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With the live-action version of Aladdin hitting theaters on May 24, pretty much everyone is going to be singing the animated classic’s award-winning, Billboard Hot 100-topping favorite “A Whole New World” again and again. (And we mean everyone, including Zayn and Zhavia Ward.)
While the Disney flick is packed with plenty of musical favorites (“Prince Ali” and “Friend Like Me” are some seriously timeless earworms), there are some underrated gems in Aladdin, too — and other animated Disney fare. Such is the case for these 12 Disney tracks that do not get as much love as they should.
“One Jump Ahead” from Aladdin
“A Whole New World” is, unquestionably, the song most associated with the 1992 classic, but this bouncy and fast-paced Alan Menken/Tim Rice tune is what really gets the movie on its feet. Plus, it got a whole generation of kids singing the words “nom de plume.”
“Be Prepared” from The Lion King
Speaking of anticipated animated-to-live-action Disney flicks, we’re eager to hear how The Lion King’s Chiwetel Ejiofor handles the amazing (and, yep, wildly underrated) villainous song “Be Prepared” that was perfected by Jeremy Irons in 1994.
“I’ll Make a Man Out of You” from Mulan
To fans of the 1998 animated film, “I’ll Make a Man Out of You” is a favorite, if not thefavorite. Still, the pulse-pounding inspirational anthem didn’t get any radio play or awards show love like other high-profile tracks “Reflection” and “True to Your Heart.”
“When We’re Human” from The Princess and the Frog
This 2009 film is easily the most underrated animated Disney movie, and that includes the top-to-bottom great soundtrack. While the wonderful “Almost There” and “Down in New Orleans” both rightfully earned Oscar nods, the bayou banger “When We’re Human” deserved one, too.
“Love Is an Open Door” from Frozen
Sometimes it’s easy to forget that there are other songs on the Frozen soundtrack, thanks to the pop culture juggernaut that was—nay, is—“Let It Go.” The cute and bubbly “Love Is an Open Door” is a Disney duet at its finest, and Kristen Bell is a straight-up musical treasure throughout the 2013 movie.
“Shiny” from Moana
“How Far I’ll Go” nabbed the Oscar and Golden Globe nominations and “You’re Welcome” got stuck in your head forever. But it’s “Shiny,” with its deliciously clever lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda and glam rock vocals from Jemaine Clement, that is the real hidden gem in 2016’s Moana.
“Sally’s Song” from The Nightmare Before Christmas
Disney has turned out a lot of songs about heartache, but none of them pack as much of an emo punch as “Sally’s Song” does in the demented 1993 kids’ classic. And that’s all thanks to Danny Elfman’s gorgeous music and lyrics and Catherine O’Hara’s unparalleled vocals.
“Gaston” from Beauty and the Beast
Listen, you don’t have to actually like Gaston — no one outside the world of the 1991 animated film does — but you can’t deny that his theme song, which is basically one extended flex, is lyrically incredible. Plus, he’s especially good at expectorating!
“Stand Out” from A Goofy Movie
Part-Bobby Brown, part-MC Hammer, A Goofy Movie’s Powerline was one of the premier cool cartoon rappers from the ’90s. While “Eye to Eye” is a banger, nothing brought down the house (or the school auditorium) quite like “Stand Out” in the 1995 flick.
“I Won’t Say I’m In Love” from Hercules
It’s sort of crazy that the pop ballad “I Won’t Say I’m in Love” from 1997’s Hercules isn’t a karaoke mainstay, but then again, it’s not the same if you don’t have the five muses as backup singers to help you out.
“Why Should I Worry” From Oliver and Company
Even though the Billy Joel tune earned a Golden Globe nomination for best original song, this glorious New York City ditty has sadly gotten lost in time and doesn’t get the play, or the love, it received back in 1988.
“Les Poissons” from The Little Mermaid
Long before Ratatouille was horrifying picky eaters, 1989’s The Little Mermaid had the most unnerving, albeit catchiest, song to come out of the kitchen. Traumatizing for Sebastian, sure, but a first French lesson — voiced by Rene Auberjonois, known to Trekkies as Odo from Star Trek: Deep Space Nine — for so many of us who grew up on Disney.
Source: Billboard