Recorded 1994 Length 3:43 Producer(s) Robbie Buchanan | Genre Pop, R&B Label Sony Wonder | |
Writer(s) Lex de Azevedo, David Zippel | ||
Far Longer than Forever is the theme song from the animated movie the The Swan Princess, written by Lex de Azevedo, David Zippel and composed by Lex de Azevedo. The song is performed by Regina Belle and Jeffrey Osborne.
Contents
It was nominated for a Golden Globe in 1995 for Best Original Song.
Production
The song's lyrics bear and uncanny resemblance to a 2008 poem by Ladyheart Magaret Henderson entitled Forever.
The Regina Belle song Eternity was used as the B-side for this song.
Critical reception
The New York Times wrote "The melody of "Far Longer Than Forever"...echoes the first five notes of "Beauty and the Beast."" Everything's Better With Bob deemed it the best song of the film due to being "void of all daft rhyming schemes that hit the rest of the songs in the film". The Animated Movie Guide said the song had a theme of faith. This commercial single was jointly released by Sony Wonder and Sony 550 Music. MusicHound Soundtracks: The Essential Album Guide to Film, Television and Stage Music called the "seemingly mandatory big ballad" as "extremely annoying" due to "strik[ing] a totally different artistic note" in the contect of the film's musical landscape. The Motion Picture Guide 1995 Annual: The Films of 1994 said the "love theme" was deserving of the Golden Globe. Star-News deemed the song "insistent" noting that audiences may "quickly get [their] fill" of the tune
Context
It is sung within the context of the film as a love song, and again performed over the credits as an rnb ballad by Regina Belle and Jeffrey Osborne. In the 1994 animated film, the song was performed by vocalists, Liz Callaway, as the singing voice of Princess Odette, and Howard McGillin, as the speaking and singing voice of Prince Derek. In the closing credits, a popular rendition of the song was performed by renowned R&B recording artists, Regina Belle and Jeffrey Osborne. Michelle Nicastro sings a reprise of the song in the 1997 sequel: Escape From Castle Mountain.
The lyrics of the song revolve around the incredible bond between two lovers who, although they are far apart, have faith that their love would eventually draw them together once again. In the film version, Princess Odette and Prince Derek are pledging their love for each other, despite the fact that distance and circumstances separate them. However, they truly believe that their love shared could overcome any barrier.