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{{Infobox song
| name = I Won't Say (I'm in Love)
| artist = [[Susan Egan]], Cheryl Freeman, [[Lillias White]], [[Vaneese Thomas]], [[LaChanze]] and [[Roz Ryan]]
| album = [[Hercules (soundtrack)|Hercules: An Original Walt Disney Records Soundtrack]]
| released = May 27, 1997
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}}
"'''I Won't Say (I'm in Love)'''" is a song written by composer [[Alan Menken]] and lyricist [[David Zippel]] for [[Walt Disney Animation Studios|Disney]]'s animated film ''[[Hercules (1997 film)|Hercules]]'' (1997).
A stylistic departure from Disney ballads of the time period, "I Won't Say (I'm in Love)" is a mid-tempo [[doo-wop]], [[R&B]], and [[Pop music|pop]]
"I Won't Say (I'm in Love)" has been positively
== Writing and recording ==
[[File:Alan Menken 2013 (cropped).jpg|thumb|265x265px|"I Won't Say (I'm in Love)" was written to replace a song composer [[Alan Menken]] had originally written for Meg because it did not suit the character's independent personality. ]]
"I Won't Say (I'm in Love)" was written for [[Walt Disney Animation Studios|Disney]]'s animated film ''[[Hercules (1997 film)|Hercules]]'' (1997) by composer [[Alan Menken]] and lyricist [[David Zippel]].<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HZzDAQAAQBAJ&q=i+won%27t+say+i%27m+in+love+hercules&pg=PT78|title=Disney's Princess Collection - Complete (Songbook)|publisher=[[Hal Leonard Corporation]]|year=2002|isbn=9781458449719|___location=United States|via=Google Books}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=I
Although Egan
== Use in ''Hercules'' ==
In ''Hercules'', Meg is a [[double agent]] who works for [[Hades (Disney)|Hades]] despite beginning to fall in love with his adversary, Hercules,<ref name=":37" /> against her better judgement.<ref name=":39">{{Cite news |last=Schroeder |first=Zahraa |date=August 28, 2023 |title=15 Of The Greatest Disney Movie Songs Of All Time |url=https://smilefm.co.za/the-greatest-disney-movie-songs-of-all-time/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250225052228/https://smilefm.co.za/the-greatest-disney-movie-songs-of-all-time/ |archive-date=February 25, 2025 |access-date=February 24, 2025 |work=[[Smile 90.4FM]]}}</ref> Audiences learn that Meg has been in love before, only for her boyfriend at the time to leave her to pursue another woman after she had [[Deal with the Devil|sold her soul]] to
"I Won't Say (I'm in Love)" expresses Meg's conflicting feelings about Hercules, who she insists she does not love, only for her claims to constantly be refuted by the Muses.<ref name=":27">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_zMrDwAAQBAJ&q=i+won%27t+say+%28i%27m+in+love%29+megara&pg=PA74|title=Musicological Identities: Essays in Honor of Susan McClary|last=Warwick|first=Jacqueline|publisher=[[Routledge]]|year=2017|isbn=9781351556750|___location=United Kingdom|pages=74|via=[[Google Books]]}}</ref> Considered to be Meg's [[signature song]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.moviefreak.com/artman/publish/bluray_hercules_1997.shtml |title=Hercules (1997) - Special Edition (Blu-ray) |last=Fetters |first=Sarah Michelle |date=August 12, 2014 |website=MovieFreak.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308071233/http://www.moviefreak.com/artman/publish/bluray_hercules_1997.shtml |archive-date=March 8, 2016 |access-date=March 6, 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref> it explores the "misunderstood nature" of the character.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Maccani |first=Chelsea |date=Jun 5, 2017 |title=Underrated Disney Songs You Totally Forgot About |url=https://www.sweetyhigh.com/read/underrated-disney-songs-060517 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241208194030/https://www.sweetyhigh.com/read/underrated-disney-songs-060517 |archive-date=December 8, 2024 |access-date=September 13, 2018 |website=Sweety High}}</ref> Upon realizing she has in fact begun to develop feelings for Hercules, much to her chagrin, the song allows Meg to work through her denial,<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Weber |first=Lindsey |date=July 25, 2014 |title=Disney's Hercules Is an Underrated Masterpiece |url=http://www.vulture.com/2014/07/disneys-hercules-is-an-underrated-masterpiece.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190817071257/http://www.vulture.com/2014/07/disneys-hercules-is-an-underrated-masterpiece.html |archive-date=August 17, 2019 |access-date=March 3, 2016 |website=[[Vulture (magazine)|Vulture]]}}</ref> by "alternating between fantasizing about how delightful it would be to be loved by Herc, and stomping her foot in anger at the very thought".