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Into the Unknown (song)

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"Into the Unknown" is a song recorded by American actress and singer-songwriter Idina Menzel and Norwegian singer-songwriter Aurora from the 2019 Disney film Frozen 2, with music and lyrics composed by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez. The song received Academy Award, Critics' Choice Movie Award, Golden Globe Award and Satellite Award nominations for Best Original Song.

"Into the Unknown"
Single by Idina Menzel and Aurora
from the album Frozen II (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
ReleasedNovember 4, 2019 (2019-11-04)
Recorded2019
GenreShow tune
Length3:20
LabelWalt Disney
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Idina Menzel singles chronology
"Small World"
(2017) 		"Into the Unknown"
(2019) 		"The Loud Mouse Song"
(2022)
Aurora singles chronology
"Daydreamer"
(2019) 		"Into the Unknown"
(2019) 		"Exist for Love"
(2020)
Music video (film sequence)
"Into the Unknown" on YouTube

Production

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Anderson-Lopez and Lopez, who wrote the songs for the 2013 animated film Frozen, reprised their roles for the sequel Frozen II. They also helped develop the story alongside Chris Buck, Jennifer Lee, and Marc E. Smith. Once a foundation for the story emerged, Anderson-Lopez and Lopez marked out points where songs would be used to move the story forward. The pair needed a song for a major moment for Elsa. Initially, the pair wrote a song called "I Seek the Truth" for the moment. At this point, the concept of Elsa hearing and following a mysterious voice had not been conceived yet. When this plot point was developed, the pair went back to the scene and wrote "Into the Unknown".[1]

Menzel first sang the song in her dressing room backstage at an off-Broadway play, with Anderson-Lopez and Lopez bringing in a keyboard to provide the music.[2]

Context

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”It's an anthem that kids, and adults, can really relate to – that sense of, you're being called to go do something, but you don't know what it is or where it's going to lead you ... It sort of says, ‘Follow your calling.'”[3]

— Clark Spencer, president of Disney Animation Studios, Los Angeles Times

The song is Elsa's "flagship number", and prominently features a siren call that serves as the film's musical motif that Christophe Beck weaves throughout the film score.[2] The call is derived from the Latin sequence Dies irae, but is delivered in a manner inspired by the Scandinavian music form kulning.[4]

Within the narrative of the film, the song details Elsa's inner conflict over deciding whether or not to leave Arendelle and track down the source of a mysterious voice she keeps hearing.

International versions

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On its theater release, the movie numbered 48 dubbings worldwide, to which an Indonesian and Malay version was added the following year, with the song Into the Unknown counting 47 versions overall: Charlotte Hervieux's recording of the song was used in both French versions released in Europe and Canada, although the rest of the dubbings were independent. Among the dubbings released, a version in Tamil, Telugu and Northern Sami was recorded for the sequel, even though the first movie has never been dubbed into these languages.[5] As it happened in Moana with a Tahitian,[6] Māori[7] and Hawaiian version,[8] the Sami version was an exceptional dubbing made specifically for the movie, given the inspiration it took from Sami culture.[9][10]

As was done for Frozen, Dutch musical actress Willemijn Verkaik sang both for the Dutch and German-language version, while Spanish singer Gisela performed both the Catalan and European Spanish version.[5]

On December 13, a multi-language video of the song featuring 29 of the 47 existing versions was published on Disney's Vevo channel.[11] On February 9, 2020, Menzel and Aurora performed the song during the 92nd Academy Awards together with nine of the song's international singers singing in nine different languages: Maria Lucia Heiberg Rosenberg in Danish, Willemijn Verkaik in German, Takako Matsu in Japanese, Gisela in European Spanish, Carmen Sarahí in Latin American Spanish, Lisa Stokke in Norwegian, Kasia Łaska in Polish, Anna Buturlina in Russian and Gam Wichayanee in Thai.[12]

  Highlighted versions were released later than 2019

Reception

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Critical reception

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The song was presented to the public as the "Let It Go" of Frozen II.[2] Slate argues that the song was "engineered to deliver the same euphoria of internal struggle followed by cathartic release."[13] The Daily Telegraph suggested that it had the same catchy qualities as its predecessor but that time would tell if younger fans of the film would accept it as a hit.[14]

