who sings the frozen song? The voice behind Let It Go
If you mean the best-known song from Disney’s Frozen, “Let It Go,” it is sung by Idina Menzel as Elsa in the movie. Demi Lovato recorded a separate version for the film’s end credits.
That distinction matters because the soundtrack includes several popular songs, and different characters perform them. Here’s who sings each major track, how the two versions of “Let It Go” differ, and where to hear the songs in the film. You’ll also find quick answers to common questions about the singers, songwriters, and soundtrack.
who sings the frozen song? The answer depends on the track
If someone asks who sings the song from Frozen, they usually mean “Let It Go.” Idina Menzel sings the version heard in the movie, performing as Elsa. Demi Lovato sings a separate pop recording used over the end credits.
Both recordings are official, but they have different arrangements and serve different purposes. Menzel’s version is part of the story: Elsa sings it as she leaves Arendelle and embraces her powers. Lovato’s version is a standalone end-credits performance, not the voice Elsa sings with during the scene.
The question can also refer to another track, such as “Do You Want to Build a Snowman?” or “For the First Time in Forever.” Those songs feature different performers. The table below gives a quick guide.
| Song | Performer in the film | Best known for |
|---|---|---|
| “Let It Go” | Idina Menzel as Elsa | Elsa’s solo in the ice palace |
| “Let It Go” end-credits version | Demi Lovato | Pop recording over the credits |
| “Do You Want to Build a Snowman?” | Kristen Bell as Anna | Anna’s attempts to reach Elsa |
| “For the First Time in Forever” | Kristen Bell and Idina Menzel | Anna and Elsa’s contrasting hopes |
| “Love Is an Open Door” | Kristen Bell and Santino Fontana | Anna and Hans’s duet |
| “In Summer” | Josh Gad as Olaf | Olaf’s cheerful wish to experience summer |
| “Fixer Upper” | Maia Wilson and the trolls | The trolls’ advice about Kristoff |
Who performs each major song in Frozen?
The original film’s songs are performed by the actors who voice the characters, with a few tracks featuring an ensemble. Knowing the character and scene can help you identify a song even if you only remember a lyric or melody.
“Let It Go” — Idina Menzel
Idina Menzel provides Elsa’s singing voice for “Let It Go” in the film. The song follows Elsa’s flight from the kingdom after her powers are revealed. Alone on the mountain, she stops hiding her ability to create ice and builds an ice palace.
Menzel’s performance is the movie’s narrative version. It begins with a restrained mood and grows into a powerful solo, matching Elsa’s shift from fear toward self-acceptance. If you are looking for the recording that accompanies the animated scene, this is the one to choose.
“Do You Want to Build a Snowman?” — Kristen Bell
Kristen Bell sings as Anna, with the song tracing Anna’s attempts to reconnect with her sister over several years. The changing voices and delivery reflect Anna growing up, while the repeated invitation stays familiar.
Because the track moves through different moments in the sisters’ childhood and adulthood, it can sound like more than one singer is involved. Bell is the central voice as Anna. The song also uses young performers for the younger versions of the characters.
“For the First Time in Forever” — Kristen Bell and Idina Menzel
This number brings Anna and Elsa’s points of view together. Anna is excited that the castle gates will open for the coronation, while Elsa worries about losing control of her powers. Bell and Menzel sing the parts belonging to their characters.
The reprise later sets the sisters’ emotions against each other more directly. If you hear the same melody in a more tense scene, you may be thinking of “For the First Time in Forever (Reprise),” which again features Bell and Menzel.
“Love Is an Open Door” — Kristen Bell and Santino Fontana
Anna and Hans sing this upbeat duet during their quick courtship. Bell performs as Anna, and Santino Fontana performs as Hans. Its cheerful romantic style is part of the joke and storytelling: the characters rush into a connection before they truly know each other.
“In Summer” — Josh Gad
Josh Gad sings as Olaf, the snowman who dreams about warm weather. The song’s humor comes from Olaf’s sincere excitement and his lack of understanding about what heat would do to a snowman.
“Fixer Upper” — Maia Wilson and the trolls
Maia Wilson leads the song as Bulda, with the trolls joining in. The scene takes place when Kristoff brings Anna to his troll family for help. It is an ensemble number rather than a solo by one of the two princesses.
Why are there two versions of “Let It Go”?
The movie and the end credits use different recordings because each has a different job. Menzel’s track carries the story and matches Elsa’s on-screen performance. Lovato’s recording presents the song as a contemporary pop track for the credits and soundtrack audience.
They share the same song, written by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, but the performances are not interchangeable in the film. One is sung by Elsa within the plot; the other is a separate interpretation outside that scene.
| Version | Singer | Where it appears | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Movie version | Idina Menzel | Elsa’s ice-palace scene | Hearing the story performance |
| End-credits version | Demi Lovato | Film end credits and soundtrack releases | Hearing a separate pop interpretation |
Quick listening tip: Check the track title and performer in your music app. A playlist may label both recordings simply as “Let It Go,” so the singer’s name is the quickest way to tell them apart.
