Both Lin-Manuel Miranda and Alessia Cara have seen their respective careers soar to new heights this year. But the journey to success wasn’t an easy one, especially since both the Hamilton auteur and the Canadian singer/songwriter took a path less traveled in an effort to stay true to themselves. So it seems fitting that they would collaborate on “How Far I’ll Go,” the theme song for Disney’s upcoming theatrical release Moana. The animated adventure tells the story of a Polynesian teen (voiced by Auli'i Cravalho) who leaves the safety of home in search of a mysterious island that may hold the key to saving her people. With the help of a demi-god named Maui (a perfectly cast Dwayne Johnson), her quest is fulfilled and she discovers her own identity along the way.
Penned by Mr. Miranda, who also contributed several other songs to Moana's score, "How Far I'll Go" embraces the film's theme with powerful lyrics. Underscored by dramatic keys, wavy synth and robust percussion, Ms. Cara inspires as she sings, "Every turn I take, every trail I track / Every path I make, every road leads back / To the place I know, where I can not go, though I long to be / See the line where the sky meets the sea? It calls me / And no one knows, how far it goes / If the wind on my sail on the sea stays behind me / One day I’ll know, if I go there’s just no telling how far I’ll go.” The Aya Tanimura-directed visuals, set on a beautiful beach, follow the singer in moments of reflection that lead to the creation of a breathtaking tribal drawing along the sandy shoreline.
“How Far I’ll Go” actually appears twice in Moana, but we'll have to wait until it hits theaters on November 23rd to hear the movie version (sung by Cravalho). In the meantime, watch the official video below to enjoy Alessia Cara’s rendition (which serves as the end credits song) and then peep the official movie trailer below. The full Moana soundtrack, which also includes a Miranda-penned tune sung by Dwayne Johnson, will be available for purchase on November 18th. Visit the film's website for showtimes and ticket info as well as games and activities for the kids.
