Along with Disney creating some of the best movie villains of all-time (stayed tuned to next week's post about that very topic), the Disney villains also have given us some of the greatest songs Disney has ever produced. For this week's list, I'm going to countdown my top five favorite songs sung by the pantheon of Disney villains.
To give some honorable mentions away, I'll start with Tangled and Mother Gothel's twisted "Mother Knows Best." At this point in the movie, audiences aren't quite sure whether or not Rapunzel's psuedo-mother is a villain or just plain mean, but with her shining moment of revelation, it becomes blatantly clear that Rapunzel has a villain to deal with. When Mother Gothel struts down the stairs of the tower with only candles lighting her path, we know right away that Mother does indeed know best when you are a Disney villain.
Next, I would be remiss not to mention "Hellfire" from Hunchback of Notre Dame. As I've discussed in previous posts, this movie has really grown on me significantly as I've aged, and this song is so villainous in every sense of the word. Take away the "Think of the children" argument people have against this song and this film. Strictly based on what makes a great villain song, Frollo professing his struggle with lust and how it effects his motives throughout the film is absolute villainy as its most vile.
Finally, Halloween would not be complete without watching The Nightmare Before Christmas, and this list would be incomplete without mentioning Oogie Boogie's Song. Oogie Boogie is so vile and yet somehow so lovable, which is basically the character description of everybody in Tim Burton's classic stop-motion film. At a brisk 76 minutes, Nightmare doesn't have a whole lot of time for mediocre material if it wants to maintain classic status, but when Oogie rocks out and brags about him being the Boogieman, that status is easily and quickly achieved.
Onward and upward to the top five!
5. "Friends on the Other Side" from The Princess and the Frog
The Princess and the Frog kicked off the third Golden Age of Disney, in my opinion, mainly because Disney returned to its roots by creating likable protagonists while also concocting fantastic bad guys, and Dr. Facilier is Bayou-bad through and through. Using his dark magic and voodoo to accomplish his villainous plan of bringing down Prince Naveen, whenever the time comes for him to reveal his vile plan, the Shadow Man delivers one of the best modern day Disney songs. The animation during this scene is also top-notch, highlighting in great detail the influence of New Orleans culture on the film. Plus, the voice of Dr. Facilier, Keith David, could truly make anything sound evil if he really wanted to.
4. "Gaston" from Beauty and the Beast
Gaston is one of those Disney villains that you just love to hate, and with his moment to take center stage in this raucous number, his villainy and excellency come to the forefront. I mean, for starters, the fact that your song is simply your name is enough to prove how vile you really are. Anyone that eats five dozens eggs every morning to help him get large and uses antlers in all of his decorating is someone that is easy to love, but Gaston takes it step further by also making us loathe him and his arrogance at the same time. All of this is achieved in a tavern while singing this Alan Menken classic, a feat not easily accomplished.
3. "Poor Unfortunate Souls" from The Little Mermaid
Arguably the most vile Disney villain in the canon, Ursula has a commanding presence from start to finish, and we, as the audience, become witnesses to the phenomenal villainy the Sea Witch has to offer. What really separates this song from the rest is how well it advances the plot while also entertaining the audience, truly an Alan Menken staple. Ariel enters a shy and timid potential consumer of whatever Ursula is offering and leaves with no voice and a desperate mission on her hands. That's villainy; that's Ursula.
2. "Cruella De Vil" from 101 Dalmatians
Once again, some Disney villains only need their name to be the song title to prove how evil they really are. Cruella is the ultimate Disney baddie. Think about why she is the way she is: she's evil because she wants a new coat! If that's not true villainy, I don't know what is! Then, when this song hits, no other introduction or elaboration is needed. We know instantly everything we need to know about Cruella: she's truly one of a kind in her evil ways. That's the mark of an excellent villain: someone who is evil just because they can be. In 101 Dalmatians, Cruella doesn't even need to sing a note to prove that.