<ref name=":25">{{Cite web |last=Devotta |first=Sam |date=November 16, 2016 |title=(Un)Covered: I Won't Say (I'm in Love) |url=http://idobi.com/editorial/uncovered-i-wont-say-im-in-love/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250127150149/https://idobi.com/editorials/uncovered-i-wont-say-im-in-love/ |archive-date=January 27, 2025 |access-date=July 22, 2017 |website=[[idobi Radio]]}}</ref> Resembling an "admonishing" exchange between Meg and the Muses,<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://www.bostonphoenix.com/archives/1997/documents/00442999.htm|title=Disney's Hercules is a heroic effort|last=Gantz|first=Jeffrey|date=June 26, 1997|website=[[Boston Phoenix]]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151009130648/http://www.bostonphoenix.com/archives/1997/documents/00442999.htm|archive-date=October 9, 2015|access-date=March 2, 2016}}</ref> "I Won't Say (I'm in Love)" is Meg's attempt to avoid the [[Cliché|clichéd]] storylines of her predecessors as she berates herself for poor decision-making.<ref name=":23">{{Cite magazine|last=Weatherby|first=Taylor|date=March 15, 2017|title=Every Song From the Disney Renaissance (1989-'99), Ranked: Critics' Take|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/movies/7727697/disney-renaissance-songs-ranking-beauty-and-the-beast|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180620055708/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/movies/7727697/disney-renaissance-songs-ranking-beauty-and-the-beast|archive-date=June 20, 2018|access-date=March 28, 2017|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]}}</ref><ref name=":36" /> The song takes place after Meg's date with Hercules in which she initially attempted to discover his weakness at the insistence of Hades,<ref name=":46">{{Cite news |last=Vitale |first=Micaela Pérez |date=August 6, 2022 |title=Hercules: Every Song in the Disney Animated Movie, Ranked |url=https://movieweb.com/hercules-disney-movie-songs/ |access-date=February 26, 2025 |work=[[MovieWeb]]}}</ref> and is described by Alexandra Locke of ''[[Comic Book Resources]]'' as "an ode to her desire to protect herself against vulnerable feelings".<ref name=":45" /> After strolling through a Greek courtyard while performing the song with the Muses,<ref name=":23" /> the character's resistance finally proves futile and she ultimately relents,<ref name=":0" /> the Muses having "taunt[ed] her into honesty".<ref name=":26">{{Cite web|last1=Shoemaker|first1=Allison|last2=Suzanne-Meyer|first2=Dominick|date=March 15, 2017|title=Ranking: Every Disney Song From Worst to Best|url=https://consequenceofsound.net/2017/03/ranking-every-disney-song-from-worst-to-best/full-post/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180914022712/https://consequenceofsound.net/2017/03/ranking-every-disney-song-from-worst-to-best/full-post/|archive-date=September 14, 2018|access-date=September 13, 2018|website=[[Consequence of Sound]]}}</ref> "I Won't Say (I'm in Love)" is also the only song in which the Muses duet with one of the film's main characters.<ref name=":21" /> During one scene, the Muses transform themselves into [[Bust (sculpture)|stone busts]], which Amory Rose of ''[[Business Insider]]'' believes is a possible reference to [[The Haunted Mansion]] attraction at [[Disneyland]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Rose |first=Amory |date=September 20, 2020 |title=27 hidden references and clever jokes in 'Hercules' you probably missed as a kid |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/hercules-clever-interesting-details-that-went-over-your-head#the-muses-recreate-a-scene-from-disneys-popular-haunted-mansion-ride-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240430050543/https://www.businessinsider.com/hercules-clever-interesting-details-that-went-over-your-head#the-muses-recreate-a-scene-from-disneys-popular-haunted-mansion-ride-25 |archive-date=April 30, 2024 |access-date=February 7, 2025 |work=[[Business Insider]]}}</ref> Excerpts from "I Won't Say (I'm in Love)" are also used in some of the film's score, one of the few songs to do this.<ref name=":32">{{Cite web |date=May 26, 1997 |title=Filmtracks: Hercules (Alan Menken) |url=https://www.filmtracks.com/titles/hercules.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230827110018/https://www.filmtracks.com/titles/hercules.html |archive-date=August 27, 2023 |access-date=May 3, 2021 |website=[[Filmtracks.com]]}}</ref>
[[Filmtracks.com]] described "I Won't Say (I'm in Love)" as the film's "standard 'female song of longing'."<ref name=":32" /> According to Taylor Weatherby of ''Billboard'', the character "finally comes to a conclusion to which many a girl (or guy) can relate".<ref name=":23" /> Tracy Dye of [[Bustle (magazine)|''Bustle'']] described the scene: "Joined by The Muses, Meg attempts to vehemently deny her amour for Hercules",<ref name=":13">{{Cite web|last=Dye|first=Tracy|date=July 10, 2015|title=7 Reasons Meg From 'Hercules' Is The Most Underrated Disney Heroine Ever|url=http://www.bustle.com/articles/96508-7-reasons-meg-from-hercules-is-the-most-underrated-disney-heroine-ever|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180914061518/http://www.bustle.com/articles/96508-7-reasons-meg-from-hercules-is-the-most-underrated-disney-heroine-ever|archive-date=September 14, 2018|access-date=March 3, 2016|website=[[Bustle (magazine)|Bustle]]}}</ref> and Zahraa Schroeder of [[Smile 90.4FM]] described it as "Meg’s brain fighting her heart".<ref name=":39" /> Additionally, the musical number predicts that one of Hercules' most difficult challenges will be trying to change Meg's opinion of him.