A Girl Worth Fighting For

"A Girl Worth Fighting For" is a song written by composer Matthew Wilder and lyricist David Zippel from the 1998 Disney film Mulan. It is performed by Harvey Fierstein, Jerry Tondo, and James Hong, along with Wilder and Lea Salonga, who provide the singing voices of Ling and Mulan, respectively.

"A Girl Worth Fighting For"
Song by Matthew Wilder, Harvey Fierstein, Jerry Tondo, Lea Salonga and James Hong
from the album Mulan: An Original Walt Disney Records Soundtrack
ReleasedJune 2, 1998 (1998-06-02)
Length2:25
LabelWalt Disney
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Matthew Wilder

Production

Lyricist David Zippel and composer Matthew Wilder were hired by Disney to write songs for Mulan, based on the belief that the pair could "give kind of different sound to each of the songs".[1] Based on its ironic lyrics, the song is described by Wilder as "a comedy song".[2]

"A Girl Worth Fighting For" ends suddenly when the military reinforcements discover an encampment burned to the ground. Zippel described the abrupt end of the song as "a really powerful moment"; Wilder noted that the song's ending "directly inspired and informed the narrative and how the animators would bring that moment to life".[2]

During the recording process, Wilder provided the singing voice for the character Ling, when Gedde Watanabe was not able to provide adequate vocals for the song.[2] Wilder cites his experience being the stand-in vocalist as "just so much fun and so unexpected".[2]

Synopsis

It is performed by the members of the army as they wonder what sort of woman they will marry after their service is complete, and the role they will have in the family.

Composition

"A Girl Worth Fighting For" is described as a "delightfully ironic comic number".[3] It starts in the key of E major, and is written in alla breve with the tempo of a "walking march".[4]

Critical reception

Arthur Hu for Asian Focus (Seattle) wrote "A Girl Worth Fighting For" sounds a bit like South Pacific's "There is Nothing Like a Dame" another hit musical comedy about war between Asian powers. Still, the songs stick with stereotypical gender themes, and they still promote the idea that guys have all the fun fighting and killing".[5] Taestful Reviews wrote "A Girl Worth Fighting For" is as funny as Disney songs get, second to only "Gaston."[6] Filmtracks.com wrote "the comical piece performed by Harvey Fierstein ("A Girl Worth Fighting For") proves that people with annoying speaking voices don't sound any better when they sing".[7]

References
  1. Noyer, Jérémie (2008-08-14). "Tony Bancroft balances the yin and the yang in directing Mulan – Animated Views". Animated Views. Retrieved 2019-06-03.
  2. Lenker, Maureen Lee (2018-06-19). "'Mulan': The story behind 'I'll Make a Man Out of You' and its other hit songs". EW.com. Retrieved 2019-06-03.
  3. Hischak, Thomas S.; Robinson, Mark A. (2009). The Disney song encyclopedia. Lanham, MD: Scarecrow Press. pp. 64–65. ISBN 9780810869370. OCLC 317068086.
  4. "A Girl Worth Fighting For - Digital Sheet Music". Musicnotes.com. Retrieved 2019-06-03.
  5. "Review for Mulan (1998)". imdb.com. Retrieved 2014-08-03.
  6. "Mulan (1998): Co-Review | taestful reviews". taestfulreviews.wordpress.com. Archived from the original on 2014-08-14. Retrieved 2014-08-03.
  7. "Filmtracks: Mulan (Jerry Goldsmith)". filmtracks.com. Retrieved 2014-08-03.


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