"Reflection"
Song by Lea Salonga
from the album Mulan: An Original Walt Disney Records Soundtrack
ReleasedJune 2, 1998
Recorded1997
Length2:27
LabelWalt Disney
ComposerMatthew Wilder
LyricistDavid Zippel
ProducerMatthew Wilder

"Reflection" is a song written and produced by Matthew Wilder and David Zippel for the soundtrack of Disney's 1998 animated film Mulan. In the film, the song is performed by Tony Award winner, Filipina singer and actress Lea Salonga as the film's titular character. "Reflection" has received highly positive reviews, with critics highlighting its emotional writing and Salonga's vocals. Despite not being released as a single, nor making any chart, the song would later be certified 2× Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for equivalent sales of 2,000,000 units in the United States, and was certified Silver by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) for equivalent sales of 200,000 units in the United Kingdom. An accompanying music video for "Reflection" was included as a bonus to the Disney Gold Classic Collection DVD release of the film in February 2000.

A pop version of the song was recorded by American singer Christina Aguilera at the age of 17 for the Mulan soundtrack, and was featured in the end credits. Its structure differed from previous versions in that it added a bridge and an additional chorus prior to the coda. The song became Aguilera's solo debut single, found critical and commercial success, gained her credibility amongst established writers and producers, and was included on her eponymous debut album, released in 1999. The song peaked within the top 20 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart, and was also released alongside an accompanying music video, which was included on the DVD release of the film, alongside the original song's video. After its release, Aguilera has performed the track on multiple tours and televised performances. Aguilera also recorded a Spanish language version of the song which was featured on and titled her second studio album, Mi Reflejo (2000). In 2020, Aguilera re-recorded the song for the live-action adaptation of Mulan, released that same year.

Use in Mulan

For the 1998 animated film Mulan, the song was recorded by Filipina singer and actress Lea Salonga as the film's titular character, Fa Mulan. "Reflection", which lasts for two minutes and twenty-seven seconds[1] was written and produced by Matthew Wilder and David Zippel, and is in the key of A major (though beginning in the submediant key of F-sharp major). Salonga's vocal range spans from the low-note of G♯3 to the high-note of D5 in a moderately slow tempo of 119 beats per minute.[2] The recording that was actually used within the film was substantially shorter than a version they initially recorded with Salonga, which had an additional verse and chorus before the coda.[3]

The song is performed after Mulan returns home following a humiliating and failed attempt to impress her matchmaker. The lyrical content expresses the way Mulan feels about wanting to show the world who she really is instead of pretending to be who she is not, but is afraid to disappoint her family by doing so. This scene takes place at Mulan's home in its surrounding gardens and ends in her family temple, where she removes her makeup to reveal her true appearance.

In 2015, Salonga revealed that she was asked to re-record the song back in 1996, in its shortened form, as the producers saw that the first version was not moving the story along.[4]

Certifications

Certifications for "Reflection"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[5] Silver 200,000‡
United States (RIAA)[6] 2× Platinum 2,000,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Christina Aguilera versions

1998 version

"Reflection"
Single by Christina Aguilera
from the album Mulan: An Original Walt Disney Records Soundtrack
B-side"Honor to Us All"
ReleasedJune 15, 1998
StudioThe Record Plant (Los Angeles, CA)[7]
Genre
Length3:33
LabelWalt Disney
ComposerMatthew Wilder
LyricistDavid Zippel
ProducerMatthew Wilder
Christina Aguilera singles chronology
"All I Wanna Do"
(1997) 		"Reflection"
(1998) 		"Genie in a Bottle"
(1999)
Audio video
"Reflection" (Pop version) on YouTube

Background and recording

In December 1997, Disney was looking for a vocalist to sing the song "Reflection" for their movie-in-the-works, Mulan. The RCA label suggested American singer Christina Aguilera for the track.[8][9] Within forty-eight hours of the initial call from the company, Disney officials congratulated Aguilera and told her she "got the deal".[8] It took about seven days to record the song.[8] Remembering how the accompaniment for the ballad was recorded, Aguilera told Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, "It's enough to bring tears to your eyes, hearing a 90-piece orchestra playing your song. It was amazing."[8] It was conducted by the Academy Award-winning composer Jerry Goldsmith.[10] "Reflection" was Aguilera's second official studio track ever recorded, after the single "All I Wanna Do", a duet with Japanese singer-songwriter Keizo Nakanishi.[8][11][12]

