Somehow last summer I stumbled across the existence of an EDM remix of this by Nora En Pure, or at least as EDM as you can get with something that is so light and airy. Somehow this is in fact The darkest timeline while being the best of all worlds.
I will say, rewatching this video, that I can respect she seems perfectly content with being a one-hit wonder and didn't try to keep making "trendy" music or anything like that. She was just comfortable making whatever music she liked and that's respectable. Granted, she was never that hip to begin with, but at least she wasn't trying to pretend to be in her 20s unlike late era Madonna.
It's kind of a deep cut but I would still like to see him do Mary's Prayer, if only for the bizarre fact that the band was literally named *Danny Wilson*. That's not a name of one of the members – that's what the band was named. And it wasn't even their original name!
I always thought that the song “At the Beginning” sounded very similar to “I Love You Always Forever.” But I had no idea that it was the same singer on both tracks. The strange part is that Donna Lewis didn’t even write “At the Beginning.” It was written by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty, the songwriting team that wrote all the songs for Anastasia. (They also wrote Broadway shows like Ragtime and Seussical.) It wasn’t in their typical style. I have to wonder if they were trying to create something specifically for her.
Incidentally, I think the song “I Love You Always Forever” fits perfectly into the landscape of 1996. By that time, audiences had rejected the maximalist pop of the 1980’s. They wanted music that was more “real” and “pure.” Alternative music was one answer to this, with its grungy, unvarnished ethos. But, in its own way, “I Love You Always Forever” did the same thing. It was stripped down and simple. It didn’t try to impress you with big tricks and fireworks. It was just straightforward and honest.
Okay… so all my years I've heard "near or far, horsing together" like horsing around. The official lyrics say "closer together" and I guess I can hear it on the original track. Then the end credits come along with a cover and it clearly is not "closer" but more "we're seen together." This song hurts my brain.
Rewatching today, I realized he's never done any of the follower's alternate requests despite sounding like they'd all be better for the show. Then again, I'm not sure "88 Lines" even counts as a hit, and I'm figuring "Jesse Hold On" was the wrong B*witched song and they meant "C'est la Vie".
My god, my sister and I were OBSESSED with Donna Lewis as kids, to the point that we had one of our Barbie dolls “be” Donna Lewis and “perform” for our other dolls!!
I remember setting up our stereo, turning on this song, and pretending that our Barbie was putting on a concert! 🤦🏼♀️🤣
I once borrowed her first CD (the one with "ILYAF" on it) from the library in the early years of mp3s, and grabbed only a few tracks from it. I remember one I liked was "Lights of Life" which I think is about an alien abduction saving the narrator from freezing to death? Would have made a more interesting single than "Without Love" anyway.
@pjgoldstein6562
January 3, 2026 at 10:40 pm
Somehow last summer I stumbled across the existence of an EDM remix of this by Nora En Pure, or at least as EDM as you can get with something that is so light and airy. Somehow this is in fact The darkest timeline while being the best of all worlds.
@stuffedninja1337
January 3, 2026 at 10:40 pm
I think my takeaway from this is that I need to rewatch Anastasia.
@drygnfyre
January 3, 2026 at 10:40 pm
I will say, rewatching this video, that I can respect she seems perfectly content with being a one-hit wonder and didn't try to keep making "trendy" music or anything like that. She was just comfortable making whatever music she liked and that's respectable. Granted, she was never that hip to begin with, but at least she wasn't trying to pretend to be in her 20s unlike late era Madonna.
@snowflakesandroses
January 3, 2026 at 10:40 pm
We do not tolerate Anastasia bashing in this household, Todd! It’s a cinematic treasure I tells ya, always and forever 😍😍😍
@nfugitt89
January 3, 2026 at 10:40 pm
The soundtrack to shopping with your mom in Old Navy or an equivalent in 1997. Or I guess any year since then.
@MrOtistetrax
January 3, 2026 at 10:40 pm
Perfect call center hold music.
@supergravy6104
January 3, 2026 at 10:40 pm
Would love it if some death metal band did a cover of this.
