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"Do You Want to Build a Snowman?" is a song from Disney's 2013 animated feature film, Frozen. It is sung by Anna in three different ages: five, nine, and fifteen.

Summary[]

In the song, Anna is convincing Elsa to get out of her room so they can go play outside, to no avail. However, when Anna was 15, she tried to convince Elsa to at least leave the room, as since their parents died, they have nothing but each other.

The song is reprised in the Broadway adaptaion by Olaf, Anna and Kristoff, shortly after the trio leave Elsa's Ice Palace and fall off a cliff, resulting in Olaf landing in pieces and needing to be rebuilt.

Lyrics[]

5-Year-Old Anna: (giggles) Elsa? (knocks)
Do you wanna build a snowman?
Come on, let's go and play!
I never see you anymore
Come out the door
It's like you've gone away!

We used to be best buddies
And now we're not
I wish you would tell me why!

Do you wanna build a snowman?
It doesn't have to be a snowman...
8-Year-Old Elsa: Go away, Anna.
5-Year-Old Anna: Okay, bye.

(Speech)
8-Year-Old Elsa: (gasps)

King: The gloves will help. See? Conceal it.
8-Year-Old Elsa: Don't feel it.
Both: Don't let it show.

9-Year-Old Anna: (laughs, knocks)
Do you wanna build a snowman?
Or ride our bike around the halls?
I think some company is overdue,
I've started talking to the pictures on the walls!
(Hang in there, Joan.)

It gets a little lonely,
All these empty rooms,
Just watching the hours tick by...
(tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock)

(Speech)
12-Year-Old Elsa: I'm scared! It's getting stronger!
King: Getting upset only makes it worse. Calm down.
12-Year-Old Elsa: No! Don't touch me! Please, I don't want to hurt you.

15-Year-Old Anna: See you in two weeks.

18-Year-Old Elsa: Do you have to go?
King: You'll be fine, Elsa.

(Instrumental break)

15-Year-Old Anna: (knocks) Elsa?
Please, I know you're in there
People are asking where you've been
They say, "have courage" and I'm trying to
I'm right out here for you,
Just let me in
We only have each other,
It's just you and me
What are we gonna do?

Do you want to build a snowman? (sighs)

Young Anna: It's snowing! Elsa? (knocks)
Do you want to build a snowman?
Come on, let's go and play!
I never see you anymore
Come out the door
It's like you've gone away!

We used to be best buddies
And now we're not
I wish you would tell me why!

Do you want to build a snowman?
It doesn't have to be a snowman...
Young Elsa: Go away, Anna.
Young Anna: Okay, bye.

(Speech)
Young Elsa: I'm doing everything you said, Papa! The gloves are helping!
King: Good, but there will come a day where you will have to stand before your people without them. You must be prepared for anything, Elsa. Now, again.
Young Elsa: Conceal it, don't feel it.
Both: Don't let it show.

Young Anna: Do you want to build a snowman?
Or ride our bike around the halls?
I think some company is overdue,
I've started talking to the pictures on the walls!
(Hang in there, Joan.)

It gets a little lonely,
All these empty rooms,
Just watching the hours tick by...
(tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock)

(Speech)
Young Elsa: It's getting stronger! I can't laugh, I can't cry, I can't dream! I can't live without it bursting out!
Queen: This is too much for her. We shouldn't go. Come here, my poor child.
Young Elsa: No! Don't touch me! Please, I don't want to hurt you.

Queen: Anna, it's time.
Young Anna: I'm going to miss you.
Queen: We'll just be gone for a couple of weeks, my sunshine.
Young Elsa: I can't do this on my own.
King: You can, you must. I'm proud of you.
Young Elsa: I'll try not to let you down, Father.

(Instrumental break)

Chorus: Aaaaaah...
Bishop: (speaking) In the name of our king and queen lost at sea, Arendelle shall honor their ways until our young queen comes of age. May they rest in peace.

