15 Best Disney Songs, Ranked
Updated: Jul. 22, 2021
If you've ever wondered what the top 15 all-time Disney songs are—the ones loved by Disney fans of all ages—you've come to the right place. Did your favorite make the list?
15. “Gaston”—Beauty and the Beast
First released in 1991 by Richard White, “Gaston” from Beauty and the Beast ranks as the 15th best Disney song of all time, according to timeout.com. Belle had just rejected the handsome but arrogant Gaston’s marriage proposal. Luckily, Gaston’s sidekick Lefou was quick to cheer up him when he was “down in the dumps” by singing this song. Soon, Gaston and Gaston’s other friends joined in, too. Ten points for Gaston!
14. “I Won’t Say (I’m In Love)”—Hercules
Released in 1997, “I Won’t Say (I’m In Love)” from Hercules was ranked as the 14th best Disney song of all time by Buzzfeed.com. In this love ballad, Meg (Susan Egan) sings about her denial of growing feelings toward Hercules. On the other hand, the Muses (Lillias White, LaChanze, Cheryl Freeman, and Vaneese Thomas) try to convince her otherwise and encourage her to admit to this newfound love.
13. “Be Our Guest”—Beauty and the Beast
This Disney classic ranks as number 13. “Be Our Guest” from Beauty and the Beast was released in 1991 and won the Oscar for Best Original Song the following year. This song was so successful there’s even a restaurant in Disney’s Magic Kingdom Park named after it where you can dine in the Beast’s castle. You’ll definitely want to take note of these life lessons everyone can learn from Beauty and the Beast.
12. “The Bare Necessities”—The Jungle Book
“The Bare Necessities” from The Jungle Book ranks as number 12 on this Disney’s best songs list. Released in 1967, this iconic Disney song was sung by Phil Harris, who played Baloo the Bear, and Bruce Reitherman, who played Mowgli, and written by Terry Gilkyson. A year after its release, it earned an Oscar nomination for the Best Original Song. It was also nominated for a Grammy for “Best Recording for Children.”
11. “Cruella De Vil”—101 Dalmations
Cruella De Vil might’ve been the villain in the beloved Disney classic 101 Dalmatians, but no one can help but love the song that shares her name. “Cruella De Vil” still ranks number 11 as one of the best Disney songs, although it’s one that you definitely don’t want dedicated to you. Released in 1961, this Disney song was written by Mel Leven and sung by Bill Lee.
10. “Under the Sea”—The Little Mermaid
“Under the Sea” from The Little Mermaid ranks as the 10th best Disney song. Released in 1989, it was sung by Samuel E. Wright, who played the lovable crab Sebastian, and written by Howard Ashman. The upbeat tune won an Oscar in the Original Song category in 1990, a Golden Globe for Best Original Song in a Motion Picture in 1990, and a Grammy for Best Song Written Specifically for a Motion Picture or for Television in 1991. Who didn’t want to live under the sea after hearing this song for the first time?!
9. “Colors of the Wind”—Pocahontas
Released in 1995, “Colors of the Wind” from Pocahontas ranks as number nine in the best Disney song countdown. Written by Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz and sung by Judy Kuhn, the powerful ballad won a Golden Globe, an Oscar, and a Grammy in 1996 and continues to be a favorite among Disney fanatics. Of course, we’ll never know if the real Pocahontas could sing that well. Here are more iconic characters who are based on real people.
8. “I’ll Make a Man Out of You”—Mulan
Created by lyricist David Zippel and composer Matthew Wilder, “I’ll Make a Man Out of You” from Mulan is ranked as the eighth best Disney song, according to seventeen.com. Once you hear Donny Osmond as Shang sing, “Let’s get down to business,” you can’t help but sing along for the rest of the catchy tune. “I never thought a song as quirky as that was going to attract as much attention as it did,” Wilder told Entertainment Weekly.
7. “Reflection”—Mulan
Another hit from Mulan comes in at number seven on this list of the best Disney songs of all time. Released in 1998, “Reflection” was also composed by Matthew Wilder, written by David Zippel, and performed by the talented Lea Salonga. Christina Aguilera’s version of the ballad even took over radio waves that same year. We bet you didn’t know these surprising facts about your favorite Disney characters.
6. “A Whole New World”—Aladdin
Released in 1992, “A Whole New World” from Aladdin was sung by Lea Salonga and Brad Kane, with its music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Tim Rice. This classic Disney love ballad ranks as the sixth best Disney song of all time. “A Whole New World” won an Oscar in the Original Song category in 1993, as well as two Grammys (Song of the Year and Best Song Written Specifically for a Motion Picture or for Television) in 1994.
5. “Can You Feel the Love Tonight”—The Lion King
“Can You Feel the Love Tonight” from The Lion King ranks at number five in the best Disney songs countdown. Composed by Elton John with lyrics written by Tim Rice, this classic Disney song appears at the one of the film’s peak moments when Simba and Nala reunite after years apart. John also recorded another version that plays over the credits and hit the number one spot on the Billboard charts. “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” won the Oscar for Best Original Song and a Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song in a Motion Picture in 1995. In case you didn’t know, there’s an alternative ending to the Lion King…and it’s terrifying.
4. “Part of Your World”—The Little Mermaid
“Part of Your World” from The Little Mermaid ranks at number four on the list of the best Disney songs. Sung by Jodi Benson and written by Howard Ashman and Alan Menken, “Part of Your World” was released in 1989. Menken told Entertainment Weekly, “My favorite part is that motif [that sounds like] water flowing, which beautifully set up the tone and became the central theme.” Don’t miss these impressive words you can learn from Disney songs.
3. “Beauty and the Beast”—Beauty and the Beast
Ranked as the third best Disney song of all time is “Beauty and the Beast” from, you guessed it, Beauty and the Beast. Released in 1992, this Disney classic has been covered and rerecorded numerous times, but the original performed by Angela Lansbury has proven to be the most timeless rendition. It won an Oscar for Best Original Song in 1992 and a Grammy for Best Song Written Specifically for a Motion Picture or for Television in 1993. These are the most popular fairy tale stories of all time.
2. “Circle of Life”—The Lion King
It’s no surprise that a classic like the “Circle of Life” from The Lion King is in the top three best Disney songs of all time. This powerful opening number composed by Hans Zimmer, arranged by Lebo M., and performed by Carmen Twillie, comes in at number two. In 1995, it was nominated for an Oscar for Best Original Song (alongside “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” and “Hakuna Matata”).
1. “Let It Go” – Frozen
Finally, the best Disney song of all time is “Let It Go” from Frozen, according to timeout.com. Released in 2013, “Let It Go” was written by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez and sung by Idina Menzel. Since its release, this uplifting anthem has won an Oscar for Best Original Song, a Grammy for Best Song Written for Visual Media, a Golden Globe for Best Original Song in a Motion Picture, a Critics Choice Award for Best Song, and more. We don’t think fans will be letting go of this tune for a while.
Are you a true Disney fan? Find out with this Disney trivia that puts your movie knowledge to the test.
