Top 10 Disney Songs of the Last Decade
#10: “Badder” “Disenchanted” (2022)
“Enchanted” had some seriously underrated bops and sadly, the songs of the sequel aren’t quite in the same league. Still, there are a couple of catchy numbers and one fantastic villain duet that really steals the show. After morphing into a traditional wicked stepmother, Amy Adams’ Giselle embraces her dark side. In “Badder”, she finds herself facing off against Maya Rudolph’s rival villainess Malvina Monroe in a musical battle of the baddies. Like the film itself, the song is high camp, parodying fairytale cliches while celebrating everything we love about them. Composed by Disney stalwart Alan Menken, with lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, it’s got a good hook with fun references scattered through. Plus Adams and Rudolph are clearly having a great time.
#9: “Cruisin’ for a Bruisin’” “Teen Beach Movie” (2013)
This Disney Channel original follows two modern day kids who find themselves stuck in a 1960’s beach movie. It’s a nostalgic homage to a bygone genre that’s cheesy on purpose and smarter than it looks. The plot is concerned with a turf war between two rival gangs - the surfers and the bikers. Whichever team you’re on, we’ve got to say that the bikers get the best song. “Cruisin’ for a Bruisin’” is a tongue-in-cheek rock’n roll anthem with fun choreography and stand-out performances from Jason Evigan and Ross Lynch.
#8: “A Cover is Not the Book” “Mary Poppins Returns” (2019)
Emily Blunt and Lin-Manuel Miranda show off their star quality in this music-hall style sequence from the long-awaited “Mary Poppins” sequel. This movie musical has a lot of likable songs to choose from, including the “step-in-time” homage “Trip a Little Light Fantastic.” However, “A Cover is Not the Book” is by far the catchiest. Blunt has fun with the cockney accent and Miranda even finds space for a bit of his trademark rapping. The combination of colorful staging, a feel-good melody and a dash of innuendo make this song one of Disney’s best live-action musical numbers of recent years.
#7: “Chillin’ Like a Villain” “Descendants 2” (2017)
The next generation take center stage in the “Descendants” movies, which see the children of Disney villains go out into the world to make their own stories. With “High School Musical” director Kenny Ortega at the helm, there are an abundance of musical moments and every song is an earworm. We love Kristen Chenoweth’s solo, “Evil Like Me” in the first movie, but our favorite number is “Chillin’ like a Villain” from “Descendants 2.” Led by Sofia Carson’s Evie (daughter of the Evil Queen) the aspiring villains teach nice-guy Ben how to hang with the misfits. The song is a pop banger that wouldn’t sound out of place on the radio. Carson’s powerful vocals hit different heights and the choreography is some of the best in the franchise.
#6: “Show Yourself” “Frozen II” (2019)
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When “Frozen II” was first announced, everyone had one question on their minds - would there be a new song to rival “Let it Go?” The answer was, no, not really. But “Show Yourself” came closest. In a breathtakingly beautiful animated sequence, Elsa follows the voice that has been calling to her throughout the movie and finally discovers its source. The song is a haunting but triumphant ballad of self-discovery. For those who read the protagonist as gay, it’s also been interpreted as a symbolic coming-out anthem. The number is sung with feeling and power by Idina Menzel, who can bring a ballad to life like no one else — “Disenchanted”’s “Love Power”, anyone? At the end of the day, “Into the Unknown” is perhaps “Frozen II”’s most famous song, and “Lost in the Woods” is a lot of fun too. However, we think “Show Yourself” makes the biggest impact.
#5: “Speechless” “Aladdin” (2019)
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Jasmine doesn’t get a song of her own in the original “Aladdin”movie, but the live-action version sought to fix that. Alan Menken and lyricists Benj Pasek and Justin Paul helped to give the princess a voice with a powerful solo about fighting back and standing up against oppression. Jasmine always had a strong character and a mind of her own, but in this number we get to see her take center stage. It might not be her movie but she definitely makes her presence felt. It’s a big song, but actress Naomi Scott is more than up to the task. She delivers a stirring performance that does justice to the beautiful melody and leaves the viewer feeling inspired.
#4: “How Far I’ll Go” “Moana” (2016)
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If you go purely by their solo numbers, what Disney princesses really yearn for is adventure. For Snow White that meant a prince to whisk her away, for Ariel it was the human world, and for Moana, it’s all about the ocean. “How Far I’ll Go” is another stellar “I Want” song to add to the Disney canon. It’s difficult not to be moved by Auliʻi Cravalho’s youthful vocals set to Lin-Manuel Miranda’s rousing melody. The movie also features a delicious new villain anthem in “Shiny”, and Dwayne Johnson’s upbeat “You’re Welcome” is a treat. However, Moana’s heartfelt ode to the voyager’s life is the movie’s most memorable moment.
#3: “Remember Me” “Coco” (2017)
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2017’s “Coco” features one of Disney’s most affecting musical moments since “Baby Mine” had us crying over a caged elephant. “Remember Me” has a pretty tune and some simple, emotive lyrics, but it’s the backstory that really makes us bawl. The uptempo version of the song - courtesy of Ernesto de la Cruz - is a lot of fun, as is Miguel and Héctor duet, “Un Poco Loco.” However, when Miguel plays “Remember Me” back to an aging Mama Coco, it becomes something really special. On hearing her childhood lullaby, she comes alive again, if only for a short time. It’s a beautiful moment, made more poignant by the loveliness of the song itself.
#2: “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” “Encanto” (2021)
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It's been a while since the public made such a song and dance around a Disney song, but “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” deserves the hype. The ensemble number was featured in 2021’s “Encanto” and became the standout track, shooting to the top of the charts in the US, UK and Ireland. It’s a gossipy, mid-tempo song, featuring anecdotes from the family Madrigal about the mysterious Bruno and his fortune telling habits. It also combines a range of musical genres, from Latin to Broadway, all underscored with a cha cha beat. The song may not have bagged an Oscar nomination, but a year on, it still lives rent free in our heads. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. “Someday”, “Zombies” (2018) An Ode to Love & Acceptance, Duetted by a Zombie & a Cheerleader “Evermore”, “Beauty and the Beast” (2017) Dan Stevens Sings His Heart Out in a Beautiful New Alan Menken Ballad “Try Everything”, “Zootopia” (2016) An Inspiring & Danceable Pop Song From Shakira “Rotten to the Core”, “Descendants” (2015) A Catchy Group Number Worthy of Villain Anthem Status “Moment of Truth”, “Let it Shine” (2012) Disney Goes “8 Mile” with This iconic Rap Battle
#1: “Let it Go” “Frozen” (2013)
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The songs of “Frozen” remain as iconic as ever. “Love Is An Open Door”, “Do You Want to Build a Snowman”, and “For the First Time in Forever” deserve to be remembered. But “Let it Go” was the moment. Idina Menzel blew us away with her vocal talent, but she had some great material to work with, thanks to the writing team of Kristen Anderson-Lopez and husband Robert Lopez. The lyrics carry an important message and have particularly struck a chord with marginalized groups, from the gay community to those with disabilities. It’s an anthem about accepting yourself and embracing the things that make you different. It’s also just a really great song.