Young Anna: Elsa?

18-year-old Anna: Elsa?
Please, I know you're in there
I'm just wondering you've been
Do you maybe want to take a walk
Or sit and talk
Or let me in
Are you ready for tomorrow?
It's your big day
Is there anything I can do?

21-year-old Elsa: Do you want to build a snowman?

Olaf:
Do you want to build a snowman?
I would help you, but, alas
Right now I'm rather incomplete
Without my twigs and feet
And most importantly my a...bdomen

Anna:
Though everything's in pieces
We've got your back

Kristoff:
Even better, we've got your butt!

Olaf:
Success! You've built a snowman
A handsome, virile, humble snowman

Do you want to build a snowman?
Come on, let's go and play
I never see you anymore
Come out the door, it's like you've gone away
We used to be best buddies, but now we're not
I wish you would tell me why
Do you want to build a snowman?
Doesn't have to be a snowman
Okay, bye

Do you want to build a snowman?
Or ride our bike around the halls
I think some company is overdue
I've started talking to the pictures on the walls
It gets a little lonely, all these empty rooms
Just watching the hours tick by
Do you want to build a snowman?
It doesn't have to be a snowman
Okay, bye

Oh-oh

Please I know you're in there
People are asking where you've been
They say, "Have courage" and I'm trying to
I'm right out here for you, just let me in
We only have each other
It's just you and me
What are we gonna do?
Do you want to build a snowman?
It doesn't have to be a snowman
Do you want to build a snowman?
It doesn't have to be a snowman
Okay, bye

Okay, bye

[Verse 1]

Olaf: Do you wanna build a snowman?
Come on, I'd know you do
Elsa's made a magic winter show
With summer snow
For Sven and me and you!

Sven: *grunts*

Olaf: We're going to Elsa's Ice Palace
You, and you, and you
All of you! See you there!

[Verse 2]

Do you wanna build a snowman?
Come on, let's go and play!
Elsa wants to give us all some fun,
She's making everyone
A snowy summer day!

Oh, you're going to Elsa's Ice Palace!
Sven's going, I'm going!
It'll be so beautiful! See ya there!

Sven: *grunts*

Gallery[]

Wiki
The Disney Wiki has a collection of images and media related to Do You Want to Build a Snowman?.

Videos[]

Trivia[]

