What's This? (The Nightmare Before Christmas)

"What's This?" is a song from The Nightmare Before Christmas. It is sung by Jack Skellington after he arrives in Christmas Town.

The song was dubbed in the majority of the film's dubs, though the Catalan, Czech, Hungarian, Indonesian and Turkish dubs all left it in English.

This song is also notable for being dubbed into Norwegian and Swedish for incusion on sing-a-long specials, despite the fact that the film itself has not yet been dubbed into either of these languages.

English
Performed by Danny Elfman

What's this? There's white things in the air. What's this? I can't believe my eyes. I must be dreaming! Wake up, Jack! This isn't fair! What's this?
 * -|Lyrics=What's this? What's this? There's color everywhere.

What's this? What's this? There's something very wrong. What's this? There's people singing songs. What's this? The streets are lined with little creatures laughing. Everybody seems so happy. Have I possibly gone daffy? What is this? What's this?

There's children throwing snowballs instead of throwing heads. They're busy building toys, and absolutely no one's dead. There's frost on every window. Oh, I can't believe my eyes. And in my bones, I feel the warmth that's coming from inside.

Oh look, what's this? They're haning mistletoe. They kiss? Why, that looks so unique. Inspired! They're gathering around To hear a story, roasting chestnuts on a fire What's this?

What's this? In here, they've got a little tree. How queer! And who would ever think And why? They're covering it with tiny little things They've got electric lights on strings, and there's a smile on everyone So now, correct me if I'm wrong. This looks like fun! This looks like fun! Oh, could it be? I got my wish? What's this?

Oh my, what now? The children are asleep. But look, there's nothing underneath. No ghouls, no witches here to scream and scare them or ensnare them, Only little cozy things secure inside their dreamland. What's this?

The monsters are all missing, and the nightmares can't be found. And in their place, there seems to be good feeling all around. Instead of screams, I swear I can hear music in the air. The smell of cakes and pies are absolutely everywhere.

The sights, the sounds, they're everywhere and all around! I've never felt so good before! This empty place inside me is filling up. I simply cannot get enough! I want it! Oh, I want it! Oh, I want it for my own! I've got to know! I've got to know! What is this place that I have found? What is this?

(spoken) Christmas Town?

Arabic (Standard)
Performed by Amr Yehia/عمرو يحيى

Cantonese
Performed by Leung Ho Cheung/梁皓翔

Sing-a-long version
Title: Kijk nou

This version was produced before the film itself received a full Dutch dub. It was included in a sing-a-long released on a special VHS edition of The Hunchback of Notre Dame.

En dit! Dit voelt zo lekker zacht! Kijk nou! 'k Geloof mijn ogen niet. Is dit en droom? Kom op, zeg! Wie heeft dit berdacht? Kijk nou!
 * -|Lyrics=Kijk nou, kijk nou! Oh, wat een kleurenpracht!

Kijk nou, kijk nou! Dat kan toch zeker niet? Kijk nou! Dat zingen ze een lied! Kijk nou! Ze lachen en ze dansen en ze zingen. Echt alleen maar leuke dingen. Oh, mijn hoofd staat haast op springen! Wat is dit? Kijk nou!

Ze gooien met en sneeuwbal in plaats van met en hoofd. Ze spelen hier met speelgoed en er is ook niemand dood. 'n Ijsbloem op het venster, oh, ik weet niet waar ik ben. En in mijn botten gloeit een warm gevoel dat ik niet ken

Oh kijk, wat is dat? Ze staan onder een tak. Een kus! Wat lijkt me dat uniek! Zo trouw! Ze roosteren kastanjes Allemaal genietend van een mooi verhaal. Kijk nou!

Kijk nou! En daar, daar staat zowaar een boom! Dat is raar! Wie had dat ooi gedacht? Waaroom? Ze hangen er van alles in en op 'n Piek en lampjes in de top. De mensen lachen en zijn blij. Als ik het mis heb zeg 't mij. Maar dit is leuk, ja, dit is leuk! Is dit wat ik al jaren wou? Kijk nou!

Oh jee, wat nu? De kinderen slapen net. Maar kijk, geen spook onder het bed. Geen geest! Geen heksen die je angst aan jagen of je plagen. Echt alleen maar leuke dingen in hun zoete droomland. Kijk nou!

De monsters zijn afwezig en je vind hier ook geen kwaad. Er komt een soort van blij en warm gevoel voor in de plats. Ik hoor hier geen gegil maar wel muziek en hoorgenschal. De lucht van taart en koekjes ruik je werk'lijk overal.