<ref name=":15">{{Cite web|url=http://opinionmoviegoer.blogspot.ca/2014/06/hercules-ron-clements-and-john-musker.html|title=Hercules (Ron Clements and John Musker, 1997) Review|date=June 6, 2014|website=Opinionated Movie-Goer|access-date=March 6, 2016}}</ref> Writing for ''[[The Daily Dot]]'', Aja Romano cited the song as Meg's [["I Want" song]].<ref name=":22">{{Cite web |last=Romano |first=Aja |date=December 11, 2015 |title=The definitive ranking of Disney 'Want Songs' |url=http://www.dailydot.com/fandom/ten-best-disney-want-songs/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240618165408/http://www.dailydot.com/fandom/ten-best-disney-want-songs/ |archive-date=June 18, 2024 |access-date=July 6, 2016 |website=[[The Daily Dot]]}}</ref> In addition to her conflicted feelings about Hercules, "I Won't Say (I'm in Love)" also demonstrates Meg's independence.<ref name=":31">{{Cite web |last=Wilkinson |first=Matt |date=March 5, 2021 |title=Disney+: Every Song In Hercules, Ranked Worst To Best |url=https://screenrant.com/disney-hercules-songs-ranked-worst-to-best/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240507130139/https://screenrant.com/disney-hercules-songs-ranked-worst-to-best/ |archive-date=May 7, 2024 |access-date=April 27, 2021 |website=[[Screen Rant]]}}</ref>▼
▲[[Filmtracks.com]] described "I Won't Say (I'm in Love)" as the film's "standard 'female song of longing'."<ref name=":32" /> According to Taylor Weatherby of ''Billboard'', the character "finally comes to a conclusion to which many a girl (or guy) can relate".<ref name=":23" /> Tracy Dye of [[Bustle (magazine)|''Bustle'']] described the scene: "Joined by The Muses, Meg attempts to vehemently deny her amour for Hercules",<ref name=":13">{{Cite web|last=Dye|first=Tracy|date=July 10, 2015|title=7 Reasons Meg From 'Hercules' Is The Most Underrated Disney Heroine Ever|url=http://www.bustle.com/articles/96508-7-reasons-meg-from-hercules-is-the-most-underrated-disney-heroine-ever|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180914061518/http://www.bustle.com/articles/96508-7-reasons-meg-from-hercules-is-the-most-underrated-disney-heroine-ever|archive-date=September 14, 2018|access-date=March 3, 2016|website=[[Bustle (magazine)|Bustle]]}}</ref> and Zahraa Schroeder of [[Smile 90.4FM]] described it as "Meg’s brain fighting her heart".<ref name=":39" /> Additionally, the musical number predicts that one of Hercules' most difficult challenges will be trying to change Meg's opinion of him.<ref name=":15">{{Cite web|url=http://opinionmoviegoer.blogspot.ca/2014/06/hercules-ron-clements-and-john-musker.html|title=Hercules (Ron Clements and John Musker, 1997) Review|date=June 6, 2014|website=Opinionated Movie-Goer|access-date=March 6, 2016}}</ref> Writing for ''[[The Daily Dot]]'', Aja Romano cited the song as Meg's [["I Want" song]]
== Music and lyrics ==
[[File:The Supremes 1970.jpg|thumb|276x276px|The song's background vocals and [[doo-wop]] arrangement have been compared to the work of American girl group [[the Supremes]].<ref name=":4" /> ]]
Lasting two minutes and twenty seconds in duration,<ref>{{Cite web|date=1997|title=Hercules - An Original Walt Disney Records Soundtrack – Various Artists|url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/i-wont-say-im-in-love/id191999705?i=192000233|url-status=
<nowiki/>[[File:I_Won't_Say_(I'm_in_Love).ogg|thumb|left|25-second sample of the doo-wop song, featuring Egan's voice accompanied by girl group-style back up vocals performed in three-part harmony.<ref name=":27" />]]Lyrically, "I Won't Say (I'm in Love) is a "[[Torch song|torchy]]" [[love song]] about denial,<ref name=":43" /><ref name=":44">{{Cite news |last=Singer |first=Matt |date=February 5, 2025 |title=10 Disney Movies That Deserve Their Own Rides |url=https://screencrush.com/disney-rides-that-no-longer-exist/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250210132029/https://screencrush.com/disney-rides-that-no-longer-exist/ |archive-date=February 10, 2025 |access-date=February 25, 2025 |work=[[ScreenCrush]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Block|first=Tara|date=November 13, 2015|title=Feel the Love Tonight With This Romantic Disney Playlist|url=http://www.popsugar.com/love/Disney-Love-Songs-34752493|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128000824/http://www.popsugar.com/love/Disney-Love-Songs-34752493|archive-date=January 28, 2021|access-date=March 3, 2016|website=[[Popsugar]]}}</ref><ref name=":16">{{Cite web |last=Floro |first=Marty |date=April 30, 2016 |title=5 Underrated Disney Songs |url=http://www.onemusic.ph/news/5-underrated-disney-songs-632 |url-status=deviated |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180914022546/http://www.onemusic.ph/news/5-underrated-disney-songs-632 |archive-date=September 14, 2018 |access-date=September 13, 2018 |website=[[One Music PH]]}}</ref> specifically its performer's reluctance to fall in love or
