As many of you know, my two obsessions are Harry Potter and Disney films. I've ranked Disney Films before in the Ranking threads. But the aspect of most Disney movies that is most important to me is the songs. The soundtrack, in my opinion, is what makes Disney films with good soundtracks endlessly rewatchable.

Here was my criteria.

The song had to be from a film that was:
1. Theatrically released (so no DTV sequels)
2. Not an acquisition (so no Pixar)
3. The song had to originate in the film (so no A Pirate's Life For Me)

I know Disney Toon Studios did release some theatrical features, but I am not using any of those songs either.

Live action and animated films were considered. I did not consider the songs from the 1940's package films released during the war

The first post will be up later tonight. I hope to do about 5 a day for 3 weeks.

Official Finished List!
1. I'll Make a Man Out of You (Mulan, 1998)
2. Colors of the Wind (Pocahontas, 1995)
3. Belle (Beauty and the Beast, 1991)
4. Part of Your World (The Little Mermaid, 1989)
5. Prince Ali (Aladdin, 1992)
6. A Whole New World (Aladdin, 1992)
7. That's How You Know (Enchanted, 2007)
8. God Help the Outcasts (The Hunchback of Notre Dame, 1996)
9. Circle of Life (The Lion King, 1994)
10. Something There (Beauty and the Beast, 1991)
11. For the First Time in Forever (Frozen, 2013)
12. Just Around the Riverbend (Pocahontas, 1995)
13. Bella Notte (Lady and the Tramp, 1955)
14. The Gospel Truth (Hercules, 1997)
15. Savages (Pocahontas, 1995)
16. Feed the Birds (Tuppence a Bag) (Mary Poppins, 1964)
17. Out There (The Hunchback of Notre Dame, 1996)
18. Arabian Nights (Aladdin, 1992)
19. One Jump Ahead (Aladdin, 1992)
20. Let's Go Fly a Kite (Mary Poppins, 1964)
21. Let it Go (Frozen, 2013)
22. Friends on the Other Side (The Princess and the Frog, 2009)
23. A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes (Cinderella, 1950)
24. Gaston (Beauty and the Beast, 1991)
25. Once Upon a Dream (Sleeping Beauty, 1959)
26. He's a Tramp (Lady and the Tramp, 1955)
27. Beauty and the Beast (Beauty and the Beast, 1991)
28. Friend Like Me (Aladdin, 1992)
29. Heigh Ho (Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, 1937)
30. Cruella De Vil (101 Dalmatians, 1961)
31. Be Our Guest (Beauty and the Beast, 1991)
32. When You Wish Upon a Star (Pinocchio, 1940)
33. A Star is Born (Hercules, 1997)
34. The Bells of Notre Dame (The Hunchback of Notre Dame, 1996)
35. Happy Working Song (Enchanted, 2007)
36. Poor Unfortunate Souls (The Little Mermaid, 1989)
37. Zero to Hero (Hercules, 1997)
38. I See the Light (Tangled, 2010)
39. Mine, Mine, Mine (Pocahontas, 1995)
40. Be Prepared (The Lion King, 1994)
41. The Mob Song (Beauty and the Beast, 1991)
42. Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious (Mary Poppins, 1964)
43. Someday My Prince Will Come (Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, 1937)
44. Reflection (Mulan, 1998)
45. I Won't Say I'm in Love (Hercules, 1997)
46. Do You Want to Build a Snowman? (Frozen, 2013)
47. Winnie the Pooh (The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, 1977)
48. Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo (Cinderella, 1950)
49. If I Never Knew You (Pocahontas, 1995)
50. Mother Knows Best (Tangled, 2010)
51. Down in New Orleans (The Princess and the Frog, 2009)
52. Life's a Happy Song (The Muppets, 2011)
53. Almost There (The Princess and the Frog, 2009)
54. Heaven's Light/Hellfire (The Hunchback of Notre Dame, 1996)
55. A Spoonful of Sugar (Mary Poppins, 1964)
56. The Siamese Cat Song (Lady and the Tramp, 1955)
57. Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride (Lilo and Stitch, 2002)
58. Go the Distance (Hercules, 1997)
59. Strangers Like Me (Tarzan, 1999)
60. The Work Song (Cinderella, 1950)
61. Chim Chim Cheree (Mary Poppins, 1964)
62. Under the Sea (The Little Mermaid, 1989)
63. You Can Fly! You Can Fly! You Can Fly! (Peter Pan, 1953)
64. The Unbirthday Song (Alice in Wonderland, 1951)
65. Fathoms Below (The Little Mermaid, 1989)
66. Oo-De-Lally (Robin Hood, 1973)
67. I'm Late (Alice in Wonderland, 1951)
68. I Wanna Be Like You (The Jungle Book, 1967)
69. Baby Mine (Dumbo, 1941)
70. Second Star to the Right (Peter Pan, 1953)
71. True Love's Kiss (Enchanted, 2007)
72. You'll Be in My Heart (Tarzan, 1999)
73. Man or Muppet (The Muppets, 2011)
74. Oh Sing, Sweet Nightingale (Cinderella, 1950)
75. Kiss the Girl (The Little Mermaid, 1989)
76. Can You Feel the Love Tonight? (The Lion King, 1994)
77. He Mele No Lilo (Lilo and Stitch, 2002)
78. Honor to Us All (Mulan, 1998)
79. Following the Leader (Peter Pan, 1953)
80. The Bare Necessities (The Jungle Book, 1967)
81. Love is an Open Door (Frozen, 2013)
82. Human Again (Beauty and the Beast, 1991)
83. I Just Can't Wait to Be King (The Lion King, 1994)
84. Everybody Wants to Be a Cat (The Aristocats, 1970)
85. The Wonderful Thing About Tiggers (The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, 1977)
86. Painting the Roses Red (Alice in Wonderland, 1951)
87. A Girl Worth Fighting For (Mulan, 1998)
88. So This is Love? (Cinderella, 1950)
89. One Last Hope (Hercules, 1997)
90. Pink Elephants on Parade (Dumbo, 1941)
91. Hi Diddle Dee Dee (Pinocchio, 1940)
92. We're Doing a Sequel (Muppets Most Wanted, 2014)
93. Hakuna Matata (The Lion King, 1994)
94. Frozen Heart (Frozen, 2013)
95. Topsy Turvy (The Hunchback of Notre Dame, 1996)
96. Give a Little Whistle (Pinocchio, 1940)
97. Steady as the Beating Drum (Pocahontas, 1995)
98. When Will My Life Begin? (Tangled, 2010)
99. I've Got a Dream (Tangled, 2010)
100. In Summer (Frozen, 2013)

