Music Monday: My All-Time Favorite Songs from Disney Animated Movies

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I’ve been a big fan of Disney animated movies forever, and part of the reason is because of the great music that usually accompanies the films.

I started thinking of all the great songs I’ve heard over the years, and I realized there are way too many to include in this post, so I made up a simple rule – no more than one song per movie. In some cases, that made it really hard to pick that one song.

My all-time favorite is “Why Should I Worry” from Oliver and Company, sung by Billy Joel:

The next set of songs are in no particular order; they are all great.

Prince Ali from Aladdin, but who could forget A Whole New World

Gaston from Beauty and the Beast. This was a tough one since I really like Something There as well. I guess I give the nod to Gaston because it reminds me of C’est Moi from Camelot, one of my all-time favorite songs.

I Just Can’t Wait to Be King from the Lion King. This was probably the toughest choice, since The Lion King is just filled with great songs, any one of which would probably be in my top 10. Songs such as Hakuna Matata, The Circle of Life, and Can You Feel the Love Tonight are simply wonderful.

The Bare Necessities from The Jungle Book

And it wouldn’t be complete without this classic, Heigh-Ho from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs:

If you would like to see a more comprehensive list which includes 40 songs, here is one fromThe Ringer.

Note: The music I listened to while writing this was, perhaps no surprise, a Disney animated movie songs playlist from Spotify..

*image from Editor Choice

Published by Jim Borden

A 60-something guy trying to figure out the world, and his place in it. Happily married for 40-plus years, three wonderful sons. Accounting teacher, fitness enthusiast, blogger, reader.

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46 thoughts on “Music Monday: My All-Time Favorite Songs from Disney Animated Movies”

  2. Kind of a weird confession here, but animation and cartoons never did much for me when I was a kid. Not only did the music get better, but I remember like bringing my son to Disney films when he was old enough. I was impressed by how they managed to insert enough adult humor to keep things entertaining for the parents.

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    1. that seems almost un-American to not have liked animation and cartoons while you were growing up. I thought that was how everybody spent Saturday morning – watching cartoons!

      And yes, the films today appeal to all audiences – very clever on Disney’s part!

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  4. There have been at least 166 animated Disney films with 57 named as Disney Classics. (I had to look it up.) I’ll go with the great songs you list as my favorites because with all those movies I can’t think of others even though I enjoy Disney.

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    1. thanks for the background research, John! I’ll have to check what the criteria are to be considered a classic. And you are right, there are so many good movies, with even more great songs…

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  5. I probably still know all the lyrics to the earlier Disney animated films. A lot of the newer ones I haven’t seen… tey lost something when the hand drawn art went out the window. But I love the music 🙂

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    1. there is something about watching the simplicity of the older animated films. but no matter the technology used, as you point out, the music is always great.

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      1. I will always be in awe of the sheer srtistry of Snow White. When you really look at how each frame was drawn and what went into getting the movements right, it is a stunning achievement.

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  6. You are not the only one with a love for all things Disney. There are many adults that share your enjoyment of their films and music. Some bordering on an obsession. The music is often written and performed by recognized voices in the music industry and always well produced. I would be hard pressed to pick one favorite. Although I grew up on their early classics, I enjoy their newer films more. Musically, the songs of “Lion King” written by Sir John Elton are probably the most memorable for me. Fun and entertaining post, Jim!

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  7. thanks for a fun and colorful post, jim. i love the old ones like, ‘hi-ho’ and think about how many times i’ve sung it, used that song in real life, when marching somewhere )

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  9. Some good choices there! I grew up with Disney films, though in those days we had to go to the cinema to see them – no DVDs or streaming back in the 50s and 60s! Bare Necessities has always been my favourite 👍

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      1. It was a real event when we were kids, always felt special. I watched the Jungle Book a few weeks ago, and it brought back so many memories.

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  13. Disney knows how to weave magic for sure! My friends had “A Brave New World” play as they walked down the aisle as husband and wife. 🙂
    You named my 3 top Disney movies. The Jungle Book, Lion King and The Beauty and The Beast! You picked the right songs too , though with Beauty and the Beast you need the song that they dance too! 😉

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