Gezang, gelach, je hoort het hier de hele dag. Ik heb me nooit zo goed - gevoeld. De leegte in mij vult zich voor de eerste keer. Ik wil nog meer. Ik wil nog meer. Ik wil dit! Oh, ik wil dit! Oh, ik wil dit voor mezelf! Ik moet het weten, moet het weten! Waar ben ik naar toegebracht? Wat is dit? Translation=Look, look! Oh, what a colorsplendor! And this! This feels so nicely soft! Look! I don't believe my eyes. Is it a dream? Come on! Who's thought of this? Look!

Look, look! Can that not be? Look! They're singing a song! Look! They laugh and dance and sing. Really, only nice things. Oh, my head is about to explode! What is this? Look!

They throw with a snowball instead of with a head. They're playing with toys here, and also, nobody's dead. An ice flower on the window, oh, I don't know where I am. And in my bones, a warm feeling is glowing that I don't know.

Oh, look, what is that? They stand beneath a branch. A kiss! That seems unique to me! So faithful! They're roasting chestnuts All enjoying a beautiful story. Look!

Look! And there, there stands, sure enough, a tree! That's weird! Who'd ever thought of that? Why? They're hanging all kinds of things on it A point and lamps in the top. The people laugh and they are happy. If I'm wrong, tell me. But this is fun, yes, this is fun! Is this what I wanted all those years? Look!

Oh, what now? The children are just asleep. But look, no spook beneath the bed. Not a ghost! Not any witches to scare you or tease you. Really only nice things in their sweet dreamworld. Look!

The monsters are absent, and you don't find any bad here. There comes a kind of happy and warm feeling in its place. I don't hear screaming, but I do hear music and horn sounds. The smell of cakes and cookies you smell literally everywhere.

Singing, laughter, you hear it here all day long. I've never felt so good. The emptiness inside me is filling up for the first time. I want more. I want more. I want this! Oh, I want this! Oh, I want this for myself! I have to know it, I have to know it! Where have I been brought to? What is this?

Film version
Title: Kijk nou

Performed by Florus van Rooijen

This version is from the Dutch dub of the film itself. The lyrics are loosely based on the prior sing-a-long version.

En dit, zo wit 't is net kristal. Kijk nou! 'k Geloof mijn ogen niet. Zit je dromen, Jack? Word wakker! 't Is hier bal! Kijk nou!
 * -|Lyrics=Kijk nou, kijk nou! Die kleuren overal!

Kijk daar, wat raar! Ik weet niet wat ik hoor. Kijk nou! Ze zingen hier in koor. Kijk nou! Die wezentjes, ze lachen allemaal Echt iedereen loopt hierte stralen, of ben ik nu aan het malen van de kou? Kijk nou!

Ze gooien hier met sneeuw en niet met schedels naar elkaar. Geen dood, verderf, maar speelgoed en niemand doet 'r naar. En kijk die mooie lichtjes, het is een dolle boel En in mijn botten voel ik langzaamaan een warm gevoel.

Kijk nou! Wat knus! Daar hangt een maretak. Een kus? Was dat mijn hart 'ie brak? Oh, wauw! Ze zitten bij het haardvuur En ze luisteren verhalen en ze stralen. Kijk nou!

Kijk nou! Kijk daar! Ik zie en kleine spar. Nee maar, nu raak ik in de war. Wat raar! Waarom zetten ze alles onder stroom? Oh, voor de lampjes in de boom. Oh, kijk hoe mooi, 't is net een droom, Ik kom nu eindelijk op stoom. Oh, deze plek is echt te gek, Misschien is dit wel wat ik wou. Kijk nou!

Kijk nou, wat zoet! Vermoeid van alle pret Maar kijk, geen beest onder een bed. Geen lijk, geen heks of geest of boeman die ze op komt halen of vermalen. Nee, ze dwalen vredig af naar droomland. Kijk nou!

Hier is geen plaats voor griezelig, geen plek voor chagrijn. En ja, het kan en plaats daarvan voelt iedereen zich fijn. Het is volstrekt uniek wat je hier allemaal ervaart, De prachtige muziek en geur van versgebakken taart.

De pracht, de praal, ze hebeen het hier allemaal. Ik voelde mij nog nooit zo goed. Die lege plek hier diep in mij die vult zich op met varmte en geluk. Ik wil het ook, ik wil het ook. Nee echt, zoiets dat wil ik ook! Ik heb mezelf nie in de hand, dus zeg me waar ik ben beland! Wat is dit? Translation=Oh, look! Oh, look! It's colored all around! And this, white like a crystal! Oh, look! I can't believe my eyes. Are you dreaming, Jack? Wake up! There's a party here! Oh, look!