@theskeletonshowwithcaptain930
January 3, 2026 at 10:40 pm
Anastasia is a bad movie with a few decent scenes, but 2 pretty good songs.
@1998_MIN
January 3, 2026 at 10:40 pm
It's kind of a deep cut but I would still like to see him do Mary's Prayer, if only for the bizarre fact that the band was literally named *Danny Wilson*. That's not a name of one of the members – that's what the band was named. And it wasn't even their original name!
@JoelAdamson
January 3, 2026 at 10:40 pm
This being a hit was so confusing. Everyone was listening to Smashing Pumpkins, Loreena McKennit, Garbage.
@KidBohemia
January 3, 2026 at 10:40 pm
I always thought that the song “At the Beginning” sounded very similar to “I Love You Always Forever.” But I had no idea that it was the same singer on both tracks. The strange part is that Donna Lewis didn’t even write “At the Beginning.” It was written by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty, the songwriting team that wrote all the songs for Anastasia. (They also wrote Broadway shows like Ragtime and Seussical.) It wasn’t in their typical style. I have to wonder if they were trying to create something specifically for her.
Incidentally, I think the song “I Love You Always Forever” fits perfectly into the landscape of 1996. By that time, audiences had rejected the maximalist pop of the 1980’s. They wanted music that was more “real” and “pure.” Alternative music was one answer to this, with its grungy, unvarnished ethos. But, in its own way, “I Love You Always Forever” did the same thing. It was stripped down and simple. It didn’t try to impress you with big tricks and fireworks. It was just straightforward and honest.
@tvdan1043
January 3, 2026 at 10:40 pm
This damn song is THE WORST SONG EVER RECORDED
@Zurk-r9e
January 3, 2026 at 10:40 pm
"Anastasia sucks"
In the words of Todd
You suck
@aimingchasey
January 3, 2026 at 10:40 pm
Okay… so all my years I've heard "near or far, horsing together" like horsing around. The official lyrics say "closer together" and I guess I can hear it on the original track. Then the end credits come along with a cover and it clearly is not "closer" but more "we're seen together." This song hurts my brain.
@sharkedforlife4075
January 3, 2026 at 10:40 pm
i've had this song stuck in my head for days since watching this, how does it have this power
@zozzy4630
January 3, 2026 at 10:40 pm
Rewatching today, I realized he's never done any of the follower's alternate requests despite sounding like they'd all be better for the show. Then again, I'm not sure "88 Lines" even counts as a hit, and I'm figuring "Jesse Hold On" was the wrong B*witched song and they meant "C'est la Vie".
@ryanwarren2970
January 3, 2026 at 10:40 pm
I will not try and defend Anastasia to you.
@X_MissMary_X
January 3, 2026 at 10:40 pm
Todd ranting about bad rotoscoping made me smile
@ZaKKsQuaTcH1
January 3, 2026 at 10:40 pm
I remember this song eroding me from within and running to my mom's room to help me figure out what it was. I've hated anyone named Donna ever since.
@SoCalJellybean
January 3, 2026 at 10:40 pm
My god, my sister and I were OBSESSED with Donna Lewis as kids, to the point that we had one of our Barbie dolls “be” Donna Lewis and “perform” for our other dolls!!
I remember setting up our stereo, turning on this song, and pretending that our Barbie was putting on a concert! 🤦🏼♀️🤣
@284mbp
January 3, 2026 at 10:40 pm
i remember this song. it was on the radio like every 5 minutes for a year.
@teejae2065
January 3, 2026 at 10:40 pm
My first child was born in Dec 95…I would sing this to him 🙂
@pardonmybumbershoot5085
January 3, 2026 at 10:40 pm
What a horrible nothing of a voice.
@Yooberish
January 3, 2026 at 10:40 pm
This song is locked in my head as it was on MTV when I experienced an earthquake at home.
@susan_beaver
January 3, 2026 at 10:40 pm
I once borrowed her first CD (the one with "ILYAF" on it) from the library in the early years of mp3s, and grabbed only a few tracks from it. I remember one I liked was "Lights of Life" which I think is about an alien abduction saving the narrator from freezing to death? Would have made a more interesting single than "Without Love" anyway.
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