=March 12, 2014 }}

Another interpretation for the song and the movie is that they promote self-affirmation for people with disabilities,{{cite news |url=https://www.npr.org/2019/01/22/686690655/frozen-let-it-go-disabilities-american-anthem |title=For Many With Disabilities, 'Let It Go' Is An Anthem Of Acceptance |access-date=October 15, 2020 |work=NPR Morning Edition |date=January 22, 2019 |first=Joseph |last=Shapiro}} especially those on the autism spectrum.{{cite web|url=https://spectrumnews.org/opinion/columnists/frozen-offers-glimpse-of-autism-in-girls/|title='Frozen' offers glimpse of autism in girls|publisher=Spectrum News|date=September 15, 2015|first=Helen|last=Tager-Flusberg}} Co-writer Kristen Andersen-Lopez has stated that her younger brother has autistic traits and that inspired the song insofar as it deals with the concept of having a "special sibling."{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/arts/la-ca-cm-up-here-la-jolla-playhouse-20150802-story.html |title='Frozen' songwriters unveil 'Up Here,' the musical they couldn't let go |access-date=September 12, 2016 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=July 31, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161104175521/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/arts/la-ca-cm-up-here-la-jolla-playhouse-20150802-story.html |archive-date=November 4, 2016}}

In November 2017, Chilean pop singer Jaime Ciero sued Disney, Idina Menzel, and Demi Lovato, claiming that "Let It Go" was extremely similar to his 2008 song "Volar".{{cite web| url = https://www.tmz.com/2017/11/23/frozen-lawsuit-let-it-go-demi-lovato-walt-disney-co| title = Demi Lovato, Walt Disney Co. Sued Over 'Frozen' Song 'Let It Go'| date = November 24, 2017}} Ciero dropped the suit in May 2019.{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2019/biz/news/let-it-go-singer-copyright-jaime-ciero-frozen-1203209335/|title = Let It Go: Singer Drops Copyright Suit over 'Frozen' Song|date = May 8, 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://scholar.google.com/scholar_case?case=2175365135599580327&hl=en&as_sdt=6&as_vis=1&oi=scholarr |title=CIERO v. The Walt Disney Company, Dist. Court, CD California 2019 - Google Scholar |date=May 8, 2019 |access-date=August 6, 2022}}

{{Main|List of accolades received by Frozen (2013 film)}}

"Let It Go" won the Academy Award for Best Original Song at the 86th Academy Awards, where a shortened rendition{{cite magazine|url=https://www.ew.com/article/2014/03/03/idina-menzel-sings-let-it-go |title=Oscars 2014: Idina Menzel sings 'Let It Go' |date=March 3, 2014 |last=Strecker |first=Erin |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=July 2, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150224202357/http://www.ew.com/article/2014/03/03/idina-menzel-sings-let-it-go |archive-date=February 24, 2015}} of the show-tune version was performed live by Menzel;{{cite web|url=http://www.oscars.org/press/pressreleases/2014/20140211.html |title=Idina Menzel To Perform on the Oscars® |publisher=Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences |date=August 24, 2012 |access-date=March 3, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140302031117/http://www.oscars.org/press/pressreleases/2014/20140211.html |archive-date=March 2, 2014}}{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/moviesnow/la-et-mn-oscars-2014-let-it-go-wins-original-song-20140226,0,4473297.story |title=Oscars 2014: 'Let It Go' wins original song |last=Martens |first=Todd |date=March 2, 2014 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |access-date=March 3, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140303203827/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/moviesnow/la-et-mn-oscars-2014-let-it-go-wins-original-song-20140226%2C0%2C4473297.story |archive-date=March 3, 2014}} with the award, Robert Lopez became one of few people to have won an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony.{{cite magazine|url=https://time.com/11785/oscars-frozen-egot/ |title=Oscars 2014: Inside the Rhyming "Let It Go" Acceptance Speech and 'Frozen 2' |first=Lily |last=Rothman |magazine=Time |date=March 3, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141205120016/http://time.com/11785/oscars-frozen-egot/ |archive-date=December 5, 2014}}