  • Before the final script, there were minor differences:
    • Instead of "Please let me in," it was "Just let me in."
    • Instead of "Just you and me," it was "It's just you and me."
  • The line "Hang in there, Joan" has been suggested to be anything but a distraction in terms of subtext: Anna is in a sense really saying, "Hang in there, Elsa." Ballad writer Leonard Cohen described Joan of Arc as "a cold and lonesome heroine," much like Elsa. Both were accused of sorcery, and both would find fire to be their nemesis. (This is due to elemental affiliation in Elsa's case, much like the aquatic creatures who were also threatened in The Little Mermaid.)
  • There is more dialogue in the movie version than the soundtrack version.
  • While beautifully rendered, the painting of Joan of Arc is historically inaccurate. Joan never used a shield in battle, and instead should have been carrying her standard: a large white banner depicting the Risen Jesus Christ flanked by angels with the words "JESUS MARIA." The standard may have been omitted to avoid any overt religious imagery.
  • Elsa provides a tacit answer to this song during her own number, "Let It Go", as one of the very first things she does is build a snowman.
  • As a child, Anna is voiced by two of the film crew's daughters: first, she is voiced by Katie Lopez, daughter of songwriters Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez, and then, she is voiced by Agatha Lee Monn, daughter of director Jennifer Lee. Coincidentally, Jennifer Lee recorded the sole line of Anna's mother, Iduna.
  • Despite the song's cheerful title and tone in the beginning, the song is quite sad and tragic, as many sad events took place during this song: the deteriorating friendship of Elsa and Anna, their growing loneliness due to being isolated from society and each other, and the death of their parents, which left them both orphaned, sad and alone.
  • At the end of the film, viewers can hear the instrumental reprise of the song along with "For the First Time in Forever" (known as "Epilogue") while everyone in Arendelle is skating and in the credits. It can also be heard on the DVD and Blu-ray's main menu with a sort of "mash-up" between "For the First Time in Forever". The "Do You Want to Build a Snowman?" instrumental reprise could be a reference to how at the end the sisters were finally reconnecting.
    • After Elsa thaws Arendelle, right when Anna says "I knew you could do it," a horn is playing the melody of the chorus, symbolizing the sisters have reunited and Elsa has finally controlled her powers.
  • The bridge of this song contains an instrumental that foreshadows "Let It Go"; particularly (and very appropriately) to the musical accompaniment to its lines, "Don't let them in, don't let them see..."
  • Josh Gad, the voice of Olaf, said on the ABC documentary "The Story of Frozen: Making a Disney Animated Classic" that "Do You Want to Build a Snowman?" is his favorite song in the film and that it almost did not make the final cut.
  • In the first two verses, Anna's knock is the distinctive "Shave and a Haircut".
  • The Disney Channel Circle of Stars did their own version of the song in 2014.
  • Elsa apparently clearly remembers Anna singing this song, for she takes Anna for a bike ride around the halls in Frozen Fever.
  • Elsa has much shorter hair than she does for the majority of the film.
  • The song is referenced in Frozen II when, before reviving Olaf, Elsa asks Anna "Do you want to build a snowman?".
  • The song is frequently played on the radio at Christmastime, despite not being based on Christmas.
  • Ingrid references the song, in the Once Upon a Time episode, "Breaking Glass".
  • Honey Lemon references the song in the Big Hero 6: The Series episode "The Present".

External links[]

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Media
Films: Frozen (video/soundtrack) • Frozen II (video/soundtrack) • Frozen IIIFrozen IV

Shorts: Frozen FeverOlaf's Frozen Adventure (soundtrack) • Arendelle Castle Yule LogMyth: A Frozen Tale (soundtrack) • Once Upon a Snowman
Shows: At Home With OlafOlaf Presents
Video games: Frozen: Double TroubleFrozen: Olaf's QuestFrozen Free FallDisney Infinity/2.0 Edition/3.0 EditionDisney Enchanted TalesDisney Emoji BlitzKingdom Hearts IIIFrozen AdventuresDisney Heroes: Battle ModeDisney POP TOWNDisney Dreamlight ValleyDisney Speedstorm
Books: The Art of Frozen/IIA Sister More Like MePhantoms of ArendelleA Frozen HeartAnna and Elsa's Secret PlaytimeAcross the SeaFrozen Spring FeverComic BooksAnna & Elsa: Sisterhood is the Strongest Magic:Disney Princess Beginnings

Disney Parks
World of Frozen (Hong Kong, Paris) • Fantasy SpringsAnna and Elsa's Frozen FantasyCastle of Magical DreamsEnchanted Storybook CastleDisney Animation BuildingFrozen Ever AfterIt's a Small WorldPLAY!Storybook Land Canal BoatsWandering Oaken's Sliding Sleighs

Entertainment: Believe! Sea of DreamsDisney Dreams: An Enchanted ClassicFantasmic!Follow Your DreamsFor the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along CelebrationFrozen: Live at the HyperionGolden Fairytale FanfareMickey's Magical Music WorldMickey's Royal Friendship FaireMickey and the MagicianMickey and the Wondrous BookPlayhouse in the WoodsRoyal Theatre
Restaurants: Bayside WharfForest FareOaken’s OK FoodsRoyal Banquet of ArendelleThe Golden Crocus
Shops: Anna & Elsa's BoutiqueNorthern DelightsTick Tock Toys & CollectiblesTraveling Traders
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Characters
Frozen: AnnaElsaKristoffHansOlafSvenThe Duke of WeseltonGrand PabbieMarshmallowKing AgnarrQueen IdunaErik and FrancisTrollsBuldaOakenSitronWolvesKaiCastle GuardsHans' Brothers