Kate Knibbs of ''[[The Ringer (website)|The Ringer]]'' summarized the track as "a love song from someone who doesn’t want to be in love, who knows enough to assume things aren’t going to work out".<ref name=":30">{{Cite web|last=Knibbs|first=Kate|date=July 17, 2019|title=The 40 Best Disney Songs, Ranked|url=https://www.theringer.com/music/2019/7/17/20696940/forty-best-disney-songs-ranked-lion-king|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190817030046/https://www.theringer.com/music/2019/7/17/20696940/forty-best-disney-songs-ranked-lion-king|archive-date=August 17, 2019|access-date=January 19, 2020|website=[[The Ringer (website)|The Ringer]]}}</ref> Fagan believes it expresses "the hesitancy savvy women everywhere feel when trying to stop themselves from falling head over heels".<ref name=":20" /> Hischak
== Reception ==
"I Won't Say (I'm in Love)" has received positive reviews from film and music critics.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Welsh |first=Daniel |date=June 25, 2024 |title=This 90s Classic Is The Latest Disney Film To Be Adapted For The West End Stage |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/disney-classic-adapted-new-west-end-musical_uk_667ae772e4b017bda37a9336 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240625170716/https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/disney-classic-adapted-new-west-end-musical_uk_667ae772e4b017bda37a9336 |archive-date=June 25, 2024 |access-date=February 21, 2025 |work=[[HuffPost UK]] |quote=It was particularly praised for its music, with soundtrack cuts including Zero To Hero, Go The Distance, I Won’t Say (I’m In Love) and The Gospel Truth.}}</ref> ''[[Rolling Stone Australia]]''<nowiki/>'s Barry Levitt called it excellent,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Levitt |first=Barry |date=November 23, 2023 |title=Every Walt Disney Animated Movie, Ranked |url=https://au.rollingstone.com/movies/movie-lists/disney-animated-movies-ranked-52738/the-fox-and-the-hound-1981-52748/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250114175437/https://au.rollingstone.com/movies/movie-lists/disney-animated-movies-ranked-52738/the-fox-and-the-hound-1981-52748/ |archive-date=January 14, 2025 |access-date=February 21, 2025 |work=[[Rolling Stone Australia]]}}</ref> and Aja Romano of ''[[The Daily Dot]]''
''[[BBC Music Magazine]]''<nowiki/>'s Sean Wilson reviewed it as "a witty, smart number ... Blessed with an extremely catchy melody and some clever lyrics".<ref name=":40">{{Cite news |last=Wilson |first=Sean |date=December 6, 2024 |title=Best Disney soundtracks: 11 of the best musical soundworlds conjured by the inimitable Mouse House |url=https://www.classical-music.com/features/tv-and-film-music/best-disney-soundtracks |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250210103006/https://www.classical-music.com/features/tv-and-film-music/best-disney-soundtracks |archive-date=February 10, 2025 |access-date=February 24, 2025 |work=[[BBC Music Magazine]]}}</ref> Tracy Dye of [[Bustle (magazine)|''Bustle'']] hailed the track as "one of Disney's most addictive pieces of ear-candy", appreciating that "it veers from the typical love-laced ballads we're used to".<ref name=":13" /> Similarly, Rob Burch of ''The Hollywood News'' called "I Won't Say (I'm in Love)" a "refreshing change of pace".<ref name=":14" /> ''Nylon''<nowiki/>'s Taylor Bryant called it an impeccable song that remains "very much in line with the company's [[ethos]]".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bryant |first=Taylor |date=June 13, 2017 |title=Why 'Hercules' Has The Best Disney Soundtrack Of All Time |url=https://www.nylon.com/articles/hercules-movie-soundtrack-anniversary |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240808034752/https://www.nylon.com/articles/hercules-movie-soundtrack-anniversary |archive-date=August 8, 2024 |access-date=April 29, 2021 |website=[[Nylon (magazine)|Nylon]]}}</ref> Meanwhile, Jerrica Tisdale of ''[[CinemaBlend]]'' crowned the ballad the best song from ''Hercules''.<ref name=":21" /> ''[[MovieWeb]]''<nowiki/>'s Micaela Pérez Vitale agreed that it is the film's best song, complimenting "its high-energy and fun rhythm".<ref name=":46" /> Both [[Ticketmaster]] contributor Caitlin Devlin and Matt Singer of ''[[ScreenCrush]]'' consider "I Won't Say (I'm in Love)" to be among Disney's greatest songs.<ref name=":42">{{Cite web |last=Devlin |first=Caitlin |date=May 6, 2022 |title=The 20 best Disney movie musical soundtracks, ranked |url=https://discover.ticketmaster.co.uk/theatre/the-20-best-disney-movie-musical-soundtracks-ranked-53203/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241127061108/https://discover.ticketmaster.co.uk/theatre/the-20-best-disney-movie-musical-soundtracks-ranked-53203/ |archive-date=November 27, 2024 |access-date=May 10, 2022 |website=[[Ticketmaster]]}}</ref><ref name=":44" />