After she was asked to hit E5,[13][14] the highest note required by Disney, she thought that the song could be the gateway into an album deal. Aguilera spent hours recording a cover of Whitney Houston's "Run to You", which included the note she was asked to hit.[9] After successfully hitting the note, which she called "the note that changed my life", she was given the opportunity to record the song and subsequently signed a record deal with RCA Records.[15][16]

Serving as her debut solo single, Aguilera's version of "Reflection" was released to adult contemporary radio on June 15, 1998.[17] The song was released as a CD single in Japan on September 18, 1998.[18] Due to the success around the recording of "Reflection", RCA wished for Aguilera to record and release an album by September 1998 to maintain the "hype" surrounding her at that time.[15] The label laid the foundation for the album immediately and started presenting Aguilera with tracks for her debut album, which was later pushed to a January 1999 release.[15] Her self-titled debut album was eventually released on August 24, 1999, and "Reflection" was included on the album's track list.[19] It was later included on the compilation Disneymania (2002) and in remixed form on Disneymania 4 (2004).[20][21]

In a 2024 interview for Spotify, Aguilera opined that "Reflection" has "stood the test of time", and added: "[...] People love that song so much because it's about not being seen and that's been a part of my career."[22][23]

Reception

Aguilera's rendition of "Reflection" received acclaim.[24] Toronto Sun editor Jane Stevenson called it an "adult-contemporary hit" which started the singer's career.[25] Beth Johnson of Entertainment Weekly noted Aguilera has a "who-am-I musings" persona in the song,[26] while Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic commented that "Matthew Wilder and David Zippel's full-fledged songs [on Mulan] are flat and unmemorable."[27] By contrast, in retrospect, Billboard's Chris Malone complimented the song as a "classic ballad".[28] Billboard later placed "Reflection" at number twenty-three on its list of the 100 Greatest Disneyverse Songs of All Time, commenting: "Largely thanks to Christina Aguilera’s breakthrough rendition of the hit, 'Reflection' has become an anthem for young people — especially women — who are working towards being unapologetically themselves."[29] Attitude ranked "Reflection" at number twelve on its list of Aguilera's seventeen best songs, calling it "finely crafted",[30] and AXS placed it at number eight on a similar, top ten list.[31] "Reflection" was nominated for Outstanding Performance of a Song for Feature Film at the 1999 ALMA Awards.[32]

"Reflection" charted at number 86 on the South Korea International chart, and peaked at number 19 on the Adult Contemporary chart in the United States.[33][34] After the success of the track, Aguilera's record label RCA decided to fund her debut album (costing over one million dollars), and eventually funded more than they had predicted initially.[35]

Live performances

Aguilera performed the song on television four times, first on the CBS This Morning, and then on the Donny & Marie show; neither of these performances were directed at her demographic of teen viewers.[33] Whilst watching the show on This Morning, Aguilera gained the attention of songwriter Diane Warren, who was astonished by such a young performer being as "polished" as she was. Warren later stated that she had seen the potential in Aguilera.[35] The singer also performed "Reflection" on MuchMusic's Intimate and Interactive on May 17, 2000.[36] An ABC special in 2000, featuring a performance of the song, was recorded and released in a DVD titled My Reflection.[37] The song was later included in the setlist for Aguilera's Vegas residency Christina Aguilera: The Xperience. In 2024, Aguilera performed the song at the end of her 25th anniversary Spotify special and was released as part of an extended play titled The 25th Anniversary of Christina Aguilera (Spotify Anniversaries Live).[38]

International versions

Legacy

In 2025, Cardi B was a guest on Call Her Daddy and revealed that "Reflection" was "as inspiration [for her] to find her purpose in life".[47]

Track listing

  1. "Reflection" (performed by Christina Aguilera) – 3:34
  2. "Honor To Us All" (performed by Beth Fowler, Lea Salonga, Marnie Nixon) – 3:03
  1. "Reflection" (performed by Christina Aguilera) – 3:34
  2. "Reflection" (performed by Lea Salonga) – 2:27
  1. "Reflection" (performed by Christina Aguilera) – 3:34
  2. "True To Your Heart" (performed by 98 Degrees & Stevie Wonder) – 4:17

Charts

Weekly chart performance for "Reflection"
Chart (1998–2014) Peak
position
South Korea International (Gaon)[48] 86
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[34] 19

Release history

Release history and formats for "Reflection"
Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
United States June 15, 1998 Adult contemporary [17]
Japan September 18, 1998 CD Pony Canyon [18]