{{Track listing

| total_length = 25:53

| title1 = Let It Go

| note1 = Dave Audé Club Remix

| length1 = 5:48

| title2 = Let It Go

| note2 =Papercha$er Club Remix

| length2 = 4:51

| title3 = Let It Go

| note3= DJ Escape & Tony Coluccio Club Remix

| length3 = 8:26

| title4 = Let It Go

| note4 = Corbin Hayes Remix

| length4 = 6:48

}}

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

{{col-2}}

{{col-end}}

{{Certification Table Top}}

{{Certification Table Entry|type=single|region=Australia|award=Platinum|number=8|refname=Australia|certyear=2024|access-date=April 18, 2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Brazil|title=Let It Go|artist=Idina Menzel|award=Platinum|type=single|certyear=2024|relyear=2013|access-date=June 20, 2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|title=Let It Go|artist=Idina Menzel|type=single|region=Canada|award=Platinum|number=8|certyear=2023|access-date=March 8, 2025}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Denmark|title=Let It Go|artist=Idina Menzel|award=Gold|type=single|relyear=2014|certyear=2020|id=9775|access-date=October 2, 2021}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Denmark|title=Lad Det Ske|artist=Maria Lucia Heiberg Rosenberg|type=single|award=Platinum|id=10303|certyear=2021|access-date=May 14, 2024|note=Danish version, performed by Maria Lucia Heiberg Rosenberg}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Germany|title=Let It Go|artist=Idina Menzel|award=Gold|type=single|relyear=2014|certyear=2024|access-date=October 30, 2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Germany|title=Lass Jetzt Los|artist=Willemijn Verkaik|type=single|award=Gold|relyear=2014|relmonth=1|certyear=2018|access-date=May 14, 2024|note=German version, performed by Willemijn Verkaik}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Italy|title=All'alba sorgerò|artist=Serena Autieri|type=single|award=Platinum|certyear=2014|id=11524|access-date=May 14, 2024|note=Italian version, performed by Serena Autieri}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Japan|relyear=2013|certyear=2017|certmonth=5|title=Let It Go|artist=Idina Menzel|type=single|award=Platinum|number=2|digital=true|note=Digital single|access-date=September 12, 2021}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|title=Let It Go|artist=Idina Menzel|type=single|award=Platinum|number=3|relyear=2014|source=radioscope|access-date=March 8, 2025|certyear=2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=South Korea|refname=Gaon|title=Let It Go|artist=Idina Menzel|type=single|nocert=true|salesamount=1,737,107|certyear=2014|salesref={{cite web |url=http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/total.gaon?serviceGbn=S1020&termGbn=year&hitYear=2014&targetTime=&nationGbn=E |title=Gaon Chart International Digital Chart - 2014 |publisher=Gaon Music Chart |access-date=May 11, 2015 |language=ko, en |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150214233039/http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/total.gaon?serviceGbn=S1020&termGbn=year&hitYear=2014&targetTime=&nationGbn=E |archive-date=February 14, 2015 }}}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Spain|type=single|award=Gold|certyear=2024|title=Let It Go|artist=Idina Menzel|access-date=May 14, 2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|title=Let It Go|artist=Idina Menzel|type=single|award=Platinum|number=4|relyear=2013|certyear=2023|id=3800-3884-1|access-date=May 12, 2023|refname=bpicert}}

{{Certification Table Entry|title=Let It Go|artist=Idina Menzel|type=single|region=United States|award=Diamond|relyear=2013|certyear=2024|access-date=May 13, 2024}}

{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true|noshipments=true}}

{{Infobox song

| name = Let It Go

| cover = Demi Lovato - Let It Go.png

| type = single

| artist = Demi Lovato

| album = Frozen: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

| released = {{Start date|2013|10|21}}

| recorded = 2012

| genre = Pop rock

| length = 3:47

| label = * Walt Disney

• Hollywood

| writer = {{hlist|Kristen Anderson-Lopez|Robert Lopez}}

| producer = {{hlist|Emanuel Kiriakou|Andrew Goldstein}}

| prev_title = Made in the USA

| prev_year = 2013

| next_title = Neon Lights

| next_year = 2013

| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|kHue-HaXXzg|"Let It Go"}}}}

}}

The decision to release a single for "Let It Go" was made after the song was written and was presented to Disney. Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez selected American singer and former Disney Channel star Demi Lovato—who also appeared on Disney's Hollywood Records roster, until 2018—to cover the song on the soundtrack album. It was also included in the deluxe edition of Lovato's fourth studio album, Demi (2013).