Do something with Disney, you seem to know more about that.

So you want us to pitch you ideas? lol. Seems quite a whorey thing to do. Just do something when it interests you.

Well I don't want to post about something no one cares about.
My thought is to do a top Disney songs list.

Dude, as long as it is film-related, you'll stir up some interest. Just do/talk about/concern yourself with what you like. The outcome will be all the better for it.

100. In Summer (Frozen, 2013)


Sung by Olaf
Performed by Josh Gad
Music and Lyrics by Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson Lopez

Best Lyric: "Winter's a good time to stay in and cuddle, but put me in summer and I'll be a... HAPPY SNOWMAN!"

Frozen when released was hailed as Disney's triumphant return to form after nearly 15 years of films that were either non musical or whose soundtrack was not up to snuff with Disney's best. Frozen's soundtrack on the whole was very much up to par with the best of Disney, even if every song on its album did not reach the heights of "Let it Go". "In Summer" is one of those songs. It is a fun little number in the film, especially when paired with the inventive animation sequence that accompanies it. While funny, I find that it lacks melodic complexity when listening to it on its own. It is not a bad song, simply one that does not quite live up to the excellence and inventiveness of the character it is written for.

99. I've Got a Dream (Tangled, 2010)


Sung by Snuggly Duckling Thugs, Flynn Rider and Rapunzel
Performed by Brad Garrett, Jeffrey Tambor, Zachary Levi, Mandy Moore and Tangled Cast
Music by Alan Menken Lyrics by Glenn Slater

Best Lyric: Hook Hand Thug: And Vladimir collects ceramic unicorns!"

