If I Can't Love Her

"If I Can't Love Her" is a song by Alan Menken from the 1994 stage musical Beauty and the Beast, and serves as the Act I closing number. It is performed by the Beast, and is reprised later in Act II.

Production

This song, along with the Maurice-Belle duet No Matter What, were written especially for the stage musical.[1]

Disney explains "'If I Can't Love Her', deepens the Beast's character by revealing his human longings"."[2]

Synopsis

The Beast sings about how he will remain a monster for the rest of his life unless he can get Belle to fall in love with him. He acknowledges that this is his one and only chance.

SoFlurry explains "Appalled that he has touched her she flees the castle fearing for her life. Realizing his deadly mistake the Beast knows he will be a monster forever if he cannot learn to love her."[3]

Composition

It has been described as a "melancholy ballad",[4] a "belting ballad moment",[5] and a "power ballad".[6]

Critical reception

Commenting on this song's performance in the production BroadwayWorld saw, the site noted, "The final moment as the Beast questions his life, [his] rich voice just effortlessly fills the open air arena".[6] BuffoloRusing said "“No Matter What” and “If I Can’t Love Her” are emotional and give a look into character’s thoughts previously unheard. [This song] shows the soft-side of his heart and longing for a change in himself."[7] TampaBay deemed it an example of the musical "stretching things out with hookless yearners".[8] SainsburySingers wrote that the song has the "emotion of a tormented soul".[9]

References

  1. ↑ "Show Guide for Beauty and Beast".
  2. ↑ "Live Events and Musicals - Disney UK".
  3. ↑ "The Beast's Song (If I Can't Love Her) - SoFurry".
  4. ↑ "Review: 'Beauty and the Beast' still magical".
  5. ↑ Callon, Cheryl (19 April 2014). "Review: Disney's Beauty and the Beast - AT&T Performing Arts Center - Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House".
  6. 1 2 Tittermary, Keith. "BWW Reviews: Enchanted Objects Come Alive in BEAUTY AND THE BEAST at Wolf Trap".
  7. ↑ "Beauty and the Beast: This "tale as old as time" hasn't lost its touch". 1 May 2014.
  8. ↑ "Review: 'Beauty and the Beast' feels a little bloated".
  9. ↑ Hollamby, Kim. "Beauty and the Beast".
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