This article has been near impossible to write. With 59 movies and typically 4-5 songs per movie, a top 25 list wasn’t going to cut it. So, instead of ranking them by individual songs, I am instead going to be ranking them by a few distinct categories. This list will look at my favorite love songs, villain songs, I Want songs, sidekick songs, montage songs, and orchestrations.
I Want
Every Disney Princess movie, and nearly every musical Disney movie has its own “I Want” song, where the protagonist shares with you their hopes and dreams through a show-stopping jingle. Here are my top five:
5. Part of Your World (The Little Mermaid)
The quintessential Disney I Want song. It encapsulates Ariel’s entire journey while setting the world, pace, and story that is about to unfold.
4. Out There (The Hunchback of Notre Dame)
A really heartbreaking and emotional sequence and song in which the diabolic between our hero and villain is developed as we explore the world and who Quasimodo sees himself in it.
3. I Just Can’t Wait to Be King (The Lion King)
Just an absolute banger. It lets us see Simba’s naivety while exploring a colorful and vibrant savanna through the eyes of its not quite king.
2. I Wan’na Be Like You (The Jungle Book)
Unique because this I Want song isn’t from the lead protagonist or antagonist. King Louie is cookily brought to life by Louis Prima in this classic I Want song told from a secondary antagonist’s perspective.
1. Into the Unknown (Frozen II)
I didn’t think it was possible for Frozen to outdo Let it Go but Into the Unknown channels that same energy into something truly special.
Love Songs
5. I Won’t Say (I’m In Love) (Hercules)
The Soundtrack to Hercules is full of bangers, but not quite as charming or unique feeling as Meg’s “I’m not in love” ballad.
4. Can You Feel the Love Tonight? (The Lion King)
The Lion King is a powerhouse with the combined talents of Elton John, Hans Zimmer, and Lebo M. This song is no exception is manages to be funny, sweet, and morose all at the same time.
3. Once Upon a Dream (Sleeping Beauty)
Once Upon a Dream functions as both the love motif and Briar Rose’s I Want song in a beautiful waltz that highlights both protagonists as well as the lively world around them.
2. A Whole New World (Aladdin)
It’s like a magic carpet ride for your ears.
1. Colors of the Wind (Pocahontas)
Musically Pocahontas feels unique amongst its Renaissance peers. It blends pop music with traditional Native American sounds and environments. Colors of the Wind builds the romance of our leads while challenging the differences between them.
Villain Songs
5. Cruella de Vil (One Hundred and One Dalmatians)
Musically it’s a simple song with one melody repeated with the occasional addition of sparse lyrics. However, it defines its villain in such a way that you know exactly who she is before she’s even shown her vile hand.
4. Painting the Roses Red (Alice in Wonderland)
A song that uses the henchmen to develop the villain before she’s even made her appearance. A terrific use of the Mellowmen and a brilliant start to the chaotic reign of the Queen of Hearts.
3. Gaston (Beauty and the Beast)
A brilliant song that builds up the strength of our villain while also highlighting the flaws that drive him. It’s a wonderfully catchy number that takes full advantage of its cast.
2. Poor Unfortunate Souls (The Little Mermaid)
This song is straight evil. Ursula lays it all on the table for her naïve prey and cackles as she takes the bait.
1. Be Prepared (The Lion King)
The clearest look at Scar we get for the entirety of the film, laying bear his motivations while letting us know that Scar genuinely believes that he can do kingship greater than his older brother.
Sidekick Songs
5. When You Wish Upon a Star (Pinocchio)
A song that not only encapsulates the themes of Pinocchio but also the entire Disney spirit.
4. Friend Like Me (Aladdin)
A wacky, vibrant introduction to who the Genie is and what he can do. It’s brought to life through the zany ad-libbed style of one of history’s greatest comedians.
3. The Tigger Song (The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh)
A bouncy, flighty, fun introduction to every wonderful thing we need to know about tiggers.
2. Be Our Guest (Beauty and the Beast)
A gorgeous dance through the many unique personalities that inhabit the Beast’s castle and take care of Belle.
1. The Bare Necessities (The Jungle Book)
Few songs manage to so succinctly encapsulate the spirit of the characters singing them. Phil Harris is the perfect fit for one of Disney’s liveliest and most amicable sidekicks.
Montage Songs
5. The Journey (The Rescuers)
A deeply somber song that paints the plight of kidnapped Penny on top of brilliant oil painted backgrounds.
4. One Little Slip (Chicken Little)
Easily the highlight of the film, The Barenaked Ladies created a Disney classic with this single that introduces us to the daily life of our titular character.
3. Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride (Lilo & Stitch)
A fun Hawaiian song that carries us through the trials of raising an alien dog while showing the closeness of the family in the making.
2. On My Way (Brother Bear)
When you hire Phil Collins, you only get 100%.
1. Strangers Like Me (Tarzan)
Perfectly building Tarzan’s relationship with the humans while also developing the wants of a character who can’t easily express them.
Orchestrations
5. Ralph Breaks the Internet
This film earns the number five spot due to the above orchestration, where Henry Jackman seamlessly blends not only the motifs of the movie but the motifs of every Disney Princess in an incredibly charming and fairytale musical concoction.
4. Alice in Wonderland
The score to Alice in Wonderland is a wacky, inconsistent blend of different sounds and instruments that creates the world around it as it goes.
3. The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
A sweet ballad that clues us into the inhabitants of the 100-Acre Wood and all of the antics of the beloved titular bear.
2. Fantasia
A movie that is almost entirely score. A strong contender for the number one slot, Fantasia blends existing and new orchestrations into vibrant pictures, stories, songs, and dances that captivate even 81 years later.
1. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
This score is simple, beautiful, and sincere. The orchestration listed above is my favorite piece of scoring throughout the entirety of the Disney canon. It’s tense and heartsick as it builds towards an exciting crescendo that leaves all on screen and in the audience in a state of bliss and happiness.
Conclusion
This was a hard list to crack. Even with six individual categories I left out dozens of Disney songs that I adore. It’s a testament to the strength and enduring longevity of not just their composers and songwriters but of the animators and voice actors who breathed, penned, and sang life into them.
Collin Willis 