Excitement Surrounds Disney at the 2019 Grammys
Who else is excited for the Grammys? The black and white photo of a beaming Walt Disney standing beside Shirley Temple as she presented him with his Academy Award for Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs marks the first time an animated film won for best picture.
Walt’s passion project, that nearly drove him to forfeit his house, is the ultimate example that if you truly believe in a project and give it your all, the payoff can be pretty big! Paving the way for all other animated films to follow, Snow White’s major win was the first of many major awards handed to The Walt Disney Company.
It wasn’t until years later that the music from these gorgeously animated feature-length films began to gain the recognition they deserve. Slowly but surely, the Grammy committee started to consider songs from animated films in the ‘best song’ category of the awards shows.
Of course Disney had to make history again with the first big win! Let’s take a look back at how Disney performed at the Grammys in past years and look forward to their nominations at this year’s show!
The Awards
In no particular order, these are the songs that have taken home the Grammy for ‘best song for visual media:
I See the Light
Flynn and Rapunzel’s first moment of repose together comes when the pair board a paddle boat to get a close-up view of the lanterns. During the course of the ride, the two see each other for who they truly are for the first time. The pair celebrates their newfound attraction, and the film’s remaining story is greatly influenced by the course of events that happened during this gorgeous song!
When She Loved Me
I know it won a Grammy, but I still don’t think this tear-jerker is the proper ‘happy’ attraction soundtrack (I’m talking about you, Alien Swirling Saucers). Despite its misuse in the Parks, the song truly succeeded at pulling at the heartstrings of Toy Story 2’s devoted fans.
Can You Feel the Love Tonight?
Another love realization is shared between Simba and Nala when she seeks him out to beg him to return to the throne. Although her wishes are met with disgust by Simba, that doesn’t stop the two from realizing their childhood feelings were real when they meet for the first time as adults…excuse me, adult lions. The song beautifully personifies the emotions shared by the lovebirds. I mean…love lions…?
A Whole New World
Aladdin and Princess Jasmine take flight over Agrabah on the soaring, tumbling, free-wheeling magic carpet journey that seals their trust of each other and forms an undeniable bond. The gorgeously animated sequence is enhanced by the purposeful and perfectly placed orchestral swells, and if you combine that with the beautiful lyrics, you’ve got the makings of a Grammy-winning song!
Colors of the Wind
I could write a dissertation on the music in this movie because it is, in my opinion, Alan Menken’s best score from beginning to end. His orchestrations are great through the whole thing, but to get the best sense of his genius musicality, you’ve got to listen to/watch the Colors of the Wind sequence!
Firstly, I’ve never heard another Disney film’s music encapsulate the sounds of nature via musical instrument like Menken’s in Pocahontas. When a gust blows Pocahontas’ famously wind-tossed hair, he somehow wrote a musical line for the flute that sounds EXACTLY like wind…that’s why we buy so wholeheartedly into Pocahontas’ plea during the song!
Let It Go
Idina Menzel’s powerhouse performance of Frozen’s best moment deserved all the award recognition it got. What always sticks out to me is the team of Lopez’s who penned the song’s ability to craft a truly exciting ‘build’. Let me explain.
Elsa starts the number subdued- her clothes are dark, her body language is closed off, and she’s out of answers. When the song finished, Elsa is standing on the balcony of her newly-created ice palace, and that kind of build is the stuff Grammys are made of!
Beauty and the Beast
The opening chords to this Grammy-winning ballad were instantly recognizable just days after the films’ theatrical release date. Beauty and the Beast– both song and film- changed the dynamic of Disney’s animated features. The gorgeous song perfectly summarizes Belle and Beast’s relationship and supports the brilliant ballroom animation.
Under the Sea
Marking the first time a song from an animated feature won ‘best song’ at the Academy Awards, Under the Sea’s historical significance practically goes without saying!
Before bringing home the Oscar though, the famous tune written by Alan Menken earned itself top honors at that years’ Grammy Awards too! The upbeat collaboration of traditional orchestrations and Caribbean beats makes it one of the best in the Disney arsenal to this date!
The 2019 Grammys
Although it’s been only 5 years since Let it Go won best song for visual media at the Grammys, Disney is aching to add another in 2019 to their already-impressive list! Both songs from Black Panther and Coco have stake in the category.
I have my preferred choice of which song I’d like to win- but I’m more interested in hearing your thoughts! Which do you hope takes the top prize at this years’ Grammy Awards? What is your favorite Grammy-winning Disney song? Leave a comment and let us know!
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