Zero to Hero

Album: Hercules Soundtrack (1997)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Composer Alan Menken and lyricist David Zippel wrote this gospel-themed number to celebrate the title character of Disney's Hercules, who is "so hot, he makes steam look cool."
  • Menken had a much different idea in mind for the song. He told Entertainment Weekly: "The directors, Ron Clements and John Musker, really wanted gospel because that's what you sing when you're singing about God - or in this case, the gods. I was reluctant because I wanted to do something very classic and Greek - a Candide approach. But it turned out to be so much fun. David Zippel did the lyrics, and we were such an interesting combination because he's like Cole Porter with his wit. 'He can tell you what's a Grecian urn.' Putting smart lyrics with gospel music really created a very unique blend, and the best example of that was on 'Zero to Hero,' which was just this roller coaster of lyrical cleverness."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Muhammad Ali: His Musical Legacy and the Songs he Inspired

Muhammad Ali: His Musical Legacy and the Songs he InspiredSong Writing

Before he was the champ, Ali released an album called I Am The Greatest!, but his musical influence is best heard in the songs he inspired.

Michael Sweet of Stryper

Michael Sweet of StryperSongwriter Interviews

Find out how God and glam metal go together from the Stryper frontman.

Devo

DevoSongwriter Interviews

Devo founders Mark Mothersbaugh and Jerry Casale take us into their world of subversive performance art. They may be right about the De-Evoloution thing.

Dennis DeYoung

Dennis DeYoungSongwriter Interviews

Dennis DeYoung explains why "Mr. Roboto" is the defining Styx song, and what the "gathering of angels" represents in "Come Sail Away."

Tom Bailey of Thompson Twins

Tom Bailey of Thompson TwinsSongwriter Interviews

Tom stopped performing Thompson Twins songs in 1987, in part because of their personal nature: "Hold Me Now" came after an argument with his bandmate/girlfriend Alannah Currie.

Evolution Of The Prince Symbol

Evolution Of The Prince SymbolSong Writing

The evolution of the symbol that was Prince's name from 1993-2000.