The 100 Greatest Disneyverse Songs of All Time

Set the Scene: All is effectively within the kingdom of Arendelle following the occasions of the primary Frozen movie, however Elsa (Idina Menzel) stays stressed. In any case, she by no means did get solutions as to why she has her snow-making superpowers within the first place. It’s a thriller she shies away from at first, however all through this track, she rediscovers her energy and decides to hunt out her birthright in any case.

Why It Works: Returning “Let It Go” songwriters Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez most likely knew there was no means of matching the success of the primary movie’s showstopper, and have been sensible to let “Into the Unknown” exist as its personal entity. It sounds much less like an tried recreation of its predecessor and extra like an natural followup, which speaks to the dichotomy between Elsa’s headspace within the first movie vs. the sequel.

Magic Second: The icy excessive be aware motif that calls out to Elsa all through the track, sung by featured artist Aurora. — HANNAH DAILEY

Set the Scene: Contained in the attraction Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway (at Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif. and Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Orlando, Fla.) you’re invited to the premiere of the brand new animated brief movie Excellent Picnic. It stars Mickey and Minnie (and their finest canine pal Pluto) who warble “Nothing Can Cease Us Now” as they embark on a day the place Minnie sings “completely nothing will go incorrect.” After all, every little thing completely goes incorrect – mayhem ensues, and also you grow to be a part of cartoon itself.

Why It Works: The jazzy, nostalgic ditty evokes Mickey and Minnie’s lengthy legacy because the chief model reps for the Home of Mouse, whereas its sunny and optimistic lyrics arrange misdirected expectations of the attraction’s motion. What might presumably go incorrect on “the open freeway” the place “every little thing is simply so peachy eager?” (Bonus: The tune works independently of the experience, too, as a type of poppy earworm cousin of Katrina & The Waves’ “Strolling On Sunshine.”)

Magic Second: (Spoiler alert!) When you expertise the attraction, you’ll hear a model of the track on the conclusion of your frantic journey, the place Mickey and Minnie sweetly sing to at least one one other (and also you) “I knew in some way that we might lastly make it… with you by my facet…nothing can cease us now.” Within the commercially launched single model of the observe, that concluding verse is absent, changed by a swelling razzle-dazzle large end the place the duo sing of touring “hand in hand, throughout this wonderland.” — KEITH CAULFIELD

Set the Scene: The all-knowing Large Mama, an owl who sees every little thing, fortunately narrates the primary assembly of the titular relationship between a child fox named Tod and a child bloodhound named Copper. Although pure born enemies, the 2 grow to be quick pals.

Why It Works: The observe speaks to unlikely pairings, with Large Mama rooting for the 2 to make it by means of. However extra so, “Better of Pals” establishes the stress of your complete movie: “When these moments have handed, will that friendship final?/ Who can say if there’s a means?/ Oh I hope, I hope it by no means ends/ ‘Trigger you’re one of the best of pals.”

Magic Second: When Large Mama first notices what’s occurring just under her and she or he crosses her feathered wings to say, “My my, take a look at that. A fox and a hound! Enjoying collectively,” earlier than breaking into track. — LYNDSEY HAVENS

Set the Scene: After touchdown herself in canine jail (or, on this case, the canine pound), the elegant Woman meets some new pals — together with Peggy Lee’s sultry Peg, who sings this track. It’s at this second that Woman learns (by means of Peg’s jazzy rendition) that the stray mutt she’s falling for is definitely thought of a heartbreaker.

Why It Works: Whereas the lyrics describe him as a rogue, not-so-faithful pup, the track has a catchy jazz rhythm you’ll be able to’t assist however faucet your toes alongside to. It’s additionally a extra upbeat track, and when mixed with the refined howls of the neighboring canines, it actually transports you to the film second.

Magic Second: After describing the entire title character’s damaging qualities, Lee fades out admitting that no matter his flaws, she nonetheless needs she “might journey his means,” making clear the allure the Tramp has over individuals. — RYLEE JOHNSTON

Set the Scene: There isn’t as a lot to see at EPCOT’s The American Journey pavilion as the opposite 10 represented nations, however what it does boast is a half-hour jaunt into the historical past of America, soundtracked by “Golden Dream”: a fittingly bombastic anthem that drops a number of patriotic buzzwords (Freedom! Golden wings! New frontiers!) into its four-minute runtime.   

Why It Works: There’s a nice line when writing American patriotism into track between reverence and sheer cringe. “Golden Dream,” with lyrics by Randy Shiny and Lynn Hart and music by Robert Moline, avoids the latter due to remaining simply broad sufficient in its themes whereas additionally delivering a grandiose refrain that will get higher every time it’s repeated — particularly if you’re 5 – 6 drinks deep on a drinking-around-the-world crawl.  

Magic Second: Relying on the model you’re listening to at dwelling, you would possibly solely get the usual instrumentation and lyrics. However the in-ride model of “Golden Dream” provides audio of famed speeches from John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr. plus Neil Armstrong’s moon touchdown. The propaganda is actual, and it’s stunning (and admittedly, it’s not value listening to a model with out it). — KEVIN RUTHERFORD

Set the Scene: A kidnapped Kermit the Frog has been changed by Constantine, the world’s most needed legal and an uncanny copy of Kermit. The doubtful doppelgänger takes Kermit’s place on the street with the remainder of the Muppets (together with Kermit’s No. 1 squeeze Miss Piggy) as cowl for his worldwide crime spree. For the “I’ll Get You What You Need” sequence, Constantine should get a peeved Piggy again on his good facet – by apologizing and promising to provide her something and every little thing she needs, in track, in fact.

Why It Works: The catchy observe, written by Flight of the Conchords’ Bret McKenzie and carried out within the movie by Matt Vogel, is an ‘80s disco-pop fever dream. Constantine lays on the ultra-slick allure, wooing Piggy into believing he simply would possibly give her the world. Amongst his memorable choices: a unicorn, pet canine, a diamond ring, a thingy-thing and a cockatoo (in Malibu).

Magic Second: As Constantine rattles off one outrageous promise after one other (“You need an armadillo, I’ll give it to you,” “You need a Hollywood star, I’ll give it to you”) he realizes he’s overextended his provide after asking “You need to go to the moon?” He pauses, after which recovers, singing “Oooh, I’ll see what I can do!” — Okay.C.

Set the Scene: Shortly after magically remodeling right into a bear, a grumpy Kenai groups up with an exuberant younger cub named Koda to seek out each of their methods dwelling. Their alliance will ultimately flip difficult as soon as Koda discovers that his momma bear was hunted and killed by Kenai when he was nonetheless human — however for now, the 2 are on the official begin of their important and lovely brotherhood.

Why It Works: A track about speaking bears might’ve simply grow to be too tacky to bear (pun supposed), however Phil Collins’ easy, nonspecific lyrics and heat instrumentation hold “On My Manner” traditional sufficient to work each out and in of context of the movie.

Magic Second: When Koda’s excited little voice joins in on the very finish to chime in, “Sure I’m on my means!” — H.D.

Set the Scene: Bored of Sugar Rush (as soon as dwelling of her BFF Ralph), Vanellope (voiced by Sarah Silverman) feels unfulfilled — and within the wilds of the web, meets the Disney Princesses (plus Frozen’s Anna and Elsa), who advise her to stare meaningfully at some water and sing her personal “I Need” track to determine what she actually wishes in a recreation. It seems what she needs is to burn rubber alongside Gal Gadot’s drag racer Shank within the Ralphverse’s Grand Theft Auto-esque Slaughter Race — and perhaps by no means depart its rubble-filled streets.

Why It Works: The hilarious previous scene of Vanellope with the princesses couldn’t arrange the track higher: As she stares right into a puddle and steps right into a highlight that actually finds her, she begins singing what’s primarily her “A part of Your World” about Slaughter Race. (No accident that Alan Menken occurred to compose each songs, both.) 

Magic Second: The lyrical opening hits the Disney “I Need” track melodic tropes, whilst its lyrics poke enjoyable at them and trace at one thing extra subversive to return: “Look, I’m rhyming; My spirit’s climbing/ As I’m referred to as by means of this fog of mace/ To this place referred to as Slaughter Race.” — REBECCA MILZOFF

Set The Scene: On Oct. 1, 1999, as night time fell on the waters of the World Showcase Lagoon of EPCOT Heart, the sky exploded with fireworks timed to a dramatic rating, as photos of nature, human works and world leaders have been projected onto a 28-foot diameter “Earth Globe.” The spectacular manufacturing, created by longtime Disney present director Don Dorsey, debuted that night time as a part of the Florida resort’s millennium celebration, and continued taking part in for 20 years as llumiNations: Reflections of Earth. Amid the aural and visible drama got here the voice of Kellie Ann Coffey singing “Promise,” composed by Gavin Greenaway with lyrics by Dorsey: “Each night brings an ending/ Day-after-day turns into a legacy…”

Why It Works: It’s tempting to quote Disney’s statistics for the present containing “Promise:” the 67 computer systems, the 258 strobe lights, 180,000 mild emitting diodes, the 37 nozzles taking pictures propane flames into the air. However what attendees bear in mind most is the fantastic thing about Greenaway’s soothing melody for “Promise,” the optimism of Dorsey’s lyric and the hovering allure of the vocals from Coffey, who went on to win the ACM Award for high new feminine vocalist in 2003.

Magic Second: “Through the years I’ve had numerous messages from followers utilizing “Promise” as their wedding ceremony track,” Dorsey not too long ago advised Billboard. — THOM DUFFY

Set the Scene: After making an attempt to make it in Manhattan, Cheetah Women Galleria (Raven-Symoné), Chanel (Adrienne Bailon), Aqua (Kiely Williams) and Dorothea (Sabrina Bryan) have touched down in Barcelona to take their goals of superstardom to the following stage. With the assistance of good-looking, guitar-playing native Angel (Peter Vives), “Strut” is an infectiously groovy introduction to the energetic Spanish metropolis — for the fictional woman group and viewers at dwelling alike.

Why It Works: It units the tone for the DCOM as an entire, fusing Flamenco with a number of traits of a Future’s Youngster-era hit. Plus, “Strut” serves the aim that its title implies — so sure, you received’t remorse queueing it up throughout your subsequent Sizzling Lady Stroll.

Magic Second: Angel’s vocal entrance on the track’s outro, atop the quartet’s last rendition of the hook, was all of the enticement wanted to need to e-book a visit to Barna: “Bienvenidos/ Esto es mi sueño/ Síganme y descubran mi Barcelona” (Welcome, that is my dream. Comply with me and uncover my Barcelona). — DANIELLE PASCUAL

Set the Scene: Demi Lovato’s Mitchie and Joe Jonas’ Shane are on the rocks. This was speculated to be their first summer time as an it-couple, however all Mitchie can deal with is defeating rivals Camp Star in an epic, nationally televised battle of bands, whereas Shane simply needs to loosen up. Can their teenage love connection final by means of all this adversity? The 2 stars uncover by means of power-belted harmonies – which solely Lovato might’ve pulled off, in distinction along with her fellow late 2000s Disney Channel starlets – that despite their variations, sure they will.

Why It Works: Viewers of the Camp Rock sequel instinctively knew {that a} duet between the movie’s stars was inevitable. The one query was: would it not examine to the scrumptious “This Is Me” / “Gotta Discover You” mash-up carried out by Lovato and Jonas on the finish of the primary movie? “Wouldn’t Change a Factor” completely obliterates expectations, due to completely synced lyrics and melodies, and the real-life ex-couple’s intense vocal chemistry.