2020 version

"Reflection (2020)"
Single by Christina Aguilera
from the album Mulan
ReleasedAugust 28, 2020
Length3:38
LabelWalt Disney
ComposerMatthew Wilder
LyricistDavid Zippel
ProducerHarry Gregson-Williams
Christina Aguilera singles chronology
"Loyal Brave True"
(2020) 		"Reflection (2020)"
(2020) 		"Pa Mis Muchachas"
(2021)
Music video
"Reflection" (2020) on YouTube

Although the live action remake was announced not to be a musical, on February 27, 2020, Aguilera announced that she had recorded a new version of the song for the upcoming movie, which was going to be featured in the movie soundtrack.[49] Film composer Harry Gregson-Williams provided the orchestra for Aguilera's re-recorded version, and film director Niki Caro directed the music video.[50]

Reception

In December 2020, PopSugar UK's Kelsie Gibson named the release of "Reflection" as one of the top 15 nostalgic moments of the year.[51] Commercially, the single charted at number 42 on the Scottish Singles Chart, number 35 on the United Kingdom Singles Downloads Chart, number 21 in Singapore, and number 20 on the Billboard Digital Song Sales chart in the United States. It was also certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for equivalent sales of 500,000 units in the United States, and was nominated for the Best Adapted Song at the 2021 Online Film & Television Association Awards.[52]

International versions

Later that year, Coco Lee also announced that she was going to re-record the Mandarin end-credits version of the song, as she had already done in 1998.[53][46] On March 8, 2020, Coco's Mandarin version was also covered by actress Liu Yifei for the soundtrack of the live-action,[54] while a brand-new Japanese and Korean versions were recorded by singers Minami Kizuki and Lee Su-hyun respectively.[55][56] On September 4, 2020, a Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu versions were released on the Indian Vevo channel, with Indian singer Nithayashree Venkataramanan performing the song both in Tamil and Telugu, even though no such versions of the animated movie were ever released.[57][58][59] On November 20, 2020, another English version of the song was recorded by Indonesian singers Yura Yunita, Sivia Azizah, Agatha Pricilla, and Nadin Amizah, with the music video released on the DisneyMusicAsiaVEVO channel. The song was released to accompany the Indonesian-dubbed version of the movie on Disney+ Hotstar.[60][61]

"Reflection" (2020 end credits version) worldwide
Language Performer Title Translation
English Christina Aguilera "Reflection"
Hindi Sunayana Sarkar "परछाई" ("Parchhaayi") "Reflection"
Japanese 城南海 (Minami Kizuki) "リフレクション" ("Rifurekushon")
Korean 이수현 (Lee Su-hyun) "숨겨진 내 모습" ("Sumgyeojin nae moseub") "The hidden reflection of me"
Mandarin Chinese 李玟 (Coco Lee) "自己" ("Zìjǐ") "Myself"
刘亦菲 (Liu Yifei)
Tamil Nithayashree Venkataramanan "என் பிம்பம்" ("Yen bhimbham") "My reflection"
Telugu "నాలో నేనే" ("Nālō nēnē") "Self within myself"

Charts

Chart performance for "Reflection" (2020 version)
Chart (2020) Peak
position
Scotland (Official Charts Company)[62] 42
Singapore (RIAS)[63] 21
UK Download Chart (OCC)[64] 35
US Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[65] 20

Certifications

Certifications for "Reflection" (2020 version)
Region Certification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[66] Gold 500,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Other versions

The group Mannheim Steamroller covered the song on their 1999 album, Mannheim Steamroller Meets the Mouse. Michael Crawford covered this song in The Disney Album. His rendition replaces the word "girl" with "man". Singer and American Idol winner Jordin Sparks performed the song on the Dedication Week of the sixth season of the show, with the performance she moved forward to the next round.[67] Jackie Evancho also covered the song on her fourth studio album, Songs from the Silver Screen.[68] In La Voz... Argentina (the Argentinian version of The Voice), the Spanish version of the song was covered by Sofia Rangone.[69] During the Chinese competition show Singer 2018, British Singer Jessie J performed a rearranged version of the song, during episode 11, gaining her fifth first place. On 7 May 2023, Nicole Scherzinger performed the song at the Coronation Concert, held in celebration of the coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla the day before,[70] accompanied by Chinese pianist Lang Lang.[71]

