3. It's emotionally complex
Let it Go is unusual, because rather than being a love song or a positive anthem, it is tonally quite dark. Musicologist W Anthony Sheppard pinpoints the song’s negativity: “There are five ‘don’ts’, four ‘nevers’ and three ‘nos’ in the lyrics.”
“Hit Disney songs are usually so optimistic,” Wiley agrees. “They’re about love or happiness, but Let It Go starts from a pessimistic place and even when it makes its journey from a minor key to a major one, it's optimistic in a closed, selfish way.” Hence, Sheppard explains, the song’s final unfinished chord. Elsa may be happy in her isolated kingdom, but the rest of the world is plunged into winter as a result.
“You can’t tell if it is a Disney villain song or a Disney princess song”, Kirke says, “and that’s it’s appeal. It calls to mind Ariel’s Part of Your World in The Little Mermaid, but it’s an expression of latent power. That has a considerable psychological affect on children of a certain age.”
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2. It appeals to a broad audience
Out of context, Let It Go still works. “If you take it out of Frozen, Let It Go’s messages of liberation and self-acceptance are just as strong,” Hexel says. “It’s important because it means the song has the widest possible appeal.” Hence it being labelled “an aperitif for adolescence” and “a coming out anthem for a new generation” by the media.