"I Won't Say I'm in Love" has appeared on several Disney song rankings by various media publications.<ref name=":39" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Zafar |first=Aylin |date=April 21, 2014 |title=The Definitive Ranking Of The 102 Best Animated Disney Songs |url=https://www.buzzfeed.com/azafar/the-definitive-ranking-of-the-102-best-animated-disney-songs#.wmrR4yVl6 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250210113047/https://www.buzzfeed.com/azafar/the-definitive-ranking-of-the-102-best-animated-disney-songs#.wmrR4yVl6 |archive-date=February 10, 2025 |access-date=March 2, 2016 |website=[[BuzzFeed]]}}</ref> According to ''[[Good Housekeeping]]'', "I Won't Say (I'm in Love)" is the 12th best Disney song of all-time, which Marisa LaScala described as "a sleeper hit".<ref>{{Cite news |last=LaScala |first=Marisa |date=April 16, 2019 |title=The 42 Best Disney Songs of All Time |url=https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/life/entertainment/g26886855/best-disney-songs/ |access-date=February 24, 2025 |work=[[Good Housekeeping]]}}</ref> Dalin Rowell of ''[[/Film]]'' called it "one of the greatest songs in Disney history",<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last=Rowell |first=Dalin |date=October 13, 2024 |title=The 20 Most Under Appreciated Disney Animated Characters |url=https://www.slashfilm.com/805230/the-20-most-under-appreciated-disney-animated-characters/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240430174437/https://www.slashfilm.com/805230/the-20-most-under-appreciated-disney-animated-characters/ |archive-date=April 30, 2024 |access-date=January 28, 2025 |work=[[/Film]]}}</ref> and ''Billboard'' named it the 45th greatest song from the "Disneyverse", out of 100.<ref name=":38" /> [[Beamly]] ranked it fifth on the website's list of "Best Ever Disney Songs", with author Sophie Hall nicknaming Meg "The [[Celine Dion]] of the cartoon world".<ref name=":18" /> [[BuzzFeed]] and [[D23 (Disney)|D23]] ranked the song Disney's ninth and 10th greatest love song, respectively.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Newman |first=Heather |date=February 5, 2014 |title=The Definitive Ranking Of Disney Love Songs |url=https://www.buzzfeed.com/hnew92/a-definitive-ranking-of-the-greatest-disney-love-s-9qja#.ra16vEyPg |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250126061322/https://www.buzzfeed.com/hnew92/a-definitive-ranking-of-the-greatest-disney-love-s-9qja#.ra16vEyPg |archive-date=January 26, 2025 |access-date=March 2, 2016 |website=[[BuzzFeed]]}}</ref><ref name=":8" /> In an article describing the song as "one of the greatest g-rated love songs of the last century", ''[[Time Out (magazine)|Time Out]]'' ranked "I Won't Say (I'm in Love)" the seventh-best Disney song.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Levine |first=Nick |last2=Bavera |first2=Camille |date=April 10, 2024 |title=The 33 best Disney songs |url=https://www.timeout.com/music/best-disney-songs |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250116084808/https://www.timeout.com/music/best-disney-songs |archive-date=January 16, 2025 |access-date=February 4, 2025 |work=[[Time Out (magazine)|Time Out]]}}</ref> ''Billboard'' named it the 21st best song of the [[Disney Renaissance]].<ref name=":23" /> ''[[Consequence of Sound]]'' ranked it the 61st best Disney song of all-time,<ref name=":26" /> and [[UDiscoverMusic]] ranked it 34th.<ref name=":2" /> Ranking it Disney's 36th best song, ''[[The Ringer (website)|The Ringer]]'' welcomed "I Won't Say (I'm in Love)" as "a refreshing change of pace for Disney" that in turn makes Meg "a relatable queen".<ref name=":30" /> In 2024, ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' named "I Won't Say (I'm in Love)" the 18th best Disney song,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Levitt |first=Barry |date=November 27, 2024 |title=The 50 Best Disney Songs, Ranked |url=https://time.com/7178930/best-disney-songs/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250213113453/https://time.com/7178930/best-disney-songs/ |archive-date=February 13, 2025 |access-date=February 4, 2025 |work=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]}}</ref> and ''[[Cosmopolitan (magazine)|Cosmopolitan]]'' ranked it 39th.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Truffaut-Wong |first=Olivia |last2=Hanrahan |first2=Laura |date=October 23, 2023 |title=The 50 Best Disney Songs of All Time, From 'The Lion King' to 'Frozen' |url=https://www.cosmopolitan.com/entertainment/music/g32268415/best-disney-songs/ |access-date=February 24, 2025 |work=[[Cosmopolitan (magazine)|Cosmopolitan]]}}</ref> Meanwhile, [[Universal Music Group|umusic NZ]] ranked it the 8th best Disney Princess song.<ref name=":34" /> ''[[MovieWeb]]'' ranked it Menken's 10th best original composition, describing the song as a "cultural reset".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Gawaran |first=Alyssa |date=December 6, 2022 |title=Disney: Best Original Songs Composed by Alan Menken |url=https://movieweb.com/disney-songs-alan-menken/ |access-date=February 21, 2025 |work=[[MovieWeb]]}}</ref> In 2022, ''[[The Scotsman]]'' reported that "I Won't Say (I'm in Love)" was 22nd most streamed Disney song on Spotify, having amassed nearly 207 million streams.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Jack |first=Lauren |date=June 29, 2023 |title=Disney: The most popular Disney songs in the world, according to Spotify streams |url=https://www.scotsman.com/arts-and-culture/film-and-tv/here-are-the-30-most-popular-disney-songs-in-the-world-3572585 |access-date=February 24, 2025 |work=[[The Scotsman]]}}</ref>▼
''[[Screen Rant]]'' ranked "I Won't Say (I'm in Love)" ''Hercules''<nowiki/>' second best song, with author Matthew Wilkinson praising Meg's independence and Egan's performance.<ref name=":31" /> Conversely, [[Filmtracks.com]] accused the song of wasting Egan's talent.<ref name=":32" />
