It's no secret that Disney is a powerful machine that produces stellar movies with unique plotlines and captivating character arcs. However, when it comes to the older Disney animated films, a key part of the films' success is the sonically sound and lyrically intelligent musical numbers.
While Encanto is notable for its lack of a traditional Disney villain, the foremost foe usually gets a song that showcases their villainy. Disney villain songs are often unbelievably catchy, but there is almost always a deeper and darker meaning behind the lyrics. Between famous villains like Scar, Ursula, and even Gaston, the characters aren't shy in expressing their innermost sinister thoughts.
Jafar (Aladin)
"Prince Ali (Reprise)"
Jafar is clearly one of the evilest Disney villains, yet many of his worst actions are forgotten by fans, including his enslaving of Genie and keeping Jasmine captive. However, for such a potentially dangerous and powerful villain, viewers expected more from his villain song.
The imagery and the eery nature of the scene definitely gave fans chills, with lyrics like "Read my lips and come to grips with reality / Yes, meet a blast from your past / Whose lies were too good to last / Say hello to your precious Prince Ali!" Though Jafar's reprise of Prince Ali exposed Aladdin's secrets by slandering his character, he could have done much worse damage lyrically due to his true evil potential.
Ursula (The Little Mermaid)
"Poor Unfortunate Souls"
While a powerful witch, she chose to use her powers for her own selfish wishes but disguised them as helpful favors. When Ariel was in need and had no one to turn to, Ursula took advantage of that and crafted her own devious plan.
In the lengthy "Poor Unfortunate Souls," she goes on to detail her life story, all while manipulating Ariel: "And I, fortunately, know a little magic / ...I use it on behalf of the miserable, the lonely, and depressed." Though Ursula presented herself as an understanding confidant, Ariel, unfortunately, fell for her plan in a vulnerable state and like a true villain, Ursula's song was convincing and cunning.
Mother Gothel (Tangled)
"Mother Knows Best"
Considering Tangled is a relatively new Disney movie, many fans would argue that Mother Gothel is the most underrated Disney villain. While some may believe that she was just overprotective, others see a full-blown selfish narcissistic personality.
When Mother Gothel sings lyrics like, "Mother knows best, take it from your mumsy / On your own you won't survive / Sloppy, underdressed, immature, clumsy / Please, they'll eat you up alive / ...I'm just saying 'cause I wuv you," her insecurity is visible, as it's abundantly clear that Rapunzel is being used for her magic and her mother just wants control over her. Gothel knows a thing or two about manipulation and hurling insults, and there's no doubt she uses it to her own selfish advantage, and her evil nature is even further proven once she crafts several sinister plans to take Rapunzel back after she has escaped the castle.
Watch Tangled on Disney+ now.
Cruella De Vil (101 Dalmations)
"Cruella De Vil"
Though the famous song wasn't sung or written by Cruella herself, but rather Roger, that's almost what makes her reputation even more frightening. However, Cruella de Vil's most wretched quotes and highly questionable motives are enough to prove why she is such a danger.
Although the song has quite an upbeat and catchy tune, the lyrics don't shy away from the family's wishes of her fate: "This vampire bat, this inhuman beast / She ought to be locked up and never released!" The film somehow takes a darker turn once viewers realize Cruella's purely sick and evil intentions, to sacrifice the dogs in order to strip them of their fur to turn into clothes.
Scar (The Lion King)
"Be Prepared"
When fans think of the top Disney villains, Scar is sure to come to mind. Between him killing his own brother, Mufasa, and wishing the same fate for his son, Simba, it's no secret that he crafts quite devious plans. Upon thinking over the plot deeper, viewers agree that the idea behind the plot is quite dark for a children's movie.
The somewhat humorous, yet creepy, musical number between the hyenas and scar trade silly banter back and forth: "We'll be prepared! For what? / For the death of the king! / Why? Is he sick? / No, fool! We're going to kill him and Simba, too!" With the cult-like marching of the hyenas and Scar's devious demeanor, the scene is sure to give fans chills.
Gaston (Beauty And The Beast)
"The Mob Song"
Another famous Disney narcissist, Gaston was not only obsessed with himself, but with power and influence. The villain singlehandedly gathered the whole village using fear-mongering and manipulation, convincing them that the Beast is a danger to society.
With the song's premise summed up in one lyric, "We're not safe 'til his head is mounted on my wall, I say we kill the beast," Gaston's danger factor is clear. The villain goes on to inform the people that the Beast will stalk them and eat their children at night when he actually stays secluded in his castle showing the movie's deeper message of the mob mentality movement. More specifically, the film portrays how anyone could make any claim without evidence and form a mob with ease, as long as the people are vulnerable and trusting.
Watch Beauty and the Beast on Disney+ now.
Minister Frollo (The Hunchback Of Notre Dame)
"Hellfire"
With the Hunchback Of Notre Dame tune being one of the most multi-layered Disney villain songs, there are quite a few things fans didn't know about "Hellfire" and likely missed when watching as a child. The film has a shockingly mild content rating of G, considering the coverage of serious topics like lust and violence. Despite being a minister, Frollo has some seriously twisted morals, between his attempt to kill baby Quasimodo at the very beginning of the movie and his ruthless gypsy-shaming, with "Hellfire" being no exception to this conflict.
With lyrics like "Destroy Esmeralda and let her taste the fires of hell / Or else let her be mine and mine alone," it's clear that his struggle with sin is resulting in him blaming someone other than himself. While a problematic take in itself, it's even more shocking to see a villain actually struggle morally. Ironically enough, Frollo had no issue with being cruel throughout the entirety of the film, however, this is a rare villain song where viewers see a foe grappling with temptation, who at heart wants to do the right thing, but goes about it in a very incorrect and horrifying way.
Governor Ratcliffe
"Savages"
Pocahontas is a Disney film that most viewers know is wildly problematic, and the "Savages" song proves this. From the horrific name-calling by the colonizers to the death threats targeted at the indigenous people, the song is a dark portrayal of the hatred each side had for one another, with Disney fans questioning how the movie was rated G while covering such a violent and disturbing subject matter.
Shockingly enough, many fans forget Governor Ratcliffe in terms of Disney villains, even though he is one of the foulest of them all. Between nasty lyrics like "Their skin's a hellish red / They're only good when dead / They're vermin as I said, and worse" and "They're not like you and me / Which means they must be evil," the song reeks of racism and hatred at its very worst, making "Savages" one of the darkest and most sinister Disney villain songs there is.