“I’ll Make a Man out of You” is a song written by composer Matthew Wilder and lyricist David Zippel for Walt Disney Pictures’ 36th animated feature film Mulan (1998). Appearing on the film’s soundtrack Mulan: An Original Walt Disney Records Soundtrack, “I’ll Make a Man Out of You” is performed by American singer Donny Osmond as the singing voice of Captain Li Shang in lieu of American actor BD Wong, who provides the character’s speaking voice. The song also features contributions from Lea Salonga as Mulan, Eddie Murphy as Mushu, and Harvey Fierstein, Jerry Tondo and Wilder himself as Yao, Chien-Po and Ling, respectively.
“I’ll Make a Man Out of You” was written to replace the song “We’ll Make a Man of You” after the film’s original songwriter Stephen Schwartz departed from the project in favor of working on DreamWorks’ The Prince of Egypt (1998). Wilder and Zippel were inspired to complete the song after conceiving its ironic title, and the initial draft of the track was immediately approved by Disney. Prior to Mulan, Osmond had auditioned for the role of Hercules in Disney’s Hercules (1997), a role for which he was ultimately turned down by the directors because they felt that he sounded too old. Disney eventually cast Osmond as the singing voice of Shang because his singing voice is similar to Wong’s speaking voice. An up-tempo military-style song that incorporates both Eastern and Western musical styles, “I’ll Make a Man Out of You” is performed by Shang during a rigorous training montage in which his young, inexperienced soldiers attempt to justify their worth. The song’s title is considered ironic because Mulan, who relies on intelligence, ultimately proves more competent than her male comrades, including Captain Li Shang, who takes a liking to her, while its lyrics explore hyper-masculinity contradicted with Mulan’s gender.
“I’ll Make a Man Out of You” has received mostly positive reviews from film and music critics, some of whom dubbed it the film’s best song, while praising Osmond’s performance. Critics have also drawn comparisons between the song and Disney’s Hercules, while likening Mulan’s role and transformation to actress Demi Moore’s performance as Lieutenant Jordan O’Neil in the film G. I. Jane (1997). The song has since appeared on several “best of” Disney songs lists, including those of Total Film and the New York Post. Discussed by film critics, film historians, academic journalists and feminists, the song has gone on to be recorded and covered in several different languages—namely Mandarin, Cantonese and Spanish—by entertainers Jackie Chan and Cristian Castro, respectively.
Impact and legacy
Total Film ranked “I’ll Make a Man Out of You” twenty-ninth on its list of the “30 Best Disney Songs”.[39] Similarly, M ranked the song twentieth on its list of the “Top 20 Disney Songs of All Time”. Author Stephanie Osmanski cited “Did they send me daughters when I asked for sons?” as her favourite lyric.[62] Gregory E. Miller of the New York Post cited I’ll Make a Man Out of You" as one of “The best (and the most underrated) Disney songs,” writing, “Captain Shang’s battle-preparation anthem is the movie’s most quotable, with a memorable chorus and a slew of one-liners from supporting characters.”[44] PopSugar ranked the song the nineteenth “Catchiest Disney Song”.[63] In 2012, Entertainment Weekly readers voted the song 18th on their list of 20 all-time greatest Disney songs.[64] Osmond himself acknowledged the accomplishment in a Facebook post, writing, “In my grandkids’ eyes, this is easily my greatest accomplishment yet.”[65] Comedy Central Josh Pappenheim called “I’ll Make a Man Out of You” “one of the most iconic Disney songs of all time”.[66] Hannah Yasharoff, writing for USA Today, dubbed the track “an iconic moment in pop culture.”[28]
On Empire’s list of the twenty “Most Awesome Training Montages In Cinema History”, “I’ll Make a Man Out of You” was ranked 14th. The author identified it as “a solid training montage in which Mulan and her friends go from hapless duffers to fearless warriors in just over two minutes.”[67] Similarly, Men’s Fitness also ranked “I’ll Make a Man Out of You” among the greatest training montages in film history.[49] Stephen Fiorentine of Sneaker Report wrote that “Training montages aren’t limited to just live-action movies. With movies like Mulan and Hercules, Disney mastered the art of the montage in their animated films.”[68]
