Legend and Grande to sing Beauty and the Beast theme

IN THE original animated film Beauty and the Beast, Celine Dion and Peabo Bryson sang the Oscar-winning title track that was featured at the end credits, and until today, it remains one of the most enduring love ballads of all time.

For the live-action movie Beauty and the Beast that will open here on March 16, Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures announced that Academy Award (for Glory) and Grammy winner John Legend ( far right) has recorded a new version of the ballad with multiplatinum selling artiste Ariana Grande ( right).

The enchanting ballad was composed by eight-time Oscarwinning composer Alan Menken, with two-time Oscar-winner Howard Ashman providing the unforgettable lyrics.

It received an Academy Award, Golden Globe and Grammy Award, among other accolades, upon its release in 1991.

Menken also provided the score for the new film, with new recordings of the original songs written by Menken himself and Ashman.

Also featured are three new songs written by Menken and veteran lyricist and three-time Oscar winner Tim Rice.

The new rendition of the classic song is produced by Grammy-winning veteran Ron Fair, whose music career spans 37 years as a major-label record company leader and accomplished producer, arranger, recording engineer and musical director.

“Stepping into the shoes of an Oscar- and Grammy award-winning classic is not small potatoes,” said Fair. “But with today’s two greatest singers – John Legend and Ariana Grande – we are bringing the song back with a ‘new school-old school‘ fresh treatment that shows the power of what a great melody and lyric can inspire.”

The music video will be directed by Dave Meyers, the innovative visionary who has long collaborated with major artistes like P!nk, Janet Jackson, Ice Cube and Britney Spears.

He recently directed the music video for P!nk’s hit single Just Like Fire from the Walt Disney Records soundtrack for Alice Through the Looking Glass.

The original motion picture soundtrack will be released by Walt Disney Records on March 10.