111 Awesome Disney Songs, Part 6

Ryan Dosier - Part 6, Part 6, woo-hoo!

56.)   "When You Wish Upon a Star" from Pinocchio
No song says Disney more than the theme from Pinocchio. In fact, this was (and in my opinion, still is) undoubtedly the anthem for The Walt Disney Company. "When You Wish Upon a Star" encapsulates everything that Disney stands for as both an entertainment company and an ideal to strive for. The "Disney Way" is this song, and it's perfection. Jiminy Cricket's original version from Pinocchio remains the stalwart best. Favorite Lyrics: "Like a bolt out of the blue/Fate steps in and sees you through/When you wish upon a star/Your dreams come true."

57.)   "Perfect World" from The Emperor's New Groove
Come on, I had to include a song from The Emperor's New Groove, one of Disney's most under-appreciated animated features. No, it's not a musical, but this number performed by rock and roll legend Tom Jones to open the film is spectacular. It sets the tone for the film immediately, and clues you into the fact that this will definitely not be the traditional Disney fare. "Perfect World" is a perfect song for this film. Favorite Lyrics: "He was born and raised to rule/No one has ever been this cool/In a thousand years of aristocracy/An enigma and a mystery/In Meso American history/The quintessence of perfection/That is he!"

58.)   "Once Upon a Dream" from Sleeping Beauty
This song is actually my favorite part of Sleeping Beauty. It's gorgeously animated, the backgrounds are incredibly stunning, and the song is magical. The lyrics illustrate such a beautiful ideal--meeting your true love in a dream, and knowing they're the one for you when you meet them for real. It's such a delightful moment in one of Walt Disney's classic films. Perfectly performed, stunningly animated, and a wonderful part of Disney music history. Favorite Lyrics: "I know you, I've walked with you/Once upon a dream/I know you, the gleam in your eyes/Is so familiar agleam/And I know it's true/That visions are seldom what they seem/But if I know you/I know what you'll do/You'll love me at once/The way you did once upon a dream."

59.)   "Do You Want to Build a Snowman?" from Frozen
The newest song in the list this week comes directly from the icy world of Frozen, the latest Disney animated blockbuster. "Do You Want to Build a Snowman?" is the catchiest song in the film and the one that stuck with me the most after my first viewing of the film. I love the angelic voices of the girls singing the song, the adorable way Anna says "It doesn't have to be a snowman," and everything else about this song. Favorite Lyrics: "Do you wanna build a snow man?/Or ride our bikes around the halls/I think some company is overdue/I've started talking to/The pictures on the walls!"

60.)   "Gonna Take You There" from The Princess and the Frog
I really don't understand how you could not love The Princess and the Frog. Stunning traditional animation, wonderful storytelling, and exceptional music from Randy Newman. Ray the Lightning Bug (voiced by voice actor virtuoso Jim Cummings) is my favorite character in the film, and this quick zydeco-flavored song he sings to Tiana is a blast. The animation in this scene is especially stunning, with the many lightning bugs hopping and flying through the swamp. It's a joy. Favorite Lyrics: "We all go through together/Down here that's how we do!/Me for them and them for me/We'll all be there for you!"

61.)   "Stand Out" from A Goofy Movie
I'm pretty sure I've already said this, but my goodness does A Goofy Movie have excellent music. "Stand Out" is the first Powerline song we hear in the film, as Max ruins his school assembly performing it with incredible light and video effects. The song is actually a really nice message of coming to terms with how you're different and how you stand out because of it. Plus, it rocks super hard. Favorite Lyrics: "Some people settle for the typical things/Living all their lives waiting in the wings/It ain't a question of if, just a matter of time/Before I move to the front of the line!"

62.)   "Go the Distance" from Hercules
Perhaps my favorite Alan Menken ballad, "Go the Distance" is the anthem for many, many people setting out to live their dreams on a grand scale. I adore this song so much and I've sang it in the car when I needed a reminder of how important dreams are on multiple occasions. It's one of those songs with a message that will never get old or stop being important. "Go the Distance" is one of many factors that makes Hercules so wonderful. Favorite Lyrics: "I have often dreamed/Of a far off place/Where a great, warm welcome/Will be waiting for me/Where the crowds will cheer/When they see my face/And a voice keeps saying/This is where I'm meant to be."

