You'd be hard pressed to find a kid in America or around the world today, who hasn't grown up watching Disney entertainment. From Disney movies introduced to us in early childhood, to Disney Channel shows and DCOMS that we watched as tweens, to more adult level Disney property that we now watch as young adults (I'm looking at you Marvel and Star Wars), we've all grown up with Disney as a large part of our lives and culture. Disney films have taught millions of children about love, family, heroism, and friendship. And as much as we older-kids-at-heart love our more action-filled content, it'd be hard to find a college student who won't sit down on a lazy night and watch whatever classic Disney animated movie is on Netflix that given month. They're stories we all know so well and grew up with that they can take us away (maybe on a flying carpet!) from the stress of schoolwork and exams to the Neverland of our childhood dreams. Why worry about a midterm when you can relax and be five years old again for a few hours?
But eventually we do all need to crack down on the school work, and Disney has some tunes for that, too. Because not only do Disney films have great stories, they're probably even better known for their music. And while most Disney films obviously focus on the relationships of love and friendship between its characters, a lot of the films actually teach us a lot about the benefits of hard work and a can-do attitude. This message can be a much-needed reminder for college students in the end-of-semester grind. So what better way to get motivated than to listen to songs that you loved as a kid and still know all the words to? But be warned, singing along can distract from studying... but it also may well be worth it!
1. "I Can Go the Distance" from "Hercules"
All that studying is going to pay off... someday. We can go the distance.
Most Motivational Lyric:
"I'll be there someday, I can go the distance
I will find my way if I can be strong
I know every mile would be worth my while"
2. "Almost There" from "The Princess and the Frog"
Break isn't that far away right? We're almost there.
Most Motivational Lyric:
"And I am almost there
I'm almost there
People down here think I'm crazy
But I don't care"
3. "I've Got A Dream" from "Tangled"
Just remember: you're studying to chase those dreams.
Most Motivational Lyric:
"We've got a dream!
So our diff'rences ain't
Really that extreme!
We're one big team!"
*although I do admire Flynn's dream*
4. "Just Around the River Bend" from "Pocahontas"
Who knows what's going to happen after graduation? There's a whole world out there.
Most Motivational Lyric:
"I look once more just around the river bend
Beyond the shore where the gulls fly free
Don't know what for what I dream the day might send
Just around the river bend for me, coming for me"
5. "Touch the Sky" from "Brave"
We write our own stories and make our own dreams.
Most Motivational Lyric:
"I will read every storyTake hold of my own dream
Be as strong as the seas are stormyAnd proud as an eagle's scream"
6. "How Far I'll Go" from "Moana"
How far will you go do follow you go to follow your dreams?
Most Motivational Lyric:
"And no one knows, how far it goes
If the wind in my sail on the sea stays behind me
One day I'll know, how far I'll go"
7. "Hakuna Matata" from "The Lion King"
Ok, so not exactly motivational. But all college students need a little relaxation and Hakuna Matata attitude.
Most Motivational (or lack there of) Lyric:
"It means no worries
For the rest of your days
It's our problem-free philosophy
Hakuna Matata"
8. "On My Way" from "Brother Bear"
Who knew that Phil Collins wrote songs for movies other than the tear-jerking ones from "Tarzan"?
Most Motivational Lyric:
"So tell everybody I'm on my way And I just can't wait to be home
With the sun beating down yes
I'm on my way
And nothing but good times to show
I'm on my way"
9. "Son of Man" from "Tarzan"
Speaking of Phil Collins...
Most Motivational Lyric:
"Oh, the power to be strong
And the wisdom to be wise
All these things will
Come to you in time
On this journey that you're making
There'll be answers that you'll seek
And it's you who'll climb the mountain
It's you who'll reach the peak"
10. "I Just Can't Wait to be King" from "The Lion King"
This is what it's going to be like to be the boss right?
Most Motivational Lyric:
"I'm gonna be the main event
Like no king was before
I'm brushing up on looking down
I'm working on my roar"
