Beauty and the Beast, composed by Alan Menken with lyrics by Howard Ashman, was written for the Disney film of the same name released in 1991. The song plays a pivotal role in the movie, symbolizing the evolving relationship between the two main characters from friends to true love. It was originally performed in the film by Angela Lansbury, voicing Mrs. Potts, and also featured a pop version by Celine Dion and Peabo Bryson. The song became one o ... See more [+] f the films hallmark pieces, winning the Academy Award for Best Original Song.