1. "Be Prepared" from The Lion King
The sassy and hysterical Scar is one of the finest villains Disney has ever created, mainly because his character arc has a fair amount of layers to it. Dare I say that all of us could potentially understand where Scar's frustrations are coming from? With this number, Scar takes center stage like never before and owns it in the best way possible. With the clear Nazi symbolism going on with the hyenas marching in this scene, Disney made it abundantly clear that Scar was not to be messed with in any regard. On top of that, Jeremy Irons and his tremendous vocals could make anything sound vile and evil, truly a perfect casting to the quintessential Disney villain.
Happy Halloween!
-Cody Fleenor
Next, I would be remiss not to mention "Hellfire" from Hunchback of Notre Dame. As I've discussed in previous posts, this movie has really grown on me significantly as I've aged, and this song is so villainous in every sense of the word. Take away the "Think of the children" argument people have against this song and this film. Strictly based on what makes a great villain song, Frollo professing his struggle with lust and how it effects his motives throughout the film is absolute villainy as its most vile.
Finally, Halloween would not be complete without watching The Nightmare Before Christmas, and this list would be incomplete without mentioning Oogie Boogie's Song. Oogie Boogie is so vile and yet somehow so lovable, which is basically the character description of everybody in Tim Burton's classic stop-motion film. At a brisk 76 minutes, Nightmare doesn't have a whole lot of time for mediocre material if it wants to maintain classic status, but when Oogie rocks out and brags about him being the Boogieman, that status is easily and quickly achieved.
Onward and upward to the top five!
5. "Friends on the Other Side" from The Princess and the Frog
The Princess and the Frog kicked off the third Golden Age of Disney, in my opinion, mainly because Disney returned to its roots by creating likable protagonists while also concocting fantastic bad guys, and Dr. Facilier is Bayou-bad through and through. Using his dark magic and voodoo to accomplish his villainous plan of bringing down Prince Naveen, whenever the time comes for him to reveal his vile plan, the Shadow Man delivers one of the best modern day Disney songs. The animation during this scene is also top-notch, highlighting in great detail the influence of New Orleans culture on the film. Plus, the voice of Dr. Facilier, Keith David, could truly make anything sound evil if he really wanted to.
4. "Gaston" from Beauty and the Beast
Gaston is one of those Disney villains that you just love to hate, and with his moment to take center stage in this raucous number, his villainy and excellency come to the forefront. I mean, for starters, the fact that your song is simply your name is enough to prove how vile you really are. Anyone that eats five dozens eggs every morning to help him get large and uses antlers in all of his decorating is someone that is easy to love, but Gaston takes it step further by also making us loathe him and his arrogance at the same time. All of this is achieved in a tavern while singing this Alan Menken classic, a feat not easily accomplished.
3. "Poor Unfortunate Souls" from The Little Mermaid
Arguably the most vile Disney villain in the canon, Ursula has a commanding presence from start to finish, and we, as the audience, become witnesses to the phenomenal villainy the Sea Witch has to offer. What really separates this song from the rest is how well it advances the plot while also entertaining the audience, truly an Alan Menken staple. Ariel enters a shy and timid potential consumer of whatever Ursula is offering and leaves with no voice and a desperate mission on her hands. That's villainy; that's Ursula.
2. "Cruella De Vil" from 101 Dalmatians
Once again, some Disney villains only need their name to be the song title to prove how evil they really are. Cruella is the ultimate Disney baddie. Think about why she is the way she is: she's evil because she wants a new coat! If that's not true villainy, I don't know what is! Then, when this song hits, no other introduction or elaboration is needed. We know instantly everything we need to know about Cruella: she's truly one of a kind in her evil ways. That's the mark of an excellent villain: someone who is evil just because they can be. In 101 Dalmatians, Cruella doesn't even need to sing a note to prove that.
1. "Be Prepared" from The Lion King
The sassy and hysterical Scar is one of the finest villains Disney has ever created, mainly because his character arc has a fair amount of layers to it. Dare I say that all of us could potentially understand where Scar's frustrations are coming from? With this number, Scar takes center stage like never before and owns it in the best way possible. With the clear Nazi symbolism going on with the hyenas marching in this scene, Disney made it abundantly clear that Scar was not to be messed with in any regard. On top of that, Jeremy Irons and his tremendous vocals could make anything sound vile and evil, truly a perfect casting to the quintessential Disney villain.
Happy Halloween!
-Cody Fleenor
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