A brand new original song from Moana 2, “Beyond,” is out now.
The film, set to release in theaters on November 22nd, stars Auli‘i Cravalho as the titular feisty young sailor and follows the first film, which premiered in 2016. The Moana soundtrack, which featured well-loved originals like “You’re Welcome” and “How Far I’ll Go,” has garnered over 20 billion streams worldwide since its release—”You’re Welcome” is six times RIAA-certified platinum and is the most watched video on DisneyMusic’s VEVO channel, with over 1.6 billion views to date. “How Far I’ll Go,” which is seven times RIAA-certified platinum, was nominated for both an Academy Award and Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song.
“Beyond” was written by Grammy-winning songwriters Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear Barlow & Bear—the record also features original music from American Music Award-winner Opetaia Foa’i and Grammy-winner Mark Mancina.
“During the process of writing this, we spoke to a lot of people who come from Oceania and the Polynesian Islands, and what rings true to all of them is their deep connection to their heritage and how they honor their ancestors,” Barlow & Bear shared. “No matter how daunting this journey is to Moana, she can’t refuse it. It scares her but also exhilarates her because it’s a call from the ancestors. And the idea that the ocean connects us all is a very big part of Pacific Island culture and wayfinding culture.”
Cravalho, who sings “Beyond,” added: “[It] really impacted me as someone who feels deeply connected to my culture. It’s about going beyond what you’re capable of, beyond your comfort zone, and not doing it just for yourself, doing it for your people.”
Watch the video for “Beyond” now.