Lovato's version was officially released in nine other languages, eight of which are included into "Let It Go the Complete Set":{{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/let-it-go-complete-set-from/id853340442 |title=Let It Go the Complete Set (From "Frozen") by Various Artists on iTunes |website=iTunes |access-date=April 2, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306202100/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/let-it-go-complete-set-from/id853340442 |archive-date=March 6, 2016}} French, Indonesian,{{Citation|title=Anggun, Regina, Cindy Bernadette, Nowela, Chilla Kiana - Lepaskan ("Let It Go" from Disney's Frozen) |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Af1JwdwXhM |date=November 5, 2015 |access-date=February 19, 2016 |last=Disney Channel Asia |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160316154135/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Af1JwdwXhM |archive-date=March 16, 2016}} Italian, Japanese, Kazakh, Korean, Malay, Mandarin Chinese (China's version), Spanish (Latin American version) and Russian. The Indonesian pop version was released as leading single of We Love Disney, Indonesia.{{cite web |title=We Love Disney - Disney Indonesia |url=http://www.disney.id/we-love-disney |website=Disney Indonesia |access-date=February 19, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160218205619/http://www.disney.id/we-love-disney |archive-date=February 18, 2016 }} Anaïs Delva and Marsha Milan, who performed the song in French and Malay respectively, also voiced Elsa in the movie, performing the same song in its movie version.{{cite web |url=https://disneyinternationalvoices.weebly.com/elsa.html|title=Elsa |website=Charguigou |access-date=June 10, 2019}}

In South Korea, the pop version of the song by Hyolyn reached number six on the Gaon Music Chart in February,{{cite web|title=Gaon Digital Chart 2014년 2월 4주차 |url=http://gaonchart.co.kr/digital_chart/index.php?nationGbn=T¤t_week=8¤t_year=2014&chart_Time=week |work=Gaon |language=ko |date=February 22, 2014 |access-date=March 19, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140319090143/http://gaonchart.co.kr/digital_chart/index.php?nationGbn=T¤t_week=8¤t_year=2014&chart_Time=week |archive-date=March 19, 2014 }}{{cite web|title=Gaon Digital Chart 2014년 3월 2주차 |url=http://gaonchart.co.kr/digital_chart/index.php?nationGbn=T¤t_week=10¤t_year=2014&chart_Time=week |work=Gaon |language=ko |date=March 8, 2014 |access-date=March 19, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140306031316/http://gaonchart.co.kr/digital_chart/index.php?nationGbn=T¤t_week=10¤t_year=2014&chart_Time=week |archive-date=March 6, 2014 }} while the Japanese versions of the song, performed by May J., reached number 8 on the Japan Hot 100 after the film's Japanese release in March 2014 and was certified platinum for 250,000 downloads. May J. recorded a rearranged version of the song on her album Heartful Song Covers, which was released on March 26, 2014.{{cite web|url=http://may-j.com/heartful/index.html |title=Heartful Song Covers |publisher=Avex Group |access-date=June 13, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140613113613/http://may-j.com/heartful/index.html |archive-date=June 13, 2014}}

{{legend|PaleTurquoise|Highlighted versions were released later than 2013}}

Anderson-Lopez said that choosing Lovato was inspired by the singer's own past experiences, which were "similar to Elsa's journey of leaving a dark past and fear behind and moving forward with your power." Lovato indeed identified with the song's context, stating "It's so relatable. Elsa is finding her identity; she's growing into who she is and she's finally accepting her own strength and magical powers. Instead of hiding it, like she's done all her life, she's letting it go and embracing it."{{cite news|title=Walt Disney Animation Studios' "Frozen" Lets Go With Dynamic Soundtrack |url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/walt-disney-animation-studios-frozen-lets-go-with-dynamic-soundtrack-228743161.html |access-date=December 2, 2013 |agency=PR Newswire |date=October 22, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131028020407/http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/walt-disney-animation-studios-frozen-lets-go-with-dynamic-soundtrack-228743161.html |archive-date=October 28, 2013}}