Magic Second: When Lovato and Jonas commerce traces forwards and backwards throughout the bridge earlier than unifying as soon as extra for a rapturous last refrain. These two youngsters might not have labored out in actual life, however this one-for-the-books duet makes us assume that their characters are nonetheless fortunately in love, working their very own rock ‘n’ roll summer time camp someplace. — H.D.

Set the Scene: After a hilarious (and considerably horrifying) body-swapping fiasco, Lindsey Lohan’s Anna Coleman has discovered a brand new respect for her mom Tess (Jamie Lee Curtis) and soon-to-be-stepfather Ryan (Mark Harmon). To have fun her mother’s wedding ceremony, she and her highschool pop-punk band Pink Slip carry out an ode to discovering the right man because the movie’s credit roll.

Why It Works: Step-parents normally get the suffix of “evil” or “depraved” in your typical Disney movie — simply ask Snow White, Cinderella or Rapunzel about their relationships with their very own malicious matriarchs. To see a Disney movie the place the brand new addition to the household not solely will get a very good rap, however will get an entire track devoted to his existence is the form of heart-warming plot twist we must always have seen extra usually by now. It additionally helps that Pink Slip is a fully killer band.

Magic Second: Did you assume you have been going to get a fully sick electrical guitar solo in a Disney film? Shock! Anna’s large solo second — full with head-banging, rock posturing and touchdown from a soar on her knees in a pink silk gown, thoughts you — is the cherry on high of this scrumptious second. — STEPHEN DAW

Set the Scene: Max, the son of traditional Disney character Goofy, is about to finish one other faculty yr feeling like an outcast at college. The younger Goof is coming of age and his nightmares are stuffed with the picture of him turning into his very uncool father. So, in an effort to “stand out,” he and his pals give you an elaborate prank the place Max pretends to be the largest pop star within the Goofy film cinematic universe: Powerline.

Why It Works: Powerline feels someplace between Michael Jackson in an area jumpsuit and overly produced boy bands, and in some way his single spikes your adrenaline and makes you need to Moonwalk throughout your highschool stage, your front room or wherever you get the pleasure of listening to “Stand Out.”

Magic Second: About two thirds by means of the observe, Powerline slows every little thing down (which Max impersonates) for a flirtatious spoken-word verse stating, “There’s nothing that I wouldn’t do if it was getting you to note I’m alive.” — TAYLOR MIMS

Set the Scene: Whereas our protagonists Pete and the often invisible dragon Elliott try to settle into life within the cape city of Passamaquoddy, Nora (Helen Reddy) — the daughter of the native lighthouse keeper — sings this gorgeous ballad to her beloved fiancé Paul, who has been misplaced at sea for the higher a part of a yr. Regardless of her father’s insistence that Paul is useless, Nora refuses to surrender hope that he’s on the market, making an attempt to return dwelling.

Why It Works: In a narrative as fantastical and sometimes ridiculous as Pete’s Dragon, you want a wholesome dose of dramatic, sentimental songwriting to set the stakes. Al Kasha and Joel Hirschhorn’s transferring track does that in spades, with Reddy’s phenomenal vocal efficiency making “Candle on the Water” a torch track for the ages.

Magic Second: In case your coronary heart doesn’t swell with the music as Reddy belts out “quickly you’ll see a golden stream of liiiiiiight,” then get pleasure from being a robotic, I suppose. — S.D.

Set the Scene: You’ve simply been blasted with essence of skunk, practically run over by a “prepare of thought,” handled to a wide range of wacky eye methods. Now the purple dragon Figment is able to actually set your creativeness free with “One Little Spark,” a bouncing earworm of a track that celebrates opening your thoughts to the sights, sounds and smells that may actually add some zip to your artistic facet.

Why It Works: Irrespective of its iteration – from the unique Sherman Brothers-penned model to the 2000s replace including Eric Idle – “One Little Spark” accommodates the pure essence of what EPCOT was initially all about. It’s zany, catchy, illuminating and provoking abruptly – a lot in order that when it was faraway from the experience within the late ‘90s, its absence didn’t final lengthy.

Magic Second: There are principally two main melodies within the newest version – Figment’s repeated “Creativeness! Creativeness!” chorus and Dr. Nigel Channing’s (Idle) “One little spark/ of inspiration” theme that pulls from Figment’s earlier verses. They’re infernally catchy on their very own, and by the top, each are heard concurrently. Doubly memorable. Good luck getting it out of your head. — Okay.R.

Set the Scene: The prologue of the 1945 movie options Donald Duck dancing in keeping with his two buddies, the parrot Josè Carioca and the rooster Panchito Pistoles — meant to signify Brazil and Mexico, respectively. These avian buddies later give Donald a collection of presents that transport him to locales illustrating (usually with considerably sadly clichéd cultural stereotypes) Latin tradition. Produced by Disney to create goodwill between the US and Latin America, the movie options a wholly Latinx solid and was nominated for 2 Academy Awards. 

Why It Works: As a result of the sturdy tenor of Mexico-repping fowl Panchito Pistoles, voiced by singer Joaquin Garay, pairs so effectively with the track‘s peppy string and brass part and the goofy camaraderie of this trio of sombrero-sporting heroes. 

Magic Second: Pistoles holds a 20 second be aware whereas Donald Duck and Josè Carioca pull main hijinks — reducing a gap within the ground round him, placing him in a coffin, rising a bush round him after which setting it on fireplace — to make him cease. However belief, it’s all in good enjoyable. — KATIE BAIN

Set the Scene: In The Haunted Mansion attraction, visitors take a tour of a spooky abode the place an unseen ghost host says there are 999 completely satisfied haunts within the expansive Mansion. However, there’s “room for a thousand – any volunteers?!” Variations of the tune are heard all through the experience in assorted humorously creepy settings, however maybe most famously within the finale graveyard scene. There, practically two dozen audio-animatronic “grim grinning ghosts,” engaged in amusing afterlife conditions, cheerfully sing to passing visitors.

Why It Works: The track, with music by Buddy Baker and lyrics by legendary Disney Imagineer X Atencio, succeeds as an atmospheric earworm. Relying on if you hear the track – and in what model — inside the attraction, it might probably evoke chuckles or a little bit of dread. “Grim Grinning Ghosts” is heard in iterations of The Haunted Mansion at Disney Parks around the globe.

Magic Second: As you exit the experience in most variations of the attraction, a haunting a cappella model of the track is heard taking part in, the place the vocalists urge you to “hurry again, we want your organization.” — Okay.C.

Set the Scene: David Tomlinson (who performed Mary Poppins’ George Banks seven years earlier), meanders down the titular thoroughfare whereas singing the jaunty but mysterious and accordion-accompanied track concerning the road’s distributors, providing “something and every little thing a chap can unload.”

Why It Works: The moody, romantic track embodies the spirit of the street itself — a spot with thriller, historical past and the potential of hazard. Certainly, the identical spirit of the magic that will probably be unfurled by what the movie’s heroes discover right here. 

Magic Second: As Tomlinson’s Emelius Browne unveils the knock-off nature of the street’s many “low-cost imitations of heirlooms of previous,” a swarthy determine piques on the point out of the e-book of spells Browne and crew are in the hunt for, indicating that not every little thing on Portobello Street is a faux. — Okay.B.

Set the Scene: The Familia Madrigal’s sentient Casita seems to be cracking, and Mirabel worries the household miracle’s magic is dying — however nobody else appears involved. That’s, till her older sister Luisa — whose magical reward is super-strength — betrays her personal nervousness with an eye fixed twitch and confesses (in track!) that she’s beginning to really feel overwhelmed by all of the expectations positioned on her.

Why It Works: Structurally, musically, lyrically, every little thing concerning the track‘s development completely mirrors Luisa’s psychological breakdown — from the pounding “I’m nice!” opening to the reggaetón-esque verse (all of the “Underneath the floor….” revelations) to a refrain that actually appears like a façade crumbling (“Stress like a drip, drip, drip that’ll by no means cease/ Whoa-oh”), to a floating bridge imagining what another, less-stressful life.

Magic Second: The track is rife with the form of inside rhyming and lyrical jujitsu that defines Lin-Manuel Miranda at his finest, however “Diamonds and platinum/ I discover’em, I flatten’em” and “Underneath the floor/ Was Hercules ever like ‘Yo, I don’t wanna combat Cerberus?’” are constant, every-time-you-hear-’em jaw-droppers. — R.M.

Set the Scene: Pocahontas, daughter of Chief Powhatan of the Powhatan tribe, is fearing the “regular” life that her dad and mom have plotted for her — however goals of one thing yet-unseen that may come round and alter her course eternally. (Spoiler: It’s English settlers.)

Why It Works: Supposed by lyricist Stephen Schwartz (semi-problematically, as was regrettably par for this whitewashed telling of the Pocahontas and John Smith story) to be “the Native American model of ‘One thing’s Coming’ [from West Side Story],” the hovering “Riverbend” does a powerful job capturing the sensation of suspecting {that a} better destiny awaits you, however not having the readability of imaginative and prescient to inform precisely what it’s but.

Magic Second: When that four-word title, belted by Judy Kuhn over racing strings, sneaks up on you from the beginning of every refrain — assured however tremulous, excited however unmistakably anxious. Squint and you may nearly see the define for a very strong early Joni Mitchell lower. — ANDREW UNTERBERGER

Set the Scene: Disney recruited its hottest teen stars on the time – Miley Cyrus, Selena Gomez, Demi Lovato and the Jonas Brothers – to file a track for Disney’s Pals for Change, a pro-social inexperienced initiative. 

Why It Works: The celebrity sextet put aside their interpersonal, headline-making drama for a very good trigger — and in doing so, delivered a satisfyingly schmaltzy “We Are the World”-like name to arms to assist save the planet.   

Magic Second: Lovato breathlessly belts out the second-to-last “Shine a light-weight, and ship it on” as she and her Disney cohorts nestle on a sofa in the course of an open area à la Pals, and followers flock to the celebs earlier than everybody seems out to understand the character they’re desperately making an attempt to protect collectively. — HERAN MAMO

Set the Scene: The most well liked band on the town is on the up-and-up after assembly and forming in highschool detention, and has now snagged a residency on the native pizza joint. As Lemonade Mouth finds its voice by means of these periods on the restaurant, so does bassist Mo – a woman shedding her pores and skin and studying to dwell for herself, not for the boys in her life, proving her newfound confidence whereas dancing on tables and counter tops and sticking it to her ex-boyfriend watching from behind the hostess’ stand.

Why It Works: Not solely is it some of the memorable tracks from the Disney Channel movie, however “She’s So Gone” additionally gave an inspiring anthem to younger women who in any other case might have waited a number of extra years to seek out permission in music to reinvent themselves as many occasions as they like.

Magic Second: When Naomi Scott, who performs Mo, takes an extended pause earlier than hitting that gorgeous refrain dwelling one final time, capturing the eye of each Dante’s Pizzeria buyer within the palm of her hand. — H.D.

Set the Scene: The faux-dramatic ballad arrives in The Muppets as Gary (Jason Segel) and his brother Walter are every going through an identification disaster: are they males, certain to their on a regular basis “human” priorities, or are they muppets, with their allegiances extra clearly “felt”? 