Accolades

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Award Category Result
Academy Awards Best Original Song Nominated
Critics' Choice Awards Best Song Nominated
Georgia Film Critics Association Best Original Song Nominated
Golden Globe Awards Best Original Song Nominated
Grammy Awards Best Song Written for Visual Media Nominated
Hollywood Critics Association Best Original Song Nominated
Houston Film Critics Society Best Original Song Nominated
Hollywood Music in Media Awards Best Original Song Nominated
Satellite Awards Best Original Song Nominated

Personnel

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Credits adapted from Tidal.[15]

  • Earl Ghaffari – editing
  • David Boucher – mixing, recording engineer
  • Andrew Page – music production
  • Tom Hardisty – recording
  • Kevin Harp – recording engineer
  • Dave Metzger – recording arranger
  • Joey Raia – recording engineer
  • Gabe Guy – assistant recording engineer
  • Nathan Eaton – assistant recording engineer
  • Zach Hancock – assistant recording engineer
  • Paul McGrath – assistant recording engineer
  • Jack Mills – assistant recording engineer
  • Juan Pena – assistant recording engineer
  • John Prestage – assistant recording engineer
  • Adam Schoeller – assistant recording engineer
  • Morgan Stratton – assistant recording engineer

Charts

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Chart (2019–2020) Peak
position
Australia Digital Tracks (ARIA)[16] 32
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Flanders)[17] 15
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[18] 39
Ireland (IRMA)[19] 31
Japan (Japan Hot 100)[20] 41
Malaysia (RIM)[21] 7
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[22] 4
Scotland (OCC)[23] 12
Singapore (RIAS)[24] 5
South Korea (Gaon)[25] 2
UK Singles (OCC)[26] 19
US Billboard Hot 100[27] 46
US Kid Digital Songs Sales (Billboard)[28] 1
US Rolling Stone Top 100[29] 22

Certifications

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Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[30] 2× Platinum 140,000‡
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[31] Platinum 40,000‡
Canada (Music Canada)[32] Platinum 80,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[33] Platinum 600,000‡
United States (RIAA)[34] 3× Platinum 3,000,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Panic! at the Disco version

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"Into the Unknown"
 
Single by Panic! at the Disco
from the album Frozen II
PublishedWonderland Music Company
ReleasedNovember 4, 2019 (2019-11-04)
Recorded2019
Genre
Length3:07
LabelWalt Disney
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Jake Sinclair
Panic! at the Disco singles chronology
"Hey Look Ma, I Made It"
(2019) 		"Into the Unknown"
(2019) 		"Viva Las Vengeance"
(2022)
Music video
"Into the Unknown" on YouTube

Most dubbings played the English version, performed by American solo project Panic! at the Disco, over the end credits.[35] However, the song numbers 12 more versions in other languages. The Japanese and Korean versions opted for two female vocalists,[36][37] while the version used for the Mandarin version made for China was sung by an ensemble.[38] The Hindi, Tamil and Telugu versions were all performed by Indian singer Nakul Abhyankar,[39][40][41] who also dubbed Kristoff in Tamil[42] and Telugu,[43] and sang Weezer's version of "Lost in the Woods" into all three languages.[44][45][46]

Personnel

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Credits adapted from Tidal.[15]

  • Claudis Mittendorfer – mixing
  • Rachel White – recording arranger
  • Suzy Shinn – recording engineer
  • Steve Genewick – assistant recording engineer

Charts

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Chart (2019–2020) Peak
position
Australia Digital Tracks (ARIA)[53] 36
Ireland (IRMA)[54] 88
Israel (Media Forest)[55] 21
Japan (Japan Hot 100)[56] 47
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[22] 8
Scotland (OCC)[57] 32
Singapore (RIAS)[24] 25
South Korea (Gaon)[25] 118
UK Singles (OCC)[58] 74
US Billboard Hot 100[59] 98
US Kid Digital Songs Sales (Billboard)[60] 1
US Pop Digital Songs (Billboard)[61] 13
US Rolling Stone Top 100[62] 87

Certifications

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Region Certification Certified units/sales
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[63] Platinum 40,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[64] Silver 200,000‡
United States (RIAA)[65] Platinum 1,000,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

