Moana is directed by Disney veterans Ron Clements and John Musker. Their names may not be familiar to the average cinema goer, but Disney fans know them as the duo behind animated classics such as The Little Mermaid, Aladdin and The Princess and the Frog. In a directing career spanning over 30 years, Clements and Musker have directed six Disney films (not counting Moana).
One of the most iconic features of Disney's movies is their music. Clements and Musker's six Disney films are especially notable for their music, and have featured a total of 29 songs. This does not include reprises, or songs only featured in the end credits (such as "Always Know Where You Are" from Treasure Planet or "Never Knew I Needed" from The Princess and The Frog). In honour of Moana's imminent release in the UK, I have compiled a countdown of my Top 10 favourite songs from Clements and Musker's previous movies.
There are three rules for this countdown;
1. At least one song from each of Clements and Musker's six Disney movies will be included in the Top 10.
2. If a character is the lead singer on multiple songs in the same film, only one of these will be included in the Top 10.
3. Reprises will not be included in the countdown.
Before the countdown can begin, here is a list of five Honourable Mentions:
Honourable Mentions
"Under The Sea" - The Little Mermaid (1989)
Lead Singer: Sebastian the Crab (voiced by Samuel E. Wright)
It is quite a shock that "Under the Sea" isn't included in the Top 10. It won an Oscar for "Best Original Song", and has become one of the most iconic songs from one of Disney's most iconic films. However, "Under the Sea" is merely an Honourable Mention due to my "one song per character" rule. Sebastien has two great songs, but I ultimately decided that "Kiss the Girl" would be the one appearing in my Top 10.
That said, "Under the Sea" is still a great tune in its own right. It has an catchy Calypso beat, created using Steel Pan drums, and memorable lyrics. The animation for this sequence is bright and colourful, as we get to see a wide range of fish showing off their musical abilities. Although his attempts at promoting the positives of life under the sea fail to win over Ariel, Sebastian still manages to provide us with an incredibly enjoyable anthem.
"Prince Ali" - Aladdin (1992)
Lead Singer: Genie (voiced by Robin Williams)
Another victim of the "one song per character" rule, "Prince Ali" may not be up to the standard set by "Friend Like Me", but it's still an excellent tune.
In order to convince people that Aladdin is a prince, Genie pulls out all the stops and provides a spectacular procession. "Prince Ali" provides the perfect soundtrack to this sequence. It's catchy from the beginning, and the elaborate lyrics are great fun. In addition, the tempo speeds up as Aladdin reaches the Sultan's palace, leading to a spectacular climax. The best feature of "Prince Ali" is seeing Genie show off his abilities for the outside world, as he changes into men, women, children, and even animals in order to promote Aladdin. Robin Williams provides more excellent singing, ensuring that "Prince Ali" reinforces Genie's status as Aladdin's best-loved character.
"A Whole New World" - Aladdin (1992)
Lead Singer: Aladdin (voiced by Brad Kane*), Jasmine (voiced by Lea Salonga*)
It speaks volumes about the quality of songs in Clements and Musker's Disney films that the two which won Oscars failed to make my Top 10. "A Whole New World" became a breakout song when Aladdin was released, and has been covered endlessly over the years.
However, overexposure has not entirely dimmed the sense of wonder which "A Whole New World" provides. Although Brad Kane's singing voice is not very strong, he is still good at conveying Aladdin's emotions, as he shows Jasmine his magic carpet and takes her on a very eventful date. The song also communicates Jasmine's joy at seeing the world beyond her palace, and by the end, we really get a sense that Aladdin and Jasmine are in love with each other. It's not as powerful as the songs in the Top 10, but "A Whole New World" is still a charming little number.
(*Note: I am aware that Kane and Salonga only provide the singing voices for Aladdin and Jasmine, but this article is only about the songs)
"Down In New Orleans" - The Princess and the Frog (2009)
"Down In New Orleans" is one of two songs in mentioned in this article not to be performed by a character within the film. Instead, iconic New Orleans musician Dr. John sings over a montage which shows Tiana's daily commute, and introduces us to the other central (human) characters in the movie, such as Prince Naveen and the scheming Dr. Facilier,
"Down In New Orleans" is a jaunty little song, introducing us to the old-fashioned ragtime style which defines The Princess and the Frog, and it provides accompaniment to an interesting sequence, which sets up the film's storyline effectively. However, whilst the tune effectively showcases the culture at the centre of the movie, it lacks the power and energy of the songs in the Top 10.