Frozen Fever: Snowgies
Frozen II: Lieutenant MattiasNorthuldraYelanaHoneymarenRyderThe NokkBruniGaleEarth GiantsKing RuneardSpirits of the Enchanted Forest

Locations
ArendelleElsa's Ice PalaceThe Southern IslesWeseltonArendelle CastleValley of the Living RockArendelle ChapelWandering Oaken's Trading Post and SaunaThe North MountainThe Enchanted ForestAhtohallan
Songs
Frozen: VuelieFrozen HeartDo You Want to Build a Snowman?For the First Time in ForeverLove is an Open DoorLet It GoReindeer(s) Are Better Than PeopleIn SummerFixer Upper

Frozen Fever: Making Today a Perfect Day
Olaf's Frozen Adventure: Ring in the SeasonThe Ballad of FlemmingradThat Time of YearWhen We're Together
Frozen II: All Is FoundSome Things Never ChangeInto the UnknownWhen I Am OlderLost in the WoodsShow YourselfThe Next Right Thing
Musical: Let the Sun Shine OnA Little Bit of YouHidden FolkHans of the Southern IslesQueen AnointedDangerous to DreamWhat Do You Know About Love?HyggeI Can't Lose YouKristoff LullabyMonsterTrue LoveColder by the Minute
At Home with Olaf: I Am With You
Deleted: Love Can't Be DeniedWe Know BetterSpring PageantMore Than Just the SpareYou're YouLife's Too ShortReindeer(s) RemixWhen Everything Falls ApartResolutionHomeI Seek the TruthUnmeltable MeGet This RightSee the Sky

Objects
Kristoff's SledRoyal ShipElsa's TiaraYule BellIduna's ScarfRuneard's Dam
See also
MusicalThe Story of Frozen: Making a Disney Animated ClassicFrozen: The Official MagazineDisney On IceAs Told by EmojiFrozen: Northern LightsInto the Unknown: Making Frozen IIThe Making of Frozen: A Return to Arendelle


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Games
Kingdom Hearts (HD I.5 ReMIX/Soundtrack/Soundtrack Complete/HD I.5 ReMIX Soundtrack) • Chain of MemoriesKingdom Hearts II (HD II.5 ReMIX/HD II.8 Final Chapter Prologue/Soundtrack/HD II.5 ReMIX Soundtrack ) • 358/2 DaysBirth by Sleep (Soundtrack) • codedDream Drop Distance (Soundtrack) • χ [chi]Unchained χ/Union χ [cross]Kingdom Hearts IIIDark RoadMelody of MemoryMissing-LinkKingdom Hearts IV
Other media
Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween PartyAgrabah (Kingdom Hearts pilot)
Incorporated Films and Shorts
Aladdin/The Return of JafarAlice in WonderlandBeauty and the BeastBig Hero 6CinderellaFantasiaFrozenHerculesThe Hunchback of Notre DameLilo & StitchThe Lion KingThe Little MermaidMickey, Donald, Goofy: The Three MusketeersMonsters, Inc.MulanThe Nightmare Before ChristmasPeter PanPinocchioPirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl/Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's EndSleeping BeautySnow White and the Seven DwarfsSteamboat WillieTangledTarzanToy StoryTron/Tron: LegacyWinnie the PoohWreck-It Ralph
Characters
Main Characters: SoraRikuKairiKing MickeyDonald DuckGoofyRoxasAxel/LeaNaminéXionAquaTerraVentus

