Since the company's inception, music has been a vital component in the productions of best Disney songs ever constitute standout moments in cinematic history that will always necessitate a sing-along. 100 years after Walt Disney and his colleagues broke ground in the entertainment industry, moviegoers can recognize the typical formula for a Disney musical soundtrack. However, each new composer to become a staple at Disney has contributed to the company's range of tones and themes in their storytelling with brilliant new songs.
Today, people love to sing along to the most iconic Disney villain songs when such tracks are perhaps more interesting than the ones sung by the heroes due to their dark complexities — and they are certainly more dramatic. Written by legendary Hollywood composers and performed by various musical icons, Disney's best songs demand that fans learn every lyric, which they will be singing for the rest of their lives.
10 "Hakuna Matata"
From The Lion King (1994)
The Lion King emerges as the best soundtrack of the Disney Renaissance, with the composing duo of Elton John and Tim Rice dominating the Best Original Song category at the Oscars that year. While it may not have been the winner, "Hakuna Matata" has the most sing-along value, as a feel-good, lackadaisical tune assuring listeners that their worries are not forever. It is goofy, nostalgic, and simply easy and fun to sing for all ages.
9 "You've Got A Friend In Me"
From Toy Story (1995)
Randy Newman brought a different kind of musical excellence to Disney with the inception of Pixar; Toy Story's hit "You've Got a Friend in Me" is not a musical number in the movie, but a more country-pop embodiment of the story's themes. Toy Story changed animation forever with new technology and a unique take on childhood wonder and friendship, with its big song conveying an enduring bond.
8 "The Bare Necessities"
From The Jungle Book (1967)
"The Bare Necessities" promotes a similar message as "Hakuna Matata" about keeping stress at bay by focusing on the fact that you have everything you really need. Baloo and Mowgli's anthem is oddly comforting, while its melody is catchier than most of the other musical works from the pre-Renaissance era. It is bouncy and highly enjoyable to sing along to, almost 60 years later.
7 "Poor Unfortunate Souls"
From The Little Mermaid (1989)
Disney would be nothing without its villains, and the sea witch Ursula is a perfect example of where an antagonist's charisma meets flawless songwriting. Ursula's design was famously based on the drag queen Divine, and her musical number is brilliant enough to live up to this legacy. Disney fans are drawn to the villains when their sassy songs are strangely empowering — also usually comprising lower notes that are easier to hit — while Ursula's in particular touches upon some shocking realistic discourses.
6 "I'll Make A Man Out Of You"
From Mulan (1998)
While the premise behind "I'll Make a Man Out of You" is a bit outdated, there's no denying that it has become a kind of funny pregame song. Fans are likely to sing even the goofy parts of it, with various characters expressing their struggles during military training. However, Mulan's transformation seen during the number in the actual movie is wonderful; she is struggling, both to keep up and to keep her secret, but decides she's determined not to just for her father's son but to triumph.
5 "You're Welcome"
From Moana (2013)
"You're Welcome" is a hilarious addition to the Moana soundtrack, riding in on the tails of Moana's more typical power ballad "How Far I'll Go," as a shamelessly self-congratulatory couple of minutes out of the movie's runtime. Lin-Manuel Miranda notably said (via Collider) that it was a song "only Dwayne [Johnson] could pull off and still have you love him and root for him." It also has a great tune and buoyant lyrics that will stick with people for years to come.
4 "Friend Like Me"
From Aladdin (1992)
Robin Williams delivered a glitzy, hilarious, and now iconic performance as Genie in Aladdin, the showstopper of which is "Friend Like Me." Aladdin is one of the composition projects of Alan Menken and Howard Ashman from the Disney Renaissance era, and all their music is catchy and spectacular. It is such a party song with clever lyrics that perfectly convey Genie's character while elevating his various pop-culture reference transformations, that it's impossible not to dance along.
3 "Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride"
From Lilo & Stitch (2002)
Lilo & Stitch's soundtrack comparatively flies under the radar, standing out less when the characters aren't performing traditional musical numbers. "Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride" comes into the movie during a brief moment of levity before the characters' darkest hour; it is also unique among Disney's usual show tunes as a pop song that incorporates Hawaiian lyrics. It is dazzling and uplifting when it conveys the real, infectious joy Lilo, Stitch, and Nani feel, despite all their problems.
2 "Part Of Your World"
From The Little Mermaid (1989)
The Little Mermaid is one of the best Disney Renaissance movies because of its many songs that became instantly iconic and live performance-worthy. However, no song in this movie has the same nuance and emotional impact as the main character's signature piece. "Part of Your World" is lovely and imparts a relatable sense of longing. Ariel captured hearts worldwide as a Disney Princess who embodies the idea of chaotic youth and curiosity that gets her into trouble, with a beautiful voice that everyone falls in love with.
1 "Let It Go"
From Frozen (2013)
"Let It Go" was a massive cultural phenomenon in its time, elevated by the voice of a Broadway legend known for her magically powerful characters who defy society. The bright melody and inspirational lyrics were enough to rewrite the entire movie around Elsa's big moment, and the words instantly embedded themselves in everyone's minds. "Let It Go" is truly a Disney song that will stay with fans forever because of how Elsa causally and with style dismisses all the things that once held her down.
Source: Collider