Why It Works: The track from The Muppets that received songwriter/co-producer Bret McKenzie an Oscar for finest authentic track most resembles his Flight of the Conchords work: a loving spoof of a theatrically craving, plot-advancing duet, that’s nonetheless simply as intelligent and catchy as one of the best examples of that archetype. 

Magic Second: Seeing The Muppets in a crowded theater in 2011, Gary wanting in a shop-window reflection and seeing a Muppet model of himself earned some hearty laughs; Walter observing a human model of himself – performed by The Large Bang Concept star Jim Parsons, in an uncredited cameo – introduced the home down. — JASON LIPSHUTZ

Set the Scene: With Michael Jackson starring because the titular freedom fighter, Captain EO touches down along with his ragtag crew on a planet of filth led by the witchy Supreme Chief, with a mission to rework the Chief and her realm by way of the facility of music: particularly, the nervy dance-pop of the somewhat actually titled “We Are Right here to Change the World.”

Why It Works: I imply, having the King of Pop simply years after he launched the best-selling authentic album of all-time (and one other yr nonetheless earlier than he’d drop its follow-up) is a fairly good begin. “Change the World” won’t precisely be Prime MJ — it’s a bit of lo-fi by his ’80s requirements, albeit nonetheless very catchy — but it surely’s nonetheless bought sufficient of the singular pizzazz that powered the best peak in pop historical past to be plausibly universe-transforming.

Magic Second: As soon as he begins hitting these “eeee-heeee!!“s and “oooOOOO!!“s over the track’s climactic refrain… The Supreme Chief by no means actually stood an opportunity, did she? — A.U.

Set the Scene: Zac Efron’s Troy Bolton belts his true emotions in a second of self-reflection throughout “Wager On It,” as he explores the idea of free will. Will he be capable of win his pals again, or will he enable Sharpay to push them additional away?

Why It Works: This was the primary second we bought to listen to Efron sing with out the assistance of the gifted Drew Seeley (who offered most of Troy’s singing voice within the authentic Excessive College Musical). He doesn’t miss a beat because the drums kick in and the primary verse begins. We will actually hear his frustration and interior turmoil all through the track exhibiting how versatile the actor is.

Magic Second: There’s some extent in direction of the top of the track the place it slows down and also you hear Efron say, “Let me assume for a second,” shifting your complete tone of the track. What occurs subsequent is a sped-up, rap-like verse, exhibiting the ranges of each the emotions of his character and his expertise as a performer. — R.J.

Set the Scene: The long-running animated Disney present Phineas and Ferb featured the titular step brothers spending their summer time break time touring, constructing curler coasters and extra unlikely adventures. The present’s music matched its chaos, pairing unthinkable eventualities with catchy manufacturing — together with “S.I.M.P. (Squirrels in My Pants),” improvised by road performers 2 Guyz N the Parque because the protagonists’ older sister Candace struggles with the titular challenge.

Why It Works: Due to the hilarity. Plus, the strikes character Candace makes to try to shake them off would possibly as effectively be a modern-day TikTok problem. 

Magic Second: When one of many 2 Guyz sings “S to the I to the M to the P, then perhaps you might be transferring like me,” thus giving this infectious track its abbreviated title.  — L.H.

Set the Scene: An audio-animatronic present that ran at EPCOT from 1982 to 1994 (earlier than being changed by Meals Rocks), Kitchen Kabaret preached the balanced-diet gospel to unsuspecting youngsters — with assist from some very catchy musical numbers, together with the climactic, Carmen Miranda-styled “Veggie Veggie Fruit Fruit.”

Why It Works: Whether or not or not you go in for the dietary propaganda at its core, there’s no resisting the scrumptious enchantment of this cha-cha-cha-ing quantity, which may have you chanting its four-word title hook by means of each go to to your grocery store’s produce part for years after.

Magic Second: Gotta be the pause earlier than (and backing vocals beneath) every last phrase within the rhyming couplet of “I merely should let you know that my pals who’re singing are… delectable!/ Meals are divine so long as you’ll be able to dine with fruit and… greens!” — A.U.

Set the Scene: Penny Proud is only a 14-year-old woman, figuring life out and surviving the antics of her endearingly wacky family and friends. The present’s theme track, sung by Solange Knowles and Future’s Youngster, captures the unconditional love of household, as a montage together with every member of the Proud family rolls – together with Penny’s intrusive buddies – that includes playful pranks and loving moments.

Why It Works: This period of Y2K theme songs was notably top-tier, with mainstream acts entering into the world of children’ tv for a number of memorable cameos and songs. Whereas Solange Knowles restricted her display screen time to appearing, she made a musical splash with the unforgettable R&B opening observe.

Magic Second: There’s one thing notably satisfying about singing alongside to the very on-brand Future’s Youngster melody throughout the line, “you realize I’m lovin’ each single factor you do-o-o.” — NEENA ROUHANI

Set the Scene: Surf’s up, solar’s out, and Sew is right here to remain. Lilo and her large sister Nani are in a position to put their troubles apart and luxuriate in a blissful day of sunshine with their discovered household, which incorporates Nani’s love curiosity David Kawena and the gang’s lovely new blue alien buddy. Positive, evil extraterrestrials are attempting to kidnap Sew the entire time, however he’s secure along with his ohana – as a result of nobody will get left behind.

Why It Works: With bilingual lyrics and instrumentation that appears like pure sunshine, “Hawaiian Curler Coaster Journey” serves as an exquisite introductory bridge to the fantastic thing about Hawaii that each younger and previous audiences can discover accessible.

Magic Second: The very starting, earlier than the devices kick in, when it’s simply composer Mark Keali’i Ho’omalu and The Kamehameha Colleges Youngsters’s Refrain singing a beautiful, anticipatory Hawaiian name and response. — H.D.

Set the Scene: Rapunzel (Mandy Moore) takes us on a musical tour of her many hobbies – “pottery and ventriloquy, candle making,” to call a number of – however regardless of her very packed schedule, and her BFF chameleon Pascal at her facet, she desperately wonders what else is likely to be exterior the tower partitions.

Why It Works: The bubbly track illustrates that Rapunzel has made the very most of her confined adolescence – portray each sq. inch of her partitions and instructing herself new expertise day by day – however the three books she’s learn time and again might by no means train her every little thing that the world has in retailer.

Magic Second: The viewers is aware of what Rapunzel doesn’t – that the lights that glow within the sky yearly on her birthday aren’t any coincidence – and we additionally know that her “mom” isn’t going to set her free anytime quickly. So this heartbreaking finale is very poignant: “Tomorrow night time, lights will seem/ Similar to they do on my birthday annually/ What’s it like on the market the place they glow?/ Now that I’m older, Mom would possibly simply let me go.” – KATIE ATKINSON

Set the Scene: Streetwise feline Thomas O’Malley (O’Malley the alley cat, as voiced by Phil Harris) introduces the refined, pampered Duchess (Eva Gabor) and her sheltered kittens to Paris’ vibrant bohemian underbelly by way of his pal Scat Cat’s (Scatman Crothers) scorching jazz band.  

Why It Works: Except for being voice appearing legends, Harris and Crothers each boasted severe musical bona fides; when the latter’s gravely cool digs its claws into this surprisingly legit slice of New Orleans jazz, he’s inarguably the cat’s meow. 

Magic Second: The raucous finale, when the cookin’ jazz combo swings so onerous they ship a piano crashing down six flooring, then proceeds to take their second line parade to the streets whereas the Eiffel Tower looms massive within the distance. — JOE LYNCH

Set the Scene: Despatched to Camp Rock to tone down his inflated ego, Shane Grey (Joe Jonas) begins shifting focus after he overhears a fascinating voice, although unable to uncover the singer’s actual identification. Backed by simply an acoustic guitar and lightweight harmonies, he shares “Gotta Discover You” with Demi Lovato’s Mitchie Torres as a confession of his want to seek out the “woman with the voice” — with out realizing who he serenades is the thriller woman he’s been trying to find all alongside.

Why It Works: The lyrics are easy but heartfelt — precisely what you’d anticipate from a teenage boy’s first try at describing his true emotions. It’s an enormous turning level for Shane, who ultimately comes to understand that sure, there are issues on the planet which are extra vital than himself.

Magic Second: When Shane lastly finds “the explanation that I’m singing,” as his track mashes up with Mitchie’s closing quantity, “This Is Me.” — D.P.

Set the Scene: Initially showing as a part of a section concerning the Previous West people hero on the Disneyland ABC anthology collection in 1954 — as carried out by Tess Parker, who additionally performed the title position — “Davy Crockett” would go on to be a cultural sensation, beginning trend tendencies and influencing political campaigns and launching numerous hit renditions of the country-folk theme.

Why It Works: You don’t precisely want a deep historic understanding of the frontiersman-turned-politician or his impression on the pre-Civil Conflict South — admittedly it most likely wasn’t fairly so simple as him “fixin’ up the federal government/ and legal guidelines as effectively” — to get swept up within the track’s anthemic pull, notably as soon as it will get round to that banger of a chorus.

Magic Second: Sing it with us now: “Davyyyyy… DAAAAAVY Crockett! KING OF THE WILD FRONTIER!” — A.U.

Set the Scene: A calypso singer, mariachi band, wedding ceremony bells and extra help Amy Adams’ Giselle as she sings and dances her means by means of Central Park for Enchanted’s centerpiece musical quantity. Although the once-animated however nonetheless starry-eyed princess from the dominion of Andalasia has but to uncover the realities of, effectively, the actual world, she will be able to’t assist however melodically categorical her fairytale thought of affection to Patrick Dempsey’s Robert, a sensible New York Metropolis lawyer (and eventual love curiosity).

Why It Works: You might inform Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz had enjoyable with “That’s How You Know.” The energetic tune uniquely parodies and pays homage to previous Disney works, as its poetic but playful lyrics completely seize Giselle’s innocence and optimism.

Magic Second: There’s a specific lyric in Marlon Saunders’ verse that serves as a reminder for anybody in a relationship. “You’ve bought to indicate her you want her/ Don’t deal with her like a thoughts reader,” he speak-sings over triumphant horns. — D.P.

Set the Scene: Don’t name it a birthday bash: Alice stumbles onto the Mad Hatter and March Hare’s unbirthday tea occasion in Wonderland, ultimately ingratiating herself as an invited visitor.

Why It Works: Alice shortly learns to anticipate the surprising in Wonderland, due to this nonsensical track, but it surely does include one little bit of logic: Because the Mad Hatter says, “Statistics show that you simply’ve one birthday … however there are 364 unbirthdays!” Exhausting to argue with that.

Magic Second: Take it away, teapots! The right breakdown within the crazy lullaby is when the steaming-hot teapots have a whistling solo on the desk. – Okay.A.

Set the Scene: Pat Carroll’s delightfully devious Ursula sells herself as a reformed, selfless champion, convincing the lovestruck mermaid that the excessive worth she’d should pay for the ocean witch’s assist – Ariel’s beautiful voice – would truly profit the gorgeous mermaid in her quest for Prince Eric’s coronary heart! As Ursula factors out in her track (precisely as a villain would): “The boys up there don’t like a variety of blabber!”  

