The Top 5 Disney Pop Songs of All Time
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It’s no secret that Disney creates some of the most popular songs of all time. Here are the top 5 Disney pop songs that are sure to get stuck in your head!
“A Whole New World” from Aladdin
“A Whole New World” is a song from Disney’s 1992 animated film Aladdin, with music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Tim Rice. A pop version of the song was performed by Peabo Bryson and Regina Belle, and is heard during the film’s credits. The song peaked at No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart for two weeks in early 1994 and won the Grammy Award for Song of the Year as well as the Academy Award for Best Original Song. It also reached No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart, becoming the first and only Disney song to do so.
The bread-and-butter of any good Disney pop song is its ability to be enjoyed by both children and adults alike, and “A Whole New World” is certainly no exception. The tune is both infectiously catchy and beautifully optimistic, with Bryson and Belle’s stirring vocals selling the fairy tale romance of the lyrics perfectly. Menken’s sweeping instrumentation gives the song an added sense of grandeur, making it an instant classic from the moment it was first heard on screen.
“Beauty and the Beast” from Beauty and the Beast
“Beauty and the Beast” is a song written by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman for the Disney animated film Beauty and the Beast (1991). It was first recorded by Canadian singer Celine Dion and Peabo Bryson, and later included in Dion’s Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas (1997). The song was released as a single in October 1991, reaching No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States. In 2004, the American Film Institute officially recognized “Beauty and the Beast” as one of the greatest songs in film history, ranking it 62nd.
“Can You Feel the Love Tonight” from The Lion King
“Can You Feel the Love Tonight” is a song from The Lion King composed by Elton John with lyrics by Tim Rice. It was released as a single in 1994, reaching No. 4 in the UK and No. 24 in the US. The song won an Academy Award for Best Original Song, making it the first Disney animated feature film to win an Oscar in that category since 1969’s The Aristocats.
“Can You Feel the Love Tonight” is a romantic ballad which captures the moment Simba and Nala finally admit their feelings for each other and realize they are meant to be together. The song is sung by Simba and Nala during their first night together after they are reunited following Simba’s exile.
The lyrics reflect Simba’s uncertainty about his new role as king and Nala’s steadfast belief that he is destined to greatness. Despite their different outlooks, they ultimately come to understand and respect each other, culminating in a deep love between them.
The song has been widely praised for its catchy tune and emotional resonance, with many calling it one of the best Disney songs of all time. It has become one of the most popular songs from The Lion King and has been covered by numerous artists over the years.
“Let it Go” from Frozen
Released in 2013, “Let it Go” is a song from the Disney film Frozen. The song was written by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, and originally performed by Idina Menzel. “Let it Go” became an instant hit, reaching the number one spot on charts all over the world, including the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States. The song won the Academy Award for Best Original Song and the Grammy Award for Best Song Written for Visual Media.
“You’ll Be in My Heart” from Tarzan
This emotional ballad from the Disney classic Tarzan was actually written and performed by the one and only Phil Collins. The song reflects the character Tarzan’s internal conflict between staying with the Gorillas who raised him or going off into the world to find his true identity. In the end, he realizes that no matter what, his love for his family will stay with him always. This song is truly a touching ode to family, friends, and loved ones everywhere.
