Zwackerm's Updated List of the Top 50 Disney Songs
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zwackerm
Hold the door!
Joined: Sun Jun 01, 2014 10:26 pm Posts: 20370 Location: Where they shot Knock at the Cabin
Re: Zwackerm's Updated List of the Top 50 Disney Songs
41. How Far I'll Go/I Am Moana From the Walt Disney Animation Studios Motion Picture Moana (2016) Sung by Moana Performed by Auli'i Cravalho Music by Lin Manuel Miranda and Mark Mancina Lyrics by Lin Manuel Miranda
This is a great song that is reprised too much in its movie, but can you really blame Disney. Definitely a great I Want song for Moana and the song from the film to get closest in popularity to Let It Go. The premise of the song is clever as it is a reverse "Part of Your World" and the character development in the song helps to make Moana one of Disney's more compelling protagonists. I wish they had come up with a new melody for the song for the emotional climax of the film, but I Am Moana, which should be called How Far I'll Go Reprise 2, gets the job done. On it's own, How Far I'll Go is a great song, and the Moana soundtrack's overreliance on it doesn't keep it from ranking on this list.
Mon Feb 07, 2022 11:16 pm
zwackerm
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Joined: Sun Jun 01, 2014 10:26 pm Posts: 20370 Location: Where they shot Knock at the Cabin
Re: Zwackerm's Updated List of the Top 50 Disney Songs
40. I Won't Say I'm In Love From the Walt Disney Animation Studios Motion Picture Hercules (1997) Sung by Megara and the Muses Performed by Susan Egan, Lillias White, Cheryl Freeman, LaChanze, Roz Ryan and Vanéese Y. Thomas Music by Alan Menken Lyrics by David Zippel
I don't generally like this song as much as the Muses' songs in Hercules, but it's definitely the best thing in the movie outside of them. It's a very different type of song for Disney to give a female protagonist. Meg's strong personality is expertly portrayed in this upbeat and fun doo wop number that expands upon the gospel sound of the soundtrack into another traditionally black genre. The Muses perfectly contrast Meg in the song. While you can pretty easily tell the choice Meg will make about confessing her love to Hercules, it doesn't lessen the song's impact regardless.
Mon Feb 07, 2022 11:24 pm
Corpse
Don't Dream It, Be It
Joined: Wed Aug 02, 2006 12:45 pm Posts: 37152 Location: The Graveyard
Re: Zwackerm's Updated List of the Top 50 Disney Songs
I enjoy the songs in Hercules. I Won't Say I'm In Love is my favorite. Hades needed a song too!
I also think I Can Go The Distance is very good, probably the better song, and I've always been surprised it wasn't a bigger hit. Feels like one of the most underrated Disney songs. The movie version (especially the FULL 4-minute version that's only in the movie with the amazing climax and sustained 13-second note ending) >>> the Bolton version, so I wonder if that played a role back then as I imagine the Bolton version was the promoted single.
“Gods are great ... but the heart is greater. For it is from our hearts they come, and to our hearts they shall return.” “We were like gods at the dawning of the world, & our joy was so bright we could see nothing else but the other.” “There are three things all wise men fear: the sea in storm, a night with no moon, and the anger of a gentle man.” “You have to pretend you get an endgame. You have to carry on like you will; otherwise, you can't carry on at all.” "Paper is dead without words / Ink idle without a poem / All the world dead without stories."
Tue Feb 08, 2022 1:54 pm
zwackerm
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Joined: Sun Jun 01, 2014 10:26 pm Posts: 20370 Location: Where they shot Knock at the Cabin
Re: Zwackerm's Updated List of the Top 50 Disney Songs
39. Someday My Prince Will Come From the Walt Disney Animation Studios Motion Picture Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) Sung by Snow White Performed by Adrianna Caselotti Music by Frank Churchill Lyrics by Larry Morey
This song has grown on me, and while I generally prefer newer Disney songs to the older ones, the themes they gave their princesses in their respective films have always been spectacular. Snow White's motivation throughout the film and this song is not particularly complex nor is it very progressive. But it absolutely is relatable and it makes sense that fairy tales like Snow White have resonated for generations. The melody here is simple and masterfully is worked into the score and it becomes the film's anthem. This song is just a very good summation of the film's romantic message.
