What is the opening song sung by Ariel and her sisters?

The opening song sung by Ariel and her sisters is “Daughters of Triton.” It is the brief ceremonial number heard during the early underwater sequence of Disney’s The Little Mermaid.

The song introduces King Triton’s daughters as they perform before their father, naming them in order and presenting the royal family’s polished public image. Ariel is notably absent from the performance because she is exploring the surface world, a detail that helps establish her rebellious independence immediately.

“Daughters of Triton” was written by composer Alan Menken and lyricist Howard Ashman. It is much shorter than the film’s major musical numbers, lasting well under a minute in the soundtrack listing. The film’s actual first song is “Fathoms Below,” performed by the sailors aboard Prince Eric’s ship.

That opening placement causes a frequent mix-up: viewers often remember “Daughters of Triton” as the first underwater song, while “Part of Your World” is Ariel’s solo and “Under the Sea” belongs primarily to Sebastian and the ensemble.