‘Into the Unknown’ from Frozen 2: who sings it and what are the lyrics?

9 February 2020, 20:05 | Updated: 9 February 2020, 20:06

It’s essentially Frozen II’s answer to ‘Let it Go’... but who sings the mezzo ballad? And what are the lyrics to the newly Oscar-nominated song?

Frozen 2 is the sequel to the original Disney hit, Frozen, which is now officially the highest-grossing animated film of all time.

One of the songs from the hit soundtrack, ‘Into the Unknown’ is nominated for the ‘Best Original Song’ award at this year’s Oscars, having already picked up a Critics’ Choice Movie Award and a Golden Globes nod.

Read more: QUIZ: Can you name these iconic Disney songs from just one picture? >

But who sings the tune? Who wrote the lyrics? And what is Elsa actually singing about? We’ve got the scoop below.

1. Who sings ‘Into the Unknown’?

   

   The vocals behind the powerful Disney ballad come from Broadway legend Idina Menzel, who also sang the original film’s incredibly popular, can’t-get-it-out-of-your-darn-head song, 'Let it Go', which was the first song from a Disney animated musical to reach the top ten of the Billboard Hot 100 since 1995.

   Menzel’s upcoming performance at the Oscars 2020 will mark six years since she sang ‘Let it Go’ at the Oscars in 2014, when she was famously introduced by a rather flustered John Travolta as ‘Adele Dazeem’.

   She’ll be joined on stage, as she is in the recording, by Norwegian singer-songwriter Aurora.

   The full soundtrack to the film also includes a cover of the song from pop rock band Panic! at the Disco, which plays in the end credits of the movie.

2. What are the lyrics to ‘Into the Unknown’, and who wrote the song?

   

   Idina Menzel, AURORA - Into the Unknown (From "Frozen 2")

   ‘Into the Unknown’ captures Elsa’s inner turmoil over whether to leave her home, Arendelle, to track down the source of a mysterious voice she keeps hearing.

   The Disney hit was written by Oscar-winning duo Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez – the masters behind the original film’s catchy soundtrack.

   The song also contains Frozen II’s musical motif, an eerie siren call, which composer Christophe Beck incorporates into the full score.

   The lyrics begin:

   I can hear you but I won’t
   Some look for trouble while others don’t
   There’s a thousand reasons I should go about my day
   And ignore your whispers which I wish would go away, oh-oh-oh.

   You can find the full lyrics here.

3. What happens in Frozen 2?

   

   Idina Menzel reprises her role as Elsa, Queen of Arendelle, in the Disney sequel.

   Read more: Frozen 2: we reveal the trailer, release date, cast and plot >

   The story begins when Elsa follows a mysterious voice which is calling out to her, and in doing so accidentally awakens the elemental spirits – forcing everyone in her kingdom to evacuate.

   Elsa then embarks on a journey with her sister Anna, snowman Olaf and Anna’s love interest Kristoff, to the enchanted forests and dark seas beyond the reaches of her home – sparking an adventure that turns into a journey of self-discovery.