Tue Feb 08, 2022 3:27 pm
zwackerm
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Joined: Sun Jun 01, 2014 10:26 pm Posts: 20370 Location: Where they shot Knock at the Cabin
Re: Zwackerm's Updated List of the Top 50 Disney Songs
38. When You Wish Upon a Star From the Walt Disney Animation Studios Motion Picture Pinocchio (1940) Sung by Jiminy Cricket Performed by Cliff Edwards Music by Leigh Harline Lyrics by Ned Washington
There's not much to say about this song. It's a classic and Disney's main theme song. Cliff Edwards gives a great vocal performance and it manages to be sweet without being saccharine. Easily on par with the best of Disney's older songs and you can easily see why it has stood the test of time.
Tue Feb 08, 2022 3:27 pm
zwackerm
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Joined: Sun Jun 01, 2014 10:26 pm Posts: 20370 Location: Where they shot Knock at the Cabin
Re: Zwackerm's Updated List of the Top 50 Disney Songs
37. When Somebody Loved Me From the Pixar Animation Studios Motion Picture Toy Story 2 (1999) Performed by Sarah MacLachlan Music and Lyrics by Randy Newman
Another rare non diegetic song on my list. It's too bad I don't like Randy Newman's voice, since a lot of songs from Toy Story are good. One of the rare ones he did not sing, When Somebody Loved Me is probably the second most well known Toy Story song. Sarah MacLachlan has become a bit of a punchline since this song came out, but this song earns its tears with Jessie's tragic backstory that is both shocking and inevitable at the same time. It's message of value coming from being loved by others is questionable, but it definitely is incredibly relatable and many people feel that way.
Tue Feb 08, 2022 7:05 pm
zwackerm
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Re: Zwackerm's Updated List of the Top 50 Disney Songs
36. The Gospel Truth From the Walt Disney Animation Studios Motion Picture Hercules (1997) Sung by The Muses Performed by Susan Egan, Lillias White, Cheryl Freeman, LaChanze, Roz Ryan and Vanéese Y. Thomas Music by Alan Menken Lyrics by David Zippel
Definitely one of Disney's most underrated songs in their entire canon. The Muses are such fun characters, and this song introduces both them and the story in a very grabbing way. The animation style as they travel from urn to urn is very creative and would later inspire Maui's tattoos, and by the end of each segment, the plot, which is quite simple and basically a retelling of Superman, is set up in a very compelling way. All of its familiar parts feel fresh and new after this brilliant opening number.
Tue Feb 08, 2022 10:13 pm
zwackerm
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Re: Zwackerm's Updated List of the Top 50 Disney Songs
35. This is Halloween From the Touchstone Pictures Motion Picture The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) Sung by The Citizens of Halloweentown Performed by the cast of The Nightmare Before Christmas Music and Lyrics by Danny Elfman
The Nightmare Before Christmas has one of Disney's best scores, but people barely even realize that it's a Disney movie. This is Halloween has earned its place up there as one of the most popular Halloween songs, along with Monster Mash and Thriller. The ensemble structure introduces many characters who will become important later, such as the Mayor and Oogie Boogie. The way that Elfman is able to have every section of the song with a new character stay exciting despite being so many is masterful. We don't even meet the main characters, but the way this song introduces Halloweentown, we'd probably have been interested if the movie only used these characters.
Tue Feb 08, 2022 10:26 pm
zwackerm
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Re: Zwackerm's Updated List of the Top 50 Disney Songs
34. Out There From the Walt Disney Animation Studios Motion Picture The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996) Sung by Frollo and Quasimodo Performed by Tony Jay and Tom Hulce Music by Alan Menken Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz
Another incredibly underrated song, Out There is a little cliched, but Tom Hulce sings the absolute hell out of this I Want song. The duet in the beginning between Frollo and Quasimodo is chillingly sinister and is full of dramatic irony, as the audience, but not Quasimodo, knows of Frollo's treachery. The remainder of the song is enhanced by its shots of the Notre Dame cathedral, breathtakingly recreated despite 1996 CGI.