Notes

  1. Thomas Erlewine, Stephen. "Mulan: Original Soundtrack". AllMusic. All Media Network.
  2. "Digital Sheet Music – Lea Salonga Reflection (from 'Mulan')". Walt Disney Publishing Company. April 2, 2007.
  3. "Early Version of Reflection from Disney's Animated Mulan - 1996".
  4. Reflection, by Lea Salonga @ Council Rock HS South Master Class, March 29, 2015
  5. "British single certifications – Lea Salonga – Reflection". British Phonographic Industry. Select singles in the Formats field. Type Reflection Lea Salonga in the "Search:" field.
  6. "American single certifications – Lea Salonga – Reflection". Recording Industry Association of America.
  7. Christina Aguilera (liner notes). Christina Aguilera. RCA Records. 1999.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  8. Sodergren, Rebecca (July 30, 1998). "The Right Note". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
  9. Dominguez 2003, p. 43
  10. "Mulan – Film Soundtrack: CastAlbums.org". CastAlbums. Archived from the original on May 17, 2024.
  11. Hoffmann, Frank, ed. (2004). Encyclopedia of Recorded Sound (PDF). Taylor & Francis. p. 16. ISBN 9781135949495.
  12. Silva, Maria (January 22, 2000). "Christina Aguilera: ¿Qué hay dentro de la botella?" (in Spanish). Meridiano. p. B2. I did a single with a Japanese singer (Keizo Nakanishi) when I was 16
  13. "The Right Note". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. July 30, 1998. p. E-5 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. Strauss, Neil (July 6, 2000). "Christina Aguilera: The hit girl". Rolling Stone.
  15. Dominguez 2003, p. 44
  16. Dominguez 2003, p. 38
  17. "Disney's Mulan: An Original Walt Disney Records Soundtrack". Billboard. Vol. 110, no. 19. May 9, 1998. p. 20.
  18. "リフレクション" [Reflection] (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on March 5, 2015.
  19. Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Christina Aguilera – Christina Aguilera: Overview". AllMusic. All Media Network. Archived from the original on July 28, 2020.
  20. Disneymania – Disney | Album | AllMusic
  21. Disneymania 4 – Disney | Album | AllMusic
  22. "Watch Sabrina Carpenter sing 'What a Girl Wants' with Christina Aguilera". WRMF. Hubbard Broadcasting. September 24, 2024. Archived from the original on September 24, 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  23. "Sabrina Carpenter Duets on 'What a Girl Wants' as Christina Aguilera's Debut Album Turns 25". TooFab. EHM Productions, Inc. September 23, 2024. Archived from the original on September 23, 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  24. "Christina Aguilera". D23. 2019. Her rendition of 'Reflection' was met with high acclaim{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  25. "Christina Aguilera – 'Christina Aguilera'". The London Free Press. Canoe. August 22, 1999. Archived from the original on February 23, 2001.
  26. Johnson, Beth (August 20, 1999). "Christina Aguilera". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on October 17, 2012.
  27. Erlewine, Stephen Thomas (June 2, 1998). "Mulan Soundtrack Review". AllMusic. All Media Network.
  28. Malone, Chris (August 24, 2019). "Christina Aguilera's Debut Album Turns 20: All the Tracks Ranked". Billboard. Billboard Media, LLC. Archived from the original on March 28, 2023.
  29. Havens, Lyndsey (May 25, 2023). "The 100 Greatest Disneyverse Songs of All Time". Billboard. Billboard Media, LLC. Archived from the original on May 29, 2023.
  30. Tabberer, Jamie (August 2, 2022). "Christina Aguilera's 17 best songs ranked – from Dirrty to Beautiful". Attitude.
  31. Afshar, Sarah (March 29, 2015). "Top 10 best Christina Aguilera songs". AXS. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016.
  32. "1999 NCLR ALMA Awards: Nominees" (PDF). ALMA Awards. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 5, 2013.
  33. Dominguez 2003, p. 45
  34. Whitburn, Joel (2007). Top Adult Songs 1961-2006. Record Research, Inc. p. 5. ISBN 978-0-89820-169-7.
  35. Dominguez 2003, p. 46
  36. "Christina Aguilera Live". Intimate and Interactive. May 17, 2000. Event occurs at 60. MuchMusic.
  37. "Amazon.com: Christina Aguilera – My Reflection: Christina Aguilera, Dr. John, Brian McKnight, Bow Wow, Lawrence Jordan (II), Paul Hunter: Movies & TV". Amazon. June 5, 2001.
