Songs From Disney Animated Movies You Forgot Were Bangers - Opinion

From Gal Balaban

The release of Disney's WIsh and the company's 100th anniversary is making us reflect on our favorite Disney hits to sing along to. We all know "Circle of Life", "A Whole New World" or "Do You Want to Build a Snowman?", but some of these great movies from Walt Disney Animation Studios have songs that we might not reference as much, and may need a rewatch to remember how hard they hit. Here are some of the most underrated songs from beloved Disney animated movies.

"A Girl Worth Fighting For" - Mulan

Though it's no "I'll Make a Man Out of You", this is an entertaining tune in which Yao, Chien-Po, and Chi-Fu sing about their dream woman who'd they imagine waiting at home for them when they return from the battlefield. It's a great comic relief song, and also the last sung piece of the film before the army arrives at a destroyed village caused by the Huns, establishing a tonal shift for the next act of the movie.

"I've Got a Dream" - Tangled

At the Snuggly Duckling pub, no one is as they seem. The barbarians may be "malicious, mean, and scary" but they also just want to play piano and find love. As Rapunzel dreams to see the floating lanterns in the kingdom, this number connects her to the giant-hearted brutes of the bar.

"Mother Knows Best" - Tangled

Another one from this movie that's too good to pass on. Donna Murphy owns this role as Mother Gothel, whose anthem is a dramatic and menacing way to gaslight Rapunzel into never leaving the tower. We're only reminded of how terrific of a villain she made when we hear this one.

"Fixer Upper" - Frozen

You may be able to sing "Let it Go" by heart, but what about when Anna's step-family of rock people tried to convince her to give Kristoff a go while constantly roasting him? It's playful and cheeky, and the rock people are the first to tell that maybe Prince Hans isn't right for Anna -- and they even try to marry them!

"Shiny" - Moana

Though "You're Welcome" may be the height of Dwayne Johnson's career, Jemaine Clement also went off as the giant crab Tamatoa, who dedicates an entire song about how he loves how shiny he is and might want to eat Moana and Mau. How can you not love a narcissistic crab singing "I just love free food, you look like seafood"?

"Where You Are" - Moana

Earlier in the film, "Where You Are" is the opening number as Moana's father sings to her about the ways of the island. The song's a beautiful tribute to Moana's people's culture, and in a breath of fresh air, establishes the fact that she is next in line to become chief, rather than being expected to marry for royal legitimacy.

"Un Poco Loco" - Coco

You may not "remember" (see what I did there?) that this is the song Miguel and Hector play at the talent show in the Land of the Dead before traveling to Ernesto de la Cruz's mansion. Easily one of Pixar's best recent films, it's also their only one we can label a musical.

"A Place Called Slaughter Race" - Ralph Breaks the Internet

In Disney's most self-parodical song yet, Vanellope is encouraged by the other princesses to sing about her emotions. Composed by Alan Menken, the song sees the Sugar Rush racer's realization that she belongs in a world of deathly, apocalyptic car races, and Gal Gadot gets to sing a bit with Sarah Silverman in this one!

"What Else Can I Do?" - Encanto

We love Mirabel's sister Luisa's pop tune "Surface Pressure" but something about her other sister Isabela's song of self-actualization is emotional and shows the sisters connect more than they ever have. It's one of the most poignant and cathartic songs Lin-Manuel Miranda wrote for Encanto.

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