Villains: XehanortAnsemXemnasMaleficentPeteVanitasXigbar/BraigXaldinVexenLexaeusZexionSaïx/IsaDemyxLuxordMarluxiaLarxeneTerra-XehanortYoung XehanortXehanort's Guardian
Other Characters: Jiminy CricketAnsem the Wise/DiZYen SidMaster EraqusDilanEvenAeleusIenzoLingering WillHaynerPenceOletteKairi's GrandmaRiku ReplicaJiminy's JournalForetellersMaster of MastersLuxuEphemerSkuldChirithyStrelitziaLauriamYozoraVorHermod
Original Monsters: HeartlessNobodiesUnversedDream Eater
Disney Characters introduced in Kingdom Hearts: Queen MinnieDaisy DuckPlutoChip and DaleHuey, Dewey, and LouieMagic BroomsAliceWhite RabbitDoorknobCheshire CatQueen of HeartsCard SoldiersTarzanJane PorterClaytonTerkKerchakKalaSaborHerculesPhiloctetesHadesCerberusRock TitanIce TitanAladdinAbuJasmineGenieCarpetJafarIagoPeddlerCave of WondersPinocchioGeppettoMonstroCleoArielFlounderSebastianUrsulaKing TritonFlotsam and JetsamGlutJack SkellingtonZeroSallyOogie BoogieLock, Shock, and BarrelDr. FinkelsteinMayor of Halloween TownPeter PanTinker BellCaptain HookMr. SmeeWendyCrocodileMerlinWinnie the PoohTiggerPigletEeyoreRabbitOwlRooBeesBeastBelleSnow WhiteCinderellaFairy GodmotherAuroraPongoPerditaDalmatian PuppiesSimbaMushuDumboBambiChernabog
Disney Characters introduced in Kingdom Hearts II: Flora, Fauna, and MerryweatherMaleficent's RavenScrooge McDuckMulanLi ShangShan YuHayabusaYao, Ling, and Chien PoThe EmperorLumiereCogsworthMrs PottsChipWardrobePegasusMegaraPain and PanicHydraHorace HorsecollarClarabelle CowClara CluckJack SparrowElizabeth SwannWill TurnerCaptain BarbossaBo'sunJacobyTwiggCursed CrewPrince EricAttinaAndrinaSanta ClausSkeletal ReindeerTimonPumbaaNalaRafikiScarShenzi, Banzai, and EdMufasaKiaraPridelandersHyenasTronMaster Control ProgramCommander SarkKangaGopherStitchChicken Little
Disney Characters introduced in Birth by Sleep: Prince PhillipMaleficent's GoonsDocGrumpyHappySleepyBashfulSneezyDopeyThe PrinceEvil QueenMagic MirrorPrince CharmingJaqLady TremaineAnastasiaDrizellaLuciferGrand DukeGrand CouncilwomanCaptain GantuJumbaExperiment 221Lost Boys
Disney Characters introduced in Dream Drop Distance: QuasimodoEsmeraldaPhoebusJudge Claude FrolloVictor, Hugo, and LaverneKevin FlynnSam FlynnQuorraCLUBlack GuardsBlue FairyBeagle BoysChernabog's MinionsJulius
Disney Characters introduced in Kingdom Hearts χ: Mad HatterMarch HareRazoulRoyal GuardsMauriceGaston
Disney Characters introduced in Kingdom Hearts Union χ: SultanSamsonVanellope von SchweetzFix-It Felix Jr.Sergeant CalhounKing CandySour BillCy-BugsHero's Duty Troops
Disney Characters introduced in Kingdom Hearts III: ZeusApolloAthenaHermesLava TitanTornado TitanLittle ChefWoodyBuzz LightyearRexHammSargeGreen Army MenLittle Green MenRapunzelFlynn RiderPascalMaximusMother GothelSulleyMike WazowskiBooRandall BoggsChild Detection AgencyTrailer FolkElsaAnnaKristoffOlafSvenMarshmallowHansMr. GibbsTia DalmaDavy JonesKrakenCutler BeckettDavy Jones' Locker CrabsBaymaxHiro HamadaGo Go TomagoHoney LemonFredWasabiLumpyWreck-It Ralph
Disney Characters introduced in Kingdom Hearts Dark Road: Tweedledee and Tweedledum
Disney Characters introduced in the manga: CaterpillarChi-Fu
Square Enix Characters: LeonCloudMoogleOthers

