“Someday” was originally written to replace “God help the Outcast.”
The idea was the directors wanted a bigger number for Esmeralda praying in Notre Dame, so “Someday” was written. Upon comparing the two, they decided to go for the quieter number which was “God Help the Outcast”. Ultimately I prefer “Someday” to “God Help the Outcast.”
I have to agree with the reasoning, that a big athematic song in a place like Notre Dame isn’t a smart chose for a number, so I understand why they went with it. But I do find “God Help the Outcast” to be not as humble or mature as “Someday.” “God Help the Outcast” is about Outcasts and “Someday” is about all people coming to together. It’s about a hope for the betterment of everyone. The song doesn’t have make over-confident boosting or the juxtaposition of Nobility asking God for selfish gains to sound more humble.
4 Versions
All 4 One Someday Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
Someday Eternal Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
Der Glockner von notre Dame German Musical of Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
Here’s the trouble with “Someday;” There are four different versions of this song.
You have the original version, that was deleted from the movie in lieu of “God help the Outcast” performed by Heidi Mollenhauer. There is the version U.S Credit Roll byOne 4 All. The U.K Credit Roll by Eternal.
And finally the rendition from the German musical Der Glockner Von Notre Dame called “Einmal.”
Each Version has a different feeling so it’s a little hard to review them together. So I’m not going to. Over the next few posts I’ll look at each one. Then I’ll compare them a little bit. That’s Plan Anyway!
Quasimodo accepted by the people Disney Hunchback of Notre dame
After Frollo dies, the hellish lava goes away and the masses are happy. This is when Quasimodo, the lovable abet not too conventionally attractive hero emerges from the darkness and silence of Notre Dame to be greeted with the acceptance of the people. Why is he now welcome? I think for saving Esmeralda and saying “No” to Frollo. It’s not for killing Frollo, Notre Dame and Frollo’s haste took care of that.
Clopin, Frollo Puppet, and Girl Bells of Notre dame reprise Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
Quaismodo Bells of Notre dame reprise Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
So as Quasimodo is being cheered, Clopin reprises the “Bells of Notre Dame.” Just in case you’re a complete moron the movie clearly shows the audience who the Monster was, the Frollo puppet. To think this whole time I just thought it was Frollo, Twist ending here; it was the Puppet! The man was Quasimodo, no surprise there. I kid. I understand subtexts most of the time.
Clopin Reprise of Bells of Notre Dame Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
If you like “Bells of Notre Dame,” you’ll like the Reprise. It is sung well by Clopin (as to be expected now from Paul Kandal.) It’s a bit repetitive though, not sure how times the word “Bells” is uttered but it’s a lot. There also some new lyrics added;
“Whatever their pitch (Bells, bells) You can feel them bewitch you (Bells, bells) The rich and the ritual knells (Bells, bells, bells, bells)“
A Weird Twist? No but a Fun Musing Either Way
The True Villain, The Puppet Disney Hunchback of Notre dame
Big Marie, The Lead Bell Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
He saying that the Ringing Bells have an effect of people. So was it the bells that made Frollo crazy with lust? I mean it says the Bells bewitch. Quasimodo did ring the bells right before “Hellfire” and you only see him doing it once in the movie. So the Bells were the Frollo’s puppet accomplice. Of course, it all makes sense. The Puppet couldn’t stand that Frollo had all the power, so he harnessed the ancient Deus ex Machina power of the Bells to make Frollo crazy which would led to his death by Notre Dame, of course!
I figured you out, movie. This makes the Bells and the Frollo Puppet the heroes and villains. Touché Disney, I didn’t know you were so complicated. Truly this twist rivals M. Night Shyamalan. (2026 edit – I was being silly here, I think at least I hope I was being silly.)
A Finale to the Grand Finale
Quaismodo Bells of Notre dame reprise Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
Gargoyles – Victor, Hugo and Laverne at the end Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
Djali, Esmeralda, and Phoebus Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
On an unrelated note, the song is a good ending, you get a curtain call: Quasimodo is happy to be “Out There” “In the Sun” with the “Ordinary Men.” The Gargoyles are happy that the people now love “A guy like” Quasimodo. Esmeralda is happy because Notre Dame (Mary) “Helped the Outcasts”. Phoebus is happy because his ex boss is dead and he has a hot new girlfriend. Djali and Clopin are happy because the sanction of street performers had lifted with Frollo’s death and now they don’t have to pay the Busker Tax. The only person who isn’t happy in all this is the Old Heretic, he fell into a sewer and was never to heard from again. They say on quiet nights you can heard an old man saying “Dang it.”