Wed Feb 09, 2022 1:37 pm
zwackerm
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Re: Zwackerm's Updated List of the Top 50 Disney Songs
33. Beauty and the Beast From the Walt Disney Animation Studios Motion Picture Beauty and the Beast (1991) Sung by Mrs. Potts Performed by Angela Lansbury Music by Alan Menken Lyrics by Howard Ashman
This is not the most upbeat or exciting song in a Disney movie, but it is among the most beautiful. Angela Lansbury's warmth makes the song extra nice, and the scene it accompanies is so iconic partially because of the song. The lyrics while vague enough to play well on the radio, are applicable to any situation where one has judged someone else too quickly. While it is debatable whether Belle has actually judged the beast too quickly, it's a good message nonetheless.
Wed Feb 09, 2022 1:44 pm
Shack
Devil's Advocate
Joined: Sun Jul 31, 2005 2:30 am Posts: 38111
Re: Zwackerm's Updated List of the Top 50 Disney Songs
Beauty and the Beast and When She Loved Me are great
Joined: Sun Jun 01, 2014 10:26 pm Posts: 20370 Location: Where they shot Knock at the Cabin
Re: Zwackerm's Updated List of the Top 50 Disney Songs
32. What's This? From the Touchstone Pictures Motion Picture The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) Sung by Jack Skellington Performed by Danny Elfman Music and Lyrics by Danny Elfman
Much of The Nightmare Before Christmas soundtrack is dominated by the main character Jack Skellington, and this is only one of his great solo songs, but it's his most famous and remembered. The contrast of this song to the rest of the soundtrack really helps to highlight the shock and awe that Jack feels as he discovers Christmas town. This song is also an homage to the Rankin/Bass christmas specials of the mid 20th century. Elfman's vocal performance is also really impressive and it's amazing Elfman isn't known more for his singing chops as he is for his score writing.
Last edited by zwackerm on Wed Feb 09, 2022 10:37 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Wed Feb 09, 2022 3:23 pm
zwackerm
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Joined: Sun Jun 01, 2014 10:26 pm Posts: 20370 Location: Where they shot Knock at the Cabin
Re: Zwackerm's Updated List of the Top 50 Disney Songs
31. For the First Time in Forever From the Walt Disney Animation Studios Motion Picture Frozen (2013) Sung by Anna and Elsa Performed by Kristen Bell and Idina Menzel Music and Lyrics by Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez
This has always been my favorite song from Frozen. Is it a bit cliched? Yes, and I don't like it quite as much as I used to after many more years of listening to showtune style I Want ballads. But you can definitely tell Disney was giving it their all with this one. It's mainly Anna's song with Elsa coming in at the end for some sweet counterpoint parts. The big sound of the song was a refreshing change from the small scale numbers of Tangled and Princess and the Frog, and really harkened back to Disney's 90's heyday. The reprise is really good too, though unlike many reprises of Disney songs, I still think the original is better.
Wed Feb 09, 2022 10:31 pm
zwackerm
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Re: Zwackerm's Updated List of the Top 50 Disney Songs
30. Surface Pressure From the Walt Disney Animation Studios Motion Picture Encanto (2021) Sung by Luisa Performed by Jessica Darrow Music and Lyrics by Lin Manuel Miranda
I wasn't super into the Encanto soundtrack until I heard this gem as the third track and I knew that we were in for something special. The first 2 tracks on the album have grown considerably on me since the first listen, but Surface Pressure was a toe tapper I noticed immediately. The beat here is so infectious, and Jessica Darrow's performance manages to be both comedic and sympathetic while also doing a pretty good job musically. The lyrical content here makes lots of cool references that are brilliantly realized in the animation, and the themes would be continued in What Else Can I Do? later on in the film. Surface Pressure really helps hammer in the message of Encanto in a way that is subtle and fun and we get this banger as a side bonus.