Tangled is widely considered one of Disney's best films of the modern era, but its songs are generally forgotten with the exception of "I See the Light". "I've Got a Dream" is such a song. The song entails the murderous dwellers of the Snuggly Duckling pub singing about their lives' greatest ambitions. While the tune is catchy, it does have a bit of a samey feel, like you have heard something similar before. And Glenn Slater's lyrics, while not awful, are a bit cliched and obvious. Anyone can see this song coming on right from Rapunzel's line "Don't any of you have a dream?" No one will be fast forwarding past this song, but no one will be buying the Tangled soundtrack for it either.

98. When Will My Life Begin? (Tangled, 2010)



Sung by Rapunzel
Performed by Mandy Moore
Music by Alan Menken Lyrics by Glenn Slater

Best Lyric: Pottery and ventriloquy, candle making!

From the beginning of the film Tangled, it is obvious that Rapunzel will have a signature song, an "I Want" song, as it has been labelled by many fans of musicals. Most of the songs that Disney Princesses sing express their deepest desires. "Someday My Prince Will Come" conveys Snow White's longing for such a man to come, "Part of Your World" explains Ariel's desire to leave the sea and be human, and "Just Around the Riverbend" shows Pocahontas' adventurous nature and her fear of how marrying Kocoum could interfere with her lifestyle. "When Will My Life Begin?"is about Rapunzel's longing to leave the tower, bored to death even with all of the ways she has come up with to pass the time. The song loses out in comparison to other songs of its type for a few reasons though. The acoustic guitar, fast pace and goofy lyrics, while establishing Rapunzel as such goofy, fun character, keep the audience from investing as fully in her struggles as in other "I Want" songs. The song would almost certainly better if played by an orchestra at a much slower pace. It is also obvious from this song that Mandy Moore is not a strong enough singer for the big, belty show tune that this is. She does much better with her duet later in the movie, as well as the reprise of the song, but this is quite the poor choice for an opening number, even if it has grown on me since first hearing it.

97. Steady as the Beating Drum (Pocahontas, 1995)



Sung by Powhatan Tribe, Reprise sung by Chief Powhatan
Performed by Pocahontas Cast, Reprise Performed by Jim Cummings
Music by Alan Menken Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz

Best Lyric: Powhatan: As the river cuts his path, though the river's proud and strong, he will choose the smoothest course. That's why rivers live so long.

Pocahontas is probably the least beloved of the Renaissance Disney films, but I can't figure out why. Even so its soundtrack is possibly the best of the Renaissance. "Steady As the Beating Drum" is the introduction to the films' Indians. It plays a great contrast to the opening number of the film, "The Virginia Company", which establishes the Europeans' desires for personal gains such as fame, wealth and to convert the world to Christianity. The Indians want no such thing, only to honor nature and worship their own gods, setting up the films' struggle before they have even met. The melody is certainly catchy, and will get in your head. However, it lacks emotion and a truly showstopping moment to rank higher on this list.

HAKUNA MATATA &
CIRCLE OF LIFE

better be in your top 10

We'll see.

96 and 95 will be up tonight.

96. Give a Little Whistle (Pinocchio, 1940)


Sung by Jiminy Cricket and Pinocchio
Performed by Cliff Edwards and Dickie Jones
Music by Leigh Harline Lyrics by Ned Washington

Best Lyric: Jiminy: "And always let your conscience be your guide."

Pinocchio features many great songs, including the one Disney uses as its theme, "When You Wish Upon a Star", so it was only a matter of time before one showed up on this list. "Give a Little Whistle" is not one that I listen to frequently, but I don't have to. The line "And always let your conscience be your guide." is so thoroughly ingrained in our culture, that many who have never even seen Pinocchio have probably heard that excerpt of this song. The rest of the song is charming enough as well, with Jiminy singing and Pinocchio trying to whistle. Overall, one of early Disney's most enjoyable numbers.

95. Topsy Turvy (The Hunchback of Notre Dame, 1996)


Sung by Clopin and the Townspeople
Performed by Paul Kandel and The Hunchback of Notre Dame Cast
Music by Alan Menken Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz

Best Lyric: Scurvy knaves are extra scurvy on the 6th of Janu-urvy all because it's Topsy Turvy Day.


