Best Disney Songs Part 5 - #30-21

Hi, here's the next instalment of my favourite Disney songs! Sorry its been a long time coming - its been a hectic week!! Hope you enjoy it!

#30 - I See The Light, Tangled

I'm a sucker for a romantic duet and this is a beautiful romantic duet! Rapunzel and Flynn first admit their feelings for each other in a simple and heartfelt manner. The floating lantern visuals are beautiful, enhancing the scene even further.

#29 - Happy Working Song, Enchanted

Another great parody from Enchanted, in this case lovingly ripping a certain scene from Snow White. The lyrics are very funny (cleaning crud up in the kitchen always gets me!), the melody is catchy and the over-the-top princess acting with the New York vermin is just brilliant!

#28 - Cruella De Vil, 101 Dalmatians

This song introduces us to the famous villainess, and what starts as seemingly just jest becomes creepily true. There is a slinking slyness to the melody which mirrors Cruella well. A classic song that never fades in appeal. P.S. sorry about the video quality, there weren't any better :(

#27 - Baby Mine, Dumbo

An ode to maternal love, this is the most heartbreaking scene in Dumbo (and in my opinion one of the saddest scenes in any Disney movies). Whilst the message speaks of his mother's love, the barriers between Dumbo and his mother only serve to highlight how alone and scared he is.

#26 - Heaven's Light/ Hellfire, The Hunchback Of Notre Dame

The start of the song is Quasimodo's optimistic tribute to love, but it is the Frollo section that makes me love this song. It is leering and creepy, surprisingly sexual and very un-Disney. This is by no means a bad thing, it highlights the hypocrisies of Frollo and makes him an even more hateful villain.

#25 - This Is Halloween, The Nightmare Before Christmas

This is a great opening to the film, introducing the creepy, quirky style of the film brilliantly. The variety of voice work is superb and the slightly discordant sounds heighten the other worldly, ghoulish feel.

#24 - Almost There, The Princess And The Frog

Tiana shares her dreams for the future in a soulful number that is symptomatic of the movie. The art deco animation is an interesting departure from the usual style and sets up the fact that this is a dream sequence brilliantly. This is such a catchy song that I know I will be singing it for days!

#23 - I'm Still Here, Treasure Planet

A far edgier song than what is found in most Disney films, this song highlights the teenage angst of Jim. In terms of story, it narrates the growing friendship between Jim and Long John Silver, two lost souls who are starting to find one another. Whilst starting small and understated, the chorus is very rousing and will have you singing along.

#22 - Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah, Song Of The South

Whilst the film is no longer deemed politically correct, this infectiously optimistic song has become an enduring classic. The blend of live action and animation was ground-breaking at the time and James Baskett's earthy and jolly vocals make this an unforgettable song.

#21 - A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes, Cinderella

One of Disney's finest songs about the power of dreams and wishes, this song is sung beautifully by Ilene Woods. It introduces us to the character of Cinderella perfectly, showing her quiet optimism, loving spirit and warm heart. No wonder she was Walt's favourite princess!

Ok guys, that's the end of this piece, hope you enjoy the mix of songs - this list is probably my most varied so far! I promise I'll update the blog sooner than I have done over the last week, and I hope you keep reading mouseketeers!

Best Disney Songs Part 4 - #40 - 31

Here we are, getting to the business end. We're into my top 40 and the songs are only going to get better from here on in (in my opinion, anyway!)

#40 - A Spoonful of Sugar, Mary Poppins

Parodied a million times though never bettered, this song invites us to look for the fun in mundane tasks. It's a ridiculously catchy tune (most of the Sherman brothers songs are!) and who doesn't love Julie Andrews voice?! The visuals (although looking quite dated now!) are still very fun. If only I could snap my fingers to get all the house work done...

 

 

#39 - He Lives In You, The Lion King 2

 

The only song from the Lion King's sequel that matches the calibre of the original, this song links beautifully to the original by telling us how our loved ones never truly leave us. Whilst it's a shame that in the movie it mirrors but doesn't match Circle Of Life, the song is so good it made it into the Lion King musical as it has a very uplifting feel to it.

 

 



 

 

#38 - What's This, The Nightmare Before Christmas

 

When Jack Skellington first finds a town dedicated to the festive season, we are treated to this brilliant song. With the wide-eyed wonder and excitement of a child at Christmas time, the vocals hit the mood perfectly and it doubtlessly helps stir up many memories of Christmas' past for the viewers.

 

 

 

#37 - Under The Sea, The Little Mermaid

 

Sebastian tries, unsuccessfully, to entice Ariel to stay in the ocean with this energetic song. The lyrics are great (particularly when listing what all the different fish do) making this a classic that everyone loves to sing along to (though please lay off the Jamaican accent, its just embarrassing for us all!)

 

 



 

 

#36 - The Bare Necessities, The Jungle Book

 

Another catchy Sherman brothers tune, this is my favourite song from The Jungle Book. It's easy going attitude and bopping melody are perfect to hum along and de-stress to!

 

 



 

 

#35 - Go The Distance, Hercules

 

This is probably one of Disney's most inspirational and empowering songs for a character. Hercules dreams of finding his place in the world and we will him on to succeed. A Disney karaoke favourite!

 

 



 

 

#34 - I've Got No Strings, Pinocchio

 

It's not the most tuneful of Disney songs, but it is full of charm. The various marionettes flirting with Pinocchio are funny as are the dance routines. It's a little silly but its bumbling and sweet nature sum of the title character perfectly.

 

 



 

 

#33 - Two Worlds, Tarzan

 

A brilliant narration to the start of the final film in Disney's Renaissance, Two Worlds gives us the entire backstory to Tarzan and the Gorillas in a heart-wrenching but also strangely uplifting manner. The visuals are stunning, taking us deep into the heart of the jungle, which only serves to enhance this brilliant Phil Collins song.

 

 

 

#32 - Poor Unfortunate Souls, The Little Mermaid

 

Possibly Disney's most camp moment ever, Ursula flounces around her cavern in an attempt to persuade Ariel to make a deal with her. The vocal work (its not fully singing in many parts) is outstanding, capturing the essence of the character entirely, and the tinkling haunted house music is very creepy. There is some dry humour but also the sight of the diminished mermaids is slightly terrifying!

 

 

 

 

#31 - Feed The Birds, Mary Poppins

 

An iconic song that is just beautiful; from the message behind the lyrics to the vocals. It teaches us not to be too wrapped up in our own being and look out for others whilst lulling us into a semi-dreamlike state. However, I was very disappointed when I visited St Paul's recently and saw a sign that told me not to feed the birds!