Award-Winning Singer/Songwriter Phil Collins Records Songs for Disney's Animated ``Tarzan'' in Five Languages

Business Wire, Feb 11, 1999

BURBANK, Calif.--(ENTERTAINMENT WIRE)--Feb. 9, 1999--Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter Phil Collins has recorded four songs from Walt Disney Pictures' upcoming animated feature, "Tarzan," in five different languages, it was announced today by Thomas Schumacher, president of Walt Disney Feature Animation, and Mark Zoradi, president of Buena Vista International.

Collins, who wrote five songs for "Tarzan" and sings four of them in the film, has also recorded those songs in French, German, Spanish (both Latin American and Castillian) and Italian. This marks the first time that Collins has ever recorded songs in those languages. It is also the first time that a Disney animated feature has been released with international versions of songs by the same major recording artist.

Disney's "Tarzan" will make its domestic bow at theaters everywhere beginning on June 18th. International releases in Asia and Latin America will roll out in July and August, followed by Europe and Japan in November/December.

Recording sessions for the various international versions of the songs took place over a five week period in Europe with versatile musician Eric Serra consulting on the French vocals, renowned record producer Leslie Mandoki guiding the German recordings and Michele Centonze lending his expertise to the Italian sessions. Jeff Miller, senior vice president of Disney Character Voices International, was responsible for overseeing all the sessions on behalf of BVI.

Commenting on the announcement, Schumacher said, "Phil's singing voice is so unmistakable and his role in the film is vital to expressing Tarzan's emotions and experiences. It's almost impossible to imagine anyone performing those vocals besides Phil himself. He has worked incredibly hard to learn the words and pronunciation of his lyrics in French, German, Spanish and Italian and the results are extraordinary. Phil is a dedicated and enthusiastic collaborator who has really thrown himself wholeheartedly into this project."

Collins noted, "When they first asked me if I'd be willing to sing the songs in other languages, I wasn't sure I could deliver what they wanted but I was willing to give it a go. Working with some top producers as well as music and language consultants, I was able to learn the words phonetically and, with a lot of practice, give them the same feelings that I could in the English language versions. `Tarzan' is a great film and I am thrilled to be a part of it."

Zoradi added, "Phil is an international superstar and having him sing the songs for `Tarzan' in five languages is a tremendous plus for the film. Just like Disney animation itself, Phil has great appeal all over the world and the combination on this film is irresistible."

Walt Disney Pictures' exciting new animated feature "Tarzan" is a bold and innovative exploration and adaptation of the immortal tale by Edgar Rice Burroughs. Combining thrilling adventure with humor and music, the film follows the legendary jungle hero as he struggles to decide if he belongs with his human "family" or the family of apes that have lovingly raised him since he was an infant.

Tarzan's peaceful and sheltered existence is interrupted by the arrival of a human expedition and the revelation that he is one of them. His dilemma is further complicated by the discovery that some humans can't be trusted and the realization that he has strong feelings for a woman named Jane.

Helping to bring new excitement and adventure to the story is the unbounded imagination and expert artistry of Disney's first-rate animation team, an inspired cast of voice talents, incredible technological breakthroughs (that give added depth and dimensionality to the jungle backgrounds) and captivating music by pop superstar Phil Collins. The film is directed by Kevin Lima and Chris Buck with Bonnie Arnold ("Toy Story") serving as producer.