This is one of several large opera type numbers in the Hunchback of Notre Dame which involves not just the main characters but the entire town. Though this is another case where a good song accompanies a great animation sequence. The song is catchy enough, and Paul Kandel sings the hell out of it, but compared to how passionately sung other songs are sung in the film, this one doesn't quite measure up. It is also rather mean spirited considering the devastating scene that follows the Festival of Fools.

Good thread idea. Don't screw it up.

A controversial choice is coming up don't worry!

94. Frozen Heart (Frozen, 2013)


Sung by The Ice Harvesters
Performed by Frozen Cast
Music and Lyrics by Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez

Best Lyric: Hup! Ho! Watch your step! Let it go!


If any song has been forgotten in Frozen, it is this one. Neither as beloved as "Let it Go", nor as maligned as "Fixer Upper", this is a Frozen song that for most people just sort of exists. This is a shame, because it is by far the most underrated song in the film. No sung by any main character, the main purpose is to foreshadow what will happen in the rest of the film, with its talk of how dangerous ice is, how it has a magic, and even using Elsa's catchphrase, "Let it Go!" Beyond the clever lyrics, the tune isn't super singable, which is why many do not prefer it over other songs in the movie, but I really think it has a good beat and the use of the ice saws as percussion is brilliant. If you are listening to the soundtrack and skip right to "Do You Want to Build a Snowman", you are certainly missing out.

93. Hakuna Matata (The Lion King, 1994)


Sung by Timon, Pumbaa and Simba
Performed by Nathan Lane, Ernie Sabella, Jonathan Taylor Thomas and Matthew Broderick
Music by Elton John Lyrics by Tim Rice
Nominated for the 1995 Best Original Song Oscar (Lost to "Can You Feel the Love Tonight?")

Best Lyric: It's our problem free philosophy. Hakuna Matata!


Well, here is the first bomb I'm going to drop and where the list truly gets to be very subjective. Hakuna Matata would normally rank very near the top of most Disney fans' lists, so why is it only 93 in mine? Simple: I find it a bit too annoying to listen to frequently. It's a departure from the other songs in the film, and while that is not bad on principle, here it is disappointing considering the exceedingly epic way that the film starts with the kick ass power ballad "Circle of Life" The song is construed as a fun song that the kids will love, but on further revelation, viewers of The Lion King will realize that the message of ignoring your problems is not a positive one. This second layer to the song is what allows me to appreciate it despite its melodic simplicity and commercial feel.

92. We're Doing a Sequel (Muppets Most Wanted, 2014)


Sung by Kermit, Fozzie, Scooter, Miss Piggy, Rowlf, Gonzo, Animal, Dr. Teeth, Janice, Floyd Pepper, Zoot, Tony Bennet, Lady Gaga, Dr. Honeydew, Lew Zealand, Swedish Chef, Statler, Waldorf, and the Muppets
Performed by Steve Whitmire, Eric Jacobson, Dave Goelz, Bill Baretta, David Rudman, Matt Vogel, Tony Bennet, Lady Gaga and Muppets Most Wanted Cast
Music and Lyrics by Bret Mckenzie

Best Lyric: Dr. Honeydew: I don’t mean to be a stickler, but this is the seventh sequel to our original motion picture.


The first song from a live action movie on this list, "We're Doing a Sequel" sets up Muppets Most Wanted smashingly with a song that is never matched again in the film. While its meta humor is sometimes a bit too on the nose, such as the line about Toy Story 4, the tune has a suitable big Broadway feel full of cameos from all different Muppets, as well as Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett. Watching the film for the first time, this is likely the only song in the film that has any chance of staying with you after you leave the theater. While still not up to the quality of songs in the first Muppet reboot, like Life's a Happy Song and Man or Muppet, it is quite an admirable effort.

91. Hi Diddle Dee Dee (Pinocchio, 1940)


Sung by J. Worthington Foulfellow (Honest John)
Performed by Walter Catlett
Music by Leigh Harline Lyrics by Ned Washington

Best Lyric: You wear your hair in a pompadour!