In 2018, Entertainment Weekly contributor Maureen Lee Lenker wrote that the song has successfully “endured since the film’s release” and remained “a perennial favorite” despite being more upbeat than typical Disney songs.[6] Actress Daisy Ridley said that she listens to the song to prepare for action sequences in film roles,[69] particularly for her performance in Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015).[70] Ridley explained that the song “makes me feel empowered” and revive her energy, comparing her character Rey finding her strength to Mulan.[70] Media publications have lamented the fact that the 2020 live-action adaptation of the film might not include any songs, particularly “I’ll Make a Man Out of You”, with Yasharoff writing, “Any excuse to make that song relevant again is more than welcome,” and ranking the song second on their reasons “Why the live-action version should replicate the animated musical”.[28]
Live performances and covers
In April 2017, Osmond performed “I’ll Make a Man Out of You” live on the 24th season of the reality television competition Dancing with the Stars,[51] the ninth season of which Osmond himself had won.[52] Part of the season’s Disney-themed episode, Osmond’s performance accompanied singer Normani and professional dancer Val Chmerkovskiy’s pasodoble.[52] The competitors were ultimately he highest-scoring couple of the evening, earning a score of 49 from the judges.[53] When Mulan was released in China, Hong Kong actor Jackie Chan was hired to dub the voice of Shang and record “I’ll Make a Man Out of You” in Mandarin and Cantonese.[54][55] The special edition DVD release of Mulan features a music video of Chan performing the song. The video also depicts Chan performing martial arts-inspired choreography. Positively received, Scott Chitwood of ComingSoon.net called Chan’s rendition “a fun addition for Chan fans,”[46] while Nancy Churnin of The Dallas Morning News wrote that he performed the song “very ably.”[56] Mexican singer Cristian Castro, who voiced Shang in the film’s Latin American release,[57] recorded “I’ll Make a Man Out of You” in Spanish, titled “Hombres de Acción serán hoy”.[58][59]
In October 2014, a parody of “I’ll Make a Man Out of You” was uploaded to YouTube entitled “I’ll Make a 'Mon Out of You”.[60] A mashup of Mulan and the popular Pokémon franchise, the video features Digimon Gatomon attempting to masquerade as Pokémon Meowth in lieu of Mulan, while Ash occupies the role of Shang as his trainer, according to Smosh. Another parody of the song, based on the Dragon Ball franchise was uploaded to YouTube by TeamFourStar.[61]
“I’ll Make a Man Out of You” has been met with mostly positive reviews from both film and music critics. Irving Tan of Sputnikmusic wrote, “there hasn’t been a single chorus in all of post-Mulan pop music that has managed to rival the roaring power in the refrain.”[13] Scott Chitwood of ComingSoon.net reviewed “I’ll Make a Man Out of You” as “a stirring, testosterone filled piece,” describing the scene as “amusing.”[46] Owen Gleiberman of Entertainment Weekly wrote that the song “has a comparable infectious punch,” concluding, “it’s the only song in the movie that escapes Disneyfied blandness.”[43] Jeff Vice of the Deseret News observed that Wong and Osmond’s “voices sound eerily similar.”[9] Tom Henry of The Blade enjoyed Osmond’s delivery, describing the singer’s performance as “solid.”[47] Lloyd Paseman of The Register-Guard called “I’ll Make a Man Out of You” a favorite of his.[48] While exploring “The History of Movie Training Montages”, Chris Giblin of Men’s Fitness opined, “Mulan served as proof that the fitness montage can work amazingly well in movies for kids.” Giblin continued, “it has the best lyrics of any serious fitness/sports montage song. Overall, a very strong montage.”[49] Disney.com itself cites “I’ll Make a Man Out of You” as a “song that was so epic, so legendary, that it requires an out loud sing along anytime we hear it.”[31]
Despite dubbing the film’s songs its “weak link,” TV Guide wrote that the musical numbers are “crafted with a knowing, almost camp wink that’s totally in keeping with the subtext of the film,” concluding that “I’ll Make a Man Out of You” sounds like a Village People song.[50] Writing for The Seattle Times, Moira Macdonald criticized Wilder and Zippel’s songs as “forgettable,” calling “I’ll Make a Man Out of You” “annoying.”[33] The Phoenix’s Jeffrey Gantz wrote that “Donny Osmond shows some grit, but he’s still the voice of the Whitebread West.”[38] Amazon.ca’s Jason Verlinde commented, “Unfortunately, the voice of Donny Osmond, relegated to anthems such as ‘I’ll Make a Man Out of You’ doesn’t really enhance the story line”.[32]
I’ll Make A Man Out Of You (Mandarin) - Jackie Chan Lyrics & Translation
大家同心作战 让匈奴绝望
dà jiā tong xīn zuò zhàn, rang xiōng nú jué wàng
Everyone work together, let the Huns despair
为何这群士兵都像个姑娘?
wèi hé zhè qún shì bīng dū xiàng gè gū niang?
