This week sees the release of Lilo & Stitch, which features the iconic Disney song, “Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride.” So with that in mind, we’re discussing some of our other favorite Disney songs! Let us know yours @SiftPop!
I’m guessing one of the last movies you were expecting to see on the list is 1949’s The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad. Easily one of the most underseen and underrated animated classics, the “Wind in the Willows” portion contains a song so joyous and full of whimsy it has a fountain designed in it’s honor, adorning the entrance to Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride at Disneyland in California. “The Merrily Song” has been a favorite of my mother and I for as long as I can remember. Not a month goes by that we don’t sing at least part of it when hopping in the car to run errands, even though we aren’t necessarily on our way to “any hammy hamlet by the sea.” When my children were younger and required the proverbial drive around the block to calm down and go to sleep, this was my anthem. In the dark times before Spotify, it was in the top of my iPod Shuffle’s playlist, as I’d often sing about how “we’re merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily on our way… Where the roads are perpendicular” as we approached the four-way stop at near the end of the neighborhood. “The Merrily Song” is fanciful and silly, with a surprisingly refreshing outlook on enjoying life with enthusiasm for the adventures that lie ahead, and a favorite in our home for now three generations of goofballs. (Patrice Downing)
“Friend Like Me” is one of my top five Disney songs of all time. However, it recently has undergone a change in how I experience it. “Friend Like Me” used to be a song that was joyous and full of life and fun. Please don’t misunderstand: The song still is, but it now hits me with a twinge of sadness. Robin Williams embodied the character of the Genie in such a way that left a seven-year-old me entranced. He brought so much joy to my childhood as Genie and all of his other beloved characters. So to know that he felt alone in his final days, and that his depression made him not realize that he touched so many lives, is heartbreaking to me. I can’t help but get choked up every time I hear “Friend Like Me,” but it will always make me happy remembering Robin and how much he meant to me as a child. We will truly never again have a friend like him, but I’m happy we have this song to remember him! (Nick Ferro)
How could we list our favorite Disney songs without discussing the melodic masterpiece that is Beauty and the Beast? The Oscar-winning music and lyrics of Disney legends Alan Menken and Howard Ashman rang in the animation renaissance of the ‘90s in a big way bringing us fan favorites “Beauty and the Beast,” “Be Our Guest,” and of course, “Gaston.” But as great as each of those endlessly singable songs is, my favorite by far is the opening anthem of the film, “Belle.” More commonly referred to as “Bonjour,” the operatic opening introduces us to Belle (Paige O’Hara) through a chorus of town folk who basically ostracize the studious songstress for having the audacity to (get ready to clutch those pearls) read. For shame, Belle! I love everything about this song, from the desperation in the voice of a mother needing six eggs, to the Gaston girls fawning over the bawdy brute, and of course Belle serenading sheep about her love of a romance novel. The mix of spoken-word sections woven into the chorus of villagers, with Belle popping in throughout, is fun to sing with others (perfect car ride song) because it doesn’t matter if, like myself, you can’t carry a tune in a bucket giving everyone a chance for a small solo. While it may not be the first (or second or even third) best song of this impeccably scored classic, it’s always been my favorite. (Patrice Downing)
The first movie I saw on a date with my wife was Coco. Forgive me if I am little biased about Disney songs, but this movie is technically owned by the house, so it counts. And it has as a special place in my heart. Particularly, this song means a lot to me. During the first two-and-a-half years of our relationship, we spent a lot of time apart. I graduated school a year before her while she was another state away. We spent summers 1500 miles away. When moments apart were hard, I remembered this song, particularly, the lullaby version Hector sings to baby Coco as he departs. The kind words about trying to stay in someone else’s heart while you are not together are touching. While Hector does not have the brazen and machismo voice of Ernesto, the emotion he puts behind his words is worth so much more. It would bring tears to my face when I was apart from my wife. Anyone can relate to the emptiness of being far from someone you loved, and this song helps fill the void just a little bit. (Sam Nichols)
Lin-Manuel Miranda is indisputably one of the greatest songwriters working today. He’s done a lot of great work for the House of Mouse over the last decade, from the incredible soundtrack of Moana, to his role as Sebastian in the live action The Little Mermaid, but my favorite song that he’s made for Disney thus so far is, without a doubt, “Surface Pressure”from Encanto. A reggaeton-inspired number performed by Luisa (Jessica Darrow), the super strength endowed older sister of protagonist Mirabel (Stephanie Beatriz), “Surface Pressure” is a deeply rich song about perfectionism, anxiety, and burnout. Now, I’m not a musician, and I cannot fully appreciate the complex musical structure of the song that smarter people than I have discussed online, but even I can tell that the composition is fun and dynamic. What I can fully appreciate, though, is Darrow’s incredible vocal performance and Miranda’s great lyrics. Not only do you have the creative rhyme schemes and wordplay, but the actual content and messaging of the song is really interesting as well. As an older sibling who struggles with perfectionism and the pressure to provide for others, the song really spoke to me the first time that I experienced it, and continues to resonate with each subsequent listen. (Jake Hjort)
