One of the main reasons why Disney movies are remembered so admirably throughout the years and through numerous generations is because everyone has their own personal favorite Disney song. Ever since the beginning of animation, Disney has brought music to the forefront of their films to astronomical success. When someone leaves the theater or turns off the television after watching a Disney film, odds are that they will be humming to or dancing to one of that film's songs. It is no accident that the movies that are widely considered the best of Disney are generally defined by its music.
To compile a list of just five songs from seventy plus years of Disney music is an impossibility, so I will start by giving out some honorable mentions to help ease this process. Now, I could name a few songs from just one movie; to make life simpler, though, I will only mention one song from each film. Also, I could make mention of some of the fantastic songs written exclusively for the Disney Parks, but for this list, I'll stick with movies. I'll start with the one that started it all, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, and "Heigh-Ho." This is such a simple song, and that is why I think it works so well for this film. The dwarfs are instantly lovable from the minute they appear on screen, and with this musical number, they get to come front and center and captivate all of us. This song is one of those numbers that people from ages six to sixty can sing along with and finish it exponentially happier than they were just a few minutes ago. Also, when you throw in the animation that is done during this song (remember the dwarfs' shadows appearing on the side of the mountain? Maybe even the seven of them walking across the fallen tree? Perfection.), you get one irresistible Disney classic.
Next, a list like this would not be complete without mentioning a song from Cinderella, and in my case, I nominate "A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes." It truly pained me to leave this one out of my top five. I mean, how on Earth could I omit a Disney theme song? This song is not only the perfect anthem for Cinderella; it's is the perfect anthem for anybody who loves Disney. It's the epitome of Disney magic in lyrics and music notes. It's inspirational, charming, and pure perfection from an inspirational, charming, and purely perfect film.
Speaking of Disney theme songs, I must also mention "You Can Fly! You Can Fly! You Can Fly!" from Peter Pan. If you haven't intently listened to the lyrics to this song in a while, I encourage you to do so because the chorus of this song is exactly what Disney does to us all when we watch one of their films or enter into one of their parks. Plus, the animation during this scene with Peter, Wendy, Michael, John, and Tinkerbell flying over the streets of London is breathtakingly beautiful.
Is a list like this complete without mentioning The Little Mermaid? I think not, and that's why I give you "Part of Your World." In the 1990s, one of the defining characteristics of the main protagonists in any Disney movie was the effective way that Disney used a song to express the character's inward thoughts and desires (think "Belle" from Beauty and the Beast or "Go the Distance" from Hercules). That trend all began with "Part of Your World." With Ariel surrounded by her gadgets and gizmos a plenty, we begin the process of truly caring for this little mermaid greatly, a feat not easily accomplished, and it was all accomplished by the melodious voice of Jodi Benson and the wonderful words of Alan Menken.
Moving forward to one of the more recent songs, "I See the Light" from Tangled is also an incredible number. Once again, the animation during this scene is absolutely stunning. With the countless floating lanterns lighting up the sky while Rapunzel and Flynn have their breakthrough moment to the music and lyrics of the mastermind Alan Menken, Disney magic is in its finest form.
Let the top five commence!
5. "Feed the Birds" from Mary Poppins
The highlight of not only Walt Disney's own personal life, but also the highlight of the studio as a whole was and is Mary Poppins. Many, including myself, consider this film to be flawless. Now, just for a moment, imagine Mary Poppins without music? It's downright impossible to do! It's also difficult to pick just one to make this list, but I must go with the number that was Walt's favorite. The perfect anthem for the entire film, "Feed the Birds" is Richard and Robert Sherman doing what they do best: displaying emotion through song. It also doesn't hurt in one iota that these words are being sung by the incomparable Julie Andrews. She won an Oscar for this role, and I would definitively say that this was her award-winning scene. Listen, listen, she's calling to you.
4. "When You Wish Upon a Star" from Pinocchio
In my opinion, this is the quintessential Disney song. It is everything Disney stands for wrapped up into one perfect number. Sung by the soothing voice of Cliff Edwards, no song has ever inspired a fandom more. Whether you're watching a Disney movie or taking in the sights of the Magic Kingdom, the essence of Disney owes an immense amount of gratitude to that night when Jiminy Cricket first wished upon a star. The thought is so simple and yet so profound: "When you wish upon a star, your dreams come true." If Disney had a mission statement, that would be it, a fitting testament to everything magical about Disney.
3. "Beauty and the Beast" from Beauty and the Beast
Whoever was the brilliant one who first suggested that Angela Lansbury sing the title song to my favorite Disney animated movie is a personal hero of mine. She brings so much powerful emotion while also adding a certain amount of necessary restraint to the climactic moment of the film. We listen to the words and get chills at the music, but at the same time, we're just as transfixed by the unfolding scene as we are of the song itself. The ballroom scene with Belle and the Beast dancing together is an all-time favorite scene in movie history of mine, and the song just adds so many layers to an already beautiful moment.
2. "Circle of Life" from The Lion King
It takes a special kind of song to completely captivate an audience within just two minutes or so. That's exactly what "Circle of Life" does as The Lion King bursts onto the screen. From that iconic sunrise to the presentation of Simba by Rafiki, this powerful and inspiring number not only sets the tone for the rest of the film, but it defines a genre by emphatically reiterating that animation can in fact go beyond just entertaining kids. The best part of all, though, is being able to totally relate to the lyrics of this song. Everybody wants to find our place in the great circle of life. It just took an Elton John-written song for a movie about lions for us to realize it.
1. "A Whole New World" from Aladdin
The peak in romantic Disney songs takes place on a magic carpet in Agrabah. When Princess Jasmine reluctantly agrees to fly on the magic carpet with Aladdin, audiences are transported into a literal whole new world of Disney animation. The flying sequencing coupled with the sights the couple in encounter throughout their journey is stunning from start to finish. On top of that, the lyrics and music for this song are some of the best Disney has ever produced. The duet is beautiful and the orchestra playing in the background provide an excellent backdrop to the pinnacle of Disney songwriting and performing. A perfect song for a perfect movie.
What would Disney movies be without their songs? I sure would hate to find out. So here's to more and more magic through the art of song for years and years to come from the studio that always takes us to a whole new world!
-Cody Fleenor
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