I Want Song

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The I Want Song is a structural part of the musical genre. Generally situated as one of the first few songs in a show, the purpose of the song is to establish the protagonist's goals and inner conflict. Perhaps the most famous example is Somewhere Over the Rainbow from The Wizard of Oz, in which Dorothy expresses her longing to escape rural Kansas, and foreshadows her eventual fantastic journey. Other notable examples of the genre include Wouldn't It Be Loverly from My Fair Lady, and Castle on a Cloud from Les Miserables.

The song is particularly associated with Disney animated films, beginning with I'm Wishing from Snow White and the Seven Dwarves. Other notable Disney I Want Songs include Part of Your World in the film The Little Mermaid and A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes in Cinderella.

Even less traditional musicals such as Rent feature the song ("Santa Fe"), while others such as Avenue Q or the film Enchanted poke fun at the conventions of the song (in "Purpose" and "True Love's Kiss" respectively).