Look here, how strange! I don't know what I'm listening to. Oh, look! They're singing here in choir! Oh, look! These little creatures are laughing together, here literally everybody is running around to shine. Or is it the cold that's driving me insane? Oh, look!

Here, they snow at each other instead of skulls. No death and bane, but toys, and no one is being mean. And would you look at these pretty lights, there's so many. And in my bones, I slowly feel a warm feeling.

Oh, look! How cozy! A mistletoe's hanging there! A kiss? Was that my heart I felt breaking? Oh, wow! They sit by the hearth And listen to stories, and they shine. Oh, look!

Oh, look! Look there! I can see a little spruce. Wait, what? Now I'm legit confused. How weird! Why are they powering it all up? Oh, it's for the lights on the tree. Oh, look how beautiful, looks like a dream. I'm finally getting my head around it. Oh, this place is just too crazy. Maybe this is what I really wanted. Oh, look!

Oh, look, so sweet. Tired from all the fun. But look, there's no beasts under the bed. No corpses, no witches or ghosts or boogeymen coming to take or crunch them. No, they wander untroubled to their dreamland. Oh, look!

This is no place for the spooky, there's no room for chagrin. And yes, everyone can feel just fine instead. What everyone experiences here is absolutely unique, The splendid music and the smell of freshly baked cake.

The pomp and splendor they've all got here I had never felt so good. The empty place inside of me is filling up with warmth and joy. I want it, too. I want it, too. No, really, I want something like this, too. I'm losing all control, so just tell me where I ended up! What is this?

French (France)
Performed by Olivier Constantin

German
Performed by Alexander Goebel

Greek
Performed by Konstantínos Staurídis/Κωνσταντίνος Σταυρίδης

Italian
Title: Cos'è?

Performed by Renato Zero

Cos'è quel bianco intorno a me? Cos'è? Io non l'ho visto mai, starò sognando. In guardia, Jack! Ma cos'è? Cos'è?
 * -|Lyrics=Cos'è? Cos'è? Ma che colore è?

Cos'è? Cos'è? Qualcosa qui non va. Cos'è? C'è musica in città. Cos'è? Le strade sono piene di persone Che sorridono felici. Sono pazzi oppure amici? Ma cos'è? Cos'è?

Bambini nella neve che giocano, così Nessuno è solo, e poi non c'è mai tristezza qui. E brilla ogni finestra, oh, non so che cosa sia Quel piccolo calore mai provato in vita mia.

Oh no! Cos'è quel vischio appeso lì? E sì, si baciano così. E poi le storie intorno al fuoco Le castagne, qualche gioco. Come mai? Cos'è?

Cos'è? Follia! Quell'aberello che sta lì, Io non so più perché. Perché lo coprono di luci colorate E poi di stelle ritagliate di sorrisi ed allegria? Io non capisco cosa sia. Mi sembra gioia, sembra gioia. Forse il sogno è già realtà? Chissà?

Oddio, che c'è? Quaggiù si dorme già. Perché di monstri non ce n'è? No, no. Né streghe né fantasmi. Niente notti di paure! I bimbi dormono sicuri nei lettini. Cos'è?

I monstri non ci sono e gli incubi mai più, E tutto sembra bello come un cielo sempre blu. Io sento il dolce suono di canzoni intorno a me. Profumi di biscotti, odore di felicità.

È qui! È qui! Il posto dove io Vorrei restare per magia. Vorrei scaldarmi il cuore e ridere, e vivere. Adesso voglio vivere. Io voglio, sì, lo voglio, sì, lo voglio, e lo farò! Io lo saprò, io lo saprò se questo posto è vero o no. Che cos'è? Translation=What is it? What is it? What color is this? What's this white around me? What is it? I've never seen it before, I'm probably dreaming. Watch out, Jack! But what is it? What is it?

What is it? What is it? Something here is wrong. What is it? There's music in town. What is it? The streets are crowded with people Happily smiling. Are they crazy or maybe friends? But what is it? What is it?

Children are playing in the snow so that Nobody is alone, and then there's never sadness here. And every window shines, oh, I don't know what it may be, This little warmth I've never felt before.

Oh no! What's that mistletoe hanging there? And yes, they're kissing like this. And then, the tales around the fire, Chestnuts, some games. Why is it? What is it?

What is it? Madness! That little tree standing there I no longer know why. Why do they cover it with colored lights And then with paper stars with smiles and cheerfulness? I don't understand what it may be. This seems to be joy, it seems to be joy. Maybe my dream is already real. Who knows?