"I Won't Say (I'm in Love)" has garnered a reputation as one of Disney's most underrated songs.<ref name=":16" /><ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Travis |first=Abi |date=March 22, 2021 |title=Good News! 'The Disney Family Singalong' Is Officially on Disney Plus |url=https://www.distractify.com/p/will-the-disney-singalong-be-on-disney-plus |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250126130750/https://www.distractify.com/p/will-the-disney-singalong-be-on-disney-plus |archive-date=January 26, 2025 |access-date=April 30, 2021 |website=[[Distractify]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Adams |date=May 22, 2019 |title=The 12 Most Underrated Disney Songs |url=https://us933fm.com/news/the-12-most-underrated-disney-songs/ |url-status=deviated |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210430140517/https://us933fm.com/news/the-12-most-underrated-disney-songs/ |archive-date=April 30, 2021 |access-date=April 30, 2021 |website=[[WBTU|US 93.3]]}}</ref> While ranking the track the 16th best song of the Disney Renaissance, [[Syfy|Syfy Wire]]'s Caitlin Busch called Meg "an underrated heroine with an underrated love song", which she described as "funny, poignant, and a perfect transition song".<ref name=":29" /> The author identified "Face it like a grown-up/When you gonna own up that you got got got it bad" as its best lyric.<ref name=":29" /> [[Moviepilot]] included the song in a similar article, with author Jeremiah Paul describing it as a "hidden gem" which "should have been another classic", while praising Egan's performance.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://moviepilot.com/posts/3486824|title=10 Of the Most Underrated Disney Songs of All Time!|last=Paul|first=Jeremiah|date=August 24, 2015|website=Moviepilot|access-date=March 2, 2016|archive-date=March 7, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307011501/http://moviepilot.com/posts/3486824|url-status=dead}}</ref> Jerrica Tisdale of CinemaBlend described the song's lack of popularity as "nearly criminal".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tisdale |first=Jessica |date=April 17, 2020 |title=Big Hero 6 And 11 Other Underrated Movies To Watch On Disney+ |url=https://www.cinemablend.com/news/2494329/big-hero-6-and-other-underrated-movies-to-watch-on-disney |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240808034751/https://www.cinemablend.com/news/2494329/big-hero-6-and-other-underrated-movies-to-watch-on-disney |archive-date=August 8, 2024 |access-date=April 30, 2021 |website=[[CinemaBlend]]}}</ref> Calling it one of Disney's 12 most underrated classics, ''Billboard''<nowiki/>'s Aly Semigran wrote that the song deserves to be a "karaoke mainstay".<ref name=":24" /> In an interview with ''[[The Fader]]'', members of American rapper [[Chance the Rapper]]'s band [[The Social Experiment]] ranked "I Won't Say (I'm in Love)" one of the favorite Disney songs from their childhood, calling it "an amazing song".''<ref>{{Cite web |last=Trammel |first=Matthew |date=February 4, 2015 |title=The Definitive Disney Songs Of Our Childhood, According To The Social Experiment |url=http://www.thefader.com/2015/02/04/the-social-experiment-pick-their-favorite-disney-songs |access-date=July 20, 2017 |website=[[The Fader]]}}</ref>'' [[TodayTix]] named the song "everyone’s favorite Disney feminist anthem".<ref name=":33" />▼
* Background vocals by Cheryl Freeman, [[Lillias White]], [[Vaneese Thomas]], [[LaChanze]] and [[Roz Ryan]] as the Muses▼
==Live performances and cover versions==
Egan has performed "I Won't Say (I'm in Love)" live on several occasions. At the 2017 [[D23 Expo]] to conclude the event's "Zero to Hero: The Making of ''Hercules''" panel,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://animatedviews.com/2017/2017-d23-expo-exclusive/|title=2017 D23 Expo Exclusive|last=Short|first=Dan|date=August 4, 2017|website=Animated Views|access-date=August 28, 2018}}</ref> the original animated sequence was played in the background while Egan sang, accompanied by backup vocalists.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.disneyinyourday.com/2017/09/26/zero-to-hero-the-making-of-hercules-at-the-d23-expo-2017/|title=Zero to Hero: The making of Hercules at the D23 Expo 2017|last=Ginther|first=Becky|date=September 26, 2017|website=Disney in your Day|access-date=August 28, 2018}}</ref> The performance was met with a [[standing ovation]] from the audience.<ref>{{Cite web|date=July 17, 2017|title=Every Magical Moment From D23 Expo 2017|url=https://d23.com/live-from-d23-expo-2017/|access-date=August 28, 2018|website=[[D23 (Disney)|D23]]}}</ref> Egan has also sang the song during the Broadway Princess Party concert series in 2019 and 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Lee|first=Ashley|date=November 22, 2019|title=Inside the 'Broadway Princess Party,' a sweet soiree of Disney songs|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/story/2019-11-22/broadway-princess-party-disney-songs-laura-osnes|access-date=May 5, 2021|website=[[Los Angeles Times]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Schilz|first=Libby|date=January 20, 2019|title=Review: "The Broadway Princess Party" a dream come true for young