Top 10 Disney Songs by Alan Menken
Alan Menken has made a name for himself by writing the songs for some of the greatest Disney musicals of all time. More specifically, Menken has written the music for The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, Pocahontas, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Hercules, Home on the Range, Enchanted, and Tangled. We all grew up with these songs and we have him to thank for that. So here is the top ten Disney songs written by the legendary songwriter that is Alan Menken.
Before "Let it Go" stole its thunder, "A Whole New World" was widely considered to be Disney's most popular song. And for darn good reason. The song just has a grand, magical feel to it and the magic carpet ride that accompanies it makes you feel on the top of the world.
This is one of if not, the BEST love song that Menken ever wrote for a Disney film. Rapunzel and Flynn/Eugene's vocals are equally somber and powerful, and the animation of the glowing lanterns set the mood perfectly. In a movie that was for the most part pretty fast-paced, it's nice that a calm love ballad was brought in for the audience to relax and take in the beautiful music and imagery.
NO WAY! "Something that I Want" song is very much good! "I See the Light" is also good but I like the end credits song very very much!
I am shocked and heavily disappointed that AniMat easily forgets I See the Light! This is the highlight of Tangled (songs)!
It's so emotional once you dig deep and sit down and LISTEN.
By far Disney's greatest "I Want" song. This is the song that started Disney's and Menken's streak of Oscar-winning songs, and along with the movie that accompanied it, it helped bring Disney animation back to the mainstream.
That's really wonderful...I enjoy it a lot...
This song is just so darn fun. The way that the song begins slowly and only gets faster as time goes on and Lumiere's singing and lyrics provide it with so much energy and gusto. The animation during the sequence is equally spectacular.
When I had a dinner time after praying I would definitely sing these song if my mom celebrates a party or something special is happening! altough it's been 8 years since I've watched this movie I cannot still forgot about the song
Masterpiece
This is probably Disney's most edgy song that they ever released. The song is basically about how Frollo wants Esmeralda to love him, and if she doesn't love him, he wants her to die and suffer in Hell. WOW. Jeez, man. But in all honesty, this song has a grand sense of atmosphere with Frollo's intense vocals and the articulateness of the animation.
The Hunchback is Menken's best soundtrack, with Heavens Light/Hellfire being the most powerful song written for a Disney Musical. I loved it as a child when I saw the movie, and love it even more now after 20+ years. Mind blowing!
Definitely one of the most grand Disney songs, the choir and Latin chanting really sounds amazing, and it's about one of the best Disney villains out there. It's truly chilling and a fantastic song.
Why is this not #1?
I love the Jamaican inspired beat and background vocals in this song. They just give it an overall "enchanted" and happy feel that goes along great with Amy Adams' wonderfully energetic singing. The choreography during the song is also magnificent, I think it's great how Disney incorporated people of so many different ethnic backgrounds in the scene. Robert's subtle questioning of the scene's logic of happening is also hilarious.
This is definitely one of the most instantly recognizable Disney songs ever with its opening instrumental and Sebastian's iconic vocals. It's fun, bouncy, and overall puts the viewer in a good move. But, is the song even necessary to the story? The whole plot of the movie focuses on Ariel LEAVING the ocean, and this song is persuading her to stay in it even though it's obvious from the beginning that she's going to leave. Despite not having any impact at all on the story or characters, this song is still really fun and is a great listen.
Pocahontas usually divides Disney fans and critics alike. There are those who love it, there are those who hate it, and there are those who feel absolutely nothing towards it. While people disagree mightily on the quality of the overall movie, everyone has to admit that this song is truly incredible.
This is such a calming, soothing song that pretty much embodies the entire movie. The song notched Menken another Oscar for best Original Song and the accompanying visuals of the Beast and Belle in the ballroom have become some of the most iconic in FILM history, let alone Disney history.
I love True To Your Heart and other end credits songs of classic Disney movies such as Beauty & the Beast. They are such catchy songs.
Go the Distance is pretty much Disney's version of Rocky's "Gonna Fly Now". It has the same grand and powerful feel to it, and serves as an inspirational and motivational song for anyone to listen to.
I think this song is so well orchestrated and I find it give me chills.
And Arabian Nights!
