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== 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=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180914061500/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/hercules-original-motion-picture-soundtrack/1412858854|archive-date=September 14, 2018|access-date=March 4, 2016|website=[[iTunes]]}}</ref> "I Won't Say (I'm in Love)" is performed "freely" in the key of [[Key of C|C major]] at a tempo of 100 [[beats per minute]].<ref name=":7">{{Cite web|last1=Menken|first1=Alan|author-link=Alan Menken|last2=Zippel|first2=David|author-link2=David Zippel|date=1997|title=I Won't Say (I'm In Love) – From Walt Disney's Hercules - Digital Sheet Music|url=http://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtd.asp?ppn=MN0057797|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180914094244/http://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtd.asp?ppn=MN0057797|archive-date=September 14, 2018|access-date=March 2, 2016|website=Musicnotes.com|publisher=[[Walt Disney Music Publishing]]}}</ref> A mellow 1960s [[girl group]] song,<ref name=":7" /><ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last=Tan |first=Irving |date=January 29, 2011 |title=Soundtrack (Disney) – Hercules |url=https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/41516/Soundtrack-Disney-Hercules/ |access-date=March 3, 2016 |website=[[Sputnikmusic]]}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite news |last=Andruskevicius |first=Molly |date=November 9, 2024 |title=The Best Disney Songs: 44 Reasons To Feel The Love |url=https://www.udiscovermusic.com/stories/feel-the-love-the-best-of-disney/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241105100947/https://www.udiscovermusic.com/stories/feel-the-love-the-best-of-disney/ |archive-date=November 5, 2024 |access-date=January 31, 2025 |work=[[uDiscoverMusic]]}}</ref> Egan delivers the [[power ballad]] in a sultry manner.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ness |first=Mari |author-link4=Mari Ness |date=March 17, 2016 |title=I Can Go the Merchandising Route: Disney’s Hercules |url=https://reactormag.com/i-can-go-the-merchandising-route-disneys-hercules/ |access-date=February 6, 2025 |work=[[Reactor (magazine)|Reactor]]}}</ref><ref name=":5" /><ref name=":33">{{Cite web |date=August 9, 2019 |title=Get Ready for the 'Hercules' Musical With This Epic YouTube Spiral |url=https://www.todaytix.com/insider/nyc/posts/get-ready-for-the-world-premiere-of-the-hercules-musical-with-this-epic-youtube-spiral |url-status=deviated |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220519092035/https://www.todaytix.com/insider/nyc/posts/get-ready-for-the-world-premiere-of-the-hercules-musical-with-this-epic-youtube-spiral |archive-date=May 19, 2022 |access-date=May 6, 2021 |website=[[TodayTix]]}}</ref> The mid-tempo [[Pop music|pop]] ballad<ref name=":39" /><ref name=":24">{{Cite magazine |last=Semigran |first=Aly |date=May 21, 2019 |title=The 12 Most Underrated Disney Songs |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/8512540/disney-songs-underrated |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210508083932/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/8512540/disney-songs-underrated |archive-date=May 8, 2021 |access-date=April 30, 2021 |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]}}</ref><ref name=":12">{{Cite web|last=Ceron|first=Ella|date=February 24, 2014|title=The 16 Most Awesome Female Characters From Disney Movies|url=http://thoughtcatalog.com/ella-ceron/2014/02/the-16-most-awesome-female-characters-from-disney-movies/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190815103743/http://thoughtcatalog.com/ella-ceron/2014/02/the-16-most-awesome-female-characters-from-disney-movies/|archive-date=August 15, 2019|access-date=March 3, 2016|website=[[Thought Catalog]]}}</ref> incorporates elements of [[rhythm and blues|R&B]],<ref name=":6">{{Cite news |last=Curry |first=Oliver |date=July 17, 2024 |title=Why Disney Fans Still Love This Underrated ‘90s Hit |url=https://www.cbr.com/hercules-underrated-90s-disney-movie/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241229025838/https://www.cbr.com/hercules-underrated-90s-disney-movie/ |archive-date=December 29, 2024 |access-date=January 28, 2025 |work=[[Comic Book Resources]] |quote=an R&B inspired song}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Berger|first=Joseph|author-link=Joseph Berger (author)|date=July 13, 1997|title=His Tunes Make Disney's World Go Round|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/07/13/movies/his-tunes-make-disney-s-world-go-round.html|url-access=registration|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190825081648/https://www.nytimes.com/1997/07/13/movies/his-tunes-make-disney-s-world-go-round.html|archive-date=August 25, 2019|access-date=April 29, 2021|website=[[The New York Times]]|quote=Mr. Menken's tunes ''The Gospel Truth'' and ''I Won't Say I'm in Love'' harked back to rhythm-and-blues groups like the Ronettes with a gospel edge.