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
This is so much fun! All favorites ✨😊✨
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Yes, they are all classics. And bring back such good memories of going to these movies when our kids were younger!
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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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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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What can I tell you? I am a different cat.😎
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And different is good 🙂
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I also like Disney movies, Jim, well, the ones you have highlighted here in any event. My favourite is Alice in Wonderland and my favourite song is this one: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jsW6o4JxTtQ
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I had forgotten that song – it is another good one!
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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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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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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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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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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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the Disney magic…
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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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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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thanks, Beth. I think most people have probably hummed or sung that song at some point in their life!
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Great choices, Jim. I also like Bare Necessities and Heigh-Ho.
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those are a couple of the Disney classics!
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Indeed.
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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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there was (and is) something special about going to the cinema vs watching a movie at home. And Bare Necessities is a classic…
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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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Listening to all the songs made me want to arch all the movies again…
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I bet! I have plenty of them available to stream, and may start catching up with them.
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There’s worse music you could be streaming 🙂
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Like that rap stuff, that really starts with a silent ‘c.’
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I’m not a fan either, but I am impressed by the skill of a rapper, just not their words…
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I’ve never taken to it, leaves me cold, and some of the lyrics are really nasty.
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I am not a fan either, but I have to admit I liked the movie 8 MIle…
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I’ve not seen it, but my older daughter subjected me to the Slim Shady album. Torture!
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will the real slim shady please stand up? 🙂
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I love all the songs you mentioned and probably every song from Disney haha! I always sing Whole New World all the time.
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Disney has managed to come up with so many great songs over the years. And Whole New World is certainly one of them!
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Yes absolutely!
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I have the Alladin sound track as I thought most of the songs were good. Thanks for sharing your list.
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Aladdin has so many great songs…
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Great list Jim! I grew up with Disney too and enjoyed the songs along with the movies.
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thanks, Steve, so many classics…
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Yes indeed, some great ones!
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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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What a great song to get married to! And it’s hard to narrow down so many good choices!
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Yes it is, you did a good job!
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Thanks!
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such a cute post! i love Disney songs, they’re so cheerful and fun! thank you for sharing💞
Follow @everythingtips for tips and recommendations if interested! It would mean a lot to me!🥺🤍
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thanks, and I agree that Disney songs are among the best!
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