Lovato's cover version was released as a single by Walt Disney Records on October 21, 2013.{{cite magazine|last=Lipshutz |first=Jason |title=Demi Lovato Unveils Racing 'Let It Go' From 'Frozen' Soundtrack |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop-shop/5763171/demi-lovato-unveils-racing-let-it-go-from-frozen-soundtrack-listen |access-date=December 2, 2013 |magazine=Billboard |date=October 21, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131204052110/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop-shop/5763171/demi-lovato-unveils-racing-let-it-go-from-frozen-soundtrack-listen |archive-date=December 4, 2013}} While Menzel's version is performed in the key of A-flat major and a tempo of 137 beats per minute, Lovato's version is performed in the key of G major and a tempo of 140 beats per minute, with Lovato's vocal range spanning from the low note of G₃ to the high note of E₅.{{cite web|url=http://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtdFPE.asp?ppn=MN0127739|title=Let It Go (Single Version) By Demi Lovato - Digital Sheet Music|date=December 2, 2013|publisher=MusicNotes.com|access-date=June 29, 2014}} In this version, the line "Let the storm rage on" is omitted from the chorus, along with its unusual accompanying chord progression, and an extra "Let it go" is substituted in its place.

The music video was released on November 1, 2013.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHue-HaXXzg |title=Demi Lovato - Let It Go (from "Frozen") [Official] |work=YouTube |access-date=January 14, 2016 |date=November 1, 2013 |url-status=live

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160112105613/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHue-HaXXzg |archive-date=January 12, 2016}} It was directed by Declan Whitebloom.{{cite news |url=http://declanwhitebloom.com/music-videos/demi-lovato-let-it-go/ |title=Demi Lovato 'Let It Go' |access-date=December 2, 2013 |newspaper=Declan Whitebloom Official Website |date=October 21, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140114030814/http://declanwhitebloom.com/music-videos/demi-lovato-let-it-go/ |archive-date=January 14, 2014 }} It has received over 625 million views on YouTube as of November 2023.

• Demi Lovato – vocals
• Julia Michaels – background vocals
• Andrew Goldstein, Emanuel Kiriakou – keyboards, guitar, programmer, producer
• Doug Petty – additional keyboards
• Șerban Ghenea – mixing engineer

Lovato performed the song on several occasions. She first performed the track at the 2013 Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade.{{cite web|url=http://www.axs.com/news/demi-lovato-sings-let-it-go-on-disney-parks-christmas-day-parade-2013--29261 |title=Demi Lovato sings 'Let it go' on Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade 2013 (video) |last=Jill |first=Jodi |work=AXS |publisher=AXS |date=December 25, 2013 |access-date=May 5, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150602192403/http://www.axs.com/news/demi-lovato-sings-let-it-go-on-disney-parks-christmas-day-parade-2013--29261 |archive-date=June 2, 2015}} On November 13, 2014, Lovato performed the song at the 2014 Royal Variety Performance.{{cite web |url=http://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Demi-Lovato-Performs-Let-It-Go-Live-At-2014-Royal-Variety-Performance-20141208 |title=Demi Lovato Performs Frozen's 'Let It Go' Live at 2014 Royal Variety Performance |last=Cerasaro |first=Pat |publisher=Broadwayworld.com |date=December 8, 2014 |access-date=May 5, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150602211055/http://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Demi-Lovato-Performs-Let-It-Go-Live-At-2014-Royal-Variety-Performance-20141208 |archive-date=June 2, 2015 }} The song was also a part of her setlist for The Neon Lights Tour and the Demi World Tour. In May 2015, Lovato performed the song at the 2nd Indonesian Choice Awards.