}}</ref> [[doo-wop]],<ref name=":34">{{Cite news |last=Dalebroux |first=Chantal |title=Our Top 10 Disney Princess Tunes |url=https://umusic.co.nz/moments/our-top-10-disney-princess-tunes/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250115084352/https://umusic.co.nz/moments/our-top-10-disney-princess-tunes/ |archive-date=January 15, 2025 |access-date=February 7, 2025 |work=[[Universal Music Group N.V.|umusic NZ]]}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web|url=http://blogs.indiewire.com/animationscoop/blu-ray-review-disneys-hercules-and-tarzan-20140810|title=Blu-ray Review: Disney's Hercules and Tarzan|last=Ehrbar|first=Greg|date=August 10, 2014|website=[[Indiewire]]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307104644/http://blogs.indiewire.com/animationscoop/blu-ray-review-disneys-hercules-and-tarzan-20140810|archive-date=March 7, 2016|access-date=March 2, 2016}}</ref> and [[Gospel music|gospel]],<ref>{{Cite news |last=Windman |first=Matt |date=September 2, 2019 |title=‘Hercules’ review: Free Disney musical goes the distance |url=https://www.amny.com/entertainment/hercules-public-theater-review-1-35791376/ |access-date=February 7, 2025 |work=[[amNewYork Metro]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Snetiker |first=Marc |date=February 6, 2019 |title=Hercules stage musical is finally happening this summer |url=https://ew.com/theater/2019/02/06/hercules-musical/ |access-date=February 7, 2025 |work=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |quote=the gospel-inspired songs from the 1997 film (including “Zero to Hero,” “I Won’t Say (I’m in Love),”}}</ref> genres that deviate from the theatrical romantic ballads typically featured in Disney musicals.<ref name=":6" /> The song is also slower and more understated than most of the film's soundtrack.<ref name=":38">{{Cite news |last=M. |first=T. |date=May 25, 2023 |title=The 100 Greatest Disneyverse Songs of All Time |url=https://www.billboard.com/lists/best-disney-songs-movies-tv/into-the-unknown-frozen-ii-2019/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250114151833/https://www.billboard.com/lists/best-disney-songs-movies-tv/into-the-unknown-frozen-ii-2019/ |archive-date=January 14, 2025 |access-date=February 21, 2025 |work=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]}}</ref> Musically, Irving Tan of [[Sputnikmusic]] described the track as "the closest the Herculean villa ever comes to approximating a [[Broadway theatre|Broadway show]]",<ref name=":5" /> while Ella Ceron of ''[[Thought Catalog]]'' called it "a pop song made on [[Mount Olympus|Olympus]]".<ref name=":12" /> It features "cooing [[Ad libitum|shooby-doos and sha-la-las]]" from the Muses,<ref name=":0" /> who contribute gospel-influenced backup vocals and riffs.<ref name=":11" /><ref name=":10" /> [[Vulture.com|''Vulture'']]'s Lindsey Weber described it as "a traditional Disney [heroine's] lament" with a "unique [[Motown music|Motown]] edge".<ref name=":4" /> Allison Shoemaker of ''[[Consequence (publication)|Consequence]]'' likened the Muses to a [[Greek chorus]].<ref name=":26" /> Combined, the lead and background vocals span two octaves, from [[G (musical note)|G<sub>3</sub>]] to [[C (musical note)|C<sub>5</sub>]].<ref name=":7" /> Egan's voice has been described as sarcastic, smoky,<ref name=":20">{{Cite web|last=Fagan|first=Chelsea|date=May 10, 2011|title=The Five Most Refreshingly Honest Disney Songs|url=http://thoughtcatalog.com/chelsea-fagan/2011/05/the-five-most-refreshingly-honest-disney-songs/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180914061215/http://thoughtcatalog.com/chelsea-fagan/2011/05/the-five-most-refreshingly-honest-disney-songs/|archive-date=September 14, 2018|access-date=June 16, 2016|website=[[Thought Catalog]]}}</ref> and soulful.<ref name=":23" /> Although the Muses are voiced by five singers, the song is only performed in three-part harmony.<ref name=":27" /> "I Won't Say (I'm in Love)" has been compared to the works of girl groups [[The Ronettes]] and
<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 [[love song]] about denial,<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 succumb to romantic [[cliché]]s.<ref name=":4" /> Meg voices how clichéd and insufficient love can feel,<ref name=":20" /> while mocking traditional love song tropes.<ref name=":2" /> "I Won't Say (I'm in Love)" differs from standard Disney love songs by offering "a unique spin" on the heroine's dilemma.<ref name=":13" /> Rob Burch of ''The Hollywood News'' dubbed "I Won't Say (I'm in Love)" an "[[Erotophobia|anti-love]] song".<ref name=":14">{{Cite web|last=Burch|first=Rob|date=September 11, 2013|title=Disney 53: Hercules|url=http://www.thehollywoodnews.com/2013/09/11/disney-53-hercules/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190612100019/http://www.thehollywoodnews.com/2013/09/11/disney-53-hercules/|archive-date=June 12, 2019|access-date=March 3, 2016|website=The Hollywood News}}</ref> Described as an "emotional barnstormer",<ref name=":18">{{Cite web|url=https://www.beamly.com/tv-film/the-best-ever-disney-songs-ranked|title=The best ever Disney songs: Ranked|last=Hall|first=Sophie|date=January 7, 2016|website=[[Beamly]]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160508153739/https://www.beamly.com/tv-film/the-best-ever-disney-songs-ranked|archive-date=2016-05-08|access-date=April 26, 2016}}</ref> the song begins with Egan singing "If there's a prize for rotten judgment I guess I've already won that",<ref name=":7" /> soon followed by "Been there, done that".