Waiting In The Wings (Tangled The Animated Series)

 Sometimes even the heroes feel small. Sometimes you might find yourself standing along side others who yes are on the same team, but you feel overshadowed. You are waiting for your time to shine, even if you feel that you are left waiting for it to come for what seems your whole life. No one feels this in the Tangled Animated Series more then Cassandra. But for us the audience, who exist outside of the realm of animation and song, this is her big moment. She has had solos and has partaken in group numbers, I have even covered one, but this is her time to shine. I have been in the mood to discuss and look at some of the songs I love from shows like "Tangled The Animated Series" and especially "Steven Universe". Today I look at what is my favorite song from this series, if not in my top three. The powerful solo ballad "Waiting In The Wings".

Performed expertly by Cassandra's voice actress Eden Espinosa, her vocals are amazing. We have had pieces of her singing before, and she was one of the reasons that "Ready As I'll Ever Be" is one of my favorite songs as well. For what she contributed to that song and the songs she gets in the series makes Cassandra a relatable and stand out character through her songs, and this one is a prime example. 

This song finds Rapunzel and Eugene asleep as Cassandra takes the night watch, as the quiet of night silently crawls in, Cassandra is left to question her place in the group as well as her whole life. Surrounded by statues of great warriors, she feels like she is an outcast, feeling as she never has a chance to shine. She sings of wanting to step up and be a hero, but is always overlooked despite her drive and skill set. She feels like she is not a star of the grand show of life, just someone left "Waiting In The Wings". Waiting for her turn to sing and show us all what she's made of. 

This song stands on its own both as a song or with the visuals. The visuals are beautiful and well animated, setting a nice quiet scene. The shading compliments the mood and really sets the stage for this number, having a few grand moments to illustrate the songs theming but keeping the eye of the viewer on the one singing.  

The lyrics and instrumentation sound straight out a of a Broadway musical, and that is no mistake as Alan Menkin who helmed many of Disney's great animated features and stage productions was at the helm for the music and it shows. This song is a big sweeping ballad with a powerful score behind it. Making the song soar, not only making it memorable but with relatable lyrics woven in to drive it home as not just a song for the side character.

Side characters getting moments of their own to stand up and show the world what they got with their all, can elevate them as some peoples favorite even over the leads at points. This song shows Cassandra is not just  background piece to support our heroes, she is a hero who has fought beside them and has dreams of her own. Elevating her to a full blown character with wants and even insecurities and fears.

The lyrics of this song talk about people who have drive and passion yet feel thrown to the wayside. But this ballad is not in a place of pity, as the song continues lyrics about staying strong even in bleak moments, staying steadfast, and even if no one notices echo someone who is strong. Even if the silence stings and even if know one cheers, she will keep on keeping on, she knows who she is and what is she is capable of, she just wants others to see it. The lyrics paint a very real picture that some may see in their friend groups or in their family, as someone who has talent but is over looked. 

This song is all around powerful in the context of the show, as well as just as song to listen to. A sweeping score, relatable lyrics, and an empowering feel all wrap together nicely to paint a great picture. You won't want to wait on this one, it is definity worth the listen.