The animated film "The Prince of Egypt" features some of the most gorgeous songs ever heard in an animated movie. It's interesting to see how the musical trends match up with Disney at times, and subverts their themes quite nicely in other ways.
Among the standout tracks is "All I Ever Wanted," a song that delves into the internal conflict of Moses. It's a unique subversion of those “I Want” songs Disney always does. In Moses’ case, it’s an “I Wanted” song. Let's explore the meaning and significance of this particular song within the context of the film.
Moses' Internal Struggle
The song is sung from the perspective of Moses, who is torn between his loyalty to his Hebrew people and his love for his former life as an Egyptian prince. "All I Ever Wanted" is a song that drowns in denial. Moses tries to focus on his luxuries (“sweet perfumes of incense, graceful rooms of alabaster stone”), but it rings hollow as he sees the injustices that others face. He even tries to tell himself that he belongs and “if anybody doubts it, they couldn’t be more wrong”, even if it’s he himself who’s beginning to doubt his place.
There’ a really interesting choice made with All I Ever Wanted; Moses isn’t walking around singing it. Instead, it’s a song playing in the back of his head wherever he goes. And even as he tries to convince himself that he is “a son of a proud history”, his facial expressions are filled with doubt, confusion, and anxiety. He remembers his mother's lullaby and feels conflicted about leaving his home and family.
Denial and Doubt
The song encapsulates Moses' denial as he grapples with the reality of his heritage and the suffering of the Hebrew people. Moses' big struggle during the song is rejoining the dance of life. At first, he’s invited to dance with the rest of Tzipporah’s people, and neglects to join, instead standing off to the side and watching the others dance wistfully. But just like one can’t avoid life, Moses can’t avoid the dance. So when Tzipporah drags him into it, he’s done resisting the pull.
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He tries to focus on the luxuries of his life as an Egyptian prince, but the injustices he witnesses create a dissonance that he can no longer ignore.
The Choice
Ultimately, Moses chooses to embrace his Hebrew identity and leave his privileged life behind. His father, Pharaoh Seti, admits to making difficult decisions for the sake of his kingdom. He learns that he cannot measure himself “in wealth or strength or size”. Even though he doesn’t know what’s ahead, he learns to embrace his life and become a man that he can be proud of.
This decision marks a turning point in his journey, setting him on the path to becoming the leader who will deliver his people from slavery.
Stephen Schwartz's Vision
Stephen Schwartz, the composer and lyricist behind "The Prince of Egypt," has a unique perspective on the songs he creates for the film. He reveals that "Through Heaven's Eyes" was actually the fourth song he wrote for that spot in the movie! The first three were more comedic and were essentially plot-driven, encompassing Moses' time in Midian.
Schwartz's contribution to the film is significant, and his ability to weave philosophical and thematic elements into the music elevates the story to a deeper level.
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Hans Zimmer & Stephen Schwartz "Prince Of Egypt" 10/22/98 - Bobbie Wygant Archive
The Impact
The multi-language performance of "When You Believe" brought tears. It is an album that should please old and new fans alike, even with the changes it’s made to its source material. I think the piece as a whole overcomes any real nitpicks I have with the additions and changes made to the film.
The song's powerful message resonates with audiences, highlighting the importance of self-discovery, embracing one's identity, and standing up for justice.
Musical Adaptation
The stage adaptation of "The Prince of Egypt" features both original and new songs by Stephen Schwartz. While some changes were made to the existing songs, they generally remain faithful to the film versions. "Deliver Us," "All I Ever Wanted," "Through Heaven’s Eyes," and "When You Believe" are basically as you remember them being, with "Deliver Us" and "All I Ever Wanted" featuring a few new lyrics that don’t prove too distracting and, in the case of "All I Ever Wanted," actually improve an already solid song.
The cast recording of the West End production is well-received, with praise for the performances and production quality. It manages to seamlessly incorporate the newer additions to the score among the older pieces.
Comparison of Film and Stage Versions
| Song Title | Film Version | Stage Version | Notable Changes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deliver Us | Original lyrics | New lyrics added | Minor additions |
| All I Ever Wanted | Original lyrics | New lyrics added | Improved song |
| Through Heaven's Eyes | Original lyrics | Original lyrics | No changes |
| When You Believe | Original lyrics | Original lyrics | No changes |
| The Plagues | Original lyrics and verses | Remixed lyrics | Verses dropped, new lyrics from other songs added |
Conclusion
"All I Ever Wanted" is a pivotal song in "The Prince of Egypt," capturing Moses' internal struggle, denial, and ultimate decision to embrace his true identity. It contributes to the film's powerful message of self-discovery and standing up for justice, resonating with audiences of all ages.
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