Hope you are having a wonderful summer! Here is another addition to our Animated Disney Song list. Once again, here is how we graded the songs.
- Overall Musicality- 30 points
- How Well the Visuals Enhance the Song-30 points
- Can the Song Hold Up Without Visuals? -10 points
- Personal Preference-10 points
40. “Part of Your World”, The Little Mermaid (1989)
Me: The word iconic best describes this song. I recently tried to watch the live-action version of this song and it doesn’t have the same magic. Sequencing is pivotal to this song’s charm. The lighting is also GORGEOUS which helps create a wonderful atmosphere.
My Brother: I agree with Aubery, this song just screams iconic. I think that as a kid I never really understood this song for what it really is, that being a young woman longing for more in her life and expressing that longing in the only way she can. I think that the lighting is fantastic and the visuals don’t take away from the overall emotion being shown by Ariel in this scene.
39. “Dos Oruquitas”, Encanto (2021)
Me: Welcome to the song that made me break down in the theater in tears. I’ve talked a lot about show don’t tell for this list, and this might be the song that does it the best. This song truly exemplifies what true, growing love looks and feels like.
My Brother: I think that this song is a great example of how to show the movement of time in a well-coordinated and meaningful way. I really like how it shows their relationship in both a hopeful and a melancholy fashion.
38. “Down in New Orleans” The Princess and the Frog (2009)
Me: I wish I could play this song on the piano. I have a soft spot in my heart for downtown jazz and I might have listened to this song on repeat too much in my college days. Besides my previous obsession with this song, rewatching it, I could tell the animators and writers put SOOO much work into worldbuilding through this song.
My Brother: I love this song so much It does everything a film opener is meant to and more. Not much else to it other than that, I like jazz and I really like this song.
37. “Zero to Hero”, Hercules (1997)
Me: This song may be bombastic, but it does it in all the right ways. I remember my English teacher using it as a means to teach us about Greek myths. This song might also win the prize for having the most infectious energy! Hades is my favorite character to watch. . . well it’s the same for the entire movie.
My Brother: This song showcases what this film could have been and it really makes me wish they had kept consistent with the quality of the film through. I really like Hades and I think that this song represents Hercules in the best possible way. I really like how it shows a montage of events in both a character and story-driven way.
36. “Bare Necessities”, The Jungle Book (1967)
Me: This song makes me want to lie down on a beach somewhere with a fruity drink. Phil Harris, like I said for “Thomas O’Malley” has such charisma. In fact, he oozes charisma every time he sings or talks on screen. I didn’t rate it higher because the background animation was distracting for me.
My Brother: I remember my mother telling me about when she and her father went to see this movie in the theater and how he really loved this song. Due to this I always feel close to my grandpa when I listen to it. The singer has such great charisma and the calming and chill vibes this song gives off makes me want to go to the woods in the middle of nowhere.
35. “Almost There”, The Princess and the Frog
Me: This is my second favorite song from The Princess and the Frog. I probably sing it too much, but it has such a flavorful sound to it. From the 50s-inspired visuals to Anika Noni Rose’s amazing delivery, this song is a well-rounded auditory experience.
My Brother: I love the visuals in this song and to be honest this might be some of the best animation on this list. Aside from that I really like how this song showcases the kind of person Tiana is and what her goals are.
34. “We Know the Way”, Moana (2016)
Me: This song has clever visuals. When I saw Moana for the first time, I actually explained something along the lines of “Wow, whoever wrote and sequenced this song deserves a raise.” I did say this about many of the songs from Moana, but this one truly impressed me. My favorite moment might be when it switches into the past with the men on the ship.
My Brother: I love this song purely for the great lyrics and musical beats, it really showcases the culture and history of Moana and her ancestors. Basically, I really like this song and listen to it every time I listen to my Disney playlist.
33. “Everybody Wants to Be a Cat”, The Aristocats (1970)
Me: I don’t particularly like The Aristocats but I’ve always loved listening to this song on repeat. Like I said for “Almost There” I have a weakness for anything jazz and think the colors and overall energy in this song are addictive.
My Brother: This is my favorite part of this film and is one of my favorite Disney songs. I literally don’t remember 90% of this film on a good day but this song has stuck to my mind like a barnacle on a ship and no matter how much I try it remains stuck.
32. “Kiss the Girl”, The Little Mermaid (1989)
Me: I have the most fun watching and singing this song from The Little Mermaid. It has the right type of “will they won’t they” energy and Sebastian utilizing animals and fish to create a romantic ambiance is part funny part inspiring.
My Brother: I remember when I was little I had a music disc which had an assortment of Disney songs this one being one of them. I would listen to this song over and over much to the annoyance of my older siblings. This song is really nostalgic for me and I really love it. I also love the visuals and the lighting in this scene as well they really bring it to life.
31. “Under the Sea”, The Little Mermaid
Me: Much of what I said for the last song applies to this one as well. However, I think this one has slightly better energy and execution. This is yet another song I saw in the live-action movie that I thought lacked the beauty and originality of the animated film.
My Brother: This is the second-best song in the entire movie in my opinion. I really like the colors and the different musical styles used throughout the song. It has such great energy and character and it never gets old for me no matter how many times I hear it.
Thank you for reading! See you in the next post.
From the Perspective of an Old Soul 
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