Oh my, what's up? Here, they're already sleeping. Why are there no monsters here? No, no. No witches or ghosts. No fearful nights! Kids sleep safely in their little beds. What is it?

No monsters here, and nightmares will never come back, And everything looks wonderful, like a sky always clear. I hear the gentle sound of songs around me. Fragrance of biscuits, happiness scent.

Here it is! Here is the place where I Wish I could stay by magic. I wish I could warm my heart and laugh and live. Now I want to live. I want it, yes, I want it, yes I want it, and I will! I'll find out, I'll find out if this place is real or not. What is it?

Japanese
Performed by Masachika Ichimura/市村正親

Korean
Performed by Nam Gyeong-ju/남경주

Malay
Performed by Addy Jamil

Mandarin (China)
Performed by Wang Han/王涵

Norwegian
Title: Hva er det?

The film itself currently does not have an official Norwegian dub. The Norwegian-dubbed version of this song was produced for inclusion in a sing-a-long released on a special VHS edition of The Hunchback of Notre Dame.

Hva er det? Det er like hvitt som salt. Hva er det? Jeg skjønner ingenting. Jeg tror jeg drømmer. Våkn oop, Jack, hold hodet kaldt! Hva er det?
 * -|Lyrics=Hva er det? Hva er det? Det er fager overalt.

Hva er det? Hva er det? Det er rare ting på gang. Hva er det? Jeg syns jeg hører sang. Hva er det? Det vrimler overalt av folk som smiler. Alle sammen flyr som piler, er det bare jeg som tviler? Hva er det? Hva er det?

Og barna kaster snøball, de sier ikke bø. De står bak hver sin borg, men ingen av dem virker død. D'er lys i hvert et vindu, det er ikke til å tro. Og i skjelettet føler jeg en varme som er god.

Å se! Nå nyss! De hang opp misteltein. Et kyss, der under løvets hegn. Nå har de satt seg for å høre en fortelling Som blir lest av bestefar. Hva er det?

Hva er det?! D'er klart, de har et lite tre. Så rart, en underlig ide. Og snart så dekker de det med fargerike ting Det får elektrisk lys omkring og det er latter overalt. Så si i fra hvis det er galt. Det virker gøy, det virker gøy! Å kan mitt ønske bli oppfylt? Hva er det?

Å nei, se her! Her sover alle søtt. Men se, her finnes ikke spøtt av kre, Og hekser som kan stjeler fra dem eller ta dem. Bare sånne søte små som seiler rundt i drømme. Hva er det?

Jo, monstrene de mangler, marerittene er malt. I stedet, er det som det er en glede overalt. D'er ingen skrik å høre, kun vidunderlig musikk. Og deilig duft av kaker fra hver eneste butikk.

De syn, jeg ser, de overvelder meg Og mer, jeg står og gleder meg og ler. Det tomme rommet inn i meg det fylles opp. Jeg klarer ikke å si stopp. Jeg vil det, jeg vil ha det, jeg vil ha det for meg selv! Så jeg får se, så jeg får se hvorfor alt dette gjør suksess! Hva er det? Translation=What's this? What's this? There are colors all around. What's this? It's white like salt. What's this? I don't understand anything. I think I'm dreaming. Wake up, Jack! Keep your cool! What's this?

What's this? What's this? Strange things are happening. What's this? I think I can hear singing. What's this? All the streets are swarming with smiling people. They're all flying around together like arrows, is it just me who's having doubts? What's this? What's this?

And the kids are throwing snowballs, they're not screaming "Boo" Each of them holds their castle, but not a single one seems to be dead. There are lights on every window, it's unbelievable And in my skeleton, I can feel such a good warmth.

Oh, look! Right now! They hung up a mistletoe. A kiss, there sheltered by the leaves Now they're sitting down to listen To a tale Grandpa is reading. What's this?

What's this? Of course! They've got a little tree. How weird, what a strange idea. And soon, they'll cover it in colorful things With electric lights all around it, and there's laughter everywhere. So, tell me if I'm wrong. This looks like fun, this looks like fun! Oh, could my dream come true? What's this?

Oh no, look here! Everyone's sleeping so sweetly here. But look, there's no trace of any creatures Or witches who can steal from them or take them, Only these little sweet ones sailing around in their dreams. What's this?

Yeah, the monsters are missing, the nightmares were turned to dust. And instead, it feels like there's joy everywhere. No screams to be heard, only wonderful music, And a marvelous scent coming from cakes in every shop.

The sights I'm seeing are overwhelming me. And also, I'm having the time of my life, with a smile. The empty place inside of me is filling up, I just can't get myself to stop. I want it, I want it, I want it for myself! So let me see, so let me see what's making this all so effective. What is this?

