Idina Menzel sang “Let It Go” as Elsa in the original 2013 Disney film Frozen. The song was also recorded by Demi Lovato for the movie’s end credits, which is why both singers are often linked to it.
If you are asking who performed the version heard during the story, it was Menzel. This article explains how the two recordings differ, who wrote the song, where each version appears, and why the end-credit recording can cause confusion.
who sang frozen let it go originally
Idina Menzel performed the original film version of “Let It Go.” She voices Elsa, the queen with ice powers, in Disney’s 2013 animated movie Frozen. The song plays during the scene in which Elsa leaves Arendelle and creates an ice palace in the mountains.
Demi Lovato recorded a separate pop version for the film’s end credits. Both recordings were released in connection with the movie, but they serve different purposes: Menzel’s is part of the story, while Lovato’s plays after the story ends.
So, if “originally” means the singer heard in the movie’s main narrative, the answer is Idina Menzel. If you remember a radio-friendly version or the end credits, you may be thinking of Demi Lovato.
Which singer performs each version?
The two recordings share the same song and lyrics, but they are not interchangeable versions of the same scene. One is Elsa’s character performance; the other is a separate pop recording credited to Lovato.
| Version | Performer | Where it appears | Best way to identify it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Film version | Idina Menzel | During the story, sung by Elsa | It accompanies Elsa’s departure and ice-palace scene |
| End-credit version | Demi Lovato | Over the film’s end credits | It is a separate pop-style recording |
Both tracks are commonly listed as “Let It Go,” so a title alone may not tell you which one you are hearing. Check the performer credit or listen for context: Elsa’s version is woven into the film scene, while Lovato’s recording is the end-credit track.
Why are there two recordings of “Let It Go”?
Animated musicals often use songs in two ways: as part of the characters’ story and as music that can stand on its own outside the film. “Let It Go” was written for Elsa to sing at a turning point, so Menzel’s version carries the character’s emotions and moves the plot forward.
The end-credit recording gives the song a separate pop presentation. It lets the credits feature a standalone performance rather than simply repeating the scene as heard in the movie. The two tracks therefore have different credits and arrangements, even though they use the same lyrics and melody.
This distinction explains many search results and soundtrack listings. A streaming service may show both recordings under the same song title, while a video clip may omit whether it comes from the film or the credits. Look at the artist name: Idina Menzel is the film performer; Demi Lovato is the end-credit performer.
Who wrote the song?
“Let It Go” was written by the songwriting team Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez. They wrote both the music and lyrics for the song. The performers brought it to life on their respective recordings, but they are not the songwriters.
That difference matters when you see the song’s awards or music credits. Menzel and Lovato are credited as singers on different versions. Anderson-Lopez and Lopez are credited as the writers who created the composition.
The song won the Academy Award for Best Original Song at the 2014 Oscars. The award recognized the songwriters’ work, not a contest between the two singers. Menzel performed the song at the ceremony, giving the film version a prominent live moment.
What does “originally” mean in this question?
The word “originally” can refer to a few different things: the first version heard in the film, the first recording released, or the singer most closely associated with the song. For the movie itself, the clear answer is Menzel. Her performance is the version written into the story and sung by Elsa.
Lovato’s recording was also released in connection with the original film, not years later as a cover. That is why a person may remember it as an “original” version too. The useful distinction is not simply old versus new; it is in-film character performance versus end-credit pop recording.
There may also be confusion because Menzel is known for singing the song in concert and at awards events. Those performances are based on the version associated with Elsa, but they are live performances of the song rather than the separate Lovato studio track.
How to tell which recording you are hearing
- Check the singer credit. Idina Menzel means the film performance. Demi Lovato means the end-credit pop recording.
- Notice where it occurs. If Elsa is singing onscreen during the mountain scene, it is Menzel’s version. If the movie has reached its credits, it is Lovato’s.
- Check the album or track description. Soundtrack listings often identify the performer next to the track title. Read the full credit instead of relying on “Let It Go” alone.
- Use the recording context. A film clip with dialogue, character action, or scene sounds points to the soundtrack performance. A standalone pop track points to the end-credit recording.
These clues are more reliable than trying to identify the singer from a short lyric clip. Both singers perform the same melody and words, and online uploads do not always label the version clearly.
Why Idina Menzel’s performance fits Elsa
Menzel’s recording was made to serve a dramatic scene, not just to present a hit song. Elsa has spent much of the story hiding her powers and fearing what they might do. In the song, she leaves the kingdom and stops trying to conceal her abilities.
The performance needs to sound like a character making a decision in real time. Menzel’s strong musical-theater delivery supports that shift from restraint to confidence. The song also changes the visual story: Elsa builds the ice palace as she sings, so the music and animation develop together.
That connection is one reason people identify “Let It Go” with Elsa and Menzel even if they have heard Lovato’s recording elsewhere. The film version is attached to a specific character, choice, and scene. The end-credit version does not take the place of that moment.
Why the singers are sometimes mixed up
Both versions appeared around the release of the same movie, share the same title, and feature the same lyrics. Someone who heard the end credits or a pop playlist may remember Lovato’s voice, while someone who watched the story may remember Menzel’s performance.
Soundtrack albums can add to the mix-up because they include both recordings. A search for the song may also return cover versions, live performances, karaoke tracks, or fan uploads. The video title and thumbnail are not always enough to confirm who is singing.
A common misconception is that Demi Lovato dubbed Elsa in the movie. She did not. Menzel voices Elsa and sings the version heard in the film’s main story. Lovato recorded the separate end-credit version.
Frequently asked questions
Did Idina Menzel sing “Let It Go” in the movie?
Yes. Idina Menzel sings the film version as Elsa. It plays during the scene where Elsa leaves Arendelle and creates her ice palace.
Did Demi Lovato sing the original “Let It Go”?
Lovato recorded a version for the end credits, but she does not sing Elsa’s in-story performance. Menzel’s is the version heard during the film’s main narrative.
Who sings “Let It Go” at the end of Frozen?
Demi Lovato performs the separate pop version used over the end credits. The scene within the movie features Menzel.
Who wrote “Let It Go”?
Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez wrote the song. Menzel and Lovato perform different recordings of it.
Did Idina Menzel sing “Let It Go” at the Oscars?
Yes. Menzel performed the song at the 2014 Academy Awards. The song later won the Oscar for Best Original Song, an award given to its writers.
Are the Idina Menzel and Demi Lovato versions the same recording?
No. They are separate recordings by different singers. They share the song’s lyrics and melody, but each has its own performance and recording.
What to check when looking up the song
If you want the version from the movie, search for “Let It Go” with Idina Menzel or look for a Frozen soundtrack listing that credits her. If you want the end-credit pop recording, search for Demi Lovato’s version specifically.
For a clean answer, avoid treating a cover, live performance, or fan-made video as one of the two original soundtrack recordings. Confirm the performer in the track details. That small check prevents the most common mix-up: assuming the end-credit singer also voices Elsa.
Idina Menzel sang “Let It Go” as Elsa in the original Frozen story. Demi Lovato recorded the separate pop version used for the end credits, and Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez wrote the song.
To find the recording you remember, check the artist credit rather than the title alone: Menzel means the in-film version, while Lovato means the end-credit version.