Why It Works: Carroll’s wealthy voice injects a lot enjoyable and wickedness, fake empathy and want – all on the similar time! — with the whispering of her reviling opinions to lackeys Flotsam and Jetsam being the shrimp on high. Take, for instance, when she sings of her powers: “I apply it to behalf/ Of the depressing, the lonely and depressed/ (Pathetic!)” It’s magically manipulative and catchy! 

Magic Second: All of it? Critically, paired with the animation, the track is straight from the treasure chest, particularly when the ocean witch shakes her ample booty and tentacles to emphasise the “physique language” lyric. However Ursula’s energy of persuasion and villainy actually shine by means of when she declares – in a powerful and ominously throaty voice — Ariel because the “poor unlucky soul” as she throws the potion collectively, convincing the wonder to signal the dastardly contract. — ANNA CHAN

Set the Scene: The legendary Sherman Brothers wrote some of the bouncing-off-the-walls songs of the ’60s to permit Winnie the Pooh’s buddy Tigger an opportunity to make his introduction — first in 1968’s Oscar-winning Winnie the Pooh and the Blustery Day, then in lots of Poohverse installments to observe — with a gently braggy track about how nice it’s to be a one-of-one.

Why It Works: Just like the character it trumpets, “Great Factor” can also be fairly singular inside the Huge World of Disney, with an irrepressible vitality that makes even essentially the most hyperactive songs of Disney movies and reveals previous really feel in want of a sucrose injection by comparability.

Magic Second: “They’re bouncy-trouncy-flouncy-pouncy-FUNFUNFUNFUNFUN!!!” Exhausting to argue with. — A.U.

Set the Scene: After spending 40-some years as Donald and Pluto’s food-swiping adversaries in cartoon shorts, the chipmunk duo was reimagined as adventuring detectives for a TV collection – and also you couldn’t reinvent a franchise within the ‘80s/’90s with no bitchin’ theme track.  

Why It Works: Composer Mark Mueller (a songwriter behind Sizzling 100 high 10s for Coronary heart and Amy Grant) conjures up the thriller and hazard of comparable TV detective themes — assume Magnum, P.I. and Miami Vice — whereas Jeff Pescetto belts these lyrics about gumshoe rodents as if the destiny of the planet relies upon upon them.  

Magic Second: The rapid-fire “ch-ch-ch-Chip and Dale” begin of the refrain, delivered as if Pescetto is so gripped by pleasure that he can barely spit the phrases out. After that, nobody is popping the channel to see what else is on. — J. Lynch

Set the Scene: As Grumpy, Joyful, Sleepy, Bashful, Sneezy, Dopey and Doc depart Snow White to clock in at their jobs mining for diamonds and rubies, they sing-narrate and whistle the entire journey. Then they sing-narrate and whistle the workday away. Then similar deal on the way in which dwelling.

Why It Works: “Heigh-Ho” is principally the sound of reaching the perfect home-job life stability: Heading for work with a track in your coronary heart, spending the day doing what you like, after which clocking out for the day with a smile in your face and going dwelling to occasion for the remainder of the night time. (Although it additionally sounds just like the Dwarfs are a bit of too content material “dig-dig-digging” for jewels once they “don’t know what we dig ’em for”; in the event that they began asking questions there they may find yourself whistling a barely completely different tune.)

Magic Second: A terrific whistle hook actually does go a great distance in direction of residing in ignorant bliss. — A.U.

Set the Scene: “Do You Wish to Construct a Snowman?“ isn’t a track as a lot as an elliptical collection of snapshots of a sibling relationship, deteriorating by means of neither occasion’s fault. As teenage Elsa struggles with the hazard of her secret magical ice powers, she shuts out the remainder of the world — notably the youthful Anna, who can’t perceive why her sister has misplaced curiosity in sharing their former wintertime frivolities — whereas the ache on each side is exacerbated by the unintended demise of their dad and mom.

Why It Works: You might learn it on its floor as a narrative of two sisters whose relationship is irreparably broken by youthful traumas, or as a metaphor for a way puberty and completely different hormonal timelines can actually screw with a sibling dynamic, or simply as a lesson within the significance of speaking with the individuals you like, irrespective of how scary it feels. It’s completely devastating regardless.

Magic Second: On the finish, as a now-teenage and out of the blue orphaned Anna’s last last-ditch posing of the title query at her sister’s door is left to linger unanswered — whereas on the opposite facet, Elsa silently chokes on no matter phrases she needs she might provide in response. – A.U.

Set the Scene: Peter Pan enters the bed room of the Darling kids and teaches them to fly by instructing them to assume completely satisfied ideas (“Like toys at Christmas, sleigh bells, snow”) then shaking a little bit of the important ingredient (Tinkerbell’s pixie mud) on them, then main them in flight to Neverland. 

Why It Works: Primarily a tutorial on the facility of constructive thought, the track is a literal and figurative uplift in two elements, with Peter and the kids singing conversationally whereas studying to fly, after which a delightfully 1953-sounding refrain soundtracking their ascent by means of London. 

Magic Second: The euphoric pleasure of the second the Darling kids’s toes lastly rise from the ground. “Oh my, we will fly!” “You may fly!” “We will flyyyyy!” — Okay.B.

Set the Scene: After “Whistle Cease,” a fast, whistled ditty over which the movie’s title credit play, the titular character of Robin Hood and sidekick Little John are correctly launched with “Oo-De-Lally,” a plaintive people tune detailing the duo’s normal blasé attitudes and carefree life, even once they’re on the point of getting hauled away by “a schemin’ sheriff and his posse.”

Why It Works: A lot of the Robin Hood soundtrack was penned by nation singer-songwriter Roger Miller, who by then had a pair of Sizzling Nation Songs No. 1s to his identify in “Dang Me” and “King of the Street.” Level is, the pedigree was there, and “Oo-De-Lally” specifically does effectively to immerse the viewer within the bucolic world of Robin Hood and his band of outlaws with nothing however Miller’s twangy vocals and acoustic guitar.

Magic Second: At a tick underneath a minute lengthy, “Oo-de-Lally” is virtually one lengthy second in and of itself, and from the second Roger Miller’s voice enters to inform the story of Robin Hood and Little John’s near-miss with the legislation, it’s clear this isn’t your common track from a Disney film, eschewing layers of vocals, manufacturing and at-times lush orchestral preparations for a easy voice-and-guitar scene setter. That solely provides to its allure. — Okay.R.

Set the Scene: A California teen named Miley Stewart (performed by Miley Cyrus) lives a double life as world pop star Hannah Montana, a balancing act finest summarized by the present’s theme track “The Better of Each Worlds.” 

Why It Works: As unrealistic because the situation could also be to drag off in actual life, it’s a sentiment that possible feels very actual for a lot of pop stars – particularly as carried out by a younger expertise who would find yourself being one of many very greatest of the following couple a long time.

Magic Second: When Miley wonders, “Who would’ve thought {that a} woman like me/ Would double as a celebrity?” earlier than unleashing a rallying yelp that blends into the catchy refrain. — L.H.

Set the Scene: Launched as a Pixar brief movie alongside 2015’s Inside Out, Lava has a narrative advised fully by means of its eponymous track: a lonely volcano spends tens of millions of years in the course of the ocean, wishing for some girl volcano firm. He practically goes extinct (seemingly from heartbreak), till an underwater eruption creates a gorgeous, blossoming new volcano, whose lava circulate brings him again to life — and who lastly joins him in track.

Why It Works: Lava director and songwriter James Ford Murphy has spoken of his personal deep emotional connection to Hawaii, in addition to how Hawaiian singer Israel Kamakawiwo’ole’s beloved tackle “Someplace Over the Rainbow” impressed him — and each influences shine by means of on the mild, ukelele-accompanied tune.

Magic Second: The refrain — the one chunk of the track using rhyme — with its lilting melody that feels a bit like floating on a bobbing wave, and its “awww”-inducing entreaty: “I want that the earth, sea, and the sky up above-a/ Will ship me somebody to lava.” — R.M.

Set the Scene: A wild pack of New York’s best newspaper supply boys (affectionally referred to as Newsies) have collected in a diner to see that their strike over unfair worth will increase made the entrance web page of a newspaper. It’s the primary time the youngsters – lots of whom battle to make ends meet — have tasted any form of status, and their minds daydream of the place that fame might land them.

Why It Works: A thumping bassline attracts the viewer in because the boys’ heavy New York accents construct on larger and larger goals (“a pair of latest reveals with matching laces” to “a everlasting field at Sheepshead races”) till the group turns into a refrain dreaming of being the King of New York.

Magic Second: When the Newsies all sing “Tomorrow they could wrap fishes in it/ However I used to be a star for one entire minute” earlier than leaping onto lunch tables to faucet and dance in unison — with a younger Christian Bale on the forefront. — T.M.

Set the Scene: Nini, star of her highschool’s musical manufacturing of Excessive College Musical and a budding singer-songwriter herself, is feeling notably angsty concerning the love triangle she finds herself as the center level of — and composes a track on a keyboard in her bed room about wishing love might simply be a bit of bit less complicated.

Why It Works: Did we occur to say that Nini was performed by a real-life singer-songwriter, who penned “All I Need” and would go on to put in writing one of many greatest and angstiest teenage love triangle songs of all time on a keyboard in her personal bed room a couple of yr later? Listening to the character, feeling and class of “All I Need” — which additionally grew to become a Sizzling 100 hit in its personal proper — it’s fairly unsurprising that Olivia Rodrigo was about to grow to be Olivia Rodrigo.

Magic Second: Nini beginning the second verse, “And there’s yet another boy, he’s from my previous/ We fell in love but it surely didn’t final.” It’s stunningly economical and deeply felt songwriting, and the way in which Rodrigo leans into “previous” provides it that little further little bit of second-hand harm. — A.U.

Set the Scene: Walt Disney, a shrewd and canny producer, might have sensed that Disneyland might use some darker notes to stability all of the sweetness and lightweight. Enter Pirates of the Caribbean, which was one of many final rides he labored on earlier than his premature demise in December 1966. 

Why It Works: Children are at all times anticipated to be well-behaved. By singing alongside to “Yo Ho,” they might insurgent in opposition to their accompanying dad and mom a bit of, simply by bellowing out traces like “We pillage, we plunder, we rifle, and loot.” 

Magic Second: You get the sense that lyricist Xavier Atencio had nice enjoyable arising with traces like “we’re beggars and blighters, ne’er-do-well cads.” However he added this one grace be aware: “Aye, however we’re beloved by our mommies and dads.” – PAUL GREIN 

Set the Scene: With the central battle of Princess Diaries resolved and Anne Hathaway’s Mia Thermopolis’ household royal line saved — it’s lastly time to have fun. The newly titled princess does simply that, surrounded by her pals, household and a party-starting track.

Why It Works: The opening piano of Myra’s upbeat anthem more and more turns up as the gang hits the dance ground. It’s a second of aid as we, the viewers, can bask within the completely satisfied ending. As soon as the refrain belts, “Miracles occur infrequently,” you’ll be able to’t assist however assume the way it was virtually a miracle (and a bit of film magic) that led Hathaway’s character to the place she is.

Magic Second: Very similar to an EDM beat drop, this pop track slowly works as much as the lyrics truly reaching the title phrase — leaving you anticipating the climactic level of the track, so when it lastly hits you’ll be able to throw your arms up with the principle character and have fun. — R.J.