fans|url=http://www.dailynebraskan.com/culture/review-the-broadway-princess-party-a-dream-come-true-for-young-fans/article_91f0ea18-1cff-11e9-a02d-53820ccaa5a6.html|access-date=May 6, 2021|website=[[The Daily Nebraskan]]}}</ref> During an October 2019 performance, Egan performed a duet arrangement with actress [[Krysta Rodriguez]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Vianna |first=Katiúscia |date=October 20, 2019 |title=Hércules: Meg performers in animation and theater come together in a duet of "I Won't Say (I'm in Love)" |url=https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=pt&u=http://www.adorocinema.com/noticias/filmes/noticia-151310/&prev=search&pto=aue |access-date=May 6, 2021 |website=[[AdoroCinema]] |language=Portuguese}}</ref> who originated the role of Meg in a stage adaptation of ''[[Hercules (musical)|Hercules]]'' (2019) and sang the song in the show.<ref>{{Cite web|date=October 12, 2019|title=Video: Susan Egan and Krysta Rodriguez Perform 'I Won't Say I'm in Love' From Hercules|url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/VIDEO-Susan-Egan-and-Krysta-Rodriguez-Perform-I-Wont-Say-Im-in-Love-From-HERCULES-20191012|access-date=May 6, 2021|website=[[BroadwayWorld]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Scheps|first=Leigh|date=August 31, 2019|title=Krysta Rodriguez Inherits the Torch From Susan Egan as Meg in Hercules|url=https://broadwaydirect.com/krysta-rodriguez-inherits-the-torch-from-susan-egan-as-meg-in-hercules/|access-date=May 6, 2021|website=Broadway Direct}}</ref> In April 2020, Egan performed "I Won't Say (I'm in Love)" as part of Disney's #DisneySingAlong [[social media campaign]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Barton|first=Rebekah|date=April 28, 2020|title=Susan Egan, Meg from "Hercules" and Broadway's Original Belle, Sings From Home!|url=https://insidethemagic.net/2020/04/susan-egan-singing-i-wont-say-im-in-love-rwb1/|access-date=May 4, 2021|website=Inside the Magic}}</ref> The video was recorded in her own home due to quarantining measures as a result of the [[COVID-19 pandemic]],<ref>{{Cite web|date=Apr 27, 2020|title=Susan Egan Performs "I Won't Say" from Disney's "Hercules" In Her Home|url=https://www.laughingplace.com/w/news/2020/04/27/susan-egan-performs-i-wont-say-from-disneys-hercules-in-her-home/|access-date=May 4, 2021|website=Laughing Place}}</ref> while Broadway actors [[Courtney Reed]], [[Laura Osnes]], [[Adam Levy (actor)|Adam J. Levy]] and Benjamin Rauhala provided background vocals as The Muses.<ref>{{Cite web|date=April 27, 2020|title=Video: Watch Susan Egan Sing 'I Won't Say (I'm In Love)' from Home!|url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/VIDEO-Watch-Susan-Egan-Sing-I-Wont-Say-Im-In-Love-from-Home-20200427|access-date=May 4, 2021|website=[[Broadway World]]}}</ref>
To promote the film, American singer [[Belinda Carlisle]] recorded a [[pop rock]] cover of "I Won't Say (I'm in Love)" in 1997,<ref name=":19">{{Cite web|title=Belinda Carlisle – I Won't Say (I'm In Love)|url=https://www.discogs.com/Belinda-Carlisle-I-Wont-Say-Im-In-Love/master/372850|access-date=May 25, 2016|website=[[Discogs]]|date=1997 }}</ref> which was included on the film's soundtrack. Produced by [[Gary Wallis]] and [[Tony Chapman|Toby Chapman]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/Belinda-Carlisle-I-Wont-Say-Im-In-Love/release/1797509|title=Belinda Carlisle – I Won't Say (I'm In Love)|website=Discogs|date=1997 |access-date=May 25, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Belinda Carlisle - I Won't Say (I'm in Love)|url=https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=nl&u=https://dutchcharts.nl/showitem.asp%3Fkey%3D154667%26cat%3Ds&prev=search&pto=aue|access-date=May 6, 2021|website=[[Dutch Charts]]}}</ref> Carlisle's version was released as a single exclusively in France and Germany,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Belinda Carlisle|url=http://www.radioswissclassic.ch/en/music-database/musician/49899c8cba3c74051cdb348ec2a1f6035b4d2/biography|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170330083452/http://www.radioswissclassic.ch/en/music-database/musician/49899c8cba3c74051cdb348ec2a1f6035b4d2/biography|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 30, 2017|access-date=March 29, 2017|website=[[Radio Swiss Classic]]}}</ref> on May 26, 1997.<ref name=":19" /><ref>{{Cite web|title=I Won't Say (I'm In Love) – Belinda Carlisle|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/I-Wont-Say-Im-Love/dp/B001WJABOS|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170330083243/https://www.amazon.co.uk/I-Wont-Say-Im-Love/dp/B001WJABOS|archive-date=March 30, 2017|access-date=March 29, 2017|website=[[Amazon.com]]}}</ref> The single garnered critical acclaim.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.music-news.com/news/UK/90593/Read|title=Belinda Carlisle releasing singles collection|date=July 6, 2015|website=Music-News.com|access-date=March 29, 2017|quote=Critically lauded nuggets such as I Won’t Say I’m In Love (from Disney’s Hercules)...}}</ref> American girl group [[The Cheetah Girls (group)|The Cheetah Girls]] covered the song for the 2005 [[compilation album]] ''[[Disneymania 3]]'' marking the group's first song as a trio.