Pop quiz!
How many songs have been released in the history of Disney’s animated feature films?
The answer: a lot.
According to this piece from Slashfilm in 2017, there were at least 368 songs attributed to Disney’s catalog of animated films at that point in time. Five years later, I’m sure that number has well surpassed 500 magical melodies.
With so many options to choose from, it’s inevitable that some tunes will get overlooked when building the “ideal” Disney playlist. I’m all for belting out an iconic Disney power ballad now and then, but it’s time to show some love to the soundtracks who spend most of their time on the sidelines.
This round, we’re paying tribute to the songs often pushed aside for the likes of Let It Go, Be Our Guest, and Hakuna Matata. While you won’t find any of those numbers in this mix, these underrated anthems are sure to transport you to worlds of yesterday, tomorrow, and fantasy.
Scroll down to find a playlist full of forgotten Disney favorites!
Before we enter into the magic, a quick note on some rules I used for this mix: I only included songs from movies produced by Disney at the time of release (sorry Anastasia fans), and I only included films that had a theatrical release. I could make an entirely separate mix of songs from Disney Channel original movies or direct-to-video sequels . . . but alas, that’s an idea for another time.
Grab a pair of Minnie ears and whip up a tasty theme park snack—it’s time for another Disney sing-along! Here are my top 5 underrated Disney songs that you may have forgotten about.
#5: “On My Way,” Brother Bear
Phil Collins gets a lot of praise for his work on the Tarzan soundtrack, but people tend to forget that he did the music for another animated feature film as well! Part buddy comedy, part journey of self-transformation, Brother Bear takes us on an emotional journey in true Disney fashion. This song is the perfect addition to any road trip playlist: 10/10 recommend.
#4: “A Girl Worth Fighting For,” Mulan
A Girl worth Fighting For goes from zero to 100 in the feels department, and we ride an emotional roller coaster in its two and a half minute runtime. Combined with its on-screen visuals, this song does a lot of storytelling legwork while exploring themes of love, self-worth, and loss. It’s often overlooked by some of the more popular singles on Mulan’s soundtrack, but this song definitely deserves more respect!
#3: “I’m Still Here,” Treasure Planet
Remember that time Joseph Gordon-Levitt played the space surfing, rough-and-tumble heartthrob Jim Hawkins? Remember when they set a montage of Jim’s childhood to a song by Goo Goo Dolls frontman John Rzeznik? I don’t know what we did to deserve Treasure Planet, but I would like to personally thank everyone who played a part in making this happen.
#2: “The Big House,” Muppets Most Wanted
I’ve said it once, I’ll say it a million times: Muppets Most Wanted is a criminally underrated cinematic masterpiece. With songs written by Bret McKenzie of Flight of the Conchords fame, this soundtrack has no business being as good as it is. And yet! He did that! For us! This cheery gulag romp is one of my personal favorites to sing along to, but I’d like to note that this soundtrack also features a duet between Miss Piggy and Celine Dion. Definitely check this movie out if you haven’t already!
#1: “The Gospel Truth,” Hercules
One of the best elements of Hercules is without a doubt its soundtrack—where else can you find Danny DeVito singing a reluctant pep talk? I love the tongue-in-cheek play with gospel choir influences, and “The Gospel Truth” brilliantly sets the tone of this film right from the start. How do I sign up to have my life story narrated by the muses? Let me know if you figure it out.
That’s the gospel truth
I think I’m going to need a Disney movie marathon after all of this. Did I miss any of your favorite underrated tunes? Be sure to let me know down in the comments. In the meantime, you can find these overlooked soundtracks (and a lot more) in the playlist below. Happy listening!
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