Set the Scene: The rowdy Susan (Hayley Mills on guitar) convinces strait-laced Sharon (Hayley Mills on piano), her newly found an identical twin, to loosen up and collaborate on a jangly rock and roll track.

Why It Works: The cheeky lyrics work on two completely different ranges – the newfound sisters are determining how they match collectively whereas they scheme to get their divorced dad and mom again collectively too.

Magic Second: The 1998 Mum or dad Lure remake starring Lindsay Lohan incorporates a very ’90s cowl on its soundtrack by erstwhile woman group No one’s Angel. And as a nod to the 1961 authentic, Lohan even hums the tune to herself within the film. – Okay.A.

Set the Scene: Artful orangutan/jungle VIP King Louie has “reached the highest and needed to cease,” and so he tries to strike a take care of feral human Mowgli, providing secure haven in alternate for the key of fireplace.  

Why It Works: The Sherman Brothers have been professionals at penning songs that pushed the story ahead whereas standing alone as distinct pop compositions. And with swing king Louis Prima presiding over this soar blues quantity, it’s apparent that King Louie doesn’t want “the facility of man’s crimson flower” to warmth issues up.  

Magic Second: The very finish, when Baloo’s monkey disguise falls aside and the music stops, however the poor bear is just too busy scatting his coronary heart out to note that the jig is up. — J. Lynch

Set the Scene: Sarah McLachlan’s delicate vocals and a mild piano melody supplies a poignant backtrack to Jessie’s (Joan Cusack) emotional backstory in Toy Story 2. The lyrics of “When She Beloved Me” starkly distinction love and loss, portray a wistful image of the standard moments that led to the doll’s eventual abandonment by her authentic proprietor.

Why It Works: It doesn’t matter whether or not you’re a child or an grownup: the Randy Newman-written, Grammy-winning tear-jerker is sufficient so that you can need to dig by means of the depths of your closet to discover a dusty previous favourite toy and provides it a good squeeze.

Magic Second: It’s extra of a soul-crushing second, truly: When Jessie reunites along with her proprietor after years gathering mud underneath her mattress, solely to be left in a field on the facet of the street. (“And she or he smiled at me and held me, identical to she used to do.”) — D.P.

Set the Scene: On this flight simulator attraction, visitors soar excessive above memorable sights in California (Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, Yosemite Falls and Half Dome in Yosemite Nationwide Park, and naturally, Disneyland itself), all set to a rousing, epic theme (“Soarin’”) by Academy Award winner Jerry Goldsmith.

Why It Works: Goldsmith handled this highlights reel of California landmarks as if it have been a movie trailer for your complete state itself. Thus, it feels such as you’re a part of a film trailer, appropriately immersed in each eye-popping visuals and a theatrical film-quality sweeping soundtrack. The Soarin’ attraction is present in different Disney Parks, with some showcasing an “around the globe” theme highlighting world landmarks. All permutations characteristic a rating tailored from the unique Goldsmith composition.

Magic Second: Name us a sucker for Disney magic. After flying over a frantic scene of nighttime Los Angeles’ bumper-to-bumper site visitors in Soarin’ Over California, the motion dramatically cuts to an overhead shot of Disneyland itself. Then, the “Soarin’” theme kicks into its large end, an animated Tinkerbell seems, pixie mud is sprinkled, and also you are available in for a touchdown underneath an onscreen fireworks show. — Okay.C.

Set the Scene: After a rocky introduction to fame, the 4 members of fictional teen-pop/R&B group The Cheetah Women reunite within the streets of New York Metropolis to ship a strong track about sticking collectively.

Why It Works: As a result of it’s simply as a lot a banger exterior of the context of the movie. Lady energy all the way in which.

Magic Second: When the crunchy electrical guitar helps the track transition from tender ballad to a punchy pop track. — L.H.

Set the Scene: A coaching montage! Whereas the titular Mulan frets about being uncovered as a girl disguised as a person within the Chinese language military, her male comrades should get all the way down to enterprise to defeat the Huns – and switch from laughingstocks to warriors over the course of 1 track. 

Why It Works: In addition to the gender stereotypes which are woven into the lyrics (“Did they ship me daughters/ Once I requested for sons?”) and finally dismantled all through Mulan herself, “I’ll Make a Man Out of You” is an successfully rousing sing-along, with stray traces from the varied characters stomped out by Donny Osmond’s lead vocal: “Be a MAN!” 

Magic Second: Mulan’s lone lyric within the macho opus – “Hope he doesn’t see proper by means of me!” – is essentially the most enjoyable line to sing, ideally in a dramatic falsetto. — J. Lipshutz

Set the Scene: The massive-eyed and lonely protagonist, an harmless kitten named Oliver, has simply been utilized by the streetwise and scruffy terrier Dodger to attain some sausages from a road vendor. The stolen hyperlinks drapped round his neck, Dodger breaks out into track to show the tiny tabby a lesson in “road savoir faire.”

Why It Works: The final word New Yorker, Billy Joel, sings in a brawny-yet-smooth tenor over an anthemic piano groove about how solely essentially the most intelligent people could make it on the powerful streets of the Large Apple.

Magic Second: When the bandana-wearing Dodger, sporting a pair of boosted sun shades, sits atop a piano being crane-lifted right into a high-rise constructing belts out the refrain of “Why ought to I fear/ Why ought to I care?” whereas taking part in the keys along with his tail. — T.M.

Set the Scene: The not too long ago heartbroken Meg, the love curiosity of Hercules, finds herself falling for the Greek hero in opposition to her higher judgement and although she’s been mendacity to him since they met.

Why It Works: In a Disney flick stuffed with over-the-top bangers, “I Gained’t Say I’m In Love” slows the tempo down for a puckish pop ballad that sounds pretty much as good as ambrosia (presumably) tastes.

Magic Second: Any time the Muses sing is value a point out, however when the five-member group chimes in to inform Meg, “Who’d’ya assume you’re kiddin’/ He’s the Earth and heaven to you,” it brings the track to the godly stage of Mount Olympus. — T.M.

Set the Scene: In a second that was arguably extra emotional for adults within the viewers than the children that Moana was made for, the movie’s 16-year-old heroine reveals the interior turmoil of wanting extra for herself than her neighborhood is able to imagining. Perched atop a {smooth} rock alongside the shore of a turquoise sea, Moana delivers the fascinating, Grammy-winning ballad, bringing out the dreamer in each viewers member, younger and previous.  

Why It Works: To be able to efficiently painting Moana’s expertise, Lin-Manuel Miranda has recalled locking himself in his childhood bed room for every week to recapture his personal emotions of wanting extra. The transient sabbatical resulted in some of the gripping inspirational musical moments Disney has delivered, serving as a formidable follow-up to Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez’s “Let It Go,” due to its gripping manufacturing, and honest confessions: “I’ll be happy if I play alongside/ However the voice inside sings a special track/ What’s incorrect with me?”

Magic Second: Watching Moana’s candy pet pig Pua battle to maintain up with the chief’s daughter as she rushes from the hill all the way down to the shore throughout the track’s climax is bound to encourage a tear or two. — N.R.

Set the Scene: It was the first soundtrack to the post-school weekdays for tens of millions of ’90s youngsters — notably these not but sufficiently old to benefit from the barely extra grownup pleasures of ABC’s Friday night time TGIF or Nickelodeon’s Saturday night time SNICK lineups. The theme track to Disney Channel’s noon syndication block (a rotation of authentic Disney reveals like TaleSpin and Darkwing Duck), “Disney Afternoon Theme” promised two worry-free hours of fine occasions forward.

Why It Works: As a result of it’s each bit as enjoyable and memorable because the traditional themes of the reveals it leads in to, with triumphant horns, mischievous xylophone, roving bass and a few very smiley vocals all shepherding you to “the place the enjoyable begins.”

Magic Second: Are you able to beat that flute solo? Hardly ever, if ever. — A.U.

Set the Scene: After the movie opens with the origin story of the Beast, “Belle” then helps the film transition to the current day, and introduces the kind-hearted, book-loving protagonist — whereas hilariously juxtaposing her with good-looking “brute” Gaston of their quaint city. 

Why It Works: Amongst opening songs in film musicals, “Belle” is hard to beat. Menken and lyricist Howard Ashman penned a tune that manages to be a enjoyable, emotional earworm that additionally has Belle and Gaston make an instantaneous impression whereas portray the scene with excellent orchestral moments. That’s some form of spectacular magic, even for Disney.

Magic Second: The Belle-Gaston “duet”! Positive, they’re not precisely singing collectively, however because the track crescendos, Belle belts out, “There have to be greater than this provincial life!” as Gaston declares from one other a part of city, “Simply watch, I’m going to make Belle my spouse!” masterfully highlighting their opposing goals for his or her futures. — A.C.

Set the Scene: Dumbo and his bestie Timothy Q. Mouse unintentionally drink champagne-spiked water and go on a psycho/religious journey during which they hallucinate the track‘s titular pink elephants. 

Why It Works: Actually Disney’s most overtly trippy caper (particularly for 1941), the track is, like psychedelic experiences themselves, unusual, alluring, a bit of bit scary and sometimes fairly elegant, with the surrealist animation elevating its results. 

Magic Second: Watchful eyes will observe many whimsical thrives right here, however we love the vibe shift second when the ominous march track transforms right into a Center Jap-inspired track, then a mambo, then a ballet earlier than the entire thing dissolves into cacophony and the pink elephants merely grow to be the pink clouds of the sky at daybreak as Dumble and Timothy emerge from the night time’s journey. — Okay.B.

Set the Scene: A younger Simba simply watched his father Mufasa get trampled and killed by a wildebeest stampede, bought blamed by his uncle for stampede, and narrowly escaped a success on his life from a trio of hyenas. Now, the lovable meerkat and warthog who’ve discovered him need him to know every little thing’s going to be simply nice.

Why It Works: Mufasa’s demise and the following scenes are a number of the most harrowing and bleak moments in any Disney movie, and bringing audiences again from the sting required an excessive dose of reassurance. Enter the intelligent and catchy “Hakuna Matata,” a religious successor of kinds to “The Naked Requirements” that additionally expedites the movie’s plot by scoring a montage of Simba’s adolescence.

Magic Second: Of their roles as Timon and Pumbaa, respectively, Nathan Lane and Ernie Sabella’s musical chemistry is instantly palpable – and peaks when Timon breaks the fourth wall to warning Pumbaa, about to expound about his flatulence, to keep away from doing so “in entrance of the children.” — ERIC RENNER BROWN

Set the Scene: That is the place all of the magic occurs. Cinderella’s Fairy Godmother transforms a pumpkin and mice right into a gilded horse and carriage to whisk the aspiring princess off to the ball – carrying the right royal glam to match, in fact.

Why It Works: The track follows within the grand custom of Disney turning gibberish phrases into cultural touchstones. Greater than 50% of the lyrics are nonsense, and but all of us have it dedicated to reminiscence.

Magic Second: Whereas it doesn’t seem within the 2015 live-action remake, the brand new Fairy Godmother (performed by Helena Bonham Carter) did file an eccentric new model that performs within the end-credits. – Okay.A.

Set the Scene: When Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room debuted on the California park in 1963, the exhibit wasn’t drawing on a preexisting property – so the 4 robotic macaws buying and selling lead vocals wanted an easy track with an immediately hummable hook to promote the idea.  

