Which Oscar did “Under the Sea” win for Disney’s 1989 film The Little Mermaid?

“Under the Sea” won the Academy Award for Best Original Song for Disney’s 1989 film The Little Mermaid.

Written by composer Alan Menken and lyricist Howard Ashman, the song is performed by Sebastian as he tries to persuade Ariel that life beneath the sea is better than life on land. Its Caribbean-influenced rhythm, colorful staging, and energetic ensemble made it one of the film’s signature musical sequences.

The song’s Oscar victory was part of a major awards breakthrough for Disney animation. The Little Mermaid also won the Academy Award for Best Original Score, which recognized Menken’s overall musical work. The two awards helped establish the film as a landmark of the studio’s late-1980s revival.

“Under the Sea” is sometimes confused with “Kiss the Girl,” another nominated song from the same film. “Kiss the Girl” was nominated, but “Under the Sea” received the song award.