The 1998 animated film "The Prince of Egypt" holds a special place in the hearts of many, thanks to its vibrant animation, powerful soundtrack, and moving story. The official soundtrack for "The Prince of Egypt" was released on November 17, 1998, featuring songs and scoring from the film, as well as songs not used in the film. The album peaked at No. 1 on Billboard magazine's Top Contemporary Christian chart.
In addition to this album, tie-in albums were also released; a collector's edition, a country edition, and an inspirational edition. The album also spawned a pair of hit singles.
"Deliver Us" and the "River Lullaby"
One of the most powerful openings in movie history is arguably "Deliver Us". It’s filled with so much desperation and anguish that it gives chills every time you hear it.
The lullaby portion of "Deliver Us" was performed by Israeli singer Ofra Haza (the first verses in Hebrew across all dubbed versions) and Disney actress Eden Riegel, with music composed by Hans Zimmer. Christopher Coleman explained that "'Deliver Us' features the powerful vocals I was hoping for... This track concludes with an abruptness which is very similar to the opening track of Zimmer's Oscar-winning score for The Lion King".
When "Deliver Us" shifts into the "River Lullaby", we understand that there are two meanings to "deliver us": one is a plea to God from the Hebrews, to free themselves from slavery, the other is a plea from Moses’ mother for her son to be delivered from death. In the montage before the lullaby, she and her children are ducking behind pillars and narrowly avoiding soldiers. It is a woman who is giving up her child to the river and praying for him to make a safe voyage, trusting the river (and God) to watch over her son and take him to “somewhere he can be free”.
Read also: Uncover the meaning behind "The Prince of Egypt"
River Lullaby ~ The Prince Of Egypt || A cappella cover
Before moving on, there’s one final note I want to add: one of the things I really love about this movie is the way it includes Hebrew within the lyrics of the songs. I think it’s 1) a sign of good research, and 2) a cool touch that makes the movie stand apart.
Stephen Schwartz on "Elohim" and Authenticity
Stephen Schwartz explained his use of the word "Elohim" in the song: "I wanted an authentic sounding Hebrew reference to God to help set the time and place. My first choice was "Adonai", but I was told by the religious consultants on the film that it would have been sacrilegious to use that term in that way in those days."
"All I Ever Wanted": A Song of Identity and Denial
"All I Ever Wanted" is sung by Amick Byram as Moses, after Moses discovers he is adopted, which results in him questioning his Egyptian identity and his Jewish heritage. It is reprised shortly after by Linda Dee Shayne playing the role of Queen of Egypt, who reassures Moses of his place in their family. The song was written by Stephen Schwartz, who visited an Egyptian temple for inspiration: "There was something about walking through those beautiful white columns reflected in the moonlight and seeing the hieroglyphs that triggered the tune which became, 'All I Ever Wanted'".
Filmtracks wrote that "the uplifting and buoyant 'All I Ever Wanted' is the closest Schwartz comes to emulating the hero's song of aspiration that Alan Menken made famous throughout the decade.
This is actually a really interesting song, because All I Ever Wanted is a unique subversion of those “I Want” songs Disney always does. In Moses’ case, it’s an “I Wanted” song. 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.
Read also: Exploring The Prince of Egypt's Impact
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.
"Through Heaven's Eyes": A Transformation
"Through Heaven's Eyes" is performed in the film by Brian Stokes Mitchell, while the pop single version is performed by R&B duo K-Ci & JoJo. Stokes Mitchell provides the singing voice for Danny Glover's Jethro character, Tzipporah's father and Moses's future father-in-law. Music and lyrics are by Stephen Schwartz, who said the song was his "favorite" of the film: "...one of the directors, Steven Hickner, came in with a poem called 'The Measure of a Man', and I based the lyric for the song on the philosophy in the poem..."
Filmtracks said the song is a listener favorite but the voice of Stokes Mitchell overwhelmed the folk music background.
Through Heaven’s Eyes is all about self-worth and viewing your life through a brighter lens: more specifically, seeing your life through Heaven’s eyes (hence, the title). It’s a big wake-up moment for Moses, who has gone from very prideful and smug to feeling lower than low. He doesn’t see much to be proud of about himself in this moment, and this is the song where he builds his pride back up and becomes a better person. In translation: no one man (“a single thread”) can see his purpose when he’s buried in a sea of people (“the pattern of the grand design”). It’s a great point made for Moses, who has had trouble finding his worth. He needs to find himself in order to find out what his purpose is.
So much of Moses’ character journey is tied into how he reconstructs himself when he has lost everything that made him who he was before. He learns that he cannot measure himself “in wealth or strength or size”. Moses’ big struggle during the song is rejoining the dance of life.
Read also: "When You Believe" analysis
Musical Trends and Subversions
Prince of Egypt has some of the most gorgeous songs I’ve ever heard in an animated movie. It’s also interesting seeing how the musical trends match up with Disney at times, and subverts their themes quite nicely in other ways.
Chart Performance and Reception
The official soundtrack for The Prince of Egypt was released on November 17, 1998. The album peaked at No. 1 on Billboard magazine's Top Contemporary Christian chart, and No.
The Prince of Egypt soundtrack achieved significant commercial success:
| Chart | Peak Position |
|---|---|
| Billboard 200 | 41 |
| Top Contemporary Christian | 1 |
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