Wed Feb 09, 2022 10:36 pm
Shack
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Joined: Sun Jul 31, 2005 2:30 am Posts: 38111
Re: Zwackerm's Updated List of the Top 50 Disney Songs
Joined: Sun Jun 01, 2014 10:26 pm Posts: 20370 Location: Where they shot Knock at the Cabin
Re: Zwackerm's Updated List of the Top 50 Disney Songs
29. Show Yourself From the Walt Disney Animation Studios Motion Picture Frozen 2 (2019) Sung by Elsa and Queen Iduna Performed by Idina Menzel and Evan Rachel Wood Music and Lyrics by Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez
This wasn't the Elsa song pushed from Frozen 2, but it ended up being the better remembered one. By the end of the song, Elsa has realized what the voice is and that she is the fifth spirit. An incredible dazzling animation sequence complements beautiful harmonies between Elsa and the spirit of her mother Iduna. While not a small song, it's less showy and obnoxious than Let It Go or Into the Unknown and a nice change of pace for Elsa musically.
Thu Feb 10, 2022 1:23 pm
zwackerm
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Joined: Sun Jun 01, 2014 10:26 pm Posts: 20370 Location: Where they shot Knock at the Cabin
Re: Zwackerm's Updated List of the Top 50 Disney Songs
28. Proud Corazon From the Pixar Animation Studios Motion Picture Coco (2017) Sung by Miguel Performed by Anthony Gonzales Music and Lyrics by Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez
The songs in Coco don't seem to be too well remembered beyond Remember Me, but this is my favorite in the film. It closes out the film right after it's been revealed that Coco has passed away and as this song plays and we watch Coco reunite with Hector and her family in the afterlife, I absolutely started to bawl my eyes out. Coco is the rare Pixar film that earns its tears and songs like Proud Corazon are part of the reason why.
Thu Feb 10, 2022 1:28 pm
zwackerm
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Re: Zwackerm's Updated List of the Top 50 Disney Songs
27. Prince Ali From the Walt Disney Animation Studios Motion Picture Aladdin (1992) Sung by The Genie, Jafar and the Citizens of Agrabah Performed by Robin Williams, Jonathan Freeman and the Cast of Aladdin Music by Alan Menken Lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice
This used to be my favorite song from Aladdin, though another has surpassed it in the last few years. But this song is incredibly well crafted, especially the crazy fast tongue twister ending listing all of Prince Ali's things. Prince Ali is among Disney's best large production numbers, with a more complex melody and dazzling visuals courtesy of the genie character and his transformations and magic. The reprise is also incredibly cleverly flipped as Jafar's villain song. The flipping of a formerly happy and upbeat song as a sinister villain song would be again done in Tangled with Mother Knows Best to even better effect, but the groundwork was laid here.
Thu Feb 10, 2022 2:57 pm
zwackerm
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Joined: Sun Jun 01, 2014 10:26 pm Posts: 20370 Location: Where they shot Knock at the Cabin
Re: Zwackerm's Updated List of the Top 50 Disney Songs
26. Heigh Ho From the Walt Disney Animation Studios Motion Picture Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) Sung by The Dwarves Performed by The Dwarfs Chorus (Roy Atwell, Pinto Colvig, Billy Gilbert, Otis Harlan & Scotty Mattraw) Music by Frank Churchill Lyrics by Larry Morey
Easily the best song from Snow White and the best song of Disney's Golden Age. It's incredibly catchy and the Dwarf's unique personalities are all displayed. I love that so many of them get solos, its the first production number ever animated for a feature film. Who hasn't sung this song on their commute to or from work before? I certainly have.