A Goofy Movie turns 30 years old this year, yet I still think it’s among Disney’s most underrated movies. It takes Goofy on a road trip with his son Max, but what he doesn’t know is that they’re going to a Powerline concert. Powerline, voiced to perfection by Tevin Campbell, is one of the most iconic characters in Disney that no one really knows talks about. His song “I2I” is an anthem about togetherness and the bond between a father and son. It’s also is a kick-butt song with an excellent beat, unforgettable lyrics, and a now legendary dance that I see on TikTok all the time. “I2I” is story-relevant, and features one of those heart-warming moments showing a dad doing literally anything he can to help his son. (Mike Hilty)
The Muses in Hercules are one of the most creative storytelling mechanisms written into a Disney Animation feature. Leveraging these mythological singers, Hercules opens to so many great musical elements that breathe life into the film. Hercules released towards the tail end of the Disney Renaissance, but it is still an iconic and entertaining rom which plays with concepts from Greek mythology. Featuring five strong Black woman voices, The Muses were an inspired choice to give the movie a great soulful feel. One of their best songs is “Zero to Hero,” which elevates a perfectly staged montage thanks to its multiple time changes and a beautiful big bit of energy. The song captures the spirit of Hercules’ journey so well. Its vocals are excellent across the board, with each Muse getting an opportunity to inject personality, and it is just so darn catchy too. (Shane Conto)
No song captures teenage angst better than The Little Mermaid‘s “Part of Your World.” It’s a haunting ballad about Ariel’s desire to be somewhere she knows she can’t be, and it represents her desire to explore places she’s only experienced through the objects in her hideout. “Part of Your World” might not be the most catchy bop in The Little Mermaid, but it’s a showcase of Jodi Benson’s iconic performance in the most hopeful, painful, and longing way. The song is a ballad that makes us empathize with Ariel, but it also is taste of things to come when she does eventually become part of Eric’s world. (Mike Hilty)
The Nightmare Before Christmas’ track list features hit after hit, so choosing just one is near impossible. Some are fun and holiday themed, while others are playful and whimsical. But the two that hit me the hardest are the ones where Jack is down in the dumps. “Jack’s Lament” and “Poor Jack” work hand-in-hand as sister songs. One, at the beginning, where he doesn’t feel like himself anymore, and the other, at the end, where he rediscovers his purpose. Both are amazing, but ultimately I land on “Poor Jack” as my favorite. Who hasn’t had a crisis of purpose? And who hasn’t tried to abscond with another mythical’s creature’s holiday, only to be shot down by the military? Jack lamenting once more about his failure, then coming to the realization that he has a purpose, is the kind of hopeful inspiration that gets me right in the feels. After all, what’s better than doing your best and leaving some stories they can tell? (Nick Ferro)
Oliver & Company is super underrated, and the soundtrack is a real bright spot. We start things off on a real uplifting note, as Oliver nearly drowns in a torrential downpour to the sounds of “Once Upon a Time in New York City.” “Good Company” is heartwarming, “Streets of Gold” is great take on a training montage as he learns how to hustle with the gang, and “Perfect Isn’t Easy” is the… well… perfect introduction to the peppered poodle Georgette. But there’s only one song that gets a reprise to send us into the credits. “Why Should I Worry” gives us everything we need to know about Billy Joel’s street-smart Dodger, as he shows just how much he owns the streets. It takes just slightly more than three minutes for him to cement himself as one of the coolest characters in Disney animation, and “Why Should I Worry” shows why perfectly. (Jake Bourgeois)
We love a punchable villain, and Robin Hood’s Prince John certainly fits the bill. So when you give us a jaunty song for the sole purpose of dunking on said punchable villain, you’ve got a real fun time. Another film with some underrated greats, “Oo-De-Lally,” “Whistle Stop,” and “Not in Nottingham,” there’s a clear winner here. “The Phony King of England” is just so much fun. Plus, it’s not just a great song — you get a puppet show, too. The instruments lay down a fun beat, and it’s just a great diss track. It’s no wonder the rest of the characters can’t help but stomp and clap along. (Jake Bourgeois)
Pixar is known for having significant tear-jerking moments in their movies, and Toy Story 2’s “When She Loved Me” is undoubtedly one of the biggest, as Jessie (Joan Cusack) tells Woody (Tom Hanks) how she was once loved by a kid the same way he is. I’m probably in the minority here, but this song hits me harder than the ending of the third movie. The music, vocals, and visuals all beautifully capture the bittersweet feeling of remembering a lost love, and how Jessie’s owner, Emily, slowly forgot about her. The song’s first half is similar to the opening sequence of Toy Story, with the kid playing with the toy. There are identical dissolves of the kid’s room to the “Strange Things” sequence, this time showing how they are growing up and taking an interest in other things. The tone of the whole song beautifully captures the sadness of a toy no longer feeling loved. It also sets up the idea that this was Woody’s future with Andy, subtly foreshadowing the third movie. (John Tillyard)