"When We're Human" - The Princess and the Frog (2009)
Lead Singers: Louis the Crocodile (voiced by Michael-Leon Wooley) Prince Naveen (voiced by Bruno Campos), Tiana (voiced by Anika Noni Rose)
The Princess and the Frog is full of catchy numbers which are perfectly suited to the 1920's New Orleans setting. One of the most enjoyable is "When We're Human", sang as Louis, an alligator who wants to become a star jazz musician, joins Tiana and Naveen on their quest to find Mama Odie, the only person who can return them to their human forms. In this song, Louis, Naveen and Tiana sing about their philosophies in life, and what they will do when they become human.
The best thing about "When We're Human" is the quality of the singers. Michael-Leon Wooley has a deep voice perfectly suited for Jazz, Bruno Campos effectively conveys Naveen's carefree energy, and Anika Noni Rose (more on her later) handles a pretty wordy and difficult solo section perfectly. This song could have easily made it into my Top 10, but I ultimately decided to include "Almost There" instead, as I have enough uptempo tunes in my countdown already.
With these out of the way, it's now time for the countdown to begin:
The Top 10 Songs From Clements/Musker Disney Movies
10. "The World's Greatest Criminal Mind" - The Great Mouse Detective (1986)
Lead Singer: Professor Ratigan (voiced by Vincent Price)
The first film Clements and Musker directed for Disney, The Great Mouse Detective is a tale about the rodent equivalent of Sherlock Holmes. Every Sherlock Holmes needs a Moriarty to match wits with, and Basil's arch-nemesis is Professor Ratigan, voiced by the horror icon Vincent Price.
Although The Great Mouse Detective is not a musical (As most of Clements and Musker's subsequent Disney films have been), Ratigan gets two songs, and "The World's Greatest Criminal Mind" is the most iconic of these, as it depicts Ratigan boasting about his villainous deeds whilst his henchmen sing his praises. The song works best a showcase for Price's vocal ability, as he enunciates every word with relish whilst moving up and down the vocal scale. "The Worlds Greatest Criminal Mind" is not a very sophisticated number, especially compared to the two other villain songs which will be listed later in this countdown, but it's worthy of a place in the Top 10.
9. "Almost There" - The Princess and the Frog (2009)
Lead Singer: Tiana (Voiced by Anika Noni Rose)
"Almost There" is one of two "I Want" songs listed on this countdown, in which the protagonist sings about their goals in life. Here, Tiana sings about how she is working towards her dream of owning a restaurant, and her fantasies are depicted in an art deco style animated sequence.
The song is a charming number with a strong piano hook and aspirational lyrics which are easy to relate to, but the best thing about "Almost There" is Anika Noni Rose's singing. Although she is famous for being overshadowed by Beyonce and Jennifer Hudson in the 2006 film Dreamgirls, Noni Rose proves that she is an excellent vocallist in her own right. Her soulful voice is a perfect fit for Tiana, one of Disney's most mature female leads, and she manages to convey Tiana's enthusiasm about her dreams. "Almost There" is not as edgy as other songs on this countdown, but it's a fun song to listen to, and does a great job of proving that Tiana is not your average Disney Princess.
8. "Zero To Hero" - Hercules (1997)
Lead Singers: The Muses (voiced by Lillias White, Vaneese Y. Thomas, Cheryl Freeman, LaChanze and Roz Ryan)
I initially didn't like "Zero to Hero", but this song has grown on me over the years, particularly as I've gained an increased appreciation for Gospel music. The Muses essentially serve as narrators for Hercules, and have three of the movie's six songs (they also serve as backing vocalists on another which will be mentioned later in the countdown). "Zero To Hero", which is used to soundtrack Hercules' rise to prominence, is the best of their three songs by some distance.
Although "Zero to Hero" lacks the spiritual content which defines Gospel music, it succeeds in capturing the exuberance which makes the genre so fun to listen to. Gerald Scarfe's animation is an acquired taste, but the sequence which accompanies "Zero to Hero" is bright and colourful, and feels like a music video. The Muses have plenty of personality, and they help make the song feel unique, with some very creative lyrics. The second half of the "Zero to Hero" increases the energy further, and a gospel choir is added to provide a call-and-response which makes the song even catchier. Even though it lacks substance compared to other Disney songs, "Zero To Hero" is an entertaining little confection, and you might find yourself tapping your feet, or even singing along, whilst listening to it.
