Galavant, the short-lived medieval musical comedy, only lasted for two seasons. But in that short amount of time, the series churned out song after song that developed the plot and characters and told it like it is. With music by famed composer Alan Menken and lyrics by Glenn Slater, brave knight Galavant, his kidnapped girlfriend Madalena, evil King Richard, and the other eccentric characters sang their merry way through this enjoyably tongue-in-cheek fairy tale.
Here, we’re counting down the 10 best songs from the series with a focus on the most amusing ditties of the bunch. Read on to see if you agree with our picks and to find out if your favorite melody made it.
“GALAVANT” (SEASON 1, EPISODE 1)
The very first song heard in the series’ very first episode is none other than the titular song “Galavant.” Through its fun melody, it established the show’s tone and perfectly laid out its premise. The theme expertly established Galavant’s character as well as those of Madalena and King Richard. Plus, it was also repeatedly reprised throughout Season 1 whenever further exposition was needed.
On top of that, the song’s ridiculously catchy. After hearing it only once, you may find it’s playing on repeat in your head.
“LET’S AGREE TO DISAGREE” (SEASON 2, EPISODE 2)
In this second season riff on “Let’s Call the Whole Thing Off,” Madalena and Gareth come to lyrical blows about their differences. After Madalena throws Gareth’s painting of dogs jousting in the toilet (aka the castle moat), they discard each other’s favorite things. That is until Sid suggests they try to find common ground... which goes as well as you'd expect.
Sample lyrics: Madalena: "I like drinking vino preferably pino.” Gareth: “I prefer a keg of beer.” Madalena: “Love massages, long walks and sunsets.” Gareth: “Beer, beer, beer, beer, beer, beer.”
However, they agree to throw Sid out the window.
“LOVE IS STRANGE” (SEASON 1, EPISODE 6)
Galavant was candid about the messy realities of relationships, and it used the framework of love songs to explicitly lay out just how ridiculous romance could be. “Love is Strange” is one example.
Galavant finally gets over Madalena and he sings this duet with Isabella as he realizes his feelings for her. The pair also admit that love is “dumb” and “weird” and “nothing like the fairy tales you grow up dreaming of.” At least the realization of his love for Isabella is enough to get Galavant back into hero mode again — just when it’s needed most.
“OFF WITH HIS SHIRT” (SEASON 2, EPISODE 1)
This disco number is the ultimate earworm, but what really makes it work is that it’s performed by Kylie Minogue. Minogue is the “queen of all queens,” ruler of the gay bar Galavant and the clueless King Richard have stumbled into. She imprisons them and puts them to work but not before singing this showstopping number.
The song would fit in on any upbeat dance mix. Yet its also hysterical in its own right for its appreciation of Galavant as a “beefcake happy meal.”
“THE WORLD’S BEST KISS” (SEASON 2, EPISODE 2)
In this song, Galavant and Isabella sing about their one and only kiss. They initially try to lie about the blissful nature of their single lip-lock, but as the song goes on they become more and more honest. Eventually they admit the kiss was awful, but that doesn’t mean their feelings for one another have changed.
The song tackles awkward and uncomfortable first kisses and how even when they’re less than perfect, they can be a memory to hold on to when they’re with the right person.
“MAYBE YOU’RE NOT THE WORST THING EVER” (SEASON 1, EPISODE 2)
Have you ever met someone you just can’t stand but then you spend a little time with them and realize maybe they’re… tolerable-ish? This song speaks to just that situation.
Early in the first season, Madalena and King Richard as well as Galavant and Isabella are thrown together. To say that none of them are exactly enjoying their predicament — except in certain moments — would be an understatement. It turns out, they’re growing on each other, “just like mold.” Awwww.
“TODAY WE RISE” (SEASON 2, EPISODE 6)
If Les Miserables’ inspirational “Do You Hear the People Sing?” was brutally honest, you’d have “Today We Rise.” Sid rallies the peasants of Valencia to rise up before making the mistake of being candid about their chances against the royal army.
As he and the peasants march on the castle, Sid covers all the different ways they’ll regret their actions. He even nods to “the brave and lucky few/Who will somehow make it through/Scarred for life.” It’s not exactly the rousing words the peasants needed, and by the time Sid sings the song’s final notes, he’s lost all his allies.
“LOVE MAKES THE WORLD BRAND NEW” (SEASON 2, EPISODE 7)
When Madalena admits she loves Gareth in a moment of unguarded honesty, Gareth becomes a transformed man. The character has been gruff and tough since childhood so he’s never experienced a soft, gooey emotion in his life. Yet Madalena’s confession changes his whole world.
Gareth's never smiled or waved or enjoyed butterflies or bird songs. So as he experiences those things for the very first time, he does his best to describe them with hilarious results. It’s a jaunty, uplifting song performed by someone who’s neither.
“WHAT AM I FEELING?” (SEASON 2, EPISODE 4)
After suffering through a mean-spirited roast at the palace of her fellow royals and being forced to walk home, Madalena returns to her castle to find she’s feeling something strange. It’s an… emotion, and not a positive one.
This beautifully written song is strangely relatable despite its ridiculous premise. After all, who hasn’t wished their bad feelings would just go away because they wanted them to. The ending also shows off Gareth’s sweet side as he presents Madalena with the same earrings the queens who mocked her were wearing — with their ears still attached.
“MY DRAGON PAL AND ME” (SEASON 2, EPISODE 5)
By season 2, Richard’s fortunes have changed. He’s lost his crown and his home and is traveling with Galavant. And when he buys a lizard he thinks is a dragon, even Galavant has had it with Richard.
Despite the setbacks, Richard believes in his lizard Tad Cooper so much that he sings this song to him. He envisions taking on their doubters together and “the wonder that we’ll inspire, when we are setting their heads on fire.” It’s always nice to know that someday you may see your enemies “watching completely flipped out, as their intestines are being ripped out.”