The Greatest Disney Song for Male Youths - Hercules: I can go the distance! By Dan

Shout-out to

Thalia The Muse of Comedy 🎭

for inspiring this article, as discussing things with her got me thinking about the Muses in this movie (who are a riot) and from there I got to thinking about the best song of this movie.

During the Disney Renaissance, we had plenty of animated movies that really had an impact, but there are some that Disney claims to have failed, but actually are really popular. One such movie is Hercules, which deviates from the myths, (He doesn’t have Hera hating on him and destroying his life as a hobby, so it was a better childhood. Instead he has Hades, possibly one of  the most entertaining Disney villains out there.) and we see some of Superman’s story in the movie.

The one song that many forget about is “I Can go the Distance”, which is a great song. When hearing the song, I can’t help but think that this is probably the perfect song for many writers, as the emotions Hercules releases in this song really are impactful, and the struggle is constantly a battle of wills.

Hercules: I have often dreamed

Of a far-off place

Since in this story he was born on Olympus to Zeus and Hera, and was found by Alcmene and Amphitrion, he feels like there’s somewhere else calling to him, that is his rightful place, but he doesn’t know how to explain it. He is looking at the lake, by the tree after talking with his mortal father, who tries to explain about how he adopted Hercules, and the boy broods about it. 

Where a great, warm welcome will be waiting for me

Where the crowds will cheer

When they see my face

As he stated previously, it seems that he is probably dreaming of Olympus, but doesn’t fully grasp what kind of dream it is. Although there is another explanation, that can be joyful, or sad. Orphans that are adopted often get curious by their personal history, and it is part of them wanting to know who they are, and it is perfectly natural. Herc’s strength made him an outcast amongst other children, and it frustrated him, and he always did wonder where it came from.

And a voice keeps saying

This is where I'm meant to be

Here we see that he’s not only dreaming, but he might be hearing Zeus and Hera’s voices, but he has a hard time deciphering those voices, and they want him to come home. But since it’s a different plane of existence, there is only so much Zeus and Hera can do, and since they are head of the pantheon, there is very little they can do about it, cause they cannot bend the rules.

I will find my way

I can go the distance

The scene transitions to a forest at night, and Hercules sings that he wants to chart his course. He understands that it will not be an easy task, and there are a lot of obstacles that he will have to confront. He also sees that there is an adventure, and that he decides that doubting his direction is not something he will do.

I'll be there someday

If I can be strong

Hercules climbs a tree with a lot of crisscrossed branches, and he rises up confident. It is also hard to remain strong and keep going on the course someone charts. And it isn’t just physical strength. It’s emotional and spiritual strength as well. 

I know every mile will be worth my while

I would go most anywhere to feel like I belong

Taking a step through an adventure is hard and tough, but at the end of the day, the struggle would be worth it, regardless if you are Hercules, or a writer that struggles to get through a tough part in the story they are writing. Hercules wants to feel wanted and loved, and not just by his parents. He knows they are always there for him, but he needs to know more about himself, and every agonizing mile will reveal to him a little bit more of himself.

I am on my way

I can go the distance

After the previous verse, Hercules has a discussion about his adoption by Amphitrion and Alcmene, and this is when he leaves them, with Alcmene controlling her fretting over him. It is a far trek to the temple of Zeus, and he has to leave home, as many do. It’s time for him to figure out where he will find his life.

I don't care how far

Somehow I'll be strong

This is a bit of foreshadowing, as he says this as an eager adolescent, but he will find out that it isn’t as easy as he thinks, in order to find where he belongs.

I know every mile

Will be worth my while

I would go most anywhere to find where I belong 

And we get a repetition of the refrain, and now he looks forward to the hard journey, eager for answers. Now it cuts to Herc’s arrival at the Temple of Zeus, with a discussion about finding out who he really is, 

Before we get to the Reprise, we see the mighty statue of Zeus, and the dark mysterious location. The instruments in the background change to trumpets, which is often used to introduce royalty.

The scene is incredible, and I can write a lot about it, and it would be worth discussing. But let me finish the song.

I will beat the odds

I can go the distance

I will face the world,

Upon leaving the Temple, he finds resolve, and needs to go track down Phil, the mule headed Satyr, but there is renewed energy, and now that he knows who he is, he wishes to join his father on Mount Olympus, but is told it isn’t easy, and as a lot of teenagers might think, he underestimates the objectives needed to overcome the odds. But his vigor is now at its highest.

Fearless, proud and strong

I can please the gods

I can go the distance

This is very natural for orphans, when they find their birth family, to be eager to join them and appeal to them, and wish to be part of their lives, and Hercules wishes to do this exact thing, unaware of how much he will also lose, and how much he will sacrifice. But he feels confident that he can tackle anything that comes his way.

Till I find my hero's welcome,

Right where I belong! 

He is told that he needs to become a true hero in order to find his place as a god, and join his family, which is a part that every man has to go through at some point in their lives, and that includes us writers. Herc does sing about the hero’s journey, and what he thinks he needs to do, and what he thinks he wants, but there’s a part of growing up that will require him to understand  that there is a lot more to life, than just trying to get to Mount Olympus.

I do recommend this movie. It is great, and worth watching. This song is definitely underrated, as we see people sing “I Won’t Say I’m in Love”, and “Zero to Hero”, we overlook this hidden gem that can be considered the male variant to “Part of Your World”. It is great, and go watch it. In fact, go watch the movie. There won’t be any regrets if you do.