63.)   "On the Open Road" from A Goofy Movie
Ooh, yet another song from A Goofy Movie, and one of my favorites! This is the only true "musical" style song in the whole film, where there characters are spontaneously all singing the same song. Oddly, I think "On the Open Road" is my favorite tune from the flick. I love Bill Farmer's singing voice as Goofy and this song fits him so well. The chorus of other drivers who chime in are also incredibly well done. Favorite Lyrics: "Do ya need a break from modern livin'?/Do you long to shed your weary load?/If your nerves are raw and your brain is fried/Just grab a friend and take a ride/Together upon the open road!"

64.)   "Strangers Like Me" from Tarzan
Have we had any songs from Tarzan on the list yet? Probably... and I'm too lazy to go back and check! Anyway, Phil Collins' work with the music in Tarzan is wonderful. One of the few Disney animated features to feature prominent songs that characters don't sing, Tarzan features a plethora of hits. "Strangers Like Me" is a beautiful storytelling song in the film, but also works as a wonderful anthem for finding a place where you belong. A true highlight of the film. Favorite Lyrics: "Every gesture, every move that she makes/Makes me feel like never before/Why do I have/This growing need to be beside her /Ooh, these emotions I never knew/Of some other world far beyond this place/Beyond the trees, above the clouds/I see before me a new horizon."

65.)   "Reflection" from Mulan
Another beautiful anthem from a Disney animated feature, "Reflection" is a favorite of many girls and women who adored Mulan. But really, "Reflection" reflects all of us searching for purpose and trying to define who we truly are. It's a touching and staggering song expressing how most people feel at a young age. Trying to figure out who you are at the most confusing period of life is never easy, and this song explores and expresses that incredibly well. Favorite Lyrics: "Who is that girl I see?/Staring straight back at me/Why is my reflection someone I don't know?/Somehow I cannot hide/Who I am, though I've tried/When will my reflection show/Who I am inside?"

66.)   "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" from Mary Poppins
Absolutely one of the most clever songs ever written, this impossible to spell Sherman Brothers classic is a delight. When performed by Julie Andrews and Dick van Dyke, "Supercali-" becomes a masterpiece. I adore this song and how silly and fun and wonderful it is. It's the definition of a nonsense song, and it's marvelous. Favorite Lyrics: "Because I was afraid to speak/When I was just a lad/Me father gave me nose a tweak/And told me I was bad/But then I learned a word to help me save my achin' nose/The biggest word you ever hear/And this is how it goes, oh!/Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!" 

Disney Animation Review #36: Mulan

Disney Movie Review: 36/52 - Mulan

Ryan Dosier- While not a total misfire and not a bad movie by any means, Mulan (1998) is not nearly as entertaining or moving as its two predecessors, Hunchback and Hercules. For the most part, Mulan is a relatively weak film with disappointing writing and storytelling that never lives up to the great Disney standard. 

The first 15 minutes or so of Mulan are really, really boring. Mulan (the character) never shows any appealing traits other than wanting to break the traditional Chinese woman mold. Perhaps she didn’t resonate with me since I’m a guy… but I still connected with Ariel and Belle, so that can’t be it. The opening of the film is dark, serious, and straight-laced, making for an awkward transition when the Eddie Murphy-voiced Mushu appears. Thanks to Murhpy’s brand of humor, Mushu tries to pull the film in a whole new tonal direction that never works. Mulan never finds its balance between the silly and the serious moments.

This isn’t to say that Mushu isn’t a fantastic character, because he is. The little red dragon is hysterical and by far the most entertaining and engaging part of the film. Murphy must have eaten most of Mulan's voice acting budget, because he is the only standout voice in the piece. Mushu delivers the funniest lines and snappiest quips—which is probably mostly Eddie Murphy ad-libs. I say this because Mushu's lines are very funny and don't match the rest of the slow film.

Again, I found Mulan herself to be terribly dull. She does have some extremely heroic actions throughout the film, but nothing about her makes her standout like Ariel, Belle, or even Pocahontas. Mulan’s voice actor, Ming-Na Wen, seems like she is bored the entire time and never breathes any real life into the character unless she is singing--which is probably because her singing voice is provided by someone else, Lea Solanga. That said, her song “Reflection” is wonderful and one of the few great moments for the character.