Like "Give a Little Whistle", "Hi Diddle Dee Dee" is not a big song. It is sung by Honest John as he tempts Pinocchio to the evil Stromboli's caravan. The simple melody is instantly memorable; I'd be surprised if any actor could resist singing it as they go to work. "Hi Diddle Dee Dee" is also notable as the first ever Disney villain song. While The Queen of Hearts would get her own verse of "Painting the Roses Red", a villain would not have their own song again for 15 years when the Siamese Cats from Lady and the Tramp would continue the new tradition. "Hi Diddle Dee Dee" is a marvel in how it manages to be so simple and at the same time so effective at luring our protagonist to his doom.

90. Pink Elephants on Parade (Dumbo, 1941)


Sung by The Pink Elephants
Performed by Mel Blanc, Thurl Ravenscroft and The Sportsmen
Music by Oliver Wallace Lyrics by Ned Washington

Best Lyric: I could stand the sight of worms and look at microscopic germs but technicolor pachyderms is really too much for me.

Pink Elephants on Parade is likely the trippiest Disney animated sequence in all of their animated feature. When I was a very young child, like 2 or 3, this scene in particular gave me nightmares. Dumbo and Timothy getting drunk is a very adult theme that would never appear so explicitly in an animated film today. The success of this sequence is due in no small part to the hypnotic song and music that accompanies it. The slow beat and the big band sound put the viewer almost in a trance. While nothing very plot oriented happens during this whole sequence, the viewer still can't take their eyes off the screen. I always applaud messed up scenes like this in kids movies, and this song is really what seals the deal and made it iconic.

89. One Last Hope (Hercules, 1997)


Sung by Philoctetes
Performed by Danny Devito
Music by Alan Menken Lyrics by David Zippel

Best Lyric: You're my one last hope and, kid, it's up to you

1997's Hercules is widely considered to have the weakest overall score of the Renaissance era, and I would maybe say that it is only better than Tarzan. But that does not mean the songs in the film are not fun on their own or even really good. While "One Last Hope" is not as fun as the Muses' songs, or as memorable as "Go the Distance" and "I Won't Say I'm in Love", it still has a great sense of fun. Danny Devito's voice work is great, even if he talk sings most of it and appears to lack the traditional Broadway level range singers in Disney films have. The lyrics establish Phil as a character who you really want things to work out for, considering all of his failed attempts to train heroes, and by the end, you are fully invested in him. This does hurt the film later when we are supposed to empathize with Hercules when Phil tells him of Meg's deception, and we end up thinking Hercules is a jerk instead. Even if the main character is not the most sympathetic, it is great that such a sympathetic character still exists and gets to sing this song.

88. So This is Love? (Cinderella, 1950)


Sung by Cinderella and Prince Charming
Performed by Ilene Woods and Mike Douglas
Music and Lyrics by Mack David, Jerry Livingston and Al Hoffman

Best Lyric: So this is what makes life divine.

Cinderella has a glorious soundtrack, and this is a small duet that Cinderella and the Prince sing during their first dance at the ball. It has a very sensuous melody, with much of the lyrics not even being real words (Mmm hmmmmm!), and it really feels like Cinderella is being exposed to all the world has to offer for the very first time. This song manages to get a lot across in terms of character development with very few lyrics and a very short duration. And this isn't even the most efficient song in this film in terms of how much a song can get across with so little. But that song will be revealed later of course.

87. A Girl Worth Fighting For (Mulan, 1998)


Sung by Yao, Ling, Chien-Po, Mulan, Chi-Fu and Soldiers
Performed by Harvey Fierstein, Gedde Watanabe, Jerry Tondo, Lea Salonga, James Hong, and Mulan Cast
Music by David Wilder Lyrics by David Zippel
Best Lyric: Chien-Po: I couldn't care less what she'll wear or what she looks like. It all depends on what she cooks like.

Mulan does not have as many songs as the average Disney film, but they still vary in quality from great to pretty good. "A Girl Worth Fighting For" is a pretty good song. It is amusing to see Mulans' friends stereotypes (the tough guy, the skinny nerd and the lovable fat one) get developed beyond those classifications. The song never strives to be anything more than amusing though. The characters at the end while a tad more developed still feel like tropes. The song is lucky that its decent melody and sense of fun help it to overcome this.

So mergers are allowed but not acquisitions?