The Old Heretic Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
On the Final Shot
Beauty and the Beast Ending Shot Stained Glass Disney
Genie page Peel, Final shot Aladdin Disney
Since the film ends with the same song as it began with, it’s only that it ends with a pull away though the sky above the Notre Dame. It’s appropriate yet a little cheesy but it’s better that ending on a stain glass window that show all the main characters, a la Beauty and the Beast or a stupid page peel by the GenieinAladdin. Though it would be funny to have the Genie pop up in random Disney Movies saying “made you look” at the end. (2026 edit- I do not stand behind this take anymore. I’m not sure what I was thinking siting the Stained Glass ending. The fourth wall break from the Genie I didn’t love that as a kid as it took me out of the impact of the story but I don’t it’s “stupid.” The 2011 version of me had some hot takes.)
Because I delude myself into thinking that people like this game, here’s another round of “Spot the Differences”. This time it’s Esmeralda and Quasimodo, a la DisneyHunchback of Notre Dame. 11 differences this time. Leave comment if you you can find some or all.
After some build up to the The Court Of Miracles, towards the end of movie we’re finally introduced to it via song. Phoebus and Quasimodo find it in through a grave that lends into the old catacombs. They go to warn they that Frollo is coming, however in going there they unknowingly lead Frollo there. The song is sung by Clopin, who is the leader. He’s backed by a good portion of the court.
Victor, Hugo and Laverne singing A Guy like you Disney Hunchback of Notre dame
After the intensity of Hellfire, the movie gets a little dark. Frollo goes on a tear extorting Gypsies, arresting people, attempting to kill people including Phoebus and burning a good portion of Paris. After these scenes the movie needs some levity, after all this is a children movie. The levity we’re given is “A Guy Like You.” I hate this song, there I said it, I hate “A Guy like you.”
Frollo singing Hellfire Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
“Hellfire” is “Heaven’s Light’s” foil in every possible way. “Heaven’s Light” is a sweet hopeful ballad with some subtle humor in the visualization but “Hellfire” is an intense villain song with shades of an I want Song that has a breaks down into insanity.
Frollo singing Hellfire Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
Hellfire is a villain song, but it’s not just any villain song, it’s “THE” villain song. Many people consider it the best and one of the darkest Disney villain songs. So what makes this song so good and dark?
Frollo singing Hellfire Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
The song starts with Frollo singing to Notre Dame both figuratively and actually (The building and the Virgin). He claims that he’s purer than the common people and still as pure as he is, he can’t understand his obsession for Esmeralda and why she is invading his mind.
Esmeralda as a fire demon dancing Hellfire Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
For Frollo this lust is not in conflict with ethics or his own deep religious convictions; it’s all about pride and fearing losing control within himself. You can see him visually losing of control: he starts calm and become more and more crazy as the song progresses
Frollo singing Hellfire Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
For Frollo there are two ways to resolve his problem, either Esmeralda must die or she must be his. Hellfire has a very similar vibe to Frollo in the book. Victor Hugo’s Frollo was very proud of his purity. But much like Disney Frollo Hugo’s Frollo felt that Esmeralda was sent by hell to take him away. Unlike Disney’s Frollo, Hugo’s Frollo is more of a stalker who is hopelessly seeking out Esmeralda. He doesn’t really want her to die but doesn’t want her to be with anyway else.
Frollo singing Hellfire Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
Disney’s Frollo is more black and white, either she is his or she dies, he only going to ask once. Frollo in Hellfire does have a twinge of gray (which you’ll never seen again), he asks for God to have mercy on both him and Esmeralda. If as he knows he’s wrong but he won’t do anything about it because he too far gone. The Latin chanted “Mea Culpa” (Through my fault) also drives that point too.
Frollo and an illusion of Esmeralda during Hellfire
It’s an odd Disney Villain song as Frollo isn’t revealing in his evilness or his brilliant evil plans. Frollo is simply singing out his desperation which ultimately gets worse. Unlike other songs, Frollo is not singing to anyone, usually a villain is rubbing something in the hero’s face, being a demagogue, or exposing their master plan of evil to minions.
