Billboard Selects Best Disney Songs Of the 21st Century (So Far)
Inspired by the Disney Family Singalong which took place Thursday night on ABC, we have another special Disney-inspired singalong from the comfort of home. Billboard Magazine has just treated us Disney fans to a list of their 12 Favorite Disney Songs of the 21st Century so far.
We’ve pulled together videos for these awesome selections and thought we’d share them with you for your “stay-at-home” pleasure. So warm up those vocal cords and get ready!
“If I Didn’t Have You”- Monsters Inc.
This song actually won Best Song at the Academy Awards in 2003 for beloved Disney Songwriter Randy Newman. However, we here at MickeyBlog think that remains slightly underrated. As Billboard Magazine says it “Perfectly captures the bromance between Sulley and Mike Wazowski.”
“Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride”- Lilo & Stitch
Confession. This is probably my favorite Disney Song. I hear it and am immediately transported to Ohana at Disney’s Polynesian village resort. As Billboard says, “It’s hard to feel the sand between your toes, splashes of water from the waves and the sunshine beaming down when this song comes on! The song was actually written and performed by Hawaiian chanter Mark Keali’i Ho’omalu and it features the Kamehameha Schools Children’s Chorus.
“Our Town” – Cars
A few bars into the song and you’ll be taken back to the scene in the beloved Pixar film of how Radiator Springs slowly morphed into a shadow of its former self over time. Like many midwest American towns, the fact that the song is performed by none other than James Taylor makes it even more poignant. Add to that lyrics and music by Randy Newman and you have a recipe for success. The song also won a Grammy for best song written for a motion picture.
We Belong Together – Toy Story 3
We have yet another mini-masterpiece from Randy Newman! Though, as Billboard points out, the song starts out a bit forlorn, ” (“Don’t you tell me I’m not the one/Don’t you tell me I ain’t no fun/Just tell me you love me like I love you”) that quickly changes to an uptempo song about enduring friendship. However, this delightful ditty may not be on your radar at all. It actually doesn’t crop up until the end credits of the third film but we agree that it perfectly sums up the friendship between Woody and Buzz.
“I See the Light” – Tangled
This is another favorite here at MickeyBlog HQ, the soundtrack for Disney’s 50th Animated film is nothing short of stunning. This song was written by none other than Alan Menken and features some incredible vocals by Mandy Moore and Zachary Levi. And who can forget that amazing scene of Flynn Rider and Rapunzel have a romantic moment amidst hundreds of floating lanterns!?
“Into the Open Air” – Brave
Though Pixar’s Brave isn’t your typical princess-themed Disney musicals, the songs included in the film are wonderful. Caste in point is the second song from Scottish folk singer Julie Fowls. So intertwined with scenes of Merida bonding with her month (who has been turned into a bear) it takes us back to the film every time we hear it.
“Let It Go” – Frozen
Now here is a song from Disney’s hit 2013 film that went on to have a life of its own. Idina Menzel’s soaring vocals took this song to what Billboard calls “soaring hits” straight to Number 5 on the hot 100 chart. This made it Disney’s first Top 10 hit since 1995’s “Colors of the Wind” from Pocahontas. The song also won a Grammy and an Academy Award.
“Try Everything” – Zootopia
I mean, how can you go wrong with a song by Shakira!? This inspirational uptempo track was actually written by Sia. It won a Grammy for best song written for visual media.
“How Far I”ll Go” – Moana
If you counted how many times a day someone in my household belts out this song, you’d quickly lose count! Written by Lin-Manuel Miranda, this power ballad is song by Auli’i Cravalho and became a Top 100 song peaking at 41 on the Billboard music charts. It perfectly captures that moment when Moana is overcome by her desire to take to the seas and leave her island behind.
“You’re Welcome” – Moana
Another incredible Disney hit for Lin-Manuel Miranda, this song is performed by Dwayne Johnson who was the voice of the demigod Maui. This song has also had a bit of a resurgence in popularity during quarantine mainly due to The Rocks awesome handwashing videos.
“Remember Me”- Coco
For those of you that went to see Coco in theaters you’ll know that there wasn’t a dry eye in the house when Miguel shared this touching song with his Grandmother. The song itself is represented throughout the 2017 Pixar film including a lively version by Ernesto De La Cruise. Written by the geniuses behind Frozen- Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez, the song won an Academy Award.
“Into the Unknown” – Frozen 2
This follow up to “Let It Go,” is another belter featuring Idina Menzel and though “Into the Unknown” didn’t become as much as a cultural phenomenon as the first song Billboard calls it “a clear standout in Disney’s recent catalog.” It was also written by Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez responsible for “Let It Go” and “Remember Me.”
Readers are encouraged to keep following along with MickeyBlog for even more awesome ways to stay entertained while at home.
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Source: Billboard