One Jump Ahead (song)

"One Jump Ahead" and its reprise are two songs from the 1992 Disney animated film Aladdin. They are both performed by Aladdin (Brad Kane in the film, and Adam Jacobs in the musical).

Production

Aladdin had a lot of rewrites during production, and many songs were cut as characters were written out of the script or as the plot was altered. At one point, the song which showed Aladdin being at his lowest point and wanting to strive for more with his life was entitled "Proud of Your Boy", and was directed at his mother who was disappointed by his life choices. After being controversially cut, another attempt was 'Count On Me' a "low-key "I want" song" for Aladdin. Eventually the song 'One Jump Ahead' and its reprise were chosen.^[1]

"One Jump Ahead" and "A Whole New World" were written by Alan Menken and Tim Rice for Aladdin after Howard Ashman died in March 1991. Ashman and Menken had originally written a series of musical numbers, many of which were cut.^[2] The Cinema Scene explains "Babkak, Omar, Aladdin, Kassim [was] A jumpy tune that helped to inspire "One Jump Ahead" in the final film".^[3]

Synopsis

"One Jump Ahead" takes place as Aladdin causes havoc in the square and acts like a street rat. After stealing a loaf of bread, Aladdin is chased by the guards through the streets of Agrabah, always reminding us that he must steal in order to survive. While dodging the guards Aladdin climbs up buildings, ducks behind street performers, swings into a harem, and even attracts the attention of some of the street ladies of Agrabah. The reprise of the song takes place immediately after when he starts to question what his life has become and if there is a better future for his out there.

Critical reception

AllMusic wrote "The manic "One Jump" and "Arabian Nights" are cut from the cloth of classic Broadway show tunes".^[4] The Star described it as a "clever number about what a good crook Aladdin is", and noted its "revelatory lyrics".^[5] Letterboxd wrote "Songs aren't especially great, but Rice does a remarkably good Ashman impression on his numbers", noting that it One Jump Ahead for an Ashman number due to its witty lyrics.^[6]

The National Post said that in the Broadway version, "The movie’s songs — One Jump Ahead, Friend Like Me and, best of all, Diamond in the Rough — come up fresh and sparkling".^[7]

References