"Me" is a song from the Beauty and the Beast stage musical. It is sung by the conceited, sexist hunter Gaston as part of his marriage proposal to Belle. Unfortunately, it is not included in the original film; however, it can now be heard in the Belle's Village section of the New Fantasyland expansion, sounding as it would have in the original film.[1][2]
Choreography for the song varies, but most of the time Gaston acts rough with Belle and drags her around like a ragdoll (showing his objectification of women as a whole), while in other productions he behaves much like a gentleman[3].
The song's message
The song, as mentioned before, serves as an arrogant and entitled marriage proposal from Gaston to Belle; Belle is mentioned only as an accessory for Gaston, being described as property, a housemaid and a mother of many sons instead of a treasure, a helpmate, and companion to Gaston. He even flat-out explains that he will, with Belle as property rather than as a person, treat Belle with great disrespect and indignity as a spouse.
Lyrics
Gaston:
You've been dreaming just one dream
Nearly all your life
Hoping, scheming, just one theme:
Will you be a wife?
Will you be some he-man's property?
Good news! That he-man's me!
This equation, girl plus man
Doesn't just help you
On occasion, women can
Have their uses too
Mainly to extend the fam'ly tree
Pumpkin, extend with me!
We'll be raising sons galore
Belle:
Inconceivable!
Gaston:
Each built six foot four!
Belle:
Unbelievable!
Gaston:
Each one stuffed with ev'ry Gaston gene!
Belle:
I'm not hearing this!
Gaston:
You'll be keeping house with pride!
Belle:
Just incredible!
Gaston:
Each day gratified
Belle:
So unweddable!
Gaston:
That you are a part of this idyllic scene.
(Speaking segment)
Picture this: A rustic hunting lodge,
my latest kill roasting over the fire,
my little wife massaging my feet, while
the little ones play on the floor with the dogs.
We'll have six or seven!
Belle:
Dogs?
Gaston:
No, Belle! Strapping boys...like me!
Belle:
Imagine that!
(End speaking segment)
Gaston:
I can see that we will share
All that love implies
We shall be a perfect pair
Rather like my thighs
You are face to face with destiny!
All roads lead to...
The best things in life are...
All's well that ends with me!
Escape me? There's no way
Certain as "Do, Re,"
Belle, when you marry...
So Belle, what will it be?
Is it "yes", or is it "oh, yes"?
Belle:
I...I just don't deserve you!
Gaston:
Who does?
ME!
Belle:
But thanks for asking.
Trivia
- Belle's refusal to Gaston was similar to her refusal to Marquis Gaston in the 1989 Screenplay for the film.
Music
- The song's melody and lyrics
- The song's karaoke version, so you can sing the original lyrics or sing your own
References