The Greatest Showman
Introduction
The Greatest Showman is an amazing film by Disney to shows that only we can create our own success. This film came out on December 20, 2017, by Disney. It also shows that it's okay to not "Fit" in with societal standards, and even if we are rejected from society, we can still succeed. I personally relate to this movie as I have never fit into societal standards, I am much of an introvert, and I love to spend my free time reading or doing crafts. Many people find that very odd, but I never let that stop me from doing what I love. The movie also brings in themes of the American Dream and how it's possible to come from poverty to wealth if you work hard and have grit. The main theme that I love that gets brought up is the importance of family and priorities; without having your family and friends, your nothing. I enjoy how even your become very successful, remember to always stay true to yourself and what really matters.
"A Million Dreams"
Overview
"A Million Dreams" is a song about the power of your own imagination, hope, ambition, and determination. Without having grit, you will not succeed in life; you have to work hard to find a place in this hard world. While the song's meaning in the movie is that Barnum's lifelong vision is to create a much better life for himself, get his family out of poverty, and see life with new colors. He wants to gain everything he can from life, without anything holding him back. While this song shares with the audience that it's never silly to hold onto your dreams, instead, you should go for it despite the hardships you may face. If you never try, you can never find out if it's possible. Throughout the entire movie "The Greatest Showman"
In the Movie
When the song 'A Million Dreams" is being used in the film, it is depicting P.T. Barnum's life story from childhood to adulthood. It shows how humble his beginning started with being in poverty with his family, his promise to create a better life for his love, his visions about a new colorful world, which led him to the circus life, and how he did not succeed right away, but he never gave up on his dream. This song comes up pretty quickly at the beginning of the movie, and it's such a great scene to start out this fantastic movie.
Musical Elements
The song "A Million Dreams" uses a combination of orchestral, woodwinds, brass, piano, ukulele, and voice. He also uses textural and dynamic elements to create the full emotional impact of someone telling you a story. They use a G Major key, with a ballad-style tempo (Andante). The song also includes syncopation (8th-quarter-8th), which adds rhythmic interest throughout the song, and it's in cut time (2/2), but that is very common in ballads. The vocal style throughout is utilizing belting style in the chorus of the song, but then also incorporates a softer, intimate style in the verses. What I personally really enjoyed about the song is that it builds from a soft introduction to a powerful climax; it really makes you feel the story P.T. Barnum is telling. This song may sound sad at first, but once you really listen to the lyrics, it's a moving story about living your dreams no matter what. The song is written by composers Benji Pasek and Justin Paul; while is was performed by Ziv Zaifman, Hugh Jackman, and Michelle Williams in the film. I find this song to be personally very comforting and brings out motivation in me. I always turn on this song when I am having a bad day or I just need some motivation in my life, especially in school.
Personal Opinion
I have grown up on many musicals, as music has always been a huge part of my life. When this came out, my mom took me to the movie theaters to see it. I remember being so excited. After watching it, I went home and learn the song "A Million Dreams" on piano, dreaming about writing a book one day and succeeding with it. This song has always brought me back to what I want in life, and its not silly to have dreams even if the people around you our saying it is. The overall message of the movie is always great for children to see; it reminds you to always have morals, standards, and priorities, which I feel is not taught much and is very important to succeed in life.
Conclusion
Overall, I think "The Greatest Showman" is a movie everyone should watch at least once. I find that it is such a great movie to share that the possibilities of life are endless, and you should never settle for something you are not completely happy with. You should always chase your dreams as you only live once! In this movie, so many great life lessons, such as grit and perseverance, is shown, with great actors, and an amazing storyline with great characters.
Worked Cited
Hamburg, Webdesign Freelancer, et al. “The Themes and Lyrics from ‘the Greatest Showman’ Are so Important.” Arts + Culture, https://culture.affinitymagazine.us/the-themes-and-lyrics-from-the-greatest-showman-are-so-important/#:~:text=This%20troop%20unite%20in%20their,break%20me%20down%20to%20dust Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.
Maxwell, Brian. “Day 72: A Million Dreams.” Mysite, mysite, 27 May 2020, https://www.shakerofspirits.com/single-post/day-72-a-million-dreams#:~:text=In%20the%20song%20%22A%20Million,what%20he%20can%20currently%20provide.
Annisa Dwi Oktavia, Siti Naharani Fauziah, Ira Resmayasari, Dwi Setyo Riani. “Moral Value of Song Lyrics ‘A Million Dreams’ ...” MORAL VALUE OF SONG LYRICS “A MILLION DREAMS” WRITTEN BY BENJ. PASEK AND JUSTIN PAUL, https://repository.stkippacitan.ac.id/id/eprint/857/1/Annisa%20Dwi%20Oktaviani_MORAL%20VALUE%20OF%20SONG%20LYRICS.pdf#:~:text=Based%20on%20the%20explanation%20of%20the%20meaning,so%20that%20his%20life%20is%20even%20better./Annisa Dwi Oktaviani_MORAL VALUE OF SONG LYRICS.pdf. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.