7. "Kiss The Girl" - The Little Mermaid (1989)
Lead Singer: Sebastian the Crab (voiced by Samuel E. Wright)
Sebastian is one of the best characters in The Little Mermaid, and one of my favourite things about him is the way in which he turns from an uptight, easily worried sidekick to a smooth and energetic showman whenever he starts singing. Though his musical abilities were showcased in "Under the Sea", I think that "Kiss the Girl" is the best of Sebastian's two songs, proving that a slower, more relaxed song can surpass an upbeat one.
"Kiss the Girl" is much slower than "Under the Sea", but retains the summery Caribbean vibe which made that song so appealing. However, it also blends the signature Steel Pan drums of Calypso music with violins and a choir, which enhance the romantic tone. The slower arrangement also allows Samuel E. Wright to show off his smooth and rich voice, and the animation accompanying the sequence is very strong, as Sebastian recruits a wide range of pond life to assist him in his efforts to persuade Prince Eric to kiss Ariel. "Kiss the Girl" stands out as a song which is both magical and romantic, and its Oscar nomination was definately deserved.
6. "I Won't Say (I'm In Love)" - Hercules (1997)
Lead Singer: Megara (voiced by Susan Egan)
A reluctant minion of hotheaded villain Hades, Megara is one of Disney's most developed female protagonists. When she is assigned to seduce Hercules, she begins to fall in love with him, in spite of her past history of heartbreak. In "I Won't Say (I'm In Love)", Megara sings about how she doesn't want to fall in love again, whilst the Muses provide backing vocals, trying to get her to accept her feelings for Hercules.
In contrast to the gospel style used for the majority of the movie's soundtrack, "I Won't Say (I'm In Love)" has the "shoop-shoop" sound typical of late 50's girl groups. However, what makes the song stand out is the insight it gives us into Megara's character. Her cynicism about relationships is easy to relate to, and it's interesting to see how she changes as she struggles to deny her feelings. When she finally lets down her defences and chooses to embrace romance again, it's an incredibly heartwarming moment. Overall, "I Won't Say (I'm In Love)" is an excellent example of a song which manages to advance a character's development whilst being entertaining in its own right.
5. "Friends on the Other Side" - The Princess and the Frog (2009)
Lead Singer: Dr. Facilier (voiced by Keith David)
Villains are often the most memorable characters in Disney movies, so it's not surprising that their songs are among the highlights of their films. The Princess and the Frog, Clements and Musker's throwback to the Disney musicals of the past, features one of Disney's best Villain Songs, "Friends on the Other Side".
Most Disney Villains Songs are essentially sales pitches, as the villain tries to persuade characters to make an unwise decision. "Friends on the Other Side" is a particularly persuasive Villain Song, as Dr. Facilier entices the cash-strapped Prince Naveen with an offer to provide him with plenty of "green", and wins over Naveen's put-upon assistant Lawrence. The percussion instrumentals and Keith David's smooth voice make Facilier's pitch seem very intriguing, even though it's clear that he's up to no good. However, when Naveen and Lawrence agree to the deal, the tempo intensifies, as the true nature of Dr. Facilier's dark magic is revealed. The song's climax is accompanied by vivid, voodoo-inspired imagery which really establishes Facilier as a powerful villain. "Friends on the Other Side" is one of the great Disney villain songs, but there are some even better ones...
4. "Poor Unfortunate Souls" - The Little Mermaid (1989)
Lead Singer: Ursula (voiced by Pat Carroll)
Out of all the Disney villains, Ursula is one of the best. With her uniquely grotesque design and Pat Carroll's forceful voice acting, she is both funny ("Body Language!") and scary (her "garden" is genuinely terrifying). However, it is her signature song, "Poor Unfortunate Souls", which demonstrates why she is amongst Disney's greatest antagonists.