<ref name=":3" /> ''Thought Catalog''<nowiki/>'s Chelsea Fagan believes the first verse "sums up in four lines everything that we’ve ever tried to convey while on our third drink out at the bar with the girls", joking, "I believe this song would come shortly after dancing in a circle with all women, but just before the tearful texting of your ex".<ref name=":20" /> Lyrics such as "No man is worth the aggravation / that’s ancient history, been there done that” and “I thought my heart had learned its lesson / It feels so good when you start out / My head is screaming get a grip girl / Unless you’re dying to cry your heart out” express Meg's initial distaste for romance, only for the Muses to encourage her to admit that she is falling in love.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=DiSessa |first=Kasandra J. |year=2020 |title=The Illusion of Empowerment: A Feminist Analysis of Disney's Hercules |url=http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1842/the-illusion-of-empowerment-a-feminist-analysis-of-disneys-hercules |journal=Inquiries Journal |volume=12 |issue=11 |pages=1}}</ref> Comparing the background vocals to [[The Blossoms]], ''Musicological Identities: Essays in Honor of Susan McClary'' author Jacqueline Warwick observed that the backup singers constantly contradict the lead singer in a [[Call and response (music)|call and response]] format, proving crucial to the denial theme.<ref name=":27" /> The Muses suggest that Meg “Face it like a grown-up/When you gonna own up that you got got got it bad”,<ref name=":29">{{Cite web |last=Busch |first=Caitlin |date=May 22, 2019 |title=Every Disney Renaissance Period Song, Ranked |url=https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/every-disney-renaissance-period-song-ranked |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210924120617/https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/every-disney-renaissance-period-song-ranked |archive-date=September 24, 2021 |access-date=January 19, 2020 |website=[[Syfy Wire]]}}</ref> which Gantz described "admonishing".<ref name=":0" /> The song's last line is: "At least out loud, I won’t say I’m in love".<ref name=":23" /> Identifying the track as a "[[Self-awareness|self-aware]] ballad...filled with sly [[anachronism]]s", author Thomas S. Hischak observed it maintains the soundtrack's comedic tone in his book ''100 Greatest American and British Animated Films''.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YtJKDwAAQBAJ&q=i+won%27t+say+%28i%27m+in+love%29+susan+egan&pg=PA137|title=100 Greatest American and British Animated Films|last=Hischak|first=Thomas S.|publisher=[[Rowman & Littlefield]]|year=2018|isbn=9781538105696|___location=United States|pages=137|via=[[Google Books]]}}</ref> Meg Pelliccio of ''[[Screen Rant]]'' believes the Muses ending the song with "Sha-la-la-la-la-la" could possibly be a reference to "[[Kiss the Girl]]" from ''[[The Little Mermaid (1989 film)|The Little Mermaid]]'' (1989), which share both composers and directors, and involve supporting characters attempting to convince a main character of their feelings through song.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Pelliccio |first=Meg |date=May 26, 2020 |title=10 Things You Didn’t Know About Disney’s Hercules |url=https://screenrant.com/disney-hercules-facts-trivia/ |access-date=February 10, 2025 |work=[[Screen Rant]]}}</ref>
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 referred to "I Won't Say (I'm in Love)" as a "contradictory love song ... in which Meg denies her true feelings yet admits that she is quite taken with the brawny and naive hero Hercules".<ref name=":17">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dimhg9t2TrUC&q=i+won%27t+say+i%27m+in+love+hercules&pg=PA91|title=The Disney Song Encyclopedia|last1=Hischak|first1=Thomas|last2=Robinson|first2=Mark A|publisher=[[Scarecrow Press]]|year=2009|isbn=9780810869387|___location=United States|pages=91|via=[[Google Books]]}}</ref> According to [[D23 (Disney)|D23]], "I Won't Say (I'm in Love)" is a love song "For those who don’t want to admit their hearts’ desires".<ref name=":8">{{Cite web |date=February 9, 2012 |title=Top 10 Disney Love Songs |url=https://d23.com/d23s-top-10-disney-love-songs/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190428093550/https://d23.com/d23s-top-10-disney-love-songs/ |archive-date=April 28, 2019 |access-date=March 3, 2016 |website=[[D23 (Disney)|D23]] |publisher=}}</ref> Meanwhile, some critics have observed feminist themes in the song's message.<ref name=":41" /><ref name=":33" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Ari |date=May 16, 2018 |title=Playlist: Feminist Disney Princess Jams |url=https://www.autostraddle.com/feminist-disney-princess-sing-along-playlist-418306/ |access-date=February 24, 2025 |work=[[Autostraddle]]}}</ref>
== Reception ==
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