Top 10 Best Beauty and the Best Songs
#10: “Home”
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Disney’s 1991 animated movie wowed audiences with its musical numbers, and they became modern classics in no time at all. So it seemed like a risky maneuver to introduce new songs for the stage adaptation, but it worked out beautifully. Case in point, “Home,” a stunning song that adds further dimensions to the character of Belle. “Home” is much more theatrical-sounding than the film’s songs, and Susan Egan’s gorgeous voice enchants for the entire four-minute running time. You can tell that this song was meant for Broadway, as it is slow, dramatic, and heart-breakingly beautiful.
#9: “Days in the Sun”
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Well, now we’re crying. “Days in the Sun” is the live-action movie’s replacement for “Human Again,” as it concerns the characters’ wishes that they will one day return to the comforts of being human. The song is a beautiful piece about hope and loss, and the slow build of the song to the final crescendo of voices is sure to break anyone out in goosebumps…and those tears. Emma Watson also does a respectable job, silencing any naysayers who claimed that she was a bad choice for Belle. It’s a great addition to the series and one of the best original songs from the live-action adaptation.
#8: “Human Again”
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Speaking of “Human Again,” this song was originally written for the 1991 Disney film but was finally cut. It was luckily restored for the stage adaptation and was later reinstated into the movie for its IMAX and subsequent home video releases. “Human Again” makes for a great addition to the movie, as it is upbeat and fun, complete with the funny, gorgeous, and complex animation that we expect from any “Beauty and the Beast.” The accompanying orchestra and choir ensures that the piece feels suitably epic and grandiose, which is a must for any Disney classic.
#7: “The Mob Song”
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Look, we can all admit that Disney makes some badass villain songs. In fact, they’re often the best songs of their movies. Admit it, you love them. “The Mob Song” is a terrific piece near the end of the story wherein Gaston rallies a mob to storm the castle and kill the Beast. It’s a rousing song full of darkness and despair, complete with eerie chants and screeching instruments. The imagery also does a great job at setting the tone for the song, as rain cascades from the skies, lightning flashes, and torches burn through the darkness. It’s a perfect set-up for the climax of the story.
#6: “If I Can’t Love Her”
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“If I Can’t Love Her,” written for the stage version of the original animated film, was replaced in the live-action movie by (xref) “Evermore”; and while “Evermore” is certainly a great addition to the “Beauty and the Beast” catalogue, there’s no competing with its stage counterpart. This song deepens the character of the Beast by showing a different side of him, helping us to better understand his motivations. It’s a beautiful song sung with gusto and power by Terrence Mann in the Broadway production. Full of emotive vocals, haunting lyrics, and charming music, “If I Can’t Love Her” is one of the best songs not present in the original animated film.
#5: “Something There”
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The best musical songs are the ones that can transcend the arc of the original story and work as standalone pieces without context. “Something There” is one of those songs. But of course it does serve as a sort of turning point in this story, as it is the song where Belle and the Beast start to acknowledge their feelings towards each other. It’s a happy song, full of joyful music and lyrics that perfectly capture the initial, magical moments of a budding relationship. It may be over too quickly, but “Something There” is easily one of the story’s most charming sequences.
#4: “Gaston”
This has always been one of “Beauty and the Beast’s” most popular songs, mostly due to its use of humor and bouncy, drinking-song sound. It’s unlike anything else in the movie, ensuring that it stands out from the pack. It’s not only fun and catchy, but it does a brilliant job of developing the character of Gaston and showing us just what a prideful jackass he is. And while it’s certainly great in the animated movie, it also amazing on stage and in live-action, as the sets, costumes, and choreography combine to create a stunning and gorgeous piece of entertainment.
#3: “Belle”
Now this is how you do exposition. “Belle” — later followed up by the post-Gaston proposal “Belle (Reprise)” — is a gorgeous classical-inspired song that follows a morning in the life of Belle and the villagers. The music and melody are — do we sense a theme? — gloriously joyful, and the tune serves as a warm and welcoming opening to the movie. It also perfectly sets up the cast of characters, including Belle and Gaston, and it allows us to get a feel for the village and its inhabitants’ perceptions about Belle. No wonder this amazing offering grabbed an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song.
#2: “Beauty and the Beast”
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There’s simply no other Disney song quite like “Beauty and the Beast.” No matter the medium, be it animation or the stage, this song is guaranteed to pull on your heartstrings and make you swoon. The lyrics are absolutely timeless, and the music is resplendent, especially when building towards the soaring conclusion. The song was a major success, both in its original Angela Lansbury-crooned incarnation and subsequent Celine Dion cover versions, collecting an Academy Award as well as as two Grammys and a Golden Globe. It’s just an enduring classic. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. “How Does a Moment Last Forever” “Me” “As Long As There’s Christmas”
#1: “Be Our Guest”
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While “Be Our Guest” is a fun song no matter the medium, this was game-changing stuff back in 1991. “Be Our Guest” has since become one of Disney’s most iconic songs for any number of reasons. Jerry Orbach and Angela Lansbury’s voices are perfection, and the Broadway-inspired music ensures that it always remains stuck in your head for days. However, what makes this piece so memorable is its imagery. The song serves as a giant production number, and the elaborate design was created with the help of CGI. This is a complex, detailed, and highly entertaining show-stopper, and it’s just as mesmerizing today as it was back in 1991.