In this song, Ursula tries to persuade Ariel to sell her voice for the opportunity to temporarily be turned into a human. The tentacled sea-witch is not one to do anything by halves, and her hard-sell strategy means that it is almost impossible to ignore her. The brassy melody starts slowly, but becomes increasingly fast-paced and intense as Ursula gets nearer to ensnaring Ariel. The lyrics are excellent, with the verses becoming increasingly wordy as the song progresses. Pat Carroll deserves special praise for her singing, masterfully handling the demands of the song as Ursula switches between ostentatious declarations that she's a changed woman, and asides which confirm her true nature. Ursula's flamboyant disposition and total lack of inhibitions are on full display in "Poor Unfortunate Souls", making it into the defining example of a Villain Song.
3. "Friend Like Me" - Aladdin (1992)
Lead Singer: Genie (voiced by Robin Williams)
Like the two previous songs on this countdown, "Friend Like Me" is essentially a very catchy sales pitch. This time, it is being sung by a heroic character, as Genie shows Aladdin the extent of his magical powers. However, the reason why "Friend Like Me" is such an iconic song can be summed up in two words - Robin Williams.
The legendary comedian really succeeds in bringing the Genie to life, and animation is the perfect forum for Williams's abilities, as he is not constrained by the need to tailor his act to suit a certain time or place. "Friend Like Me" is the highlight of the Genie's introductory scene, with the uptempo song being perfectly suited to the fast-paced and colorful animation. Throughout the sequence, Genie is always moving and always changing form, treating us to a memorable new visual with every line. The "big band" instrumentals become increasingly intense as the song proceeds towards its climax, and Robin Williams really gets to show off his vocal abilities. Not all of the lyrics work ("I'm in the mood/to help you dude" is a rather silly line), but "Friend Like Me" is such an enjoyable and energetic tune that its easy to overlook the flaws and get lost in the sheer spectacle which the Genie provides.
2. "I'm Still Here (Jim's Theme)" - Treasure Planet (2002)
Lead Singer: John Rzeznik
Treasure Planet, a sci-fi take on Treasure Island, is the only one of Clements and Musker's six Disney movies where none of the characters get to sing, but the movie features one song which is played over a montage, and that song is "I'm Still Here". Due to the rule that every Clements/Musker movie must be represented on this countdown, "I'm Still Here" was guaranteed a place in my Top 10. This would have been an embarrassment if this song was below the standards of the others on this list, but fortunately, it turns out to be a brilliant track.
"I'm Still Here" plays over a montage, depicting protagonist Jim Hawkins working under the supervision of half-human, half-cyborg John Silver. These scenes are intercut with clips showing Hawkins's childhood. "I'm Still Here" provides a powerful soundtrack to this sequence, ensuring that it has a greater emotional impact. However, it remains an excellent song when listened to outside of Treasure Planet.
Singer John Rzeznik is famous for being the lead singer of the rock band The Goo Goo Dolls, and his rough vocals are perfectly suited to the lyrics, which are from the from the perspective of an outsider who does not fit in with the world. The drums and electric guitars provide strong backing, as the song builds to a soaring, powerful chorus and a triumphant climax. "I'm Still Here" is probably the best song to come from Disney's wilderness years in the early 2000's, when they were trying to move away from their traditional approach, and it is one of the most underrated songs in the Disney back catalogue.
1. "Part of Your World" - The Little Mermaid (1989)
Lead Singer: Ariel (voiced by Jodi Benson)
Clements and Musker's Disney movies have been full of excellent songs, but to date, none of them has been able to surpass "Part of Your World". The instant the violins kick in and Ariel sings
"Look at this stuff/ Isn't it neat? Wouldn't you think. my collection's complete?", you know that a truly special song has begun.
One of the things that makes "Part Of Your World" wonderful is Jodi Benson's singing. She may not be the best at belting out high notes, but her voice is so full of passion and emotion. When this is combined with the expressive animation, Ariel really comes to life. In addition, the lyrics make it easy to relate to Ariel in spite of her many flaws. Her primary goal is to see the human world for herself, and experience something that she's only observed from a distance. Whether we are going on holiday or seeking out the dream job, we all share the desire to learn and explore that makes Ariel stand out. In "Part of Your World", this longing for something more is conveyed wonderfully, and that's why that song has become so iconic.
"Part of Your World" deserves its status as Number One on this countdown. It is as powerful and resonant now as it was when The Little Mermaid was first released in 1989, and it will remain one of Disney's finest songs for decades to come.
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