Thu Feb 10, 2022 11:25 pm
zwackerm
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Joined: Sun Jun 01, 2014 10:26 pm Posts: 20370 Location: Where they shot Knock at the Cabin
Re: Zwackerm's Updated List of the Top 50 Disney Songs
25. Lost in the Woods From the Walt Disney Animation Studios Motion Picture Frozen 2 (2019) Sung by Kristoff Performed by Jonathan Groff Music and Lyrics by Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez
I'm surprised this song never charted, as it seems like it was the most immediately popular song from Frozen 2, and its sequence is the highlight of the movie. Unfortunately it's basically the only thing Kristoff has to do for the entire movie's runtime, as he doesn't show up again until the end of the movie. But the song itself is hilarious and a bonkers spoof of 80's and 90's love ballads by people like Michael Bolton and Bryan Adams. It's among the best Disney songs for male karaoke, and overall just works in a way that's leagues above the ok film that its in.
Thu Feb 10, 2022 11:32 pm
Shack
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Joined: Sun Jul 31, 2005 2:30 am Posts: 38111
Re: Zwackerm's Updated List of the Top 50 Disney Songs
“Gods are great ... but the heart is greater. For it is from our hearts they come, and to our hearts they shall return.” “We were like gods at the dawning of the world, & our joy was so bright we could see nothing else but the other.” “There are three things all wise men fear: the sea in storm, a night with no moon, and the anger of a gentle man.” “You have to pretend you get an endgame. You have to carry on like you will; otherwise, you can't carry on at all.” "Paper is dead without words / Ink idle without a poem / All the world dead without stories."
Fri Feb 11, 2022 12:35 am
zwackerm
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Joined: Sun Jun 01, 2014 10:26 pm Posts: 20370 Location: Where they shot Knock at the Cabin
Re: Zwackerm's Updated List of the Top 50 Disney Songs
24. Jack's Lament From the Touchstone Pictures Motion Picture The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) Sung by Jack Skellington Performed by Danny Elfman Music and Lyrics by Danny Elfman
My favorite song from The Nightmare Before Christmas is Jack's I Want song, Jack's Lament. It's a beautiful melody which continues as a motif throughout the rest of the film, in both the score and other songs. The film is already so unique at this point in the run time, which comes right after This is Halloween. Jack's weariness with Halloween and longing for something more is very relatable and sets up an incredibly interesting character, among Disney's best protagonists in my opinion. The scene at the end of the song where Jack walks down the curled hill is also iconic.
Fri Feb 11, 2022 1:25 pm
zwackerm
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Re: Zwackerm's Updated List of the Top 50 Disney Songs
23. A Star is Born From the Walt Disney Animation Studios Motion Picture Hercules (1997) Sung by The Muses Performed by Lillias White, Cheryl Freeman, LaChanze, Roz Ryan and Vanéese Y. Thomas Music by Alan Menken Lyrics by David Zippel
Another Muses song and my favorite song from Hercules. The song is so emotionally cathartic, especially when Zeus makes Hercules picture in the stars, and the townsperson says "that's Phil's boy!" The song itself is one of Menken's most joyous sounding compositions, and is one of the best matches of song to scene in a Disney film. Even though the Hercules soundtrack outside of the Muses is mediocre, the Muses make it more than worthwhile to listen to it.
Fri Feb 11, 2022 1:37 pm
zwackerm
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Re: Zwackerm's Updated List of the Top 50 Disney Songs
22. Something There From the Walt Disney Animation Studios Motion Picture Beauty and the Beast (1991) Sung by The Beast, Belle, Lumiere, Mrs. Potts and Cogsworth Performed by Robby Benson, Paige O'Hara, Jerry Orbach, Angela Lansbury, and David Ogden Stiers Music by Alan Menken Lyrics by Howard Ashman
A small song from Beauty and the Beast, but an impactful one nonetheless. The love story in the movie is still pretty unbelievable, but this love song between them does the best job of purveying their love in a believable way. Without this song, viewers would be left wondering how Belle could fall in love with such a terrible person. It's not the best relationship development ever, but the song does its darndest to try. I also like the repetition of the Belle motif that links her feelings about the Beast to her favorite book from earlier in the movie. The inclusion of the servants at the end is a nice touch as well.
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