Why It Works: Put together to step into an genuine, immersive showcase of Polynesian cultures… some place else. However for the primary theme park attraction to make use of Audio-Animatronics, this Sherman Brothers track is dripping within the requisite kitsch to promote a room “the place the birds sing phrases and the flowers croon.” 

Magic Second: That unexpectedly darkish lyrical flip when the macaws let you know that except the present “fills you with pleasure and glee,” they’ll find yourself useless and stuffed “on a woman’s hat.” So get pleasure from your self – or their fowl blood is in your arms. — J. Lynch

Set the Scene: The titular British nanny (Julie Andrews) magically transports her two pre-teen prices, Jane and Michael, right into a sidewalk chalk drawing created by her buddy Bert (Dick Van Dyke). Throughout that journey, mixing dwell motion and animation, Mary Poppins wins a horse race and is besieged by animated reporters who predict her feelings to be indescribable. Poppins replies, “Quite the opposite, there’s an excellent phrase!” — and launches into “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious,” which, in line with Syracuse scholar Helen Herman (who coined the phrase in a 1931 faculty newspaper column) “implies all that’s grand, nice, wonderful, splendid, excellent, fantastic.”

Why It Works: Creativeness and silliness are important qualities for entertaining younger kids (or adults) and “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” gives each in abundance. The track romps by means of its orchestrated association — accompanied within the movie by an animated road band — as Andrews and Van Dyke enjoyment of providing rhyming traces ending with “atrocious” and “precocious.”

Magic Second: If the 34 letters and 14 syllables of the title phrase aren’t charming sufficient, there’s that rapid-fire break by means of the track: “Um diddle diddle diddle, um diddle ay! Um diddle diddle diddle, um diddle ay!” — T.D.

Set the Scene: As described in her titular program’s theme, Kim Attainable is a highschool cheerleader by day and wards off supervillains by night time – or every time she’s wanted, which her trusty pager at all times alerts her of. 

Why It Works: “Name me, beep me, for those who wanna attain me,” has transcended this one track or present, turning into a universally used phrase that right here is about to a catchy tune courtesy of ’00s hitmaker Christina Milian.

Magic Second: The inescapable, immediately recognizable pager beeps. Duh. — L.H.

Set the Scene: Within the very first encounter between Aladdin and Genie, the Genie (voiced by the late Robin Williams) not solely lets Aladdin know he can grant him whichever three needs he wishes but additionally makes a intelligent effort to befriend him — and his mischievous monkey Abu — with a stellar “Buddy Like Me” efficiency. 

Why It Works: This large band-styled quantity is feel-good and foolish however strongly makes a case that the Genie is a buddy like no different. The top-bopping traditional was nominated for finest authentic track on the 1993 Academy Awards, and later carried out by Will Smith for the 2019 live-action remake.

Magic Second: It’s a no brainer that no buddy will grant you three needs — except you’re the Genie, and some of the memorable moments of this scene was when he tells Aladdin up entrance, “I’m within the temper that can assist you, dude,” later exhibiting off his limitless skills to win his belief. — JESSICA ROIZ

Set the Scene: Tarzan’s adoptive gorilla mom Kala comforts the fussy new child with a young ballad concerning the eternal bond between a guardian and a baby, which fades into the night time as a lullaby that soothes Tarzan, in addition to the remainder of the kids within the jungle, to sleep.  

Why It Works: Phil Collins’ honest, warmhearted melodies underscore the movie’s central theme of household and a guardian’s position to supply for and defend their little one, particularly when he croons, “For one so small/ You appear so sturdy/ My arms will maintain you/ Maintain you secure and heat/ This bond between us/ Can’t be damaged/ I will probably be right here/ Don’t you cry.”  

Magic Second: Our tiny protagonist adorably coos when Kala throws him up into the air throughout Collins’ swoon-worthy refrain, and Tarzan is met with a kaleidoscope of butterflies, whereas one among them lands on his face and unintentionally, but flawlessly, masks it. — H.M.

Set the Scene: The Sherman Brothers wrote this irresistable jingle for the GE-branded Carousel of Progress on the World’s Honest in New York in 1964-65. In 1967, the experience was exported to Disneyland and, later, Walt Disney World. 

Why It Works: The track is heard as bridge music between every of the 4 acts within the exhibit. It needed to be catchy sufficient in order that after listening to that earworm 4 occasions, individuals would need to get proper again in line and see the present once more. It labored. Capitalism by no means sounded so good! The track fed the enduring American fable that happiness was only a shiny new equipment away.  

Magic Second: Nation singer Rex Allen was completely solid because the voice of the dad within the vignettes – and because the singer of the track. The entire “household” — together with their canine — chimes in on the finish of the track. – P.G. 

Set the Scene: In probably the greatest “I don’t want a person” Disney moments, future Princess Tiana sings a jazz-infused, New Orleans-inspired track of want to satisfy her goals. Waltzing round a dilapidated mill along with her mom Eudora, Tiana fantasizes about what her future restaurant will probably be by means of an Aaron Douglas-style visible rendition, declaring, “Trials and tribulations/ I’ve had my share/ There ain’t nothing gonna cease me now/ ‘Trigger I’m nearly there.”

Why It Works: As a result of Tiana is doing what few Disney princesses of the previous had performed: working in direction of her personal goals, impartial of any man. Her phrases exude confidence and self-assurance, qualities indispensable for any infant watching the movie, and essential to the plot line of this reimagined “Princess and the Frog.” 

Magic Second: Watching a glamorous Tiana head-to-toe in white, making an look within the eating places of her goals, because the prepare of her gown flutters behind her. All of the whereas, her vocals glide from one be aware to a different on the road, “Trials and tribulations.” — N.R.

Set the Scene: Enduring superstars Demi Lovato and Joe Jonas (together with brothers Nick and Kevin, in fact) co-star on this movie a couple of sought-out musical summer time camp, with Demi taking the lead on this ballad about lastly letting the world know who she actually is.

Why It Works: It’s the right “popping out of my shell” track, throughout which Lovato embraces her expertise –- and the highlight -– whereas Joe steps right into a supporting position, bumping the track into energy duet territory. 

Magic Second: When Joe and Demi harmonize into each other’s faces for the ultimate refrain, throughout which she hits notes she hadn’t but reached on her personal. — L.H.

Set the Scene: Our shock antagonist, Paolo, has made a idiot of himself on stage and it’s as much as Hilary Duff’s Lizzie McGuire to avoid wasting the present. With the assistance of Duff’s different character, Isabella, the 2 placed on a showstopping efficiency that leaves the gang roaring.

Why It Works: Paired with the unforgettable line, “Sing to me Paolo,” this female-empowerment second paired with the a track that captures the essence of the state of affairs actually captures a state of affairs that’s actually “what goals are made from.”

Magic Second: That first line, “Have you ever ever seen such a gorgeous night time?” is such a wow second, as each the viewers within the crowd and watching the film unfold are shocked. Not as soon as all through the film does her character sing to us — even if you watch the rehearsal scenes — making this a second the place you marvel, can Lizzie McGuire truly sing? — R.J.

Set the Scene: “You’ve Obtained a Buddy in Me” is performed throughout the opening scene of Toy Story, spotlighting the plain friendship between Andy and his toy cowboy Woody. The clip reveals a school-aged boy packing his toys in a field; whereas his favourite one, Woody, will get all of the play consideration. 

Why It Works: Carried out by Randy Newman, this country-jazz fusion is charged with emotive lyrics about friendship and loyalty: “And because the years go by/ Our friendship won’t ever die/ You’re gonna see it’s our future/ You’ve bought a buddy in me.” 

Magic Second: Not solely does the track set the tone for the whole agency, but it surely’s additionally grow to be a staple for your complete franchise: “You’ve Obtained a Buddy of Me” can also be heard within the opening scenes of Toy Story 3 and 4, additional proving the significance of actual friendships. — J.R.

Set the Scene: The theme track to the Raven-Symoné-starring car that ran for 4 seasons within the mid ’00s, “That’s So Raven” introduces the eponymous protagonist and her character’s signature future-forecasting powers, however lets the viewers know soothsaying isn’t as straightforward because it seems: “I attempt to save the state of affairs/ Then I find yourself misbehaving.”

Why It Works: Greater than perhaps every other Disney TV theme of its time, “Raven” appears like a believable pop hit in its personal proper, all the way down to the frenetic R&B manufacturing that was unavoidable in early-’00s high 40 radio, and even the trace of Auto-Tune on the verses. (Plus, it’s as hooky as one of the best Darkchild and Kandi Burruss jams.)

Magic Second: “It’s so MYSTERIOUS to mee-eeeeee!!!” — A.U.

Set the Scene: Two porcine lollygaggers mock their survivalist brother, a hard-working brick layer who will quickly have the final giggle on this Oscar-winning brief from the Nice Despair.  

Why It Works: Positive, the pig with the panic room saves the day, however Frank Churchill’s irrepressible, cheery melody makes it unimaginable to not sympathize with the shiftless layabouts. It was such an instantaneous, inescapable hit that it led to a contract between Walt Disney and Irving Berlin in 1933, starting the lengthy historical past of Disney characters catapulting a tune into popular culture ubiquity and publishing income.  

Magic Second: When the 2 prancing porkers giggle of their brother’s face after his warning about their half-assed properties, dancing a rustic jig whereas singing the taunting refrain with a renewed flippancy. — J. Lynch

Set the Scene: Sebastian the crab, an emissary of Ariel’s father King Triton, is aware of she’s plotting to go away the ocean behind for Prince Eric on land — so he launches into the equal of a Broadway eleven-o’clock quantity, calypso-style, to persuade her to remain.

Why It Works: Lin-Manuel Miranda put it completely when he advised Billboard in 2022 that “Underneath the Sea” is his private high Disney track of all time: “It’s like Sebastian making the case for a lifestyle and presenting us with a world a lot extra stunning than our personal! I needed to go f–kin’ dwell underneath the ocean!”

Magic Second: It’s delight-a-second start-to-finish, however the mid-song litany of marine musical expertise — “The newt play de flute/The carp play de harp,” and many others. — captures lyricist Howard Ashman and composer Alan Menken’s artistic alchemy in an ideal snapshot. — R.M.

Set the Scene: Snow White enlists all of the creatures of the forest to assist her tidy up the home, with the chipmunks on dishes, the squirrels on dusting, and the raccoons on laundry.

Why It Works: The onerous work appears so nice due to Snow’s cheery tune – and the total animal meeting line is required to wash up after the seven tiny males of the home.

Magic Second: The one harmonizing Snow White wants for her lilting whistle is the chirping birds throughout her, who partake in a cheerful call-and-response with the woodland princess. – Okay.A.

Set the Scene: The futuristic woman in query, Zenon, is on a mission to foil an evil plot to crash the area station her household lives on — the place she used to dwell, earlier than being despatched to Earth as punishment to dwell along with her aunt. Her secondary aim is to attend a live performance on that area station, held by teen idol Proto Zoa and his retro-futuristic pop-rock band Microbe, the place they play their signature hit, “Supernova Lady.”

Why It Works: As a result of “Supernova Lady” friggin’ goes. It appears like JC Chasez protecting Duran Duran (or perhaps the opposite means round), and by their first time by means of the “zoom zoom zoom” hook over that liquid electro-funk groove, you’ll have forgotten all concerning the film’s convoluted teen-sci-fi plot and be laser-focused by yourself boogieing.