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{{Certification Table Entry|region=Germany|artist=Demi Lovato|title=Let It Go|award=Gold|type=single|relyear=2013|certyear=2023|access-date=March 31, 2023}}

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Many cover versions have been recorded internationally.{{cite news |last=Wallenstein |first=Andrew |date=February 13, 2014 |title=Disney Plays It Cool With 'Frozen' Frenzy on YouTube |work=Variety |url=https://variety.com/2014/voices/opinion/disney-plays-it-cool-with-online-frenzy-for-frozen-1201098084/ |url-status=live |access-date=March 20, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140320053018/http://variety.com/2014/voices/opinion/disney-plays-it-cool-with-online-frenzy-for-frozen-1201098084/ |archive-date=March 20, 2014}} In February 2014, Alex Boyé recorded a light Africanized tribal cover of the song, featuring the One Voice Children's Choir and Lexi Walker as Elsa.{{cite magazine |date=February 14, 2014 |title=ICYMI: The Frozen "Let It Go" Cover Everyone Is Talking About |magazine=Time |url=http://newsfeed.time.com/2014/02/14/icymi-the-frozen-let-it-go-cover-everyone-is-talking-about/ |url-status=dead |access-date=February 21, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140215201034/http://newsfeed.time.com/2014/02/14/icymi-the-frozen-let-it-go-cover-everyone-is-talking-about/ |archive-date=February 15, 2014}}{{cite magazine |last=Lin |first=Joseph C. |date=February 20, 2014 |title=A Definitive Ranking of the 11 Best Covers of 'Let It Go' From Frozen |magazine=Time |url=http://entertainment.time.com/2014/02/20/let-it-go-covers-frozen/ |url-status=dead |access-date=February 24, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222175234/http://entertainment.time.com/2014/02/20/let-it-go-covers-frozen/ |archive-date=February 22, 2014}}

The Piano Guys' cover version mixes parts of Antonio Vivaldi's Concerto No. 4 in F minor, Op. 8, RV 297, "L'inverno" (Winter) from The Four Seasons into the original.{{cite news |last=Kenner |first=Kari |date=February 19, 2014 |title=From the web: The Piano Guys melt hearts with their new Disney/Vivaldi mash-up |work=Daily Herald |url=http://www.heraldextra.com/news/from-the-web/from-the-web-the-piano-guys-melt-hearts-with-their/article_50a29378-99aa-11e3-a1cc-001a4bcf887a.html |url-status=live |access-date=February 24, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140302022800/http://www.heraldextra.com/news/from-the-web/from-the-web-the-piano-guys-melt-hearts-with-their/article_50a29378-99aa-11e3-a1cc-001a4bcf887a.html |archive-date=March 2, 2014}} The music videos of both covers were filmed in the ice castles in Midway, Utah.

French deathcore/metalcore band Betraying the Martyrs covered "Let It Go", as a single from their album Phantom in July 2014.{{cite web |date=July 14, 2014 |title=Betraying The Martyrs cover Disney hit Let It Go |url=http://lambgoat.com/bits/8437/-Betraying-The-Martyrs-cover-Disney-hit-Let-It-Go |access-date=July 15, 2014 |publisher=Lambgoat}}

In February 2014, a parody YouTuber by the name of Malinda Kathleen Reese used Google Translate to translate the song's lyrics between multiple languages and back to English, revealing expected humorous mistranslations, with lines such as "Let us very angry" and "Give up, tune in, slam the door."{{cite news |last=Matthews |first=Cate |date=February 11, 2014 |title='Let It Go' According To Google Translate Is A Hilarious Mess |work=The Huffington Post |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/02/11/let-it-go-google-translate-malinda-kathleen-reese_n_4769275.html |access-date=July 5, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150705114121/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/02/11/let-it-go-google-translate-malinda-kathleen-reese_n_4769275.html |archive-date=July 5, 2015}}