Frollo singing Hellfire Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
Frollo is singing to himself. It’s reminiscent of another villainous song from a Notre Dame adaptation Notre Dame de Paris’ “La Monture.” In the original staging of “La Monture” (The Mounting,) Fleur de Lys (Phoebus’ fiancee) sings about her desperation for Esmeralda to be hanged. In the original staging, she singing to her shadow. In singing alone Frollo’s feelings come off more intense, power, and frantic while he sings to the fireplace while seeing illusions and the becomes engulfed in specters.
Frollo singing Hellfire Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
The song is perfectly sung by Tony Jay, he showcases control and then goes intense. The Latin chanting is great mood enhancer. The music is intense and the Hellfire melody makes up a lot of the Hunchback of Notre Dame’s score. The Music was inspired by Mozart’s Requiem Mass which completes the dark presentation of the song.
Frollo at the end Hellfire Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
The music, the singing, the lyrics, and visuals with the intensity, insanity, sexuality, and religious overtones create a great piece of moviedom. I wish Disney would explore their darker side more, because when they do it’s better than some of their more saccharine fair. I mean Disney enjoys going dark, it’s part of their history (Night of Bald Mountain). So Disney embrace the darkness more often! Please…
“Heaven’s Light” and “Hellfire” are meant to be listened together. Both parts represent the basic nature of The Hunchback of Notre Dame: how feelings can be internalized and twisted according to the individual.
Frollo and an illusion of Esmeralda during Hellfire
However I’m going to look at “Heaven’s Light” and “Hellfire” separately, because of the intensity of “Hellfire” and the simplicity of “Heaven’s Light.”
Quasimodo singing Heaven’s Light Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
Quasimodo singing Heaven’s Light Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
“Heaven’s Light” is the second ballad in the film and is Quasimodo’s final song though it’s reprise later in the movie. It’s the only “romantic” song to make into movie. In this song Quasimodo equivalents love to being heavenly. Since Quasimodo believes himself to be hideous, he thinks he not meant for love. However since Esmeralda gave him a peak on the cheek without fear, he calls her an angel and he’s hopeful that she could love him. He loves the concept of love. This hopefulness is gestalt of song.
Quasimodo singing Heaven’s Light Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
Quasimodo singing Heaven’s Light Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
There is lot going on in this song: Quasimodo explains what love is like, he feel he’s not meant for it but then not a beat goes by and he turns his hopeful-o-meter up to max, as he hopes that Esmeralda could love him because she wasn’t afraid of him. The song seems to do a lot. This is because it’s such a short song and that’s it feels a light all over the place. Quasimodo goes from being emo to sappy. “Anarkia” in Notre Dame de Paris has a similar feel to it.
Victor and Laverne’s drawing of Esmeralda Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
Hugo draws Djali Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
The elements of humor in this song by the gargoylesis actually good. It’s relevant and cute to the song. In the song each gargoyle draws a picture. The pictures reflect their personalities, Laverne and Victor draw Esmeralda and Hugo draws Djali. It’s cute relevant humor. I like Victor’s drawing the best.
Quasimodo singing Heaven’s Light Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
Quasimodo singing Heaven’s Light Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
I have to admit that for me this song gets a little lost because it’s the song that comes right before “Hellfire,” which is for many people is their favorite song in the film as well as many people’s favorite villain songs. However listening to the song in isolation, it’s a sweet, well done song that develops Quaismodo’s character as both hopeful and naive.
The Reprise
Quasimodo reprise Heaven’s Light Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
Phoebus and Esmeralda Kiss Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
Quasimodo reprise Heaven’s Light Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
Later when the song is reprised it’s a bittersweet sting to Quasimodo as his heart breaks as he watches Esmeralda and Phoebus kiss.
Quasimodo singing Heaven’s Light Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
All in all it’s a good song, not terrible but not not fanatic. It’s one flaw is being next to Hellfire.
I love My Little Pony Friendship Is Magic (friendship is literally magic). So I thought it would fun to make the Hunchback of Notre Damecharacters into My Little Pony Friendship is Magic style. This is Disney Esmeralda as a Pony.