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  1. ^ Guerrasio, Jason (November 24, 2019). "The hit 'Frozen II' song 'Into the Unknown' wasn't originally in the movie". Business Insider Australia. Archived from the original on November 28, 2019. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
  2. ^ a b c "'Frozen 2': Inside Idina Menzel's unglamorous first take of 'Into the Unknown'". Los Angeles Times. November 23, 2019. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
  3. ^ "Forget Elsa's 'Into the Unknown.' Anna sings the best 'Frozen 2' song". Los Angeles Times. November 26, 2019.
  4. ^ Cohn, Gabe (November 29, 2019). "How to Follow Up 'Frozen'? With Melancholy and a Power Ballad". The New York Times. Retrieved November 30, 2019.
  5. ^ a b c "Elsa". CHARGUIGOU. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
  6. ^ "'Moana' to be First Disney Film Translated Into Tahitian Language". EW.com. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
  7. ^ "Moana in Māori hits the big screen". RNZ. September 11, 2017. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
  8. ^ "Disney's Moana to make World Premiere in ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi at Ko Olina's World Oceans Day, June 10". Ko Olina. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
  9. ^ Milligan, Mercedes (July 19, 2019). "'Frozen 2' Will Get Sámi Language Version". Animation Magazine. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
  10. ^ Verstad, Anders Boine (July 19, 2019). "Frost 2 kommer på samisk". NRK (in Norwegian Bokmål). Retrieved November 28, 2019.
  11. ^ a b Various Artists - Into the Unknown (In 29 Languages) (From "Frozen 2"), December 13, 2019, retrieved December 13, 2019
  12. ^ McPhee, Ryan (February 10, 2020). "Watch Idina Menzel and 9 Fellow Elsas Sing Frozen 2's 'Into the Unknown' at the Oscars". Playbill. Retrieved February 10, 2020.
  13. ^ Graham, Ruth (November 5, 2019). "Frozen 2 Is Here, and It Has a Song Every Bit As Annoying As "Let It Go"". Slate Magazine. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
  14. ^ Vincent, Alice (September 30, 2019). "Into the Unknown: Frozen 2's attempt at Let it Go shows a new, grown-up Elsa (but is just as catchy)". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
  15. ^ a b "Frozen (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) / Various Artists (Credits)". Tidal. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
  16. ^ "ARIA Australian Top 40 Digital Tracks" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. January 13, 2020. Retrieved January 11, 2020.
  17. ^ "Idina Menzel feat. Aurora – Into the Unknown" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved January 4, 2020.
  18. ^ "Idina Menzel Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved January 7, 2020.
  19. ^ "Official Irish Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 4, 2020.
  20. ^ "Idina Menzel Chart History (Japan Hot 100)". Billboard.
  21. ^ "Top 20 Most Streamed International & Domestic Singles In Malaysia". Recording Industry Association of Malaysia. Recording Industry Association of Malaysia. Retrieved December 15, 2019.
  22. ^ a b "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. December 9, 2019. Retrieved December 7, 2019.
  23. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 30, 2019.
  24. ^ a b "RIAS International Top Charts Week 49". Recording Industry Association (Singapore). Archived from the original on December 10, 2019.
  25. ^ a b "Digital Chart – Week 49 of 2019". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Retrieved December 12, 2019.
  26. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 4, 2020.
  27. ^ "Idina Menzel Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved December 10, 2019.
  28. ^ "Idina Menzel Chart History (Kid Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 9, 2019. Retrieved November 26, 2019.
  29. ^ "Top 100 Songs". Rolling Stone. November 29, 2019. Archived from the original on December 7, 2019. Retrieved December 27, 2019.
  30. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2024 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
  31. ^ "Brazilian single certifications – Idina Menzel – Into the Unknown" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
