Ariana Grande and John Legend are set to perform the duet Beauty and the Beast as the title track for Disney’s forthcoming soundtrack to Beauty and the Beast. The song will also feature in the new live action film adaptation, which opens in UK cinemas on Friday 17th March.
The enchanting ballad was originally performed by Celine Dion and Peabo Bryson and features Oscar® winning composer Alan Menken’s beautiful melody and winner Howard Ashman’s unforgettable lyrics. It received an Academy Award, Golden Globe and Grammy Award on its debut release in 1991.
The new rendition of the classic song is produced by the Grammy winning veteran Ron Fair. Fair was brought in to produce by Disney’s President of Music & Soundtracks, Mitchell Leib, who also brought Grande and Legend to the project. “Ron was the first and only choice to make this particular record,” says Leib. “No one is a better vocal producer and he also has a great understanding of the film making dynamic.”
Says Fair, “Stepping into the shoes of an Oscar and Grammy Award winning classic is not small potatoes. But with today’s two greatest plutonium singers – John Legend and Ariana Grande – we are bringing the song back with a new school-old school fresh treatment that shows the soulfulness and power of what a great melody and lyric can inspire.”
The music video will be directed by Dave Meyers, whose long time collaborations with artists including Katy Perry, P!nk, Janet Jackson, Ice Cube and Britney Spears have resulted in dozens of awards. Meyers recently directed the music video for P!nk’s hit single ‘Just Like Fire’ for the Walt Disney Records soundtrack for ‘Alice Through The Looking Glass.’ Menken provides the film score, with new recordings of the original songs written by Menken and Ashman. Also featured are three new songs written by Menken and veteran lyricist and Oscar winner Tim Rice.
Beauty And The Beast – the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack will be released by Universal Music Catalogue on March 10th.