If you would like use any of my fan-art I made on your website/blog, all I ask is for a hunchblog credit. Fan-art is meant to be shared and enjoyed. ^_^
So as I was working on my “God Help the Outcast” I noticed things that didn’t fit into song content so I’m posting them now. (Beware I run off on a bit of a tangent)
Quasimodo listening to Esmeralda singing God Help the Outcast Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
I once again suspect that the Disney Production team didn’t read the book (well maybe a few did), I say this because in the book Quasimodo is deaf but here in the Disney movie Quasimodo has such a amazing hearing. He can hear a soft ballad in the sanctuary all the way in the bell tower. I don’t think it was necessary to have Quasimodo listening in on Esmeralda. They did it to include Quasimodo since he had not been in the movie for 5 whole minutes.
Quasimodo watching to Esmeralda during God Help the Outcast Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
I mean it also worked to get Esmeralda and Quasimodo to reunite and to give them a chance to bond but they couldn’t have thought up another way.
Frollo’s Female Doppelganger singing a line in God Help the Outcast Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
The Lady who asks for love. Frollo’s twin sister? Could be. Frollo has no back story so he could have a sister. My guess is since they look so much a like and look to be the some age, they’re twins.
Judge Claude Frollo
What else is Frollo hiding in his past? I want back stories, Disney. It’s interesting to learn what pushes a character to doing less than wholesome things. Like;
Ursula Disney The Little Mermaid
Why was Ursula exiled? Many speculate that Ursula is Triton’s sister but maybe Triton pulled a coup d’état and stole the kingdom from the octopus people. That makes sense but it would make Triton look bad. Really Disney don’t say that Ursula once lived in the palace and was exiled if your not going to into why she was exiled.
Gaston Disney Beauty and the Beast
Why did Gaston like Belle? I mean sure she’s pretty and Gaston is a shallow idiot but she didn’t feed his ego and that’s what he needs. He is governed by outward appearances, but where did this superficiality come from? His upbringing?
Jafar Disney Aladdin
Why was Jafar so stupid? He sent years searching for the Cave of Wonders so he could get the lamp so he get three wishes and the when that plans fails his bird tells him to marry the princess. However, Jafar had military control over the city-state and a mind control ring. My goodness, is Jafar one stupid idiot, it would have taken his less time and energy to pull a coup d’état and I’m sure the people of Agrabah wouldn’t have notice a shift in power. The Sultan seems more interested in toys than his people. My guess is Jafar was drop repeatedly as a baby and that him more than a little dense.
Frollo Hunchback of Notre Dame Disney
But Frollo had a job, control and perhaps an deep emotional connection with a women who prays for love. I have to wonder if Frollo is so tightly wound and his sister wants love, what was their family dynamic like growing up? Assuming that she is his sister, but she looks too much like Frollo for it be coincidental where as the rest of crowds look generic.
Who do you think that lady in Notre Dame is? Think she could be important or just some extra that looks like Frollo and nothing more? Opinions, Thoughts, Anything!
Esmeralda singing God Help the Outcasts Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
“God Help The Outcasts” is a very different Disney heroine song. Many of the Female Disney Characters sing about wanting something for themselves. While Esmeralda is singing about wanting something that is not for her. She is being selfless which furthers elevates her into the mature sector.
Esmeralda singing God Help the Outcasts Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
The song is simple, it’s Esmeralda praying for the welfare of her people. This humble and selfless prayer is shown in contrast to the other parishioners who pray for selfish things like wealth, fame and love. This scene is pretty much lifted from the 1939 version albeit with some differences but the overall scene and content is the same.
Esmeralda singing God Help the Outcast Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
Unlike in the 1939 version, during the course of the song Esmeralda walks through the sanctuary of Notre Dame. It’s the only time in the Hunchback of Notre Dame where we get to see the interior of Notre Dame other than the bell tower. While it’s nice to see the sanctuary portion of Notre Dame there are more than a few things wrong with how Notre Dame is presented. I’ll go more in depth on that later for now let’s get into the reviewing the song’s content.
