“I Know It’s Today” is a powerful and poignant song from the Broadway musical Shrek the Musical, sung by Princess Fiona at various stages of her life. The lyrics beautifully capture Fiona’s unwavering belief in a fairytale ending, despite years of isolation and disappointment. The song’s recurring motif, “I know it’s today,” highlights Fiona’s persistent hope that her prince will arrive and rescue her from her tower. Young Fiona, full of naive optimism, sings with unwavering certainty.
As Fiona grows into a teenager, her optimism begins to wane, but the core belief remains. The lyrics reflect a growing impatience and frustration, yet the underlying hope persists. She’s still counting the days, clinging to the promise of a storybook ending. The repetition of “I know it’s today” becomes more desperate, less assured.
Finally, as an adult, Fiona’s desperation is palpable. Years of waiting have taken their toll, and while a flicker of hope remains, it’s overshadowed by cynicism and self-doubt. The song evolves into a plea, a desperate cry for connection and love. The once bright “I know it’s today” transforms into a weary, almost resigned statement.
The song cleverly contrasts Fiona’s idealized expectations with the reality of her situation. She references classic fairytale tropes – princesses in towers, poisoned apples, handsome princes – but her own story deviates from the expected narrative. This juxtaposition underscores the humor and pathos of Fiona’s predicament. She desperately wants to believe in the fairytale, but reality continually intrudes.
The lyrics also reveal Fiona’s growing impatience and frustration. She urges the narrator to “skip ahead” to the happy ending, highlighting her desire to bypass the unpleasantness and uncertainty of the present. She wants the fairytale ending without the messy middle. This desire for instant gratification speaks to a broader theme of impatience and the struggle to accept the imperfections of life.
The song culminates in a powerful, collective expression of longing as all three Fionas unite in their shared desire for love and acceptance. The final, harmonized “I know it’s today” is a bittersweet blend of hope and resignation, acknowledging the enduring power of dreams even in the face of disappointment. It’s a testament to the human capacity for hope, even when faced with years of disappointment. The song resonates with audiences because it speaks to the universal desire for love and belonging. Fiona’s journey is a reminder that fairytales don’t always come true the way we expect them to, but that doesn’t mean we should stop believing in the possibility of a happy ending.