  38. Evans, Erin E. (December 11, 2024). "The Best Albums of 2024". HuffPost. BuzzFeed, Inc..{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  39. Erlewine, Stepehn. "Reflection: Overview". Allmusic. Rovi.
  40. Various artists, Mulan
  41. Mulan - 1998 Latin American Spanish Soundtrack
  42. "¿Te gusta la música de "Mulan"? Lucero sufrió mucho para grabarla, pero obtuvo esta recompensa: Video". Heraldo de México (in Spanish). February 25, 2021.
  43. "NAVER VIBE(바이브)". vibe.naver.com (in Korean).
  44. 李玟的《自己》 (in Chinese (Taiwan))
  45. 花木蘭 (DVD) (in Chinese). Taiwan: Disney. 1998.
  46. "YESASIA: Mulan Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (OST) (Taiwan Bonus Track Version) CD - Movie Soundtrack, Coco Lee, Universal Music Taiwan - Western / World Music - Free Shipping". www.yesasia.com.
  47. "Cardi B: Drama, Divorce, & Diggs (Full Episode)". Call Her Daddy. September 24, 2025. Archived from the original on September 25, 2025 – via YouTube.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  48. "Gaon Singles Chart (International)" (in Korean). Gaon Music Chart.
  49. "Original 'Reflection' singer Christina Aguilera has recorded new material for live-action 'Mulan'". Entertainment Weekly.
  50. Romano, Nick (August 28, 2020). "Christina Aguilera finally drops 'Reflection' video for Mulan". Entertainment Weekly.
  51. Gibson, Kelsie (December 11, 2020). "15 Nostalgic Moments That Took Us to Any Year but 2020". PopSugar UK. Group Nine Media.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  52. "25th Annual Film Awards (2020) – Online Film & Television Association". Online Film & Television Association Awards. Archived from the original on March 15, 2021.
  53. 迪士尼影業 (August 20, 2020). "《花木蘭》經典主題曲〈自己〉配唱花絮". YouTube. Archived from the original on December 21, 2021.
  54. 顾馨. "Chinese version of 'Reflection' released for upcoming 'Mulan' - Chinadaily.com.cn". www.chinadaily.com.cn.
  55. "「ムーラン」日本版主題歌「リフレクション」 by 城南海さん（60秒）". YouTube.
  56. 디즈니 (August 23, 2020). "[뮬란] 숨겨진 내 모습(Reflection) 티저 MV". YouTube. Archived from the original on December 21, 2021.
  57. DisneyMusicIndiaVEVO (September 4, 2020). "Sunayana Sarkar - Parchhaayi (From "Mulan"/Audio Only)". YouTube. Archived from the original on December 21, 2021.
  58. DisneyMusicIndiaVEVO (September 4, 2020). "Nithayashree Venkataramanan - Naalone nene (From "Mulan"/Audio Only)". YouTube. Archived from the original on December 21, 2021.
  59. DisneyMusicIndiaVEVO (September 4, 2020). "Nithayashree Venkataramanan - Yen Bhimbham (From "Mulan"/Audio Only)". YouTube. Archived from the original on December 21, 2021.
  60. Reflection (From "Mulan"/Official Video), November 19, 2020, archived from the original on December 21, 2021
  61. Mawarni, Siwi Tri. "4 Indonesian female singers sing the Disney's live action 'Mulan' soundtrack | Seasia.co". Good News from Southeast Asia.
  62. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100: 04 September 2020 – 10 September 2020". Official Charts Company.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  63. "RIAS International Top Charts Week 37". Recording Industry Association (Singapore). Archived from the original on September 15, 2020.
  64. "Christina Aguilera Songs and Albums – Full Official Charts History". Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on October 7, 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  65. "DIGITAL SONG SALES – The week of September 12, 2020". Billboard.{{cite magazine}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  66. "American single certifications – Christina Aguilera – Reflection". Recording Industry Association of America.
  67. "Top 20". American Idol (television show). Jordin Sparks. 2007.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  68. "Songs from the Silver Screen". Target Corporation.
  69. "Termino Una etapa en 'La Voz Argentina'". Diario Show (in Spanish). August 12, 2012. Archived from the original on November 26, 2012.
  70. Petridis, Alexis (May 7, 2023). "Coronation Concert review – a cobbled-together bunch of B-listers". The Guardian.
  71. Hall, Sophia Alexandra (May 7, 2023). "Lang Lang and Nicole Scherzinger perform 'Reflection' from Disney's Mulan at Windsor Castle". Classic fM.

References