Esmeralda singing “God Help the Outcast” Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
The song musically is nice and is pleasant. It’s one of two ballads that made it into the film. It’s the prettiest song in the movie and it’s sung well by Heidi Mollenhauer. However there is an air of condescension with this song. As Esmeralda is trying to sound humble she is saying some really condescending lines. She asks for nothing because she is lucky and better off then most of her people and if God doesn’t help no one will help them. She also reminds Gods that everyone is “children of God” and that Mary should relate to her because she thinks Mary was once an outcast like her. This another fault with the song, she’s in Notre Dame de Paris, in any Notre Dame, Mary is the figure of reverence. However she starts praying to Mary and then instantly switches to God. Maybe it’s her “outcast” “pagan” ways that she would do this flippantly but my guess is God is more dramatic and fits song meters better, Even though Mary embodies compassion. Then again Frollo prays to Mary to burn Esmeralda, so what is the movie trying to say about Mary? I mean everyone seems to be trying to get out of Notre Dame.
Esmeralda singing God Help the Outcast Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
There is also all her “I” statements that are kind of off putting. Her lines are “I ask for nothing, I can get by, but I know so many less lucky than I” these lyrics just seem to reek with “I’m better than you” mentality.
2026 edit -Maybe a harsher take the statement of Esmeralda being more resourceful than others thus she doesn’t need to pray for herself could have just been a musical short hand to relay the point simply yet dramatically for the song and a general audience to understand. However I will leave the text I originally wrote from 2011 as point of my change of view.
Esmeralda’s Prayer
Esmeralda looking at the Virgin Mary, Maureen O’Hara 1939 Hunchback of Notre Dame
In the spectrum of the “Esmeralda’s Prayer” which isn’t in the book, “God Help the Outcast” is the one of a few. Beside this song there are two other prayers, the fore-mention 1939 version and “Ave Maria Paien” fromNotre Dame de Paris.
In the 1939 version, Esmeralda (Maureen O’Hara) asks “The mother of God” to help her people, she says that Mary can take all that she has but Esmeralda presents Mary with a Method; she asks to speak to the King as he is a authority figure and can help her and her people, which he does as the end. In the 1939 version, Esmeralda is sincere and humble, and as she not insulting anyone by saying she’s better off.
In “Ave Maria Paien” (The Pagan Ave Maria) Esmeralda, pending on which version your listening to, is asking for a few things, protection from the fools who are in control and the joining of all people. The essence of the song is she wants Ave Maria on her side. Is it humble and selfless? Not really, she does come off as humble and sincere though.
Disney Esmeralda is sincere but she seems to have a defeatist attitude, only god can help and no one else can, she’s powerless to do anything. Maybe Esmeralda should have ask God to make Frollo tolerant. At least that would have been proactive.
2026 edit- I originally called “God Help the Outcast” the worst of the Esmeralda’s prayer scenes but that wrong and bad take. I apologize for that one. I was harsh on the Disney version in 2011 and not as so these days. So no this review doesn’t hold much water now.
Esmeralda singing God Help the Outcasts Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
The problem with “God Help the Outcasts” isn’t the music or the singing, it’s the content. While it’s great that Esmeralda is mature and is capable of praying selflessly but in the course of the song she’s pretty much insulting her people, and due to juxtaposition of the her prayer with other parishioners she is making them look bad. So she can’t be selfless and humble without bring others down?
2026 edit- The Disney version wasn’t the first version to showcase the contrast of prayers of Esmeralda and the other parishioners and it’s not exactly the song’s fault it needs to convey Esmeralda’s selfless wishes both in simple terms yet dramatic for the scope of the scene and movie. It’s my own fault for interpreting the lyrics as “condescending.” I still find them a little naive in execution but I get the intent.
, towards the end of movie we’re finally introduced to it via song. Phoebus and Quasimodo find it in through a grave that lends into the old catacombs. They go to warn they that Frollo is coming, however in going there they unknowingly lead Frollo there. The song is sung by Clopin, who is the leader. He’s backed by a good portion of the court.
” foil in every possible way. “Heaven’s Light” is a sweet hopeful ballad with some subtle humor in the visualization but “Hellfire” is an intense villain song with shades of an I want Song that has a breaks down into insanity.
(friendship is literally magic). So I thought it would fun to make the Hunchback of Notre Dame characters into My Little Pony Friendship is Magic style. This is Disney Esmeralda as a Pony.
is a very different Disney heroine song. Many of the Female Disney Characters sing about wanting something for themselves. While Esmeralda is singing about wanting something that is not for her. She is being selfless which furthers elevates her into the mature sector.