Magic Second: Any time the band begins strutting in lockstep throughout the stage whereas that repeated hook rings out over the popping beat, it’s fairly rattling magical. — A.U.

Set the Scene: After failing to carry out as an ideal girl for a matchmaker, Mulan catches her reflection in a pond, leaving her to query who she is and needs to be – and inspiring her to take motion (impersonating a person and coming into the draft for her father) in order that the 2 align.

Why It Works: Largely due to Christina Aguilera’s breakthrough rendition of the hit, “Reflection” has grow to be an anthem for younger individuals – particularly girls – who’re working in direction of being unapologetically themselves. 

Magic Second: When she belts, “When will my reflection present who I’m inside?” solely to repeat the phrase as soon as extra, and far softer, as if realizing solely she will be able to reply the query. — L.H.

Set the Scene: 4*TOWN are the heartthrobs of Turning Pink’s vivid universe, and “No one Like U” is their signature pop anthem. The bass-heavy, synth-filled lead single has all of the fixings of an early 2000s boy band banger — together with a rap verse and dance break.

Why It Works: Producer/author FINNEAS and his celebrity sister Billie Eilish aren’t any amateurs on the subject of crafting pop bangers, and “No one Like U” is not any exception. However not like a handful of Eilish’s hits, this one is an earworm for all ages: you’ll be able to’t assist however smile singing alongside to “However they don’t flip my tummy the way in which you do.”

Magic Second: The track’s reprise, when Mei’s (Rosalie Chiang) trio of fangirl pals be part of 4*TOWN for the catchy hook as her household chants in Cantonese, is a pivotal level within the Disney-Pixar movie — serving to the 13-year-old study to embrace each a part of herself. — D.P.

Set the Scene: Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s Maui delivers “You’re Welcome” as a sung-spoken, self-aggrandizing introduction of his mythological backstory to the film’s protagonist — however look out, Moana, it’s only a very catchy distraction so he can steal your experience! 

Why It Works: As a result of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s ultra-clever, perpetually overstuffed songwriting has by no means been as charming as when delivered by one of many few real-life people each extraordinary and self-aware sufficient to plausibly ship a lyric like “I’m simply an abnormal demiguy.” 

Magic Second: When, amidst a parade of triumphant horns within the track’s umpteenth refrain, our hero unexpectedly sneaks in a glimpse of his true intentions: “‘I’m gonna want that boat… ‘Coz Maui can do every little thing however float!” — A.U.

Set the Scene: Goofy finds out that his teenage son Max deceived him into driving to Los Angeles as an alternative of Lake Future for his or her father-son fishing journey as an try to impress his crush Roxanne by showing onstage at celebrity Powerline’s live performance. Goofy and Max ultimately make up after a near-death expertise within the Colorado River, and Goofy proves that he’s Dad of the 12 months by committing to sneak Max onstage with Powerline. With all that being stated, what higher track to carry out with the pop star than an anthem about lastly seeing “eye to eye”? 

Why It Works: Tevin Campbell’s smooth, enjoyable and oh-so-catchy efficiency of Powerline’s greatest hit might simply be a track heard on pop radio exterior of the Disneyverse, which is why you’ll be able to’t assist however groove alongside to the beat even 28 years later.  

Magic Second: When Max lastly falls onstage in between Powerline and Goofy,and the three dance in unison to the becoming lyric: “If we pay attention to one another’s coronary heart/ We’ll discover we’re by no means too far aside.” It’s a show of a father’s love not usually depicted in Disney movies, and a second the place Max realizes his dad’s truly fairly cool. Strive to not tear up! Go forward and take a look at! — RANIA ANIFTOS

Set the Scene: Geese run amok, with Scrooge McDuck and his boatloads of candy money charged with Donald Duck’s three mischievous nephews, Huey, Dewey and Louie. They may resolve a thriller – or rewrite historical past. 

Why It Works: As sung by prolific soundtrack artist Jeff Pescetto, who additionally belted out the themes to Chip ‘n Dale Rescue Rangers and Darkwing Duck for Disney, the snappy, horn-laden DuckTales theme track ripples with such dedicated manufacturing and vocal gusto that you would be able to’t assist however be whisked away to a land of waterfowl misadventures.    

Magic Second: The prolonged model of the theme track truly accommodates an amazing bridge! That “D-d-d-danger lurks behind you/ There’s a stranger out to seek out you!” is extra pressing and memorable than how most pop hits lead as much as a last refrain. — J. Lipshutz

Set the Scene: Lonely Briar Rose (aka Princess Aurora) is off gathering berries on her sixteenth birthday for her aunts (aka the fairies defending her from Maleficent’s curse). However lo! Who’s within the forest apart from her lovely furry and feathered woodland pals? It’s good-looking Prince Phillip, to whom Aurora has (unbeknownst to her) been betrothed since her beginning, and who seems earlier than her simply as he did “as soon as upon a dream.” (Overlook the Stranger Hazard for a minute and simply swoon!) 

Why It Works: With this enchanted tune, Disney proved that you simply don’t want large, hovering songs to solidify memorable moments. As an alternative, “As soon as Upon a Dream” superbly captures the innocence of younger love with little greater than two pretty voices, some ethereal backing vocals, a quiet orchestra, and naturally, lovely forest creatures watching on. 

Magic Second: From Aurora singing “I do know you, I walked with you as soon as upon a dream” to her “prince” fashioned by her animal buddies, to her surprising duet with the precise human prince when she lilts, “You’ll love me without delay,” solely to have Phillip reply in track, “the way in which you probably did as soon as upon a dream,” it’s all charming! (Full transparency: “As soon as Upon a Dream” holds further which means to me, as I used to waltz across the room with my beloved cat buzzing this tune, as if I have been Aurora and her owl within the forest.) — A.C.

Set the Scene: Within the midst of Pocahontas and John Smith’s unlikely love story, the previous has to show the latter about respecting nature, unlearning imperialist tendencies and customarily appreciating the fantastic thing about an unfamiliar place and tradition. 

Why It Works: What might have been perceived as a ham-fisted lecture in a Disney Renaissance film as an alternative grew to become the pointed but tender lynchpin of an bold movie second: Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz’s energy ballad makes use of orchestral majesty and rhetorical inquiries to confront audiences into pondering tougher concerning the world round them. 

Magic Second: The best way the start of the hook transforms from the hovering “Have you ever ever heard the wolf cry to the blue corn moon?” to the wrenching “And also you’ll by no means hear the wolf cry to the blue corn moon”? That’s simply top-notch Disney songwriting from Schwartz, who was engaged on his first Disney animated movie and would go on to contribute to a number of others. — J. Lipshutz

Set the Scene: As she awakens from her slumber, Cinderella briefly explains the whimsical philosophy behind needs to her furry pals, earlier than diving into “A Dream Is a Want Your Coronary heart Makes.”  

Why It Works: In sharing related sentiments with “When You Want Upon a Star” from 1940’s Pinocchio (which ultimately grew to become The Walt Disney Firm’s theme), “A Dream Is a Want Your Coronary heart Makes” makes use of pathos to the touch listeners’ hearts with the promise that something their hearts want can certainly grow to be a actuality.  

Magic Second: One of many birds begins harmonizing with our charming princess when she sings, “In goals you’ll lose your heartaches” — however solely to be abruptly shushed by an irritated fowl, which prompts it to flutter to her bedside and proceed chirping alongside her for a pleasant reprise. — H.M.

Set the Scene: “Keep in mind Me” is a key track within the 2017 movie Coco, which not solely spotlights Mexico’s Day of the Lifeless tradition but additionally the connection between protagonist Miguel and his great-grandmother Coco. The heartfelt track can also be essential to Coco’s upbringing, with a musical father who was absent more often than not.

Why It Works: There are various variations of “Keep in mind Me” within the film — an uptempo mariachi, a candy lullaby, and a sentimental acoustic rendition — however all ship a message of affection, nostalgia, remembrance and most significantly, household. The Spanish-language model by Carlos Rivera is simply as emotional. “Keep in mind Me” received finest authentic track on the 2018 Academy Awards.

Magic Second: “Keep in mind Me” for sure connects generations, and the scene that finest represents that’s the one the place Miguel is taking part in the track on his guitar for Coco. Not solely does she start to react to the melody, but additionally finds the power to sing together with him. — J.R.

Set the Scene: When numerous jungle animals try to fail to reintroduce orphaned human little one Mowgli to a “Man-Village,” the younger boy flees and hyperlinks up with the lovable bear Baloo, who vows to maintain him away from people and proceeds to teach him concerning the finer elements of jungle residing.

Why It Works: A canonical don’t-sweat-the-small-stuff jam, “The Naked Requirements” makes a convincing case for embracing – and being content material with – life’s easy pleasures.

Magic Second: Baloo’s verse about how it is best to use the claw when selecting a paw-paw lest you prick a uncooked paw is a few all-time nice Disney wordplay. — E.R.B.

Set the Scene: The movie lets us watch as struggling songwriter Roger toys round with a mischievous melody on the ivories, ultimately touchdown on lyrics that lampoon his spouse’s fur-obsessed former schoolmate.  

Set the Scene: If the inexperienced smoke-spewing visage of Cruella de Vil (or her identify) wasn’t clue sufficient, this mocking send-up of the bloodthirsty heiress lets the viewers know {that a} GOAT Disney villain has arrived. And contemplating that the concept of skinning 99 puppies is greater than a hair darkish, the playful frivolity of the jazz tune provides this actually weird premise some levity.  

Magic Second: Instantly earlier than Cruella stalks right into a London flat demanding to know the standing of her future pelts, Roger (whose singing voice was offered by Invoice Lee) croons this smirking couplet whereas copping a Bela Lugosi lurk: “Cruella de Vil, Cruella de Vil / If she doesn’t scare you, no evil factor will.” — J. Lynch

Set the Scene: The Household Madrigal gathers ’spherical Mirabel to speak an entire lot about how they’re not allowed to speak concerning the secretive and ominous Bruno.

Why It Works: On first pay attention, you is likely to be tricked into believing all of the ghost tales about Tio Bruno, however the track actually works as soon as you realize the total story and understand that he means no hurt along with his prophecies, and he’s not so distant. Like Dolores sings: “I can hear him now!”

Magic Second: Camilo’s vivid “7-foot body, rats alongside his again” warning is the road that launched 1,000,000 memes on TikTok. – Okay.A.

Set the Scene: Within the first body of the 1994 movie, a crimson solar rises over an African savannah as Lebo M. belts his iconic “nants ingonyama bagithi baba” and the digicam cuts to the waterfalls, rivers, rolling hills and misty fields of this pure wonderland and the fantastical community of animals who exist as part of them. Like us, they’re en path to Delight Rock to pay homage to the newly born Simba.

Why It Works: How a lot time do you might have? The themes of life and demise about to unfold within the movie are all encapsulated in its first 4 minutes, with vocalist Carmen Twille hitting proper to the soul of the matter with lyrics about discovering our place within the path unwinding and this journey’s inevitable despair and hope, religion and love — parts as inextricably linked as every little thing else within the movie’s ecosystem, and in our personal.

Magic Second: After anointing Simba on the brow, the wizened elder Rafiki brings the movie’s cub protagonist to the sting of Delight Rock and thrusts him into the sky for all to see — and bow to — because the track relaunches into its climax with a crescendo of drums, monkey howling, elephant trumpeting, a refrain hitting the excessive notes and vocal runs from Twille which are at this level ingrained into collective consciousness. — Okay.B.