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Check Price on AmazonWho wrote “Let It Go” and the other Frozen songs?
“Let It Go” was written by songwriters Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez. They wrote the songs for the original Frozen film, including “Do You Want to Build a Snowman?,” “For the First Time in Forever,” “Love Is an Open Door,” “In Summer,” and “Fixer Upper.”
The writers create songs that move the plot forward as well as express character feelings. For example, “Let It Go” shows Elsa making a choice, while “Do You Want to Build a Snowman?” shows how separation affects Anna over time. These songs are not just musical breaks; they provide information that the dialogue alone does not.
Songwriting credit and performance credit are different. The songwriters create the music and lyrics, while the actors and singers perform the parts. So, Anderson-Lopez and Lopez wrote “Let It Go,” but Menzel performs the version in the movie.
How to identify the Frozen song you remember
If you know the scene, character, or a few details about the sound, you can usually narrow down the track without remembering the title. Use these clues:
- Elsa builds an ice palace and sings alone: “Let It Go,” performed by Idina Menzel in the film.
- Anna knocks on Elsa’s door across different stages of childhood: “Do You Want to Build a Snowman?,” led by Kristen Bell.
- The sisters sing about the castle opening: “For the First Time in Forever,” performed by Bell and Menzel.
- Anna and Hans sing together: “Love Is an Open Door,” performed by Bell and Santino Fontana.
- Olaf imagines enjoying hot weather: “In Summer,” sung by Josh Gad.
- Trolls sing about helping Kristoff and Anna: “Fixer Upper,” led by Maia Wilson with the troll ensemble.
If you remember the song but not the scene, listen for the character’s voice. A spoken line immediately before or after the number can also help identify it. Soundtrack track listings often include the title and performer, which is useful when two recordings share a name.
Is Idina Menzel Elsa’s speaking voice too?
Yes. Idina Menzel provides Elsa’s speaking voice and her singing voice in the original film. Kristen Bell likewise provides both Anna’s speaking and singing voice. This is why the songs sound closely tied to the characters’ dialogue and personalities.
The movie also includes other performers in supporting roles. Josh Gad voices and sings as Olaf, and Santino Fontana voices and sings as Hans. In “Fixer Upper,” Maia Wilson performs as Bulda, joined by the trolls.
A common mix-up is assuming a character’s song must be performed by a different singer because the soundtrack has a guest version. That is not the case for Elsa’s movie performance of “Let It Go”: Menzel sings it in the scene. Lovato’s version is an additional recording for the credits.
Which recording should you play?
Choose the version that matches what you want to hear. For the original story moment, play Idina Menzel’s movie version. For a separate pop arrangement, choose Demi Lovato’s end-credits recording. Both are valid ways to hear the song, but only Menzel’s version is Elsa’s performance in the film.
If you are making a playlist of the soundtrack, include the singer’s name beside the title. That small detail prevents confusion later, especially if the playlist contains both versions. For a full movie-song collection, look for the original soundtrack and check its track listing rather than relying on a search result that displays only the song title.
Also pay attention to whether a recording is from the original film or another release. A sequel, stage production, cover, or live performance may use a familiar song with a different singer or arrangement. The performer and release information make the distinction clear.
Common questions about the Frozen songs
Does Demi Lovato sing “Let It Go” in the movie?
No. Idina Menzel sings the version used in the movie scene as Elsa. Demi Lovato recorded a separate version for the end credits.
Who sings “Let It Go” in the original movie?
Idina Menzel sings it as Elsa. She performs the song as Elsa leaves Arendelle and accepts her powers.
Who sings “Do You Want to Build a Snowman?”
Kristen Bell sings as Anna, with young performers also voicing Anna at earlier ages in the song’s progression.
Who sings the duet with Anna in “Love Is an Open Door”?
Santino Fontana sings as Hans opposite Kristen Bell as Anna.
Are the songs sung by the voice actors?
For the main characters in the original film, the actors perform their characters’ songs: Idina Menzel as Elsa, Kristen Bell as Anna, Josh Gad as Olaf, and Santino Fontana as Hans. Some ensemble tracks include additional performers.
Who wrote the songs for the original Frozen movie?
Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez wrote the songs for the original film. They also wrote “Let It Go.”
For the song most people mean, Idina Menzel sings “Let It Go” as Elsa in the movie. Demi Lovato recorded a separate version for the end credits, while other soundtrack songs belong to performers such as Kristen Bell, Josh Gad, and Santino Fontana.
To find the exact recording you want, match the title with the singer’s name. Choose Menzel for the film scene or Lovato for the end-credits pop version.