What book is Belle reading? The answer is in the background music...

[THREAD]

What book is Belle reading? Some say #Aladdin; others, #SleepingBeauty.

But actually? It's #BeautyAndTheBeast - she has no idea she's reading her own future! And we know this because the BACKGROUND MUSIC tells us so.

Intrigued? Read on, my friends!#DisneyMusicTheory pic.twitter.com/ka8rvvG2qx

— Disney Music Theory (@DisneyMusTheory) December 20, 2018

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[2] I love this tune. Belle sings it twice: when describing her favorite book, and later (in Something There) when realizing this book is about HER. That's why I call it her "meta theme."

But way more interesting is what happens between these 2 songs, in the background music... pic.twitter.com/qZwVowMqGw

— Disney Music Theory (@DisneyMusTheory) December 20, 2018

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[3] After angrily leaving Belle to starve in her bedroom, the Beast cries to himself: "She'll never see me as anything but a monster!" What a great moment for the violins to start playing just a snippet of the Meta Theme, the first musical hint that Belle's book is coming true. pic.twitter.com/PeaMQYl7zl

— Disney Music Theory (@DisneyMusTheory) December 20, 2018

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[4] After the Beast risks his life to save Belle's, she takes care of his wounds. She thanks him for saving her, and he politely says "you're welcome."

Wait, what? Are they actually being nice to each other? The violins give us a slightly longer snippet of the Meta Theme... pic.twitter.com/khrq8j95l4

— Disney Music Theory (@DisneyMusTheory) December 20, 2018

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[5] LOL, see those smiles? They're becoming friends! Belle is even teaching him how to eat soup without getting it all over his beard! (A hard lesson for all bearded folk...)

Now we get most of the Meta Theme in the violins, but not the whole thing yet... not 100% in love yet... pic.twitter.com/8J53hxvjUe

— Disney Music Theory (@DisneyMusTheory) December 20, 2018

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[6] Watching Belle play in the snow, the Beast has a revelation – and a desire to be generous!

"I've never felt this way about anyone. I want to do something for her!"

Someone's falling in loooooove... Belle's favorite book is becoming real life... but not 100% there yet... pic.twitter.com/qaOGYT6dsP

— Disney Music Theory (@DisneyMusTheory) December 20, 2018

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[7] Here's the Meta Theme's full progression, from the 1st time Belle sings it, through the background music in various scenes, til she sings it again in Something There.

The background music isn't just there to be pretty! It foreshadows, drives, and develops the narrative! pic.twitter.com/anA2356hzX

— Disney Music Theory (@DisneyMusTheory) December 20, 2018

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[8] Like and R/T this thread for all your friends who don't know (yet!) how fascinating and important the background music in Disney movies can be! It's not just there to be pretty; it's there to tell us stories, if only we're willing to pay attention! ?❤️? pic.twitter.com/4UVwSGjtGa

— Disney Music Theory (@DisneyMusTheory) December 20, 2018