What "Let It Go" Is Really Saying

At first, I was blown away by Idina Menzel's performance of the song "Let It Go", from the Disney film, Frozen. (File the last eight words of the previous sentence under "Totally Unneeded Explanation".) The song, written by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, builds and soars and explodes with emotion. But after 387 cover versions by everyone from African choirs who have never seen snow to foul-mouthed college students desiring to ditch final exams, my admiration has worn thin.

When I started seeing clips of sweet, tiny, preteen princess wannabees wailing away, I wondered about what they were really saying...what is this can't-get-away-from-it song actually factually talking about...what are these innocent Disney-lovers declaring?

It's not pretty, folks.

Here is the original lyric, with my explanatory notes:


The snow glows white on the mountain tonight
Not a footprint to be seen [I've run away from my problems and no one can follow me]
A kingdom of isolation
and it looks like I'm the queen [Just call me Kermit the Hermit; Napoleon AloneAgain]

The wind is howling like this swirling storm inside
Couldn't keep it in, heaven knows I tried [My lack of maturity is wreaking meteorologic havoc.]

Don't let them in, don't let them see
Be the good girl you always have to be
Conceal, don't feel, don't let them know
Well, now they know [My parents' attempt to have me toe the line and subjugate my emotions have failed in an epic manner.]

Let it go, let it go
Can't hold it back anymore
Let it go, let it go
Turn away and slam the door [I am SO outta here!]
I don't care what they're going to say
Let the storm rage on [It doesn't matter what the people I used to love think about any of this.]
The cold never bothered me anyway [As long as it feels right to me, it's all good.]

It's funny how some distance makes everything seem small
And the fears that once controlled me can't get to me at all [From up here on this mountain, my adoring subjects look like ants, so there's no need to worry about how my actions affect them.]
It's time to see what I can do
To test the limits and break through
No right, no wrong, no rules for me
I'm free [I don't need their silly, repressive ethics. I am an independent woman!]

Let it go, let it go
I am one with the wind and sky [The Earth is my mother. Mere mortals mean nothing to me.]
Let it go, let it go
You'll never see me cry [No regrets from here on, baby.]
Here I stand and here I'll stay
Let the storm rage on [Neener-neener. YOLO]

My power flurries through the air into the ground [I can make it snow!]
My soul is spiraling in frozen fractals all around [The core of who I am as a person is like a sleet tornado.]
And one thought crystallizes like an icy blast
I'm never going back, the past is in the past [I'm never going to actually deal with my relationship issues.]

Let it go, let it go
And I'll rise like the break of dawn [The acceptance of my awesome power is unstoppable!]
Let it go, let it go
That perfect girl is gone [When I'm good, I'm good; but when I'm bad, I'm better.]
Here I stand in the light of day [I can see clearly now...]
Let the storm rage on
The cold never bothered me anyway [Screw them all! It's all about ME now! Bwa-ha-ha-haaaa!]

[To hear the author read this post, click here.]