Why do these soldiers seem like girls?
你们笨拙 散漫 又扭捏
nǐ men bèn zhuō sàn màn yòu niǔ niē
You’re stupid, undisciplined, you need adjusting
我会改变你的前途
wǒ huì gǎi biàn nǐ de qián tú
I will change your future
要成为男子汉不认输
yào chéng wéi nán zǐ hàn bù rèn shū
To become a man, is to not admit defeat
扎稳你的步履 内心要坚定
zhā wěn nǐ de bù lǚ nèi xīn yào jiān dìng
Steady your stance, your heart must be firm
开阔你的胸襟 求生要决心
kāi kuò nǐ de xiōng jīn qiú shēng yào jué xīn
Open your mind, live to be determined
胆小又害怕 心乱如麻
dǎn xiǎo yòu hài pà xīn luàn rú má
Timid and afraid, you’ll be terribly confused
你惊慌茫然无助
nǐ jīng huāng máng rán wú zhù
If you’re ignorant then panic, you’ll be helpless
要成为男子汉不认输
yào chéng wéi nán zǐ hàn bù rèn shū
To become a man, is to not admit defeat
(我气喘如牛快断气)
wǒ qì chuǎn rú niú kuài duàn qì
I’m breathless like a cow about to die
(西方极乐等我光临)
xī fāng jí yuè děng wǒ guāng lín
The afterlife is waiting for me
(我看大家全都被他吓傻了)
wǒ kàn dà jiā quán dōu bèi tā xià shǎ liǎo
I think everyone’s scared silly by him
(他们心惊胆又战)
tā men xīn jīng dǎn yòu zhàn
They’re so scared they’re trembling
(我的身份还是秘密)
wǒ de shēn fèn hái shì mì mì
My indentity is still a secret
(掉到水里可会要了我小命)
diào dào shuǐ lǐ kě huì yào liǎo wǒ xiǎo mìng
If I fall in the water, it’ll be the end of my life
*(男子汉)行动快速像那江河湍急
(nán zǐ hàn) xíng dòng kuài sù xiàng nà jiāng hé tuān jí
(A manly man) your movements must be like the rushing river
(男子汉)破坏力像那风暴无情
(nán zǐ hàn) pò huài lì xiàng nà fēng bào wú qíng
(A manly man) destroy like the heartless storm
(男子汉)满腔热血像那野火雅静
(nán zǐ hàn) mǎn qiāng rè xiě xiàng nà yě huǒ yǎ jìng
(A manly man) your heart must have hot blood like wildfires
神出鬼没像那暗夜的噩梦
shén chū guǐ méi xiàng nà àn yè de è mèng
Be elusive as a ghost like the night’s darkest nightmare
时光毫不留情匈奴快毕竟
shí guāng háo bú liú qíng xiōng nú kuài bì jìng
After all the Huns are coming fast
听从我的指令才能够活命
tīng cóng wǒ de zhǐ ling cái néng gòu huó mìng
Obey my orders and you will survive
沙场太残酷血光杀戮
shā chǎng tài cán kù xiě guāng shā lù
The battefields too cruel, with blood and slaughter
若害怕踏上归路
ruò hài pà tà shàng guī lù
If you’re scared, return to your home
要成为男子汉不认输
yào chéng wéi nán zǐ hàn bù rèn shū
To become a man, is to not admit defeat
Mulan I’ll Make a Man Out of You (Chinese)
3,056,849 views•Apr 12, 2008
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6IYt2qMj1A[/youtube]
Word Count
Pages 459
Words 180,325
Characters (no spaces) 907,649
Characters (with spaces) 1,082,811
Paragraphs 5,061
Lines 16,088
#649 in the Pokedex is Genesect, and 11 is Bunny ears, or Mew/Pikachu, so it’s Neo Genesis Pokemon Cards. It’s also Bunny at the top of the Kardashev Civilizations scale, because of the word card. It’s also Jackie Chan, or Hitmonchan, so I learned fire, thunder, and ice punch, even collected all 3 treasures for Lugia.