By default, all Disney songs have something magical about them. Even those that have few lyrics or forgettable melodies have that Disney touch that makes them at least a little enchanting. Of course, some of the tunes that have appeared in the most famous Disney animations are more powerful than others.
The best Disney song is a matter of personal preference, but we’ve decided to rank the top songs by the impact they’ve left on the world and how iconic they are to Disney fans. Keep reading to find out which Disney song is the most iconic of them all.
Once Upon A Dream (Sleeping Beauty)
The most prominent song in 1959’s Sleeping Beauty, ‘Once Upon a Dream’ is first sung by Princess Aurora as she fantasizes in the forest with her animal friends. Before the end of the song, Prince Philip joins her and it becomes a duo – one that would go on to define the film. It ends up being the final song that Aurora and Philip dance to during the final scene.
The 2014 film Maleficent starring Angelina Jolie features a new much darker version of this song recorded by Lana Del Rey.
Reflection (Mulan)
Mulan has no shortage of quality songs. But unlike the faster-paced ‘Bring Honor to Us’ and ‘A Girl Worth Fighting For,’ ‘Reflection’ is Mulan’s most memorable number. It is sung near the beginning of the film by Mulan, who is finally coming to terms with the fact that she doesn’t fit into the ideal female role that’s required of her by the society she lives in.
A version of the song was recorded by Christina Aguilera which also helped to launch ‘Reflection’ to such heights.
A Spoonful Of Sugar (Mary Poppins)
‘A Spoonful of Sugar’ isn’t just an iconic song. It has also become a universally understood phrase. One of the many catchy tunes in Mary Poppins, this song is sung when Mary tries to show the Banks children that cleaning up the nursery can be like a game if they look for the fun in their task.
Although ‘A Spoonful of Sugar’ is arguably the most memorable of the songs to appear in Mary Poppins, it wasn’t Walt Disney’s favorite. His favorite song, not just from Mary Poppins but from all Disney films, was ‘Feed the Birds.’
Let It Go (Frozen)
‘Let It Go’ is a fairly recent addition to the Disney song hall of fame. Even though it’s been echoing in our minds since 2013, it’s still a relatively young song when compared to classics that have been around since the first half of the 20th century.
There’s no denying that ‘Let It Go’ is one of Disney’s most iconic songs. There have been endless covers of this tune and it has captivated people all over the world, both Disney fans and non-Disney fans alike.
Beauty And The Beast (Beauty And The Beast)
The faster songs may be what get the audience dancing and singing along, but sometimes it’s the slower tunes that move Disney fans the most. One of the most iconic Disney songs is ‘Beauty and the Beast,’ which appears in the 1991 film of the same name.
In the original cartoon, the romantic song is performed by the character Mrs. Potts and was powerful enough to win an Oscar. The more popular version was recorded by Celine Dion and Peabo Bryson and, though it’s still amazing, doesn’t pack quite the punch of the original.
Part Of Your World (The Little Mermaid)
The Little Mermaid, which was first released in 1989, blessed Disney fans with a string of loveable songs, including ‘Kiss the Girl’ and ‘Under the Sea.’ But the most popular and most moving tune of them all is Ariel’s solo, ‘Part of Your World.’
The song, which dramatically increases in power and intensity as it goes on, expresses Ariel’s desire to connect with the human world above the surface of the ocean. It has gone on to be one of Disney’s most iconic songs.
A Whole New World (Aladdin)
Despite Robin Williams’ undeniable talent that shines through songs like ‘Prince Ali’ and ‘Friend Like Me,’ the standout song of the 1992 hit film Aladdin is ‘A Whole New World.’ The duo between Jasmine and Aladdin takes place on the magic carpet as they fly over the world admiring the sweeping landscapes below.
The romantic scenery helps add a sense of magic to the number, but ultimately, the lyrics, melody, and the union of their two voices are what makes this song so memorable.
Can You Feel The Love Tonight (The Lion King)
The Lion King soundtrack as a whole was epic. That said, there is one song that is so powerful that it has been able to break away from the Disney world and stand on its own merits: ‘Can You Feel the Love Tonight?’ The hit song is now considered a classic romantic song, adored by audiences made up of more than just Disney fans.
The version to appear in the original animated film is iconic, as are the many covers that have been recorded over the years. Most recently, Beyoncé and Donald Glover recorded a cover of the song that appears on the soundtrack for the 2019 live-action remake of the film.
Heigh-Ho (Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs)
This song isn’t long. Its lyrics aren’t complex, it doesn’t feature endless layers of harmonies and there’s no entertaining choreography to go with it. Nevertheless, ‘Heigh-Ho’ remains one of Disney’s most iconic songs. Everybody’s heard this memorable melody at some point.
In Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, the song is performed by the dwarfs as they carry out their work in the mine digging up diamonds and rubies and then make their way back to their cottage at nightfall.
The Most Iconic: When You Wish Upon A Star (Pinocchio)
All Disney songs have something magical about them, but the one that is just that little bit more extraordinary than all the rest is ‘When You Wish Upon a Star’ from Pinocchio. The song is sung by Jiminy Cricket and is the standout number from the 1940 animation about the live puppet whose nose grows when he lies.
Disney’s tradition of retelling fairytales is all about escaping into fantasy and choosing to believe in something that might seem impossible to others. ‘When You Wish Upon a Star’ just captures the message perfectly.