Everyone loves music, and the Disney Channel knows that. In addition to drawing dozens of recording contracts with various stars from their shows, Disney makes sure that singing, dancing, and merriment are included in a healthy amount of episodes.
Here are the ten best musical episodes brought to you by the Disney Channel. It's a pretty wide range of shows, beginning in 2001 and ending in 2019. This walk down memory lane is best-experienced firsthand, so go stream these episodes today.
Lizzie McGuire - "Aaron Carter's Coming to Town"
Even though Hilary Duff and Lalaine are both gifted singers, not much was made of their musical talent on Lizzie McGuire. There was that one episode where Miranda sings "Reflection," and there's that one scene where they're all in the glee club, but the Aaron Carter episode in the first season is the coolest musical one. Lizzie and Miranda are determined to see Aaron at his music video shoot in their town, so they bumble into the warehouse where filming is taking place, Matt and Gordo in tow.
They get into some trouble, but Miranda and Lizzie still get to be in the "I Want Candy" music video! Aaron's manager weirdly finds the kids in his dressing room and says only one of them can meet Aaron. Lizzie tells Miranda to meet Aaron because Miranda is such a good singer. Then, Lizzie gets to kiss the pop star as "Girl You Shine" plays on.
Even Stevens - "Influenza, the Musical"
A true winner, it's "Influenza, the Musical." This season two episode of Even Stevens has the musical talent of Christy Carlson Romano, Lauren Frost, Jim Wise, Ty Hodges, and the spunk of young Shia LaBeouf. No character escapes from singing, and they do a great job with it. The songs from this episode are still celebrated, and some believe that "Influenza" paved the way for the likes of High School Musical.
That's So Raven - "The Road to Audition"
In this season two episode of That's So Raven, a fictional talent show called Undercover Superstar is looking for talent in San Francisco at Raven's school. Raven has a vision that leads her to think the talent scout is disguised as a male janitor. Raven can't keep her secret, so the whole school starts singing and dancing to get their shot at fame. The characters really show their talent. Cory Baxter is "The King of the Keys," one-time mean girl Jasmine is "The Theatre Queen," Chelsea is "All Alone in the Hallways" with her top hat, Eddie is a rap star on the basketball court, and Raven is the big finale with her show-stopping "Shine." Everyone should still be singing that one; it's amazing! Check out the episode on Disney+, and watch to the end to see Paula Abdul's cameo!
Phil of the Future - "My Way"
This season one Phil of the Future episode puts the spotlight on Keely Teslow (played by Aly Michalka). She wants to get rid of her stage fright and perform publicly, but she keeps freezing up. Phil uses one of his best futuristic gadgets to help Keely out. The gadget shrinks Phil to the size of a lizard so that he can hang out on the microphone while Keely is singing "Protecting Me," a pretty nice track that can be found on Aly & AJ's first album. It's fun to see miniature Phil on the mic through the magic of the camera, although several shots clearly employ a bite-sized Lego stand-in.
The Suite Life of Zack and Cody - "Band in Boston"
It's a battle of the bands! Zack and Cody versus London and Maddie. This is the lovely era of the show where Zack and Cody are still friends with Max (played by Alyson Stoner) and Tapeworm. The four friends have some woes, but they rally and try to show up Maddie's band. Maddie hurts London's feelings by calling her "a lousy singer." Everything works out in the end, and it's a great episode, complete with Lance the pool guy.
The Suite Life of Zack and Cody - "Commercial Breaks"
A late season one episode of The Suite Life is memorable because a glitzy commercial is shot at the Tipton. The entire hotel staff gets to take part, and Zack and Cody somehow work their way in. Mr. Moseby is not thrilled that the commercial is set to be filmed there, but the employees are thrilled that they must all prepare auditions. The audition scene includes Arwin's juggling, Esteban's tapdancing (with his chicken), Patrick's lassoing, Cody's interpretive dancing, and Carey's lounge room singing. Maddie and London quickly get rejected for their singing. In the end, everyone gets to shine in the commercial. "Welcome to the Tipton, where everything is sweet, Try joining us for dinner! May we offer you a seat?"
Wizards of Waverly Place - "Dude Looks Like Shakira"
Disney's guest stars can be pleasantly surprising. In the third season of Wizards of Waverly Place, the network somehow got Shakira. Uncle Kelbo comes to watch the kids while the parents are away, and Kelbo turns into Shakira. It's pretty crazy to think that Selena Gomez started out on Wizards and is now as famous in the music industry as Shakira, herself. The two superstars sing "Gypsy" together, and it is enchanting until Shakira morphs back into Jeff Garlin as Kelbo! Kelbo says he made Shakira up in order to live a double life.
Good Luck Charlie - "Goodbye, Charlie/Good Luck, Teddy"
Once titled "Goodbye, Charlie," "Good Luck, Teddy" is the show's final two-part episode. Teddy is leaving for college, and it's time to say goodbye. Teddy and Spencer sing their lovely cover of Elton John's "Your Way" at Teddy's going away party. There's also some marching band action going on in this episode.
Both Bridget Mendler and Shane Harper are great singers, and it's not the first time that music was included in the show (check out "Duncan's Got Talent" or "Teddy's Broken Heart Club Band"). This episode ends things on a good note, though.
Jessie - "One Day Wonders"
In early season one of Jessie, the nanny has a day off and decides to work on her music. She goes to the park and practices her original song, "Texas Guys." Luke, played by the late Cameron Boyce, starts dancing to Jessie's music, and the two are discovered by a music producer who is actually a scam artist. Debby Ryan was perfect for the part of Jessie, and it's cute at the end when the cast helps her do a little music video of the song.
Andi Mack - "We Were Here"
The series finale of Andi Mack is a tear-jerker. Andi and Bex throw a party to follow Bex and Bowie's wedding, and the music is poppin'. The house is beautifully decorated, everyone is dressed to the nines, and relationships and futures are explored. The cast sings a cover of "Born this Way," and before the party gets going, Andi plays a recording of Robbie Nevil's "Never Seen Nothing Like You" for her newlywed parents.