McDonald, Stuart. “The Greatest Show?” Medium, Medium, 14 Nov. 2018, medium.com/. https://medium.com/@stuartmcdonald_60154/the-greatest-show-e5b21fa54cc#:~:text=I%20can%20understand%20why%20it,however%2C%20there%20was%20something%20more.
Kojo. “A Million Dreams Analysis.” Scribd, Scribd, 25 Dec. 2018, https://www.scribd.com/document/424890159/A-Million-Dreams-analysis
Wikipedia writers. “The Greatest Showman.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 28 Oct. 2025, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Greatest_Showman
-Gabby Sincraugh
I am also very much an introvert and love to read and do crafts too. I am thinking of exploring crochet here soon. The people who think you're weird are probably dull with personalities that exist around what their club friends think of them on a Tuesday night when they have schoolwork due. While they can take that path and become successful, so can you. Past the unsolicited rant, I have always wanted to watch The Greatest Showman, a movie alongside it with that theme is La La Land, I believe it's called. This dive into The Greatest Showman was awesome. Despite not watching the movie, I have heard this song somewhere, but I just can't remember where. It is a very upbeat song that carries the girl throughout on an upward journey, while the boy fights for a way to her. The syncopation is my favorite element of the song. Wonderful read!
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DeleteHi McKenzie,
DeleteI love to crochet and I would definitely recommend learning! Oh La La Land is another favorite of mine! Thank you!
I really enjoyed reading your reflection! I love how you connected “A Million Dreams” to both Barnum’s journey and your own experiences it makes your essay feel very personal and relatable. Your explanation of the musical elements, like the key, tempo, and vocal style, really helped me understand how the song conveys emotion and storytelling. I also appreciated how you highlighted the themes of perseverance, imagination, and staying true to yourself, it’s inspiring to see how music can motivate and uplift us in everyday life.
ReplyDeleteGreat post. “A Million Dreams" is so inspiring, it really makes you believe in your dreams and reminds you to never give up. I also loved how you pointed out the importance of family and staying true to yourself.
ReplyDeleteI think you made a great point about the movie challenging societal standards too. It’s nice to see a story that celebrates people who do not fit in and still find their own path. One thing I like is how the song’s musical build, from soft verses to the big, powerful chorus that perfectly matches Barnum’s journey throughout the movie. It really makes the story feel alive and emotional. Your post made me want to watch the movie again!
Hi, Gabby!
ReplyDeleteAmazing work you have done here! Your in-depth analysis and how you resonate with the song, truly shows how music could connect with us all, in a deeper level. I have never watched The Greatest Showman, but I am now considering it when you made personal connections and added great details to support your argument. I also resonate with the feeling of not fitting society’s standards. I had a hard time growing up as an immigrant, so your association with the concept of American Dream has intrigued me. I am hoping it is not too emotional, I cry too easily!
I took a listen to the song you have picked, and it is emotional. The instrumental with the lyrics just exhibits hope and dreams. I was just hit by a wave of memories, since this song seems familiar and similar to music I have listened to when I moved to Alaska. Overall, it was amazing!
Since you have provided a connection with the song and how it portrays the American Dream, I could see how others have personal and emotional ties with the film/music. I think this was why I was drawn into your blogpost. As an immigrant, I have this motivation to strive extra hard and be diligent. As per what you mentioned, work hard and have grit!
You’ve hit every point for this assignment, and you have done an amazing job personalizing your connection to your music! I would recommend adding a separate paragraph and heading that separates the Social Commentary aspect for the assignment. Great details were added into this post and I appreciate your uplifting words to encourage others, so I believe you’ll do a fine job providing your insight and findings into their own separate segment!
Thanks for sharing!
Hi Gabby,
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, you did an amazing job emphasizing the fantastical nature of this film, and I really appreciate what you have shared about the importance of dreaming no matter what you are faced with. Having dreams is such a comforting thing, whether you realistically want them or not, and it is truly sad to see how many adults let go of these dreams. But this song is a great example of how dreams have a way of adapting and manifesting. We saw young P.T.'s dream of marrying Charity, and this song demonstrated the couples perseverance and dedication to their dream in a way that goes unparalleled. The use of dynamics that you somewhat mentioned makes this one of my favorite songs of any musical the intimate verses being juxtaposed by the grandiose chorus never fails to leave me in awe. I regularly watch this movie with my family, and, even though I only see them about once or twice a week, I would say we watch this around once a month. I could not possibly tell you how many times I have watched this film, but every time this song comes around I feel like I am right there with them, physically on the set watching the light dance around me while the sheets are billowing, and it makes me feel like a kid again. I have actually had a pretty intense couple of days myself, so this song was just what I needed. Thank you for sharing.
I relate to your statement about being an introvert. I have often felt like I don't "fit in" with those around me. "A Million Dreams" is a very inspiring and motivational song that never ceases to elicit emotions and a feeling of confidence and perseverance. I would like to know, was this song produced specifically for the movie or was it produced before this? I enjoyed your analysis of the musical elements of this song. Thank you for sharing!
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