Actress Lea Michele sang the song as her character Rachel Berry in the first episode of the sixth and final season of the Fox musical comedy-drama television series Glee. Idina Menzel portrays Rachel's biological mother in the series.{{cite magazine |date=January 8, 2015 |title=Watch Lea Michele of 'Glee' sing 'Let It Go' from the season premiere |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |url=https://ew.com/article/2015/01/08/glee-let-it-go/ |access-date=January 8, 2015}}

It has been alleged by some commentators that one of the promotional songs for the 2022 Winter Olympics, "The Snow and Ice Dance," has suspicious similarities with "Let It Go." A Chinese media outlet cited technical analysis of the two songs: Both songs employ a piano as the major instrument, have similar prelude chords and an eight-beat introduction, and they run at almost exactly the same tempo.{{cite news |last=Didi Kirsten Tatlow |date=August 3, 2015 |title=To Some, Beijing Olympics Song Is Suspiciously Similar to Ballad From Disney's 'Frozen' |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/04/world/asia/to-some-song-of-beijing-games-is-suspiciously-similar-to-a-disney-ballad.html |url-status=live |access-date=August 5, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150804192734/http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/04/world/asia/to-some-song-of-beijing-games-is-suspiciously-similar-to-a-disney-ballad.html |archive-date=August 4, 2015}}{{cite news |last=Jiang |first=Steven |date=August 4, 2015 |title=Is China's 2022 Winter Olympics song too much like 'Frozen's' 'Let It Go'? |publisher=CNN |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2015/08/04/china/china-winter-olympics-song-frozen/ |url-status=live |access-date=August 5, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150807060127/http://edition.cnn.com/2015/08/04/china/china-winter-olympics-song-frozen |archive-date=August 7, 2015}}

Actress Maisie Williams sang the song in an Audi commercial that aired during the broadcast of Super Bowl LIV in early February 2020.{{cite news |date=January 31, 2020 |title=Audi Super Bowl 54 Commercial: "Let it Go ft Maisie Williams" |work=IGN |url=https://www.ign.com/videos/audi-super-bowl-54-commercial-let-it-go-ft-maisie-williams |access-date=August 8, 2020}}{{cite magazine |date=January 29, 2020 |title=Maisie Williams Sings 'Let It Go' to Survive a Traffic Jam in Audi Super Bowl Ad: Watch |magazine=Billboard |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/super-bowl/8549529/audi-super-bowl-2020-ad-maisie-williams |access-date=August 8, 2020}}{{cite magazine |date=January 29, 2020 |title=Maisie Williams belts Frozen song 'Let It Go' in Audi Super Bowl ad |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |url=https://ew.com/tv/2020/01/29/maisie-williams-frozen-let-it-go-super-bowl-ad/ |access-date=August 8, 2020}}

During the Russian invasion of Ukraine a video went viral around the world of a young child named Amelia Anisovych singing the song to families seeking refuge sheltering in a Kyiv basement. Kristen Anderson-Lopez (the song's co-writer) and Idina Menzel (who performed the song in the film) both tweeted support to the young girl.{{Cite news |last=Holl-Allen |first=Genevieve |date=March 7, 2022 |title=Watch: Ukrainian girl singing Let It Go praised by Frozen star after bomb shelter rendition goes viral |language=en-GB |work=The Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2022/03/07/watch-ukrainian-girl-singing-let-go-praised-frozen-star-bomb/ |access-date=March 8, 2022 |issn=0307-1235}}{{Cite news |date=March 8, 2022 |title=Ukraine: Frozen stars send messages of support to girl singing Let It Go |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-60647495 |access-date=March 8, 2022}}{{cite news |date=March 8, 2022 |title=Frozen star Idina Menzel praises Ukrainian girl singing 'Let it Go' in bomb shelter |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/let-it-go-ukraine-idina-menzel-b2030785.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220614/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/let-it-go-ukraine-idina-menzel-b2030785.html |archive-date=June 14, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |access-date=March 8, 2022 |website=The Independent |language=en}}

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• {{YouTube|moSFlvxnbgk|Disney's Frozen "Let It Go" Sequence Performed by Idina Menzel}} (on official Walt Disney Animation Studios channel)
• {{YouTube|L0MK7qz13bU|Disney Sing-Along}} (on Disney UK's official channel)

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