Avazheh
Performed by Ashkan Sadeqi/اشکان صادقی

Polish
Performed by Wojciech Paszkowski

1993
Performed by Nelson Machado

2003
Performed by Marcelo Coutinho

2012
Performed by Marcelo Coutinho

Portuguese (Portugal)
Performed by Pedro Bargado

Dub
Performed by Aleksey Kortnev/Алексей Кортнев

Slovak
Performed by Ján Gallovič

Spanish (Latin America)
Performed by Sergio Saldívar

Spanish (Spain)
Perfomed by Tony Cruz

Swedish
Title: Vad nu?

The film itself currently does not have an official Swedish dub. The Swedish-dubbed version of this song was produced for inclusion in a sing-a-long released on a special VHS edition of The Hunchback of Notre Dame.

Vad nu? Jag ser något vitt och kallt. Vad nu? Det är nog fantasi. Jag kanske drömmer. Vakna, stanna, stopp och halt! Vad nu?
 * -|Lyrics=Vad nu? Vad nu? Ser färger överallt.

Vad nu? Vad nu? Något galer är på gång. Vad nu? De sjunger på en sång. Vad nu? Här gång de runt på gatorna i staden, Går i långa, glada rader. Har jag möjligen fått spader? Vad står på? Vad nu?

Se barn som kastar snöboll och varje kind är röd. De leker och har kul och inte en kan kallas "död". Är frost på alla fönster, åh, vad händer med mig, säg? Jag känner värme någonstans, den kommer ifrån mig.

Åhå! Se på! En mistel ovanför. En kyss! Jag ser nog vad de gör. Förstår! En saga läser säkert gammelfaster. Jag kan höra brasans knaster. Vad nu?

Vad nu? Här har de ställt en liten gran. Så fin! Men varför togs den in? Och se! De hänger i små saker på var gren Och snören med små ljus runt den, och alla ler och mår så bra, Och samma känsla känner jag! Jag är så glad, jag är så glad! Nu vill jag önksa mig någonting. Vad nu?

Hör på, se upp, men barnen sover där. En titt, finns ingenting de tär. Här borde faktiskt alla spöken skämmas, inte skrämmas. Se så mysigt de kan ha där borta i sitt drömland. Vad nu?

Här finns det inga monster, inga mardrömmar på lur. Här finns istället känslor som ger värme, eller hur? Och inga skrik, istället hörs musik i varje vrå, Och överallt känss ljuvlig doft av mat som de ska få.

Jag hör! Jag ser! Jag känner det till slut. Har aldrig mått så bra förut, och nu Först känner jag hur värmen runt oss sprider sig, det känns så bra här inom mig. Vill ha det! Åh, vill hat det! Jag vill ha det för mig själv! Vad är det här? Vad är det här? Vart har jag hamnat nu ikväll? Var är jag? Translation=What now? What now? I can see colors everywhere. What now? I see something white and cold. What now? It's just a flight of fancy. I might be dreaming. Wake up, hold up, stop and halt! What now?

What now? What now? Something crazy is going on. What now? They're singing a song. What now? Here, they walk about the streets in town Walking in long, merry lines. Have I possibly gone 'round the bend? What's going on? What now?

Look at the kids throwing snowballs, and every cheek is red. They play and have fun, and not a single one can be called "dead". There's frost on every window, oh, tell me what's with me. I can feel warmth somewhere, it's coming from me.

Oh my! Look there! A mistletoe above. A kiss! I can see what they're doing. I understand! Great aunt is surely reading some tale. I can hear the crackling of fire. What now?

What now? Here, they've placed a small spruce. So nice! But why take it in? And look! They're hanging small stuff on every branch And a string with small lights all around it, and everyone is smiling and enjoying themselves, And I can feel that same feeling. I am so happy! I am so happy! Now I want to wish for something. What now?

Listen up, look out, but the kids are sleeping there. Just a look, nothing they should worry about. In fact, here, every ghost should be ashamed, instead of scaring. Look how cozy they can feel far away in their dreamland. What now?

There are no monsters here, no nightmares are lurking. There are instead feelings bringing warmth, aren't there? And no shrieks, music resounds in every corner instead. And everywhere, there's a delicious smell coming from the food that they'll have.

I hear it! I see it! I can finally feel it! I've never felt so good before, and now, For the first time, I can feel the warmth around us spreading, I'm feeling just so good inside. I want it! Oh, I want it! I want it all for myself! What's this? What's this? Where have I ended up tonight? Where am I?