The music in Mulan is notably, painfully weaker than anything else from Disney in the 90s. “Reflection” is the song that stands out the most, but the upbeat “I’ll Make a Man Out of You” is more enjoyable and is easier to listen to again and again. The only other song is “A Girl Worth Fighting For” and it never accomplishes anything but being awkward in both its music and lyrics. Mulan's soundtrack leaves so much to be desired. 

The artwork put into Mulan is wonderful. The set pieces, such as the impressive Emperor’s Palace, are wonderful. The designs of the characters and the objects they interact with are very clearly inspired by the ancient Chinese. Even the smoke and the fire in the film curls and twists like an elegant Chinese water painting. If nothing else struck me about Mulan, then the designs certainly did.

Mulan suffers from many things and unfortunately becomes the weakest Disney animated feature released in the 1990s. The characters are poor, the music is forgettable, and the story is dull. Mushu and the wonderful design work make Mulan worth viewing, but your attention won’t be held too steadily.

2.5/5 Lucky Crickets

111 Awesome Disney Songs, Part 1

Ryan Dosier - Greetings, Disnerds! For a long time, I've been contemplating what sort of articles I'd like to write for The Mickey Mindset (other than my animated reviews). There's just so much content in the Disney universe that it was simply daunting for me to even think about picking something to write about, let alone actually writing it. But then I realized I was listening to my Disney playlist and realized that the music of Disney would be a perfect subject for an article series. This series is similar to one I had done last year on The Muppet Mindset with 120 Awesome Muppet Songs.

For Disney, I went through my iTunes collection (which admittedly doesn't have every Disney song) and chose all of my favorites. Oddly enough, as soon as I did that I was left with exactly 111 songs. It was too perfect not to just run with. The songs will be presented in completely random order--no favoritism here. So here we go with ten posts, each with 11 songs, showcasing the best of Disney music (in my opinion)!

1.)   "I Wan'na Be Like You (The Monkey Song)" from The Jungle Book
I couldn't be happier with the first song in the list! The Jungle Book is one of my favorite Disney animated features and this song is probably my favorite in the film. Written by the incomparable Sherman Brothers and performed by Louis Prima as King Louie, this jazzy number is spectacular. While the song is great to just listen to, watching it on the screen with the incredible animation of King Louie is even better. Favorite Lyrics: "Now I'm the king of the swingers, oh, the Jungle VIP/I reached the top, and had to stop, and that's what's botherin' me!"

2.)   "Mother Knows Best" from Tangled
If there's one thing Disney does best, it's villain songs. "Mother Knows Best" is one of those villain sings that is immensely catchy and clever but bears some truly frightening lyrics when you pay attention. The spectacular Donna Murphy provides the voice for Mother Gothel and she's incredible in this song. Music and lyrics come from Alan Menken and Glenn Slater, so it's no wonder that the music is flitting and wonderful and the lyrics are dynamic and clever. It's a great, bouncy villain number that I love. Favorite Lyrics: "Mother's right here, mother will protect you/Darling, here's what I suggest/Skip the drama, stay with mama/Mother knows best."

3.)   "He's a Tramp" from Lady and the Tramp
Ah, Lady and the Tramp, one of the most wonderful Disney love stories. Nestled in the middle of the film is this saucy serenade from Peggy Lee voicing the character Peg. For only having one scene in the film, Peg remains one of the most memorable parts of this film simply because of this song. It's fun, it will get stuck in your head, and it's brilliantly performed. I love random songs like this in Disney features from one-off characters. It's a sign of a simpler time where any character could break into song. Favorite Lyrics: "He's a tramp, he's a scoundrel/He's a rounder, he's a cad/He's a tramp, but I love him/Yes, even I have got it pretty bad."

4.)   "I'll Make a Man Out of You" from Mulan
The songs in Mulan are few and far between, but this power ballad performed by Donny Osmond (of all people) is epic. It's one of my favorite Disney songs to sing along with because it's so fierce and tranquil at the same time (see what I did there?). The repetitiveness of the melody and the lyrics really reflect the repetitiveness of training. I love the drum beat in the background as well. It really, really feels like an army song. Favorite Lyrics: "Let's get down to business/To defeat the Huns/Did they send me daughters/When I asked for sons?"

5.)   "Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride" from Lilo & Stitch
I fell head over heels in love with Lilo & Stitch when I rewatched it last year, and the music is a huge reason why. The Hawaiian influence on the songs performed is incredible. "Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride" comes at a pivotal point in the film, where Nani takes Lilo surfing and Stitch experiences fun for the first time. The music of the song sounds magical, and accompanied with the lyrics mixed with English and Hawaiian is just beautiful. Listening to it instantly transports me to a beach somewhere and I love that. Favorite Lyrics: "Whirlpool swirling, cascading twirling/Hawaiian roller coaster ride."

6.)   "Forget About Love" from Aladdin and the Return of Jafar
This is one of the few songs from Disney's drove of direct-to-video sequels that I truly love. Who would have thought that Gilbert Gottfried could sing, let alone carry an entire song? Maybe it's the swirling and beauty-invoking music that makes this song so lovely, but the lyrics are delightful as well. In the song, Iago tries to push Jasmine back to Aladdin with a little reverse psychology--and it works. It's just a delightful little moment in the abyss of Disney sequels. Favorite Lyrics: "You're better on your own/A meal becomes a banquet when you eat alone!"

7.)   "Can You Feel the Love Tonight?" from The Lion King
The greatest Disney love song ever? Maybe. "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" is at least in the running for the top spot. The song is accentuated brilliantly in the film by lush, colorful backgrounds and wonderful animation as we see Simba and Nala fall in love. The song transcended the film and made for a hit single for Elton John when the movie came out. This may be unpopular opinion, but I'm a sucker for Timon and Pumbaa's lines bookending the song, give me them over Elton any day. Favorite Lyrics: "Can you feel the love tonight?/The peace the evening brings/The world for once in perfect harmony/With all its living things."

8.)   "On My Way" from Brother Bear
Oh my gosh I love this song. Honestly, this song is my favorite part of Brother Bear. Phil Collins did outstanding work on the music for the film, and it stands out as the best part of the film for me. It's a perfect song for travel, for vacation, for moving... it's just wonderful. I think the song is actually more enjoyable outside of the film. It's just a good, good song to listen to. Favorite Lyrics: "Tell everybody I'm on way/New friends and new places to see/With blue skies ahead, yes I'm on my way/And there's nowhere else that I'd rather be."

9.)   "Down to Earth" from WALL-E
Peter Gabriel sings this song that plays during the beautiful end credits of WALL-E. The song has an electronic, synthesized sound that is perfect for the film. It starts slow, but builds to beautiful intensity as the lyrics remind us that we can fly. I could just watch the end credits of WALL-E with this song playing over it and still be moved. Both the song and the film are great reminders of why we need to take care of our planet. Favorite Lyrics: "Did you think you'd escaped from routine/By changing the script and the scene?/Despite all you made of it/You're always afraid of a change."

10.)   "The Ludwig Von Drake Song" from House of Mouse
This song is probably the most random choice in the entire list. It was performed by Ludwig Von Drake in one episode of the awesome Disney Channel series House of Mouse. In the song, Ludwig names off every Disney character present. It's bouncy and crazy and fun and I can't imagine how difficult it was rhyming some of the lyrics. It also features a cameo from the late, great Roy Disney! Favorite Lyrics: "Here's Lumiere the candlestick/And Cogsworth, he's the clock/There's Bashful, Grumpy, Sleepy, Happy, Sneezy, Dopey, Doc!"

11.)   "Out There" from The Hunchback of Notre Dame
A perfect song to close out the list this week. This is perhaps my favorite Alan Menken ballad... and that's saying something. Quasimodo gives this song such heart and soul that it's so hard not to love. Every time I hear this song it makes me want to go out and take on the world and live my dreams, just as good songs--and most Menken songs--do. This is a true highlight of The Hunchback of Notre Dame and one of the most woefully under-appreciated Disney songs. Eat your heart out, "Let It Go." Favorite Lyrics: "Out there among the millers and the weavers and their wives/Through the roofs and gables I can see them/Everyday they shout and scold and go about their lives,/Heedless of the gift it is to be them!/If I was in their skin, I'd treasure every instant!"

Tune in next week for 11 more awesome Disney songs!