In Disney’s 1989 animated film The Little Mermaid, Sebastian sings “Under the Sea.”
The song presents life beneath the ocean as joyful and fulfilling while trying to persuade Ariel not to pursue the human world. Sebastian performs it with a large group of sea creatures, turning the scene into one of the film’s most elaborate musical sequences.
“Under the Sea” was written by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman. It won the Academy Award for Best Original Song, making it one of the film’s most internationally recognized songs. The recording also helped establish Sebastian as a major musical character rather than only King Triton’s adviser.
The title is sometimes confused with “Kiss the Girl,” another Menken-Ashman song from the same film. “Kiss the Girl” concerns Ariel and Eric’s romance, while “Under the Sea” is Sebastian’s argument for remaining in the ocean. The song’s Caribbean-influenced sound is a notable feature of the score.