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Disneymania 3 Enhanced, Compilation|url=https://www.amazon.ca/Disneymania-3-Disney/dp/B0007CNY7C|access-date=May 25, 2016|website=[[Amazon.ca]]}}</ref> Their version exchanges harmonizing for handclaps while emphasizing the pop aspects of the song over R&B.<ref name=":25" /> The cover was released as a single.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=X7ZYsnTPIhwC&q=the+cheetah+girls+i++won%27t+say+i%27m+in+love&pg=PA361|title=Encyclopedia of African American Actresses in Film and Television|last=McCann|first=Bob|publisher=McFarland|year=2009|isbn=9780786458042|___location=United States|pages=361}}</ref> Writing for [[Idobi Radio|idobi]], Sam Devotta felt The Cheetah Girls' version "lacks the power [and frustration] of the original", preferring Egan's interpretation.<ref name=":25" /> An abridged version of "I Won't Say (I'm in Love)" appears on stage in the jukebox musical ''[[Disney's On the Record|Disney's on the Record]]'', performed by Andrew Samonsky, with Meredith Inglesby, [[Andy Karl]], Tyler Maynard and Keewa Nurullah providing backup vocals.<ref name=":17" /> Singer and music teacher [[Evynne Hollens]] released a cover of "I Won't Say (I'm in Love)" as a single in 2017.<ref>{{Cite web|date=May 15, 2017|title=I Won't Say (I'm in Love) - Single|url=https://
In April 2020, singer [[Ariana Grande]] performed a cover of the song on the [[ABC Studios|ABC]] special ''Disney Family Singalong''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/3163433/ariana-grande-disney-singalong-i-wont-say-im-in-love-video/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200419074615/http://www.mtv.com/news/3163433/ariana-grande-disney-singalong-i-wont-say-im-in-love-video/|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 19, 2020|title=ARIANA GRANDE WAS HER OWN BACKING CHOIR FOR HER DISNEY SINGALONG PERFORMANCE|date=April 16, 2020|website=MTV|access-date=April 16, 2020}}</ref> Grande's rendition received acclaim from critics and fans. ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' named Grande's performance as one of the 10 best moments from the special, stating that Grande "got in full make up and costume, paying homage to Meg by wearing all purple, for the tender and vocally stunning video that she completed with a flower as her only prop. But with a voice like hers, what more do you need?" <ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/9360143/disney-family-singalong-10-best-moments|title=The Disney Family Singalong: 10 Best Moments|date=April 16, 2020|magazine=Billboard|access-date=April 16, 2020}}</ref> Bill Keveney of ''[[USA Today]]'' stated that Grande had "the most professional-looking performance".<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/tv/2020/04/16/beyonce-ariana-grande-demi-lovato-perform-disney-family-singalong/5148585002/|title=Beyoncé dedicates 'When You Wish Upon a Star' to health workers in 'Disney Family Singalong'|date=April 16, 2020|magazine=Billboard|access-date=April 16, 2020}}</ref> Monica Sisavat of ''Popsugar'' praised Grande's rendition calling it a "gorgeous rendition of ''Hercules'''s "I Won't Say I'm in Love" from her home."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.popsugar.com/entertainment/ariana-grande-disney-family-singalong-performance-video-47392207|title=Ariana Grande Channels Her Inner Meg as She Sings "I Won't Say I'm in Love" From Hercules|date=April 16, 2020|website=Popsugar|access-date=April 16, 2020}}</ref>
== Impact and legacy ==
▲"I Won't Say I'm in Love" has
▲Contrarily, "I Won't Say (I'm in Love)" has
In an interview with music magazine ''[[The Fader]]'', members of American rapper [[Chance the Rapper]]'s band [[The Social Experiment]] identified "I Won't Say (I'm in Love)" one of the favorite Disney songs from their childhood.''<ref>{{Cite web |last=Trammel |first=Matthew |date=February 4, 2015 |title=The Definitive Disney Songs Of Our Childhood, According To The Social Experiment |url=http://www.thefader.com/2015/02/04/the-social-experiment-pick-their-favorite-disney-songs |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250220154355/http://www.thefader.com/2015/02/04/the-social-experiment-pick-their-favorite-disney-songs |archive-date=February 20, 2025 |access-date=July 20, 2017 |website=[[The Fader]]}}</ref>'' [[TodayTix]] named the song "everyone’s favorite Disney feminist anthem".<ref name=":33" />
== Credits and personnel ==
Credits adapted from [[Apple Music]]:<ref name=":47" />
* [[Susan Egan]] – lead vocals
▲*
* Michael Kosarin – vocal conductor, vocal arranger
* John Miller, Bobbi Page, [[Fonzi Thornton|Fonzi Thonrton]] – performer
* [[Alan Menken]] – composer
* David Zippel – lyrics
* [[Danny Troob]] – orchestrator, arranger
* Brian Besterman, [[Michael Starobin]] – orchestrator
==Certifications==
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=single|award=Silver|artist=Susan Egan|title=I Won't Say (I'm In Love)|relyear=1997|certyear=2020|access-date=November 6, 2020|id=16832-5434-1}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|award=Platinum|number=
{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true|nosales=true|noshipments=true}}
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