Savages

"Savages" is a song from the 1995 Disney animated film Pocahontas. It addresses themes of othering, xenophobia, and genocide. The song has been met with mixed to negative reviews from critics, with some deeming it to be racist, stating that it encourages the listener to dehumanize Native Americans. Synopsis The song sees the colonists and the Native Americans sing about how the other group are savages, and how they will go to war to wipe out the other race. The "Powhatans and the colonists break into the same song as they prepare for the upcoming battle". Composition Pocahontas sings counterpoint melodies during the song which are variations on "Colors of the Wind" and "Steady As The Beating Drum". She sings of peace and love to juxtapose their words. The song has two parts. The first part sees the colonists and the natives each declare the other to be inhuman as they prepare to fight. The second part intertwines Pocahontas's race to stop the execution of John Smith with the colonists and natives vowing to destroy and exterminate the other side.