Upon release of "The Little Mermaid" in 1989, Disney was unprepared for the success that would be achieved by both the film's soundtrack and its songs, particularly that of "Part of Your World", which became an instant hit. The studio had not thought to prepare a single version of the song at the time because they did not expect that it would soon be demanded by local radio stations, at which it was heavily rotated. The success of "Part of Your World" has been overshadowed by "Under the Sea" and "Kiss the Girl", two other popular songs from the film. While both "Under the Sea" and "Kiss the Girl" were nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song at the 62nd Academy Awards, which "Under the Sea" ultimately won, "Part of Your World" did not receive a nomination, which some critics have viewed as a snub. Benson believes that the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences did not recognize "Part of Your World" because "a story song at the time was probably not recognised really as much". Aja Romano of "The Daily Dot" argued that Ashman and Menken should have won for "Part of Your World" over "Under the Sea". Similarly, GoldDerby's Andrew Carden wrote that "Part of Your World" was "more deserving" of "Kiss the Girl"'s nomination. However, when the film was released to VHS in 1998, Disney included a music video for "Part of Your World" starring Benson that appears towards the end of its closing credits. When "The Little Mermaid" was re-released to theaters in 1997, "The Boston Phoenix"'s Jeffrey Gantz wrote that "Part of Your World" remains "as poignant as ever". Tracy Dye of "Bustle" identified "Part of Your World" as her "favorite Disney song of all time." "Entertainment Weekly"'s Esther Zuckerman described "Part of Your World" as "a perfect 'I Want' song," comparing it positively to “Wouldn’t It Be Loverly” from the stage musical "My Fair Lady" (1956).