Set the Scene: A baby-faced Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens come collectively to interrupt free from the social hierarchy shackles of excessive faculties in all places, on this iconic Excessive College Musical quantity. Efron, clad in his basketball tracksuit, and Hudgens, carrying a decathlon badge, harmonize in hopes of bringing collectively their fellow college students from all walks of life.

Why It Works: “Breaking Free” is a textbook ballad of hope, which can clarify its large soar from No. 86 to No. 4 on the Sizzling 100 chart. Its inspirational (albeit easy) lyrics, coupled with traditional pop construction, made the observe important listening materials for elementary and center schoolers fantasizing about what highschool might be. Spoiler alert: they have been in for a world of disappointment.

Magic Second: When Zac Efron’s (and actually, Drew Seeley’s) first “We’re breaking free!” captures the hearts of his classmates, and overtakes your complete crowd, lecturers and fogeys included, by the point they attain the bridge. — N.R.

Set the Scene: Issues should not working easily on the Banks family in London. Enter Mary Poppins, who will get issues ship-shape, all whereas delivering a supremely hummable track rating. On this track, she helps the children tidy their nursery just by snapping her fingers. 

Why It Works: The track accommodates unassailable recommendation for approaching work assignments: “For each job that have to be performed/There is a component of enjoyable/You discover the enjoyable and snap, the job’s a recreation.” That works for approaching nearly each dreaded chore wanting working in your taxes. (Nothing will make that any simpler.) 

Magic Second: On the finish of the movie sequence, Julie Andrews as Mary Poppins duets along with her doppelganger in a mirror. When the picture within the mirror reveals off with some fancy vocal runs, level-headed Mary places her in her place with one phrase: “Cheeky.” – P.G. 

Set the Scene: After years of residing – and efficiently hiding – her double life, Hannah Montana’s journey culminates in Hannah Montana: The Film, during which she returns dwelling to reconnect along with her roots and non-famous self. The stress builds into the movie’s last scene, throughout which Hannah Montana performs at a hometown fundraiser however finally breaks down, dropping the act and whipping off the blonde wig, revealing her reality to the one neighborhood that’s by no means requested her to be anybody else. 

Why It Works: Even when it debuted within the movie, it was clear “The Climb” – which signaled the approaching finish of a persona many had grown up with – was about a lot greater than anybody factor. The track has grow to be a beloved favourite for Miley followers, and the artist herself even carried out a particular rendition for her Disney+ particular to advertise her newest album Countless Summer time Trip. Few songs can obtain each universality and cultural endurance – however “The Climb” has effortlessly performed each. 

Magic Second: It’s onerous to compete with the track’s first refrain, which when delivered nearly a cappella hits onerous. However when Miley delivers her signature wail on, “And I, I gotta be sturdy/ Simply hold pushing on” (and holds that final be aware), it’s at all times superb and at all times feels true. — L.H.

Set the Scene: Overlook social media — in 1955, solely half of U.S. households had a tv set. So when a groundbreaking selection program aimed squarely at kids hit black-and-white screens from New York to Nebraska, it wanted a theme that not solely launched the idea of the present, however the concept that each little one watching shared an emotional connection to indicate — and one another.  

Why It Works: Unique Mickey Mouse Membership host Jimmie Dodd made the present’s theme a rousing musical march that’s immediately memorable and straightforward sufficient for even essentially the most tonally challenged little one to cheer together with. It’s additionally a surprisingly sturdy composition. When slowed down for the finale of the collection’ authentic run, the track took on a heat, fond unhappiness (“M-I-C / See you actual quickly / Okay-E-Y / why? as a result of we such as you”), whereas up to date variations helped anchor the collection’ quite a few revivals over the a long time.  

Magic Second: Nicely earlier than Aretha Franklin and Gwen Stefani took their spelling expertise to the Billboard Sizzling 100, Dodd demonstrated that for those who chant out the letters to a phrase in the course of a track, it’s nearly unimaginable for the listener to withstand becoming a member of in. Be sincere, you’re spelling Mickey’s identify in your head proper now, aren’t you? No disgrace: It’s simply good clear enjoyable. — J. Lynch

Set the Scene: After a number of failed makes an attempt to win over Princess Jasmine, Aladdin lastly finds the important thing to the remoted royal’s coronary heart when he gives her a magic carpet experience all through the world, granting her the liberty she’s at all times longed for. With no palace partitions or creepy royal viziers to interrupt them, the pair lastly get a second alone to precise their admiration for each other.

Why It Works: As a result of each a part of this track completely nails the task given. Alan Menken and Tim Rice’s orchestrations are second to none right here, capturing the sensation of flying excessive up by means of the clouds effortlessly; Lea Salonga and Brad Kane nail their performances as a pair of excited younger individuals lastly attending to expertise “actual” life for as soon as; all of this isn’t to say the beautiful animation as our star-crossed lovers pinwheel by means of historic landmarks across the globe.

Magic Second: There’s one thing concerning the tête-à-tête on the track’s second refrain that’s unmatchable. As Jasmine takes the melody, Aladdin retains her amazement intact, insisting “don’t you dare shut your eyes,” and “maintain your breath, it will get higher” with each passing phrase. — S.D.

Set the Scene: “When You Want Upon a Star” is Pinocchio’s lifeblood, bookending the movie in its opening and shutting credit and recurring as a musical motif all through it.

Why It Works: Sung by Jiminy Cricket, Pinocchio’s narrator and its titular character’s official conscience, the straightforward, elegant tune’s sentimentality completely captures the spirit of the movie.

Magic Second: There’s a purpose the track earned Disney its first Academy Award for finest authentic track in 1941 and has been the corporate’s musical calling card ever since – its indelible melody and hopeful lyrics convey a way of boundless chance. — E.R.B.

Set the Scene: After volunteering to grow to be the Beast’s prisoner rather than her disoriented father Maurice, Belle receives an unexpectedly heat welcome by the citadel’s enchanted family objects — led by Lumière the candelabra, Cogsworth the clock and Mrs. Potts the teapot — with a full-fledged, Broadway-inspired musical quantity. 

Why It Works: Alan Menken and Howard Ashman’s delicious songwriting, paired with Jerry Orbach’s ever-so-handsome voice rattling off the beautiful menu (that includes “beef ragout/ cheese soufflé/ pie and pudding, en flambé”) makes “Be Our Visitor” even tastier than the principle course — and the standout on a Disney soundtrack that additionally consists of classics like “Gaston” and the Oscar-winning title ballad.

Magic Second: Lumière reminds our candy princess that her native nation solely gives the finer issues in life by introducing her to a refrain of dishes and silverware that magically remodel into the Eiffel Tower and singing, “In any case, Miss, that is France/ And a dinner right here is rarely second finest.” — H.M.

Set the Scene: “It’s a Small World” was in fact written for the enduring experience of the identical identify — although when it was penned, the exhibit was nonetheless referred to as “Youngsters of the World” and was thought of a relative afterthought amongst Disney’s contributions to the storied 1964 World’s Honest. However the Sherman Brothers, impressed by the worldwide fallout from the Cuban Missile Disaster, wrote a jingle for the audio-animatronic attraction that prompt that we’re all actually neighbors in the long run, and finally helped inform the core concepts behind the eventual Disneyland experience as effectively.

Why It Works: If it’s important to write a track that’s gonna be heard tens of millions of occasions a yr, you higher make it rattling catchy. Fortunately, that was by no means a lot of a problem for the Sherman Brothers — who penned “Small World” the identical yr Mary Poppins was launched; no large deal to them — and “It’s a Small World” is certainly among the many most infectious compositions of your complete twentieth century. However the sing-song melody shouldn’t be targeted on to the exclusion of the track’s {powerful} and actually timeless messages of world empathy and understanding, put in phrases that even a four-year-old might perceive: “There’s a lot that we share/ That it’s time we’re conscious/ It’s a small world, in any case.”

Magic Second: The actual magic second comes about 3/4 of the way in which by means of the experience, if you’re someplace between your twelfth and thirteenth time by means of the track, and also you say to your self — presumably out loud — “, when you consider it, it actually is a small world, in any case.” — A.U.

Set the Scene: After unintentionally exposing her typically harmful ice-making superpowers to the dominion, a devastated Elsa exiles herself to no-man’s land and forges a brand new life. As she sings, although, she realizes that she will be able to now actually be herself for the primary time in her entire life, and euphorically transforms from reluctant future queen to omnipotent, self-confident sorceress, with progressively up-tempo choruses and one fabulous outfit change.

Why It Works: There was a time not too way back when no public setting was secure: When you stepped right into a grocery store, for example, you have been nearly predestined to listen to a minimum of one three-year-old singing out “Let It Go” loud and proud, possible on repeat. And whereas the ubiquity of this stunner might have inevitably irritated some, even the frostiest of haters should admit that that’s merely a marker of an objectively nice track. The modulations, Idina Menzel’s incomparable vocals, the impeccable songwriting of wife-husband duo Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez – “Let It Go” noticed the roadmaps set by previous Disney princess ballads and, effectively, allow them to go, setting a wholly new gold customary for the format.

Magic Second: When Elsa holds out the atmospherically excessive final be aware of “The previous is up to now” earlier than hovering into the ultimate refrain, liberating her hair from the constraints of a good bun simply as she frees herself from the constraints of princesshood. A second so good, it’s certain to provide the shivers, irrespective of what number of occasions you’ve already heard it in Dealer Joe’s that month. — H.D.

Set the Scene: Our mermaid heroine Ariel pokes across the sprawling cavern of things she’s scavenged from the human world — devices and gizmos aplenty, whosits and whatsits galore — acquiescing that neither this materials wealth nor her elevated standing because the youngest daughter of King Triton even issues when she will be able to’t truly exist up the place they stroll, up the place they run, up the place they play all day within the solar.

Why It Works: An anthem for anybody who’s ever longed for autonomy, “Half Of Your World” is about amidst the movie’s coming love story, but it surely, like The Little Mermaid itself, is finally a treatise on private freedom and the way with out it, all of the thingamabobs on the planet don’t truly matter. At this early level within the film there’s no means Ariel, sheltered by circumstance and rebellious by nature, can foresee how uneven the seas are about to grow to be — and so the track rightfully, thrillingly embodies a spirit of super optimism, hope, journey and want, functioning because the launch of a quest for data and expertise that may finally remodel her each bodily and spiritually.

“When’s it my flip?” Ariel calls for right here, and 34 years after the film’s authentic launch, that query stays simply as important for anybody aching for the precise to dwell life on their very own phrases. And the track arguably hits even tougher in 2023, amidst a cultural local weather the place private freedoms are being systematically stripped from so many brilliant younger girls and numerous other people who’re very a lot sick of swimming, prepared to face.

Magic Second: Beginning conversationally, the slow-build track climaxes when Ariel hits the prolonged be aware whereas querying, “wouldn’t I like, like to discover that shore up abooooove!” However “Half Of Your World”s only magic is embedded in its reprise, when Ariel — lovestruck after her encounter with Prince Eric — makes good on the promise of half one by shifting from aspiration to self-determination, along with her declaration that “I don’t know when/ I don’t understand how/ However I do know one thing’s beginning proper now/ Watch and also you’ll see/ Sometime I’ll be/ A part of your world.” — Okay.B.