You know the same Disney songs that get played all the time, right? There's anything from "Frozen" obviously, or "Tangled" for that matter. Then there are the classic hits: "The Circle of Life," "Kiss the Girl," "Be Our Guest." We love them, of course (well, most of them), but anything can get old if it's overplayed. Check out these great Disney songs that comparatively, are considerably underplayed.
"On My Way" (Phil Collins) from "Brother Bear"
It's not like I cry every time I listen to this song. Definitely not. I mean, I didn't play this song the first night at college that I got crushingly homesick. Of course not. (Okay, I might be lying.) It doesn't help that my mom practically raised me on Phil Collins, so whenever I listen to him, I think of her. Growing up, "Brother Bear" was never my favorite Disney movie, but this soundtrack very well may have ranked in terms of music. It's just so uplifting, especially this song. I remember hearing it as a child and thinking, "Yes. I have a purpose. I am on my way!" Listening to it now, I still get that feeling, every single time.
"Wherever the Trail May Lead" (Tim McGraw) from "Home on the Range"
It doesn't matter in what period the movie was produced: Disney has always been the master of including relevant, friendship-y songs in their storylines. "Home on the Range" is no different. Tim McGraw is the perfect music for this Western cartoon, and the message really speaks to both the antisocial grammar school kid, me, and the antisocial college freshman me. It's a little reminder that as far as I try to bury myself in isolation, there are always people. People still exist.
"I'm Still Here" (John Rzeznik) from "Treasure Planet"
I have so many memories of watching this movie with my dad. The first time, I couldn't have been older than six or seven. As far as underrated movies go, this might be Disney's number one. It is also probably one of Disney's most complex. (There will be another article entirely about that.) But even more underrated is the song, written and performed by, Johnny Rzeznik of The Goo Goo Dolls. The parenthetical title for the song is "Jim's Theme," but the song promotes such carefree freedom, it might as well be, "Childhood's Theme."
"Little Wonders" (Rob Thomas) from "Meet the Robinsons"
This is another Disney movie in general that is underrated. Why do so many big names in the music industry seem to get the least credit with Disney? Rob Thomas is so, so gifted at what he does. His voice is so fluid, and his ability to convey emotion jars me sometimes. Each time I listen to this song is one of those times. The melody alone is beautiful in and of itself, but the lyrics are what really stand out in this song. This is the perfect song for days when everything just starts to pile up on top of you and you can barely see through the rubble. Sure, sometimes it's the small stuff that threatens to suffocate us, but if we let it, the small stuff can also help us to breathe.
"Why Should I Worry" (Billy Joel) from "Oliver and Company"
Dogs. New York City. Disney. Billy Joel. All amazing things in and of themselves. But when combined? Oh, man. The mixture of all these great things into one three and a half minute song gives me shivers every time. Especially since moving to New York, listening to this song makes me feel so light and floaty. Like I'm important, like everything is under control, even when my life is a ruckus. I mean, if Billy Joel is telling me that I can own The Big Apple, who am I to argue, right?
"On Top of the World" (Greek Fire) from "Big Hero 6"
One of the questions I want to ask God when I get to Heaven is how Fall Out Boy's "Immortals" made it on the "Big Hero 6" soundtrack and this song didn't. Anyway. This song, like most of Disney's hits, is great because it's fun and empowering. If you're going to go down, you might as well go down swinging. Whatever you do, don't let the monotony of life cripple you. I think we all need to be reminded of that every now and again. (And if you haven't watched the music video, you should, because it's adorable.)
"So Close" (Jon McLaughlin) from "Enchanted"
You know how the previous six songs on this list have all been uplifting, inspirational tunes? Yeah, that trend ends here. This is simultaneously one of the sweetest and most heartbreaking songs Disney has ever produced. In the context of "Enchanted," of course you know Disney won’t leave you with an unhappy ending. But the lyrics of this song suggest otherwise: "A life goes by, romantic dreams must die." The brilliant thing about this song is that its sentimental melody and Jon McLaughlin's crooning directly contradict the cynical undertones. I see what you did there, Disney. There's always two sides of a story, after all. The glass can either be half-empty or half-full, and apparently, the same goes for love.
Most of the time, popular songs are popular for a reason. There must be some aspect about them that appeals to a wide variety of people. But for every successful relatable song, there is an underground classic waiting to be heard. All you have to do is listen.