Elements
Plot Elements: Kingdom HeartsHeartKeyblade WarDark Seeker SagaMore

Game Elements: Gameplay in Kingdom HeartsMagic

Objects
Sea-salt ice creamWayfinderDoor to DarknessKeybladeX-bladeMorePixar BallA113Pizza Planet Truck
Locations
Original Worlds: Destiny IslandsTraverse TownRadiant Garden/Hollow BastionDisney Castle/Disney Town/Timeless RiverDive to the HeartEnd of the WorldRealm of DarknessTwilight Town/Mysterious TowerThe World That Never WasCastle That Never WasLand of Departure/Castle OblivionKeyblade GraveyardDaybreak Town/Scala ad Caelum

Disney Worlds: WonderlandDeep JungleOlympus Coliseum/Underworld/OlympusAgrabahAtlanticaHalloween Town/Christmas TownNeverlandHundred Acre WoodThe Land of DragonsBeast's CastlePort Royal/The CaribbeanPride LandsSpace ParanoidsDwarf WoodlandsCastle of DreamsDeep SpaceLa Cité des ClochesThe GridPrankster's ParadiseCountry of the MusketeersToy BoxKingdom of CoronaMonstropolisArendelleSan FransokyoGame Central Station/Niceland/Cy-Bug Sector/Candy Kingdom

Organizations/Groups
Organization XIIIPrincesses of HeartDisney Villains Council
Songs
"Dearly Beloved" • "Simple and Clean" • "Sanctuary" • Face My FearsDon't Think TwiceMickey Mouse Club MarchSwim This WayPart of Your WorldUnder the SeaUrsula's RevengeA New Day is DawningDestatiThis is HalloweenHe's a PirateBeauty and the BeastBibbidi-Bobbidi-BooIt's a Small WorldNight on Bald MountainWinnie the PoohThe Sorcerer's ApprenticeThe Pastoral SymphonyNutcracker SuiteYou've Got a Friend in MeHealing IncantationPut That Thing Back Where It Came From or So Help MeLet It GoDo You Want to Build a SnowmanYo Ho (A Pirate's Life for Me)A Whole New WorldCircle of Life


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Media
Disney Speedstorm
Characters
Mickey Mouse & Friends: Mickey MouseDonald DuckGoofyMinnie MouseDaisy DuckSteamboat Pete

Oswald the Lucky Rabbit: OswaldOrtensia
The Jungle Book: MowgliBaloo
Journey Into Imagination: Figment
The Little Mermaid: ArielEricKing TritonUrsula
Beauty and the Beast: BelleBeastGaston
Aladdin: AladdinJasmineGenieJafar
Hercules: HerculesMegaraHades
Mulan: Fa MulanLi Shang
Pirates of the Caribbean: Jack SparrowElizabeth Swann
Toy Story: WoodyBuzz LightyearBo PeepJessie
Monsters, Inc.: James P. SullivanMike WazowskiCelia MaeRandall Boggs
Lilo & Stitch: StitchLilo PelekaiJumba JookibaCaptain GantuAngel
Frozen: AnnaElsaHansKristoffOlaf
WALL-E: WALL-EEVE

Songs
The Bare NecessitiesBeauty and the BeastGastonThe Gospel TruthHawaiian Roller Coaster RideHe Mele No LiloI'll Make a Man Out of YouIf I Didn't Have YouMickey Mouse MarchMinnie's Yoo HooOne Jump AheadPart of Your WorldSteamboat BillTrust in MeA Whole New WorldYo Ho (A Pirate's Life for Me)You've Got a Friend in MeDo You Want to Build a Snowman?Let It GoUnder the SeaZero to Hero
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