Alan Menken wrote the music for both Disney’s 1989 and 2023 versions of The Little Mermaid.
Menken composed the musical score and songs for the 1989 animated film, working with lyricist Howard Ashman. Their songs helped make the film a landmark of Disney’s modern musical era, including “Part of Your World,” “Under the Sea,” and “Kiss the Girl.”
For the 2023 live-action adaptation, Menken returned to compose the score and music. Lin-Manuel Miranda wrote lyrics for new songs, while Ashman’s original lyrics remained associated with the songs retained from the animated film. This makes Menken the continuing musical link between the two productions.
Menken’s broader Disney credits include Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, Pocahontas, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and Hercules. He has won multiple Academy Awards, including awards connected to The Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast.