Steel's Top 60 Animated Songs

[Burgerpants]

Next plz

[101 Dalmatian Street]

Here's a little Halloween gift that came late:

 

 

18. Jack's Lament / Nightmare Before Christmas

 

 

I'm at a loss for words...I would say before trying to explain my thoughts on this tune. I haven't really seen emotion captured so efficiently more than what this song has to offer. You get Jack bragging about his efforts that make the Pumpkin King and what makes him so scary. Then you got his desperation of living through Halloween everyday. With such a change in tone like that, I give props.

 

There's the animation. There's always the animation. Aside from that, Jack is brilliant in this song, that exclamation in the middle of the song, that Danny Elfman composition, that Danny Elfman voice, it's just as grand.

 

Overall, the emotions are what make this spectacular, Jack's frightening delivery among mentioning his skills, the fact that he also shows despair for how he feels about doing the same thing and wants something new, this makes it my best song from Nightmare Before Christmas.

 

 

17. I'm Me / Phineas & Ferb

 

 

Spite going around to use a video from the low budgety Musical Cliptastic Countdown episode, just take a look at this:

 

I'm a strong woman, fast-talking, big-bad-dog walking,
High falutin', drum-beatin', foot stompin', corn-poppin',
Speeding locomotive that just won't stop
I'm a hot apple pie with a cherry on top

I'm a crowd pleasin', head spinnin',
Winnin' in the ninth inning,
Whip-lashing, record-smashin',
Black-tie party crashing

Cyclone of fun, I'm an army of one
I'm strawberry sprinkles on a hot cross bun!

 

You see that? That's lyrical heaven. Overwhelming, remarkable, just fantastic lyrics right there, even for a little detail as redundant as "I'm me." In fact, that's just the part where the song gets good. What makes the song sound more well done is how top notch it is for the hard rock sound, even personality-wise. Just listen to it.

 

 

These next two hints pertain to:

 

A song Michael Bolton does wrong, but Disney themselves still did right.

Just like Let it Go, you'll see different versions of this everywhere.

[Burgerpants]

Go The Distance?

[101 Dalmatian Street]

And it looks like Bubblerock got it. Alright, almost done....

 

 

16. Go the Distance / Hercules

 

 

Just thought I'd throw in a less vague hint for the people who have read my sampled song review thread. Oh, and Michael Bolton's cover is still loads of mediocre. Now that I got that reference out of the way, let's talk about Disney's "Go the Distance."

 

What this song does right for the empowerment is trying not to sound so cheesy and give the song to a character with the finest personality: a practically shrimpy person who wants to be like the gods and knows it takes effort and tasks for him to 'go the distance' and become the muscle man he yearns to be and thrive for that goal.

 

The way how the song starts off as a quiet little tune and becomes to sound empowering and more upbeat is how I would adore this song. For something that feels distant from the song itself, the reprise is apparently the best part for me.

 

 

Just when you thought he already nailed it, he takes it up a notch. Your welcome.

 

 

15. This Day Aria / My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic

 

 

A very long gap ahead from "The Laughter Song," but here's another MLP song that was about as popular as "Let it Go" for a little while. (at least from how I viewed it)

 

So, this song tells stories from two different personalities, as sung by the same person. Where do I start praising this song? This is just Disney standards of good and artistic. It's a splendid orchestra & piano ballad that explains Queen Chrysalis' actions and give her the dark tone while the real Princess Cadence's verses do just as good.

 

It's just...fantastic work. Once again, I give props to Daniel Ingram. I just admire the song's expressing feeling of success and feeling of destruction, combining it, and adding in everything else to make it sound more thrilling.

 

 

The next two hints as written by Steel:

 

A man in time he'll be.

Sometimes, some crimes...

[101 Dalmatian Street]

14. Son of Man / Tarzan

 

 

So, I wouldn't be surprised that most of you guys would think of not putting this song as high as this. Why do I like this song? I know Phil Collins is definitely not everyone's favorite musician, depending on who you ask, but he's done some for work for Disney and um....unlike "You'll be in my Heart," he-

 

HUP!

 

Okay, to cut to the chase, I like this song to an embarrassing degree. Seriously, who doesn't feel pumped when Phil brings out the sound of Tarzan through the composer's beats and Phil starts singing out the melody? This is the type of empowerment song that I seem to like more than "Go to Distance."

 

But yeah....in some cases, it's rather silly, but the song still works for me even if these lyrics come along:

 

Oh, the power to be strong
And the wisdom to be wise

 

In learning you will teach
And in teaching you will learn

 

Basically, some lyrics aren't bright, but that doesn't mean all lyrics are....bright? Oh, now you got me doing it! But it works, because of the catchy beats, Phil Collins' singing talent and his uplifting melody, the animation (really obvious), and even the snake and crocodile snaps during the song in the movie go pretty well with the rhythm, for something so minor, yet I'd still give props to that.

 

 

13. Chip and Dale Rescue Rangers Theme

 

 

Continuing on with Disney Afternoon's brand of theme songs, there's Chip and Dale Rescue Rangers. Pretty much, it's one of those themes that never escaped my mind after hearing it during my childhood. The soft and slow beginning, sure, but Disney sure does know what to do when they get to the chorus, because....

 

When you need help, just call, CH-I-I-I-I-P AND DALE! RESCUE RANGERS! See? But then it gets better; much, much better. When the singer really gets into it, the soul and melody really go together and give the song all that spark. Unlike the soul given to Goof Troop, the subject matter in this theme not only works significantly, but it fits much better.

 

But there's no denying that the singer gets a little too much into the song like with the other singer in the Goof Troop theme, but like I said, no real damage done at all. Now there's one theme song left. Stay tuned to figure out what that is.

 

 

Ullheuheehhhhhuhhhh:

 

One-tooth Spongebob strikes again.

Last Lion King song.

[101 Dalmatian Street]

12. Underwater Sun / Spongebob Squarepants

 

 

(No actual video, unsurprisingly) So, my number one Spongebob song is the one sung by the Bird Brains. So what do I like about this so much? Uhhhhhhhhhhhh.....the melody's great, it's great to see Lux Interior doing the voice, even though EAT A KRABBY PATTY is a little too hammy.

 

Most of all, it speaks of Spongebob more than the theme song or any other song from the show. I just felt like a song with a tone of image on not only Spongebob, but Bikini Bottom and every/one/thing else is needed. It's also basically a personal favorite SB song. And....that's it. Now let's view some more information on Lux Interior, the man behind the Bird Brains...

 

He was the frontman of "The Cramps..."

 

Hmmmm....that song was pretty good. But due to the death of Lux Interior- wait, he died!? So yeah, he died five years ago from aortic dissection and he will be missed. Onto number 11...

 

 

11. I Just Can't Wait to Be King / The Lion King

 

 

Yeah, last Lion King song. I swear. As it turns out, my number one choice is this one. My main reason for adoring this song is just how entertaining it is and how Simba's singing voice is unbelievably charming and comes off as a great match to the character.

 

It's downright entertaining, the sequences, the Zazu torture porn, the beats, the animated choreography, the flute during the middle, and it gets catchier near the end. What tops it off the sequences is is how the background completely changes by the time the song starts from the video above.

 

Just...who would've thought a song about how a character highly anticipates on becoming king could sound so fascinating? Well...with 10 songs to go, it's finally time....

 

 

NO MORE HINTS! Feel free to speculate what my Top 10 would look like.

[CyanideFishbone]

Underwater Sun is definaintly the most fitting song in Spongebob and the best in my opinion. It just puts me in a really good mood whenever I listen to it.

[101 Dalmatian Street]

Time for my Top 10:

 

 

10. Make a Man Out of You / Mulan

 

Spoiler

 

Now, for my Top 10, this is the part of the list that are composed of personal favorites, my highest recommendations, my tops based on my all-time favorite theme song, my all-time favorite P&F song, the likes of those. Where do I start with #10?

 

WE MUST BE SWIFT AS A COURSING RIVER! WITH ALL THE FORCE OF A GREAT TYPHOON! WITH ALL THE STRENGTH OF A RAGING FIRE! MYSTERIOUS AS THE DARK SIDE OF THE MOON!

 

Oh my goodness, this song is just incredible. What else do I like about this song? As well as the effort from Donny Osmond, I'm certain that you guys already know how I like this song through my reviews of "Go the Distance," "Son of Man," etc., but this one is without the cheese.

 

 

9. In the Dark of the Night / Anastasia

 

Spoiler

 

(I'm preferred to the song in full and without the 'distractions' from the movie, so I went with that link.)

 

And the second best villain song goes to....the one song where Rasputin fools around and dances with singing bugs from that one movie by Don Bluth. And that's not as bad as it sounds.

 

This does more justice than "This Day Aria" for a few reasons, one of them based on the fact that there's a time where I would come back to listen to this song and repeat until I feel like I'm done with this song. Another reason is Jim Cummings.

 

Usually a voice actor, Jim Cummings once again does not fail to impress and was able to match Rasputin's performance and personality very well. The next reason why I love this song? It just sounds good. The orchestration, the singing voices, the suspenseful stretches throughout, it all sounds so good.

 

 

8. Darkwing Duck Theme

 

Spoiler

 

So, what is my number one theme song? Well, now that you guys already read the title, the prize goes to Darkwing Duck.

 

This was one of the most memorable and catchiest theme songs I've listened to (not absolutely the catchiest in my standards, compared to the likes of The Snorks and DuckTales, but still...). Out of the rest of the Disney Afternoon theme songs, I knew this one more, even if I did forget some bits of it.

 

I've never forgotten the Michael Jackson/Prince-esque vocals, I've never forgotten the new jack swing style of this song, I've never forgotten the attention-grabbing chorus. Everything else just makes this sound so good and dethrone all the other theme songs I've already covered up and become my absolute favorite. So, what's next?

 

 

7. Summer Belongs to You / Phineas & Ferb

 

Spoiler

 

- My all-time favorite Phineas & Ferb song of course! The favorite song of P&F fans depends on their opinion, but for mine, I don't think I could be proven wrong that this would be their magnum opus out of all their other musical numbers over the course of the show.

 

This song is just as infectious as "I'm Me," yet longer, and somewhat even better. Vincent Martella, Alyson Stoner, Ashley Tisdale, their parts/verses during the song just makes this worthwhile. Not only that, I would say - but the trumpets, the catchy chorus, especially by the climax, the incredibly uplifting tone, those help make the song sound even more worthwhile.

 

And of course, like "In the Dark of the Night," I have been obsessed with this song and I would occasionally come back for this as much as "Me Myself and I." You know what they say: life is full of music so you ought to dance, the world's a stage, it's time for your debut.

 

 

6. A Whole New World / Aladdin

 

Spoiler

 

This is what I would call a song that does too much to prove how well done it is. In other words, it feels perfect. The composition is perfect, the voices are perfect, the flying scenes were perfect, the lyrics are perfect, the tone is perfect. What it takes was a magic carpet ride.

 

I can't say it's too perfect though and this isn't too big of a favorite for me. It's the type of song that you would like so much that you just want to hate it, but can never change your mind.

 

And that's all I've got to say, really. Amazing song, impossible to 'not enjoy,' case dismissed.

[101 Dalmatian Street]

5. Your Heart Will Lead You Home / The Tigger Movie

 

Spoiler

 

Too high up? This song was an epitome of my childhood and never escaped my mind. Also, come on! It's Kenny Loggins I'm talking about. For a reason, he's the king of the movie soundtrack. With songs like Footloose, Danger Zone, and now this, I would surely consider this a highlight for Kenny's film involvements.

 

So yeah....of all things, "Your Heart Will Lead You Home" shares the Top 5 spot from here, and my Top 5. It feels like a sentimental power ballad, but to me, it's one of those that is done right enough. I mean, doesn't this tug anyone else's heartstrings? I was a child, but let's face it...

 

The real stinger is pretty much the basis of a power ballad where the song sounds more interesting....a lot more interesting. Loggins goes over the top and still gives the song that significant touch. So, there you go, personal favorite to a degree. Onto #4...

 

 

4. The Smile Song / My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic

 

Spoiler

 

Funny, my fourth favorite is from MLP: FiM. And there's no denying that this song is exceptionally good. For this tune, this one's got the strongest case of an uplifting sound.

 

For very good reasons, this is my number four. This is one of the best "feeling good songs" I've listened to, the progression as even seen through the hordes of characters as the musical number goes on, Shannon Chan-Kent's voice, the rare image song among western animation, and the very well-known subject matter of how this song describes Pinkie Pie PERFECTLY.

 

It was a good enough time to receive a perfect Pinkie Pie song like that. Unbelievably outstanding effort at its finest. So, what song rules the #3 spot you may ask?

 

 

3. The Legend Comes to Life (or Lugia's Song) / Pokemon 2000

 

Spoiler

 

Here's something you guys wouldn't have imagined: my #3 favorite animated song being an instrumental....or more specifically, an internationalized version of an instrumental (which is acceptable enough to be on my countdown itself), for this precise Pokemon movie.

 

This isn't even the Japanese version and no words can describe how impressed I am with this. Yet again, two other songs block this off for one reason. Even though it wouldn't sound better if it didn't have the additional arrangements, this instrumental would be better off without the orchestration and leave us with the flute for the sake of being true to the original culture.

 

So many musical arrangements, so many varying melodies, and it all works significantly when put altogether....how could I not ignore this piece of music and not put this on my Top 60? I just love this instrumental so much...

 

 

2. Hellfire / The Hunchback of Notre Dame

 

Spoiler

 

Then comes my all-time favorite villain song. To put the Nostalgia Critic into discussion, just about anything he says regarding this song is absolutely why I rank this song as close to the #1 spot since I couldn't really say it any better.

 

Other than that, I ought to recap and express my highlights on this song and why I love it. Essentially, there's something about Frollo's personality and mood that sums it up for me. I lest not forget to mention the ominous choir chanting, the melody, and whatever else I don't have enough time to say.

 

Pretty short for my #2 favorite, but now I can finally reveal my all-time favorite animated song (at least from this point on). What is it? I'll tell....

...

...

 

 

1. Two Worlds / Tarzan

 

Spoiler

 

Yep, Phil Collins and Mark Mancina take the lead. The biggest deal has to do with Tarzan also being a part of my childhood. If memory serves, this movie was the first Disney movie I've seen in theaters and looking back on this song, I'm going to admit that I think this is perfect.

 

Another big highlight for the song is the beautiful animation and visual storytelling that takes place within the song. I've never seen a song set the tone for a set of events more than "Two Worlds" ever did.

 

You got the suspense before showing the ship fire that Tarzan's parents escape, the continuation of the standard tone of the song's meaning to shift to the family of gorillas, then giving us joy between the two families, followed by the inspirational tone for when Tarzan's parents built the shelter, then of course you get the suspense carried over for Sabor's attack before immediately showcasing despair. And in the end, we have that mood shifting to where its main point was.

 

If I were to point out a song expressed through narrative which set the best example, it would be exactly this one in my opinion. And these are the reasons why I think of this as a perfect enough song and why this is my #1 favorite animated song.

 

 

 

Now that this countdown is over, feel free to discuss your thoughts on my list. You can also tell me about some of the songs I didn't include on my Top 60 and even my honorable mentions list.

[Wumbo]

Wow, I love Two Worlds and the Tarzan music in general, but all the same I couldn't foresee this. Nice list, Steel!

[Metal Snake]

Surprised to see Smile Song and Two Worlds so high, but hey, it's your (pretty good) list. Good on you, Steel!

[SpongebobViewer64]

Loved the list

Props to you good sir