  32. ^ "Canadian single certifications – Idina Menzel – Into the Unknown". Music Canada. Retrieved September 30, 2021.
  33. ^ "British single certifications – Idina Menzel & Aurora – Into The Unknown". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved December 28, 2021.
  34. ^ "American single certifications – Aurora, Idina Menzel – Into The Unknown". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved August 29, 2022.
  35. ^ Shaffer, Claire (November 22, 2019). "Panic! at the Disco Shares 'Into the Unknown' From 'Frozen 2'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
  36. ^ a b Into the Unknown (End Credit Version), November 21, 2019, retrieved December 1, 2019
  37. ^ a b TAEYEON - Into the Unknown (From "Frozen 2"/Official Video), November 15, 2019, retrieved December 1, 2019
  38. ^ a b Super Vocal - Into the Unknown (From "Frozen 2"/Audio Only), November 28, 2019, retrieved December 1, 2019
  39. ^ a b Nakul Abhyankar - Nee maaya val lo (End Credit Version) (From "Frozen 2"/Audio Only), November 21, 2019, retrieved December 1, 2019
  40. ^ a b Nakul Abhyankar - Izhukkum Maayoll (End Credit Version) (From "Frozen 2"/Audio Only), November 21, 2019, retrieved December 1, 2019
  41. ^ a b Anjaan jahaan (End Credit Version), November 21, 2019, retrieved December 1, 2019
  42. ^ Nakul Abhyankar - Maan Mele Manidhan Keezhe (Ditty) (From "Frozen 2"/Audio Only), November 21, 2019, retrieved December 1, 2019
  43. ^ Nakul Abhyankar - Maaye na mari naa premale (Ditty) (From "Frozen 2"/Audio Only), November 21, 2019, retrieved December 1, 2019
  44. ^ Nakul Abhyankar - Nannu Vadili Vellavaa (End Credit Version) (From "Frozen 2"/Audio Only), November 21, 2019, retrieved December 1, 2019
  45. ^ Nakul Abhyankar - Nadu Kaattukull Naan (End Credit Version) (From "Frozen 2"/Audio Only), November 21, 2019, retrieved December 1, 2019
  46. ^ Nakul Abhyankar - Main kho gaya hoon (End Credit Version) (From "Frozen 2"/Audio Only), November 21, 2019, retrieved December 1, 2019
  47. ^ Mark Forster - Wo noch niemand war (aus "Die Eiskönigin 2"/Lyric Video), November 25, 2019, retrieved December 1, 2019
  48. ^ Giuliano Sangiorgi - Nell'ignoto (Di "Frozen 2: Il segreto di Arendelle"/Lyric Video), November 28, 2019, retrieved December 1, 2019
  49. ^ Dauren Sergazin - Belgisizdikke (iz "Kholodnoe serdce 2"/Audio Only), November 18, 2019, retrieved December 1, 2019
  50. ^ Fernando Daniel - Muito Mais Além (De "Frozen 2: O Reino do Gelo"/Lyric Video) (in Portuguese), November 26, 2019, retrieved December 30, 2019
  51. ^ Roman Arkhipov - Vnov za gorizont (iz "Kholodnoe serdce 2"/Audio Only), November 15, 2019, retrieved December 1, 2019
  52. ^ David Bisbal - Mucho más allá (De "Frozen 2"), November 15, 2019, retrieved December 1, 2019
  53. ^ "ARIA Australian Top 40 Digital Tracks" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. December 9, 2019. Retrieved December 7, 2019.
  54. ^ "IRMA – Irish Charts". Irish Recorded Music Association. Retrieved December 17, 2019.
  55. ^ "Media Forest Charts - Israel - International". Media Forest Israel. Retrieved December 17, 2019.
  56. ^ "Panic at the Disco 2 Chart History (Japan Hot 100)". Billboard.
  57. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 10, 2020.
  58. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 30, 2019.
  59. ^ "Panic at the Disco 2 Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved December 3, 2019.
  60. ^ "Panic at the Disco Chart History (Kid Digital Songs Sales)". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 3, 2019. Retrieved November 12, 2019.
  61. ^ "Billboard Chart Search". Billboard.
  62. ^ "Top 100 Songs". Rolling Stone. November 22, 2019. Archived from the original on January 1, 2020. Retrieved January 1, 2020.
  63. ^ "Brazilian single certifications – Panic! at the Disco – Into the Unknown" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
  64. ^ "British single certifications – Panic At The Disco – Into The Unknown". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved April 23, 2021.
  65. ^ "American single certifications – Panic At The Disco – Into The Unknown". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
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