{"id":44970,"date":"2024-07-10T13:26:01","date_gmt":"2024-07-10T11:26:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/cfb551dd-eb86-4d88-b490-4403ee0b589e"},"modified":"2024-07-10T13:36:05","modified_gmt":"2024-07-10T11:36:05","slug":"weve-counted-down-the-15-greatest-disney-songs-of-all-time-which-golden-decade-gave-us-six-of-them","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcmusicmagazine\/rss_feed\/weve-counted-down-the-15-greatest-disney-songs-of-all-time-which-golden-decade-gave-us-six-of-them\/","title":{"rendered":"We&#8217;ve counted down the 15 greatest Disney songs of all time. Which golden decade gave us six of them?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"rssexcerpt\"><\/p><p class=\"rssauthor\">By <\/p><p class=\"rssbyline\">Published: Wednesday, 10 July 2024 at 11:26 AM<\/p><hr class=\"no-tts wp-block-separator\"\/><?xml version=\"1.0\" encoding=\"UTF-8\" standalone=\"yes\"?>\n<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC \"-\/\/W3C\/\/DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional\/\/EN\" \"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/TR\/REC-html40\/loose.dtd\">\n<html><body><p>Memorable chorus? Exhilarating melody? Emotional lyrics? Just what is is that makes a truly great Disney song? It\u2019s an imposing question indeed. And one we dared to answer, as we combed some 86 years\u2019 worth of cinematic history to choose our best Disney songs.<\/p><p>Disney movies have always capably blended lush visuals and ear-worming tunes to crowd-pleasing effect. These 15 choices demonstrate the studio\u2019s populist touch at its most impressive. From emotional ballads to villainous statements and catchy numbers for scene-stealing side characters, it demonstrates the incredible diaspora of Disney music that exists for fans to enjoy. <\/p><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-best-disney-songs-15-to-11\">Best Disney songs: 15 to 11<\/h2><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-15-we-don-t-talk-about-bruno-encanto-2021\">15. We Don\u2019t Talk About Bruno (<em>Encanto<\/em>, 2021)<\/h3><p>This visually luscious Disney CG animation was acclaimed as a celebration of Colombian culture. Disney veteran <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/artists\/lin-manuel-miranda-on-sondheim-gilbert-sullivan-and-wrestling-with-history-in-hamilton\/\">Lin-Manuel Miranda<\/a><\/strong>\u2019s songs adorn this story of a family whose denizens, all bar one, are blessed with magic abilities. Better still, Miranda\u2019s genre-blending flair, along with Germaine Franco\u2019s inventive score, keeps things snapping along.<\/p><script src=\"https:\/\/cdn.jwplayer.com\/players\/JV0xiD1r-lqFafnwo.js\"\/><p>The best scene revolves around black sheep Bruno who is treated to a propulsive and witty Latin pop\/hip-hop arrangement. This, typically, masks its resonant ancestral themes in a sparkling myriad of rhythmic and tonal changes.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"We Don't Talk About Bruno (From &quot;Encanto&quot;)\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/bvWRMAU6V-c?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\/><\/div><\/figure><p> <\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-14-hellfire-the-hunchback-of-notre-dame-1996\">14. Hellfire (<em>The Hunchback of Notre Dame<\/em>, 1996)<\/h3><p>There\u2019s a longstanding tradition of villains getting great songs in Disney movies. Think Ursula in <em>The Little Mermaid, <\/em>or to Scar in <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/works\/guide-music-disneys-lion-king\/\"><em>The Lion King<\/em><\/a><\/strong>. Arguably the richest and most powerful Disney baddie number, though, comes in this underrated adaptation of Victor Hugo\u2019s classic novel. Composer Alan Menken, lyricist Stephen Schwartz and voice actor Tony Jay lean into a bracingly Gothic and thunderous sensibility as antagonist Frollo expresses the full range of his spiritual conflict over gypsy girl Esmerelda.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"The hunchback of notre dame - Hellfire HD\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/U3NoDEu7kpg?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\/><\/div><\/figure><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-13-friends-on-the-other-side-the-princess-and-the-frog-2009\">13. Friends On the Other Side (<em>The Princess and the Frog<\/em>, 2009)<\/h3><p>Keith David gives a rip-roaring performance as voodoo practitioner Doctor Facilier in this underrated Disney fantasy, to date the last of the studio\u2019s hand-drawn efforts. Facilier\u2019s introductory showstopper audaciously smuggles the voodoo theme into a family-friendly context, working off a raucous <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/articles\/what-instruments-make-up-a-jazz-band\/\">jazz band<\/a><\/strong> arrangement from Disney stalwart <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/articles\/how-are-composers-randy-and-thomas-newman-related\/\">Randy Newman.<\/a><\/strong> The end result straddles both Deep South tradition and the classic Disney renaissance sound. Result: it cements Facilier as a charismatic and dangerous antagonist.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Friends on the Other Side | Princess and the Frog (HDR)\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/k7Il8L0O1AQ?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\/><\/div><\/figure><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-12-heigh-ho-snow-white-and-the-seven-dwarves-1937\">12. Heigh-Ho (<em>Snow White and the Seven Dwarves<\/em>, 1937)<\/h3><p>The future of feature-length animation was secured with the release of Disney\u2019s groundbreaking masterpiece. Snow White was seen as a hugely risky gamble. It paid off, though, thanks to the movie\u2019s vibrant visuals, emotive storytelling and memorable soundtrack. And, of course, all of those elements have become subsequent hallmarks of the Disney brand.<\/p><p>The song for the eponymous dwarves, Heigh-Ho, perfectly demonstrates how a humorous Disney ditty can become a dramatic shorthand. It perfectly encapsulates story and character development and draws the audience even further into the world of the film.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"DISNEY SING-ALONGS | Heigh Ho - Snow White Lyric Video! | Official Disney UK\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/pSj2h34ZrmY?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\/><\/div><\/figure><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-11-under-the-sea-the-little-mermaid-1989\">11. Under the Sea (<em>The Little Mermaid<\/em>, 1989)<\/h3><p>Composer Alan Menken and lyricist Howard Ashman helped lift Disney animation out of the doldrums with their hugely successful work on <em>The Little Mermaid<\/em>. The duo\u2019s theatrical Broadway background helped galvanise the classic story of human-aspiring mermaid Ariel, painting with bold melodic colours and memorable rhythms in a manner that encouraged active audience participation. The calypso tune for crab Sebastian, Under the Sea, is a fine example of how a seemingly throwaway side number can teem with nuance and humour, and it eventually won the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/articles\/all-the-oscar-winners-and-nominees-for-best-original-score\/\">Oscar for Best Original Song<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"The Little Mermaid - Under the Sea (from The Little Mermaid) (Official Video)\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/GC_mV1IpjWA?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\/><\/div><\/figure><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-best-disney-songs-10-to-6\">Best Disney songs: 10 to 6<\/h2><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-10-let-it-go-frozen-2013\">10. Let It Go (<em>Frozen<\/em>, 2013)<\/h3><p>You knew you'd find it somewhere in this list, didn't you? The scourge of parents everywhere, <em>Let It Go<\/em> is the most sensationally successful Disney track of recent times. Performed by Idina Menzel in her role as the isolated Queen Elsa, it occupies a defiantly contemporary attitude of empowerment and liberation. As such, it beautifully encapsulates the dramatic progression of Disney princess figures in the 21<sup>st<\/sup> century.<\/p><p>But aside from all that, it\u2019s really just a beltingly good power <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/musical-terms\/what-is-a-ballad\/\">ballad<\/a><\/strong>. It's lyrically straightforward and melodically memorable. Small wonder, then, that it sold more than 10 million copies in a single year and won an Oscar.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"FROZEN | Let It Go Sing-along | Official Disney UK\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/L0MK7qz13bU?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\/><\/div><\/figure><p> <\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-09-you-ve-got-a-friend-in-me-toy-story-1995\">09. You\u2019ve Got a Friend In Me (<em>Toy Story<\/em>, 1995)<\/h3><p><em>Toy Story<\/em> birthed the notion of feature-length CG animation, securing Pixar\u2019s place in the market and forever changing the landscape of family movies. Composer Randy Newman is a vital piece of the jigsaw, connecting us to the human principles lurking beneath the movie\u2019s formidable technical achievements.<\/p><p>The first thing we hear is Newman\u2019s characteristic vocal performance on 'You\u2019ve Got a Friend In Me'. This soulful number does a beautiful and succinct job in summing up the complex themes of the movie. And that's before we\u2019ve even got introduced to the (oh-so-memorable) characters.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"You've Got a Friend in Me\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/0hG-2tQtdlE?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\/><\/div><\/figure><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-best-disney-songs-11-to-15\">Best Disney songs: 11 to 15<\/h2><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-08-colours-of-the-wind-pocahontas-1995\">08. Colours of the Wind (<em>Pocahontas<\/em>, 1995)<\/h3><p> In the mid-1990s, this ambitious Disney animation struck a chord for diversity and representation with admittedly mixed results. Nevertheless, the ubiquitous Alan Menken, here collaborating with lyricist Stephen Schwartz, conjures a beautifully evocative celebration of Native American culture in 'Colours of the Wind'. It\u2019s a plea for compassion and solidarity, and a testament to the beauty of the natural world. And it's stunningly performed by Tony-nominated stage star Judy Kuhn.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Pocahontas | Colors of the Wind | Disney Sing-Along\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/O9MvdMqKvpU?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\/><\/div><\/figure><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-07-prince-ali-aladdin-1992\">07. Prince Ali (<em>Aladdin<\/em>, 1992)<\/h3><p>The late Robin Williams galvanised this Oscar-winning Disney adventure with his inspired A-list riffing. In his role as the Genie, Williams unleashed a characteristic volley of impressions and madcap nonsense, and his energy is well harnessed in the movie\u2019s energetic musical numbers.<\/p><p>The actor runs riot during the Prince Ali segment, bigging up our street rat hero Aladdin who has gone incognito as royalty in order to win the heart of Princess Jasmine. Will Smith tried to replicate it as the Genie in Guy Ritchie\u2019s 2019 reboot, but there\u2019s no besting Williams.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Aladdin - Prince Ali (HD 1080p)\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/mT_8FAMsmCM?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\/><\/div><\/figure><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-6-the-bare-necessities-the-jungle-book-1967\">6. The Bare Necessities (<em>The Jungle Book<\/em>, 1967)<\/h3><p>In Disney\u2019s hands, Rudyard Kipling\u2019s classic novel The Jungle Book is reconfigured as a swinging, cool-cat <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/articles\/jazz-music-what-it-is-and-how-it-evolved\">jazz<\/a><\/strong> odyssey, replete with some A-list musical artists including Louis Prima. (There\u2019s also a host of vultures styled to look like The Beatles.) <\/p><p>It\u2019s an unlikely combination but one that works a charm, nowhere more so than in the characterisation of the chilled out bear Baloo. Disney regular Phil Harris brings his singular tones to the finger-snapping Bare Necessities, which has endured as one of the studio\u2019s most popular and inventive odes to friendship.<\/p><p><strong>We named <em>The Jungle Book<\/em> <a class=\"standard-card-new__article-title\" href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/tv-and-film-music\/best-disney-soundtracks\/\">the best Disney soundtrack of all time<\/a><\/strong><\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Phil Harris, Bruce Reitherman - The Bare Necessities (From &quot;The Jungle Book&quot;\/Sing-Along)\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/6BH-Rxd-NBo?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\/><\/div><\/figure><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-best-disney-songs-5-to-2\">Best Disney songs: 5 to 2<\/h2><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-5-when-you-wish-upon-a-star-pinocchio-1940\">5. When You Wish Upon a Star (<em>Pinocchio<\/em>, 1940)<\/h3><p>This tender lullaby made history as Disney\u2019s first Oscar winner for Best Original Song. When You Wish Upon a Star acts as the emotional backbone of puppet Pinocchio\u2019s adventures, encapsulating his desire to become a real boy with grace and warmth.<\/p><p>The song was written by Leigh Harline and Ned Washington and performed by Jiminy Cricket voice actor Cliff Edwards. Several decades later in 1977, <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/composers\/williams-john\/\">John Williams<\/a><\/strong> used the five notes in the song as the spine of his score for Steven Spielberg\u2019s sci-fi drama Close Encounters of the Third Kind.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Pinocchio OST - 01 - When You Wish Upon A Star\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/0oyxywZJsIs?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\/><\/div><\/figure><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-04-baby-mine-dumbo-1941\">04. Baby Mine (<em>Dumbo<\/em>, 1941)<\/h3><p>Here\u2019s a Disney song that consistently breaks the hearts of even the most hardened movie-goers. The bond between flying infant elephant Dumbo and his incarcerated mother is magnificently cemented via the heartbreaking lullaby Baby Mine, performed with dignity and beauty by (uncredited) vocalist Betty Noyes, who later dubbed Debbie Reynolds in 1952\u2019s Singin\u2019 in the Rain.<\/p><p>It\u2019s a marvel of melodic simplicity, particularly when experienced in line with the film\u2019s visuals that cycle through a host of parental relationships between various species before poignantly coming to rest on Dumbo\u2019s farewell.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Disney's &quot;Dumbo&quot; - Baby Mine\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Q-8MbgMS6jo?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\/><\/div><\/figure><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-03-circle-of-life-the-lion-king-1994\">03. Circle of Life (<em>The Lion King<\/em>, 1994)<\/h3><p>Disney\u2019s renaissance period reached a new crescendo with the release of this 1994 blockbuster, a world-conquering, anthropomorphic adaptation of Shakespeare\u2019s Hamlet. <em>The Lion King<\/em> paints big and bold with its emotions, and a lot of that is down to the Oscar-winning score from <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/composers\/hans-zimmer\/\">Hans Zimmer <\/a>(<\/strong>one of the<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/articles\/top-film-composers-ever\/\"> greatest film composers ever<\/a><\/strong>), plus the input of celebrity artists including Elton John. Spines cannot fail to be tingled by the Circle of Life opening sequence, instigated by a visually rich African sun rise before splitting the vocal difference between Lebo M and Carmen Twillie. Even today, it never fails to take the breath away.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Carmen Twillie, Lebo M. - Circle Of Life (Official Video from &quot;The Lion King&quot;)\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/GibiNy4d4gc?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\/><\/div><\/figure><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-02-feed-the-birds-mary-poppins-1964\">02. Feed the Birds (<em>Mary Poppins<\/em>, 1964)<\/h3><p>'Feed the Birds' is renowned as Walt Disney\u2019s favourite song and it\u2019s not difficult to see why. Julie Andrews\u2019 typically flawless vocal range fashions a beautiful ode to compassion as she sings of the bird lady (played by screen legend Jane Darwell) on the steps of London\u2019s <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/articles\/st-pauls-cathedral-facts-history-guide\/\">St. Paul\u2019s Cathedral<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p><p>Andrews\u2019 vocals then merge with Richard and Robert Sherman\u2019s superb orchestral and choral arrangement, which attains immense stature akin to the edifice itself. During downtime on the production, Walt Disney often requested the Shermans play it on the piano, such was his love for the piece.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Mary Poppins Soundtrack- Feed The Birds\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/5JU0ILjStgA?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\/><\/div><\/figure><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-and-the-best-disney-song-of-all-time\">And... the best Disney song of all time<\/h2><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-1-beauty-and-the-beast-beauty-and-the-beast-1991\">1. Beauty and the Beast (<em>Beauty and the Beast<\/em>, 1991)<\/h3><p>For this writer, the best Disney song is 'Beauty and the Beast'. If <em>The Little Mermaid<\/em> kick-started the Disney renaissance period, then <em>Beauty and the Beast<\/em> is arguably the superior film in terms of story, visuals and soundtrack, hitting a note of reverent sincerity as it spins the unlikely union between the bookish Belle and the outwardly monstrous yet inwardly sensitive Beast.<\/p><p>Poignantly, it marked the final collaboration between composer Alan Menken and lyricist Howard Ashman, after the latter passed away midway through production. The resulting soundtrack is a noble, Oscar-winning testament to Ashman\u2019s memory, graced by Menken\u2019s powerful score and a host of musical numbers ranging from the irreverent to the dreamily romantic.<\/p><p>If it\u2019s romance one is after, the impact of the title track, performed by Angela Lansbury in her role as Mrs. Potts, cannot be denied, meshing gorgeously with the movie\u2019s breakthrough mixture of animation and CG during the central ball room dance. It still stands as one of the finest achievements in the studio\u2019s history.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Beauty and the Beast\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/ZYrTaeCimYs?list=PL8iUtAnF9jjRSS8G-OMpVdDY7dLhkXmWX\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\/><\/div><\/figure><p> <\/p><div class=\"wp-block-group highlight-box is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container\"><ul><li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/works\/famous-opera-songs\/\">10 of the most famous opera songs<\/a><\/strong><\/li><li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/articles\/10-of-the-best-songs-from-musicals\/\">10 of the best songs from musicals<\/a><\/strong><\/li><li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/works\/best-gilbert-and-sullivan-songs\/\">25 best Gilbert and Sullivan songs of all time<\/a><\/strong><\/li><li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/articles\/best-jazz-songs\/\">Best jazz songs: 9 classics you will listen to again and again<\/a><\/strong><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\"\/><p>Main image \u00a9 Getty Images<\/p> <\/body><\/html>\n<hr class=\"no-tts wp-block-separator\"\/>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>By Published: Wednesday, 10 July 2024 at 11:26 AM Memorable chorus? Exhilarating melody? Emotional lyrics? Just what is is that makes a truly great Disney song? It\u2019s an imposing question indeed. And one we dared to answer, as we combed some 86 years\u2019 worth of cinematic history to choose our best Disney songs. Disney movies [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":44971,"template":"","categories":[1,17],"acf":{"readingTimeMinutes":"8"},"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2024\/07\/weve-counted-down-the-15-greatest-disney-songs-of-all-time-which-golden-decade-gave-us-six-of-them.jpg",1801,1224,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2024\/07\/weve-counted-down-the-15-greatest-disney-songs-of-all-time-which-golden-decade-gave-us-six-of-them-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2024\/07\/weve-counted-down-the-15-greatest-disney-songs-of-all-time-which-golden-decade-gave-us-six-of-them-300x204.jpg",300,204,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2024\/07\/weve-counted-down-the-15-greatest-disney-songs-of-all-time-which-golden-decade-gave-us-six-of-them-768x522.jpg",768,522,true],"large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2024\/07\/weve-counted-down-the-15-greatest-disney-songs-of-all-time-which-golden-decade-gave-us-six-of-them-1024x696.jpg",800,544,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2024\/07\/weve-counted-down-the-15-greatest-disney-songs-of-all-time-which-golden-decade-gave-us-six-of-them-1536x1044.jpg",1536,1044,true],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2024\/07\/weve-counted-down-the-15-greatest-disney-songs-of-all-time-which-golden-decade-gave-us-six-of-them.jpg",1801,1224,false]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"importmanagerhub@sprylab.com","author_link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcmusicmagazine\/author\/importmanagerhubsprylab-com\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"By Published: Wednesday, 10 July 2024 at 11:26 AM Memorable chorus? Exhilarating melody? Emotional lyrics? Just what is is that makes a truly great Disney song? It\u2019s an imposing question indeed. And one we dared to answer, as we combed some 86 years\u2019 worth of cinematic history to choose our best Disney songs. Disney movies&hellip;","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcmusicmagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rss_feed\/44970"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcmusicmagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rss_feed"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcmusicmagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/rss_feed"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcmusicmagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/24"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcmusicmagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/44